Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-05-16
WEST INDIA TRADE.

In publishing yesterday from IA Demerara
paper the sections of the law recently adopted
in that colony for the regulation of articles. of
which the principal are exported from the u.
States we had no time To add any remarks.
Ii did not fail To strike us, however, as very
singular, that the governor of single COLONY
should, without any concert, as far as we can
Judge, with the authorities of other colonies
or those Of the mother country, undertake tn
prescribe the terms and conditions. as In
weight, size and dimensions, ON which alone
articles of foreign produce can be sold in the
market of that colony. Ii Demerara has on.
standard, Jamaica may have another, and
Berblce third. Besides, who ever heard of
aregulation as to the weight and dimensions
of imports, save only where due regard to
the collection Of the revenue requires tina,
certain articles, easily smuggled, shall be in
troduced IN casks or packages of a given siz. ?
But neither cod fish, nor clap boards, shingles.
nor Boston chips, are likely to become articles
oil centraband. The Demerara law does not
merely say that all those articles, when sold.
must be weighed ar measured by the standard
al the colony, but that, unless they tally with
the exact weight or measurement prescribed,
they shall not be offered for sale at all thus
sling an overs Cht or accidental omission of
tne shipper with the penalty of prohibition
The truth IS, the whole trade with the British
West India colonies is on very unsatisfacto.
ry footing The government of Great Bri-
tam receded very reluctantly, and only from
necessity, from their old system of colonial
monopoly. They framed their act of Parlia-
ment, opening the trade of the colonies. with
great caution, and with an evident purpose
while seeming tn give great deal, of reserv.
ing as much ofthe trade in their own hands as
possible. Our Government. observing in
ms, as I'm their other transactions with foreign
nations, the safe rule of" doing as thew are
done by" measured out with equal caution the
immnnlties TO British ships; and for every
restriction or comparative disability which the
act OF Parliament imposed on The trade in
American vessels, Congress found out and i'm
posed a conntervailing one on that to be car
REQ on IN British ships. Hence mutual COM
pants and dissatisfaction, for which we know
OF hut nne remedy: If Great Britain be
sincere IN her desire to promote the trade be-
tween her colonies and the United States. an
the principles of reciprocity, let her at once
accept the offer which this Government has
maze, ana is, we doubt not, willing TO renew,
"i extending 10 the colonies the principles
which regulate the intercourse between the
mother country and the United States 4; or. if
there be difficulties which mutual explanation
ana concessions might rel move. let her AT once
open "A negotiation with our Government for
commercial convention, by which this inter
course may be established upon permanent
and mutually beneficial footing for. While
each country continues To enact, perhaps on
eX parte representations, countervailins laws.
mere can be- no approach to fair settlement
Oh me questions AZ issue, nor any real harmony
or certainty IN the trade. " Y .9me7icaa.
The seventh anniversary of the American
Bible Society was celebrated at New York on
Thursday. Among those who addressed the
meeting, were the Revd. Messrs Woodruff,
hoss, Henshaw. Milanr, Mcleod, and Find
Iey, The Hon John Jay, the Hon. De Witt
C'ln'on, ana Sent. Vicente Rocafuerto, a
native of Peru.
From the report of the managers. it an
pears that $4,000 bibles and testaments were
printed hy the Society during the past year in
lne Engllsh and Spanish languages, in addition
10 which 600 in the German and Spanish
languages were purchased making total Of
325,777 during the first seven years of -
society. The Spanish bibIesand tcstaments 81
intended for gratuitous distribution in Mexico
ana South America. The receipts during the
pas. year were Si5,13l and fifty-niae
auxiliary societies were added, making the
whole Number $50. The Board of Managers
Spanish bible.
The income of the British and FOREIGN
Bible Society, for the last year, exceeded
100000 dollars. Since the foundation of this
society, II has issued more than $500, 900
copies of the Bible
| The labors of the Russian Bible Society.
are co-extensive with that great emuire. Tbcv
nave already published the Bible, in 28 differ.
emf languages. 100000 copies are distributed
per annum The Calmucs, are, in conse
quence, throwing away their idols and IN.
society IS extending its labors TO China.
In Germany, France, Sweden. Bavaria. the
Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, also
Efforts are making TO give universal circulation
to the Bible