Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-08-20

laid over, tor confederation, 10 the ensuing
season. We aliude to the famous Navisa.
ton Acts OF England. The operation oil
that code was severely felt by American
merchants during the whole period OF the
harvest, which tor 80 years, they gathered
from the conflicts in Europe.
Should an enlarged and liberal policy be
devised aud adopted, we shall acknowledge
ourselves disappointed; but as almost any
variation of the system must be productive
of benefit to this country, we shall watch
the progress Of the bill, If not with conn.
dence al least with hope.
On the 26th Of June, Mr.. Wallace, in the
House OF Commons, concluded speech on
the subject alluded TO, by moving the follow
ing resolutions -
''That the chairman be directed to move
the house for leave 10 bring in bill TO re-
peal divers ancieBt statutes and parts OF sta
tutes, so far as they relate to the importation
into and the expectation from, England, OF
goods and merchandise iron and 10 foreign
countries.
"A bill 10 explain and amend the several
acts tor the encouraging and increasing OF
Shipping and navigation. aud to regulate the
importation OF goods and merchandise into
Great Britain, so far as relates to the coun-
tres from whence, and the ships in which,
such importation shall be made, and.
"A bill to make more efectual provision
for the permitting goods imported into G.
Britain to be warehuused or secured without
payment Of duty"
In the course of his remarks, he stated
that there we're about tpo thousand iaus af-
fecting commerce, which ha,. been passed
at several periods, under different forms of
government in England. The reason he as
signed for propo,ing an alteration of the
commercial code was, that that country was
now in situation very d.fert Mt from what
il was in the time OF wal, and having no
longer the dominlon of the sea by arms,
mus contend for superiority on the lair field
of commercial competition. The first OBJ
iect which he had in view was to simplify
and consolidate the existing laws; the Sc
cond to propose such measures of freedom
TO commerce as might make that country the
general depot for the commerce of the
world.
The object of consolidation. he purposed
to effect by general bill OF repeal, applca.
bic to every statute on the subject, (about
goo in nunher,) antecedent to the act of
Charles ii ; and in relation to the freedom
of commerce, he had il in view to do away
the Inconvenience which the present ar.
engagements frequently occasoned in the as
posed to abolish the di0isaon by countries,
(Which wa. so liable to Huciua;ion) and to
substitute the d,uision by articles.
In relation to the British shipping interest
he remarked that, al present, good from tie
various ports of Asia, Africa, aud America,
as well as from the ports of Europe, could
only be brought direct to Great Britain
He meant to propose that those might be
brought thilheI from any other port; or that
they might be removed from one port 10 an
other. But, although he was persuaded that
there was no danger IRON the measure IN
time of pea,e, yet it was possible IN war,
the course OF trade might change, and not be
easily brought back, he meant to propose,
as security, 10 lay moderate import on
orric!es, the produce of Asia, Africa and A
merica, coming from an European port in
foreign ships.
The last proposition which he had offered
was, in his opinion, calculated to make T.
Britain the general depot for the Whole com.
merce of the world. He remarked. that nc
solid advantages were to be expected from
provisions, in which the advantage OF Other
countries was not also consulted; and be
deemed it very extraordinary that it shoule
be reserved to our days to make this consl'
deIation enter the commercial policy OF the
country. He said it was worse than absurt
because they could not keep foreign goods
out of foreign markets to deprive themseIve'
ofthe advantage resulting from allowing then
to pass through their hands.
As there was.so,ne Jealousy on the ques
ton of the transit duties, he meant to propose
that his bill should apply to all articles, sex
cepting such as are at present by law except
ed"