Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-07-03

VIVVH 10 pTlvale dislrbuiion OF
ms exports, by increasing the number OF points nj
which he may have the option of touching in pursuit
OF markets canno; fail TO promote ready and
extensive demand.
.lf tho restriction rtradc 70 vessels of the h,rlep
at $50 tons and upwards, in all sens and countries
within the limits of the East India Companv's char
ter, has any tendency to check the operations of the
private trader in direct commerce with the tomin.
ions OF the East India Company, il can hardly Gail to
operate still more impeachment his cxcrtions
IN seeking new channels of commerce, or extending
those which already exist with other countries and
islands in the par, of the globe. Here a field
ma great measure new, Wonldfbc opened by the free
admission to trade of vessels of smaller burden
IL Is satedt9 the Committee by persons who have been
most Interested IN forming correct opinion upon the
sublect that IN trade with the native powers in the
Cult OF Persia, along the Red Sea- aud ON the east
ern coast OF Africa, as well as with the Islands and
Countrtes 10 the eastward OF the Company domin-
ions IN Asia, small vessels would be employed in pre-
terence to large, from the nature of the navigation the
great value OF the navigation, the great value and small
bulk OF SOME OF the articles well the descrip-
ron OF markets where such trade would bc carried
| on Some apprehension, indeed, has been stated to
exist that vessels of that description might be exposed
to frequent deprcda,ions FROM Pirates who inest tho &c
seas but does not appear that there any difference
IN the rate OF insurance required from laI gc and snail
ships: VI there is risk, however, the private mcr-
enant might safely be left 10 consider how far it APP
piics to his particular while the Anne rican trade
IN those seas, which is carried on as well in vessels
below as above the burden of $50 tons is moi stated
at any time 20 have suffered materially from such
dangers IL may be remarked, that although the ma
tive Governments of India have been gcr6r;y sun
posed to be un.avourable upon SYSTEM foreign COM
mcrcc, no recent instance such disposition has been
adduccd The French, on the contrary are stated to
have been remarkably successful in some recent at
temps to open commercial intercourse with Cochin
| China; and the recent knowledge which has been
acquired OF the manners and habits the of
some ofthc Islands the Malay race leads 10 much
more favourable opinion Of their character and apti-
tude for civil and commercial intercoursc than was
| previously entertained
4 % The maintenance n oil,
amongst the Indian islands under. British protection,
which the magnitude OF our establishments in thar
quarter OF the globe may enable support at much
less expenses than amy other nation, may be attended
with the greatest benefit CONNER &C and cultivation
HE Importance of such station, and the quick per.
cepon OF ITS advantages formed by the native traders
III that part OF the globe, may be estimated by the
rapid rise OF the port of SINGAPORE during the wear that
1t has been IN the possession ofthe British Government
and opened for the purposes of general trade. The
population, which had before scarcely an,ounted 10
200 souls, i'll three months increased TO not less than
1000, and now exceeds 10000 in the whole while
IS sail of vessels of different descriptions arrived
| and sailed in the course Of the first two months,
! he commerce with China is carried on by the
East lndia Company IN whom the sole and exclusive
right OF trading with the ports of that empire rs well
rs the sole and exclusive right of trading and traffic
ing IN tea and from all the islands aud ports between
the Cape OF Good Hope and Straits of Magellan is
now Vested by law. The value and extent OF ibis
trade has naturally aractedhe attention of the private
merchants and although it could not be contemplate
Cd that the East India Company would Willingly re-
nq,iish SO important privilege, an earnest desire
mas been expressed that the British free trader might
nc permitted, even previous 10 the expiration of
Tie Charter, to embark in those branches of the
trade which the company neither carries ON itself
nor appears to be immediately interested in, and
| IN which the only competition TO he encountered
by inc British merchant would be that of the foreign
trader.
=" OF this description may be considered the trade
10 Tea ana other artc es between Canton and Foreign
Europe the teatrade within limits of the Companys
quarter, exclusive OF The ports of the Chinese en-
pre- ana Tie trade between Canton and the Western
shores OF North and South America
- he hopes entertained by merchants and oihcrs
VINO nave the best means Conformation, of benefit to
commerce from such extension of its freedom as
well as the approximations felt by persons of great ex-
perience IN the direction of the affairs and in the
service OF the East India COMPANY of the risk with
which such an extension may he attended 10 tler no.
h'ic;ii and commercial interests, will be found fnily
| the Appendix.
" On the one handi is confidently stated that the
10" rate OF British freight, and other advantages pos
sessed by the British merchantmen, would enable the
Brush free trader TO enter into an immediate and sue
cessiul competition with those of other countries and
more particularly of the United States, BY whom, these
branches OF commerce have been carried for some
years past with every appearance efprogre increa-
Is ana prosperity; that thus portion OF Europe ta he
supplied with by the British trader thai the export
OF iuTs from America ,ehich takes place even from
inc brltIs territories ~ American vessels, would be
carried on by British shipping and that az ai cveots
that portion of the eastern trade which is car
rieu on by the export of British manufactures in
American vessels, would fall into the hands. of the
British mcrchant with greater opportunities of cx
tending 1t, afforded by more direct intercourse on
Tire other hand is stated 10 afford reasonable ground
Tor alarm, that the scdmeH who would be admitted
mucr such circumstances 10 the port OF Canton,
might probably be of a character so different from,
mat OF the seamen empoyedon board the vessels OF
ING United states, and be subject to discipline so
inferior TO that which prevails board of the larger
description OF vessels employed in the service of the
East India Company, that disputes might take place
ana excuses be occasoncd, which might produce
iad consequences, by awakening the .;ealousv or ~
ciiing+he anger of the Chinese Government
IL rs also apprehended that the admission Of new
competitors INTO the market might lead 10 Some de-
.eriorauon IN quality or enhancement in the prices of
teas, which are regulated by arrangements made
previously tothen coming into the market, between
the servants of the Company and the Hong mer-
chants, who ENJOY monopoly of the sale Of that
article.
:" To what extent such hopes or such apprehcnsions
might be realized in the progress of trade which mas
neyeryet been permitted to exist it is difficult perhaps
10 FORM an active judgment The most natural and
indeed the only means offormng one, must be dcriy
edirom the circumstances and progress of the FOREIGN
independent trade, and more especially that of the
vessels OF the United States with the port of Canton
lhat trade, although carried in vessels of nearly
the same description that would probably be emplov-
ed by the British merchants, has continued TO flourish
without being productive of injurious consequences
either TO trade in general or that of the East India
Company IN particular. Ii stated that il would not
nave done so, hadI not been for the protection and
o'her advantages derived from tue establishment of
tie Company factory at Canton hut no sati,facfory
reason has been assigned why tile British free trader
should notderiye the benefit from its ceuntenance
and protection, 10 which he certainly would not be
less entitled. II must also be observed, that the cir
cnmsances which have principally been relied upon
Us constituting the difference between the character
ofthe British and American seamen, namely the |
former having share in the profits of the voyage ap-
plies only to that portion mot large oDc1 of ther
trade with Canton which Is employed in the export
OF fnrs from North America, might be expectcdfo
apply ~ the same degree, far respects that por-
ton OF trade 10 British vessels, iEpermitted to engage
IN H. II IS admitted also. that all danrer nrisinr rni