Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-05-24
Cbe Constitutional allJtg,
BRITISH HOUSE OF coMMoNs-MARcn 81.
COLOSSAL COMMERCE..

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! MIR. Huskisson rose. Although, he observed the re-
solutions with which he should conclude would be
strictly III confomauce with the recommendation con-
tanned IN the speech delivered from the throne at the
commencement of the session. and although fortunate
y as he thought favorable disposition existed for the
removal of restrictions, he feared he was under the ne
cessty OF requesting for some little length of time the
Indulgence OF the committee When he reflected upon
the many interests that might be concerned in this
question, the alarm That might be excited the predec-
IONS or PreJudccs that might be excited BY what he
had 10 submit TO the committee, he thought more be-
coming on s part TO go nj length tue subject than
To follow an example of conciseness When he said
this, he assured the House that the alterations in our
commercial system which it his intention TO advo-
cate should be found variance with the ancient SEN
ncn's OF the House with reference to colonial interest
and policy II was not because he thought our ancient
Pocy necessarily erroneous, because he considered
innovation necessarily good but because he thought
le changes which had taken place in the world made
incumbent upon them, who were practical statesmen,
TO look TO these changes to the effect of them and the
grievances they had created in ancient system, and
provide remedies to meet them. only in this res
pect that he was an innovaOr lie anxious TO
Try Tie elect OF new principles when circumstances
called for their application every days experience
taught hun to feel that with the complex machinery of
TINS country by which the daily revolutions of the
world placed some interest at stake il became them TO
weigh well the meaning oevery institution before they
yentured upon ehecting change. With this view he
should submit To the committee, first the necessity
change in their commercial policy with respect to the
colonies next the expedency of removing the duties
upon raw materials of manufactures and the prohbito-
ry duties upon all manufactured articles; and thirdly
whether, these topics Jointly considered they could
IN some way relieve the shipping and commercial inter
ess OF the nation. But when considered the late
hour at winch he rose, and the necessity lie under
oil gong al length INTO the subject, lac felt himself called
upon to postpone the two latter topics future oppor-
tunty, and confnc himself to the colonial question:
Tins part OF the subject might by many be considered
the most important. Every gentleman was aware of
the ancient policy of the country upon the subiect
had been long established that the colonies should be
strictly interdcted from all except with the
parent state To uphold this seemed 10 be v ih
tue European states the of coonization and
this country, which had obtained more commercial pos
sessions IMAM any other, seemed To have carried tho
principle to the greatest length. There however
others who were not less rigid and exclusive than
were--and indeed ii seemed much part oil the in
ternatlonal laws OF Europe, that in the prize du
ring the seven years war it was held that neutrals
could not carry a trade with the parent state. But
with reference 10 this system had no change taken
place OF atc? Let them look at the Brazils-what had
been their situation since 8O3 " hen the royal family
OF PORTUGAL migrated thcre' What the altered ST.
uaton of ST. Domingo2 What was the increase of en-
terPrlze and mpo lance which had taken place in those
vast countries OF America formerly belonging SPAIN
When he considered how these changes might operate
upon our own COLONIES he saw sufficient call
upon the House TO enter into inquiry whether amidst
such changes no change ought 20 take place in own
colonies 1t might be supposed thai should put for
ward some claim 10 participate in the effects of these
changes. At all events the duty of the powerful to
admit the weak generally, participate in the benefits
which they alone commanded might cali upon them TO
entertain this question But he should ask the commit
tee whether such change which should include these
countries in our trade might not be beneficial to our
colonies themselves; whether having extended free
trade so far we ought not TO carry still further and
whether, I'D the long colonies should suffer BY
the continuance of this monopoly OF their products we
should not weaken their attachment thereby to the pa
rent sate' lie called upon the House To reflect upon
tie increase OF commercial enterprise which tie reyo-
luton OF nearly one third of the whole country from the
mouth OF the river ST. Lawrence Cape Horn, had
created; and whether, with reference TO the vast mari
time possessions, both insuar and continental, of late
years brought into active operations some alteration
not necessary? IL became tie House, and every
gentleman at all connected with the commercial inter
ests OF the country to give these particulars the fullest
consideration. If heretofore had been the policy of
those great states which possessed colonies depen
denotes in the nature of colonies make such colonies
dependencies subservicnt possible to- the in
terests and prosperity of the mother country, lac might
be allowed 10 say that other country furCbl
bound TO pursue such Il of policy as treat Br
tain And indeed G. Britain had in many instances
benefited greatly by relaxing towards the colonies and
dependencies the severity of her commercial
lie would first take the case of Ireland Every one
that up the year 1880. ireland had been
treated, IN all respects, like colony. Without exa-
mining into any other sources fiber poverty and mise
ry, he might at least assert, that until the year 1880
she all things regarding her commerce. naviga-
ton, manufactures internal industry, and disposition
of her productions, held upon the footing
/ iony. In the year 1878 certain propositions were
the view to work relaxation in the regulations
corning The trade to the West Indies. 1t proposed
that she might import her own sugars from the West
Indies, and export her glass II urged in OBJ
lection, that Ireland had already received sufficient
Blooms Great Britain, and that TO grant her any
more would be ruinous to the commerce of the country
Now in what did these bOons consist? During the ear
er part of the American war, we had allowed ireland
TO export the colonies her butter and beef There
was another boon worth mentioning to the House. As
ireland had at that time separate army, which army
was paid by herself and that very period fighting
our battles in America, passed Law permitting Ire
land Clohc with her manufactures such portions
Of her own army were paid by herself These were
the boons which bad been granted up to that time, but
the propositions went much farther. How we're they
met All classes in the country, the ship owners, MGR
chants manufacturers, and traders, united in petition
ing the House 10 extent unparalleled. The propo-
sons were ultimately thrown out. Having taken the
trouble to examine some Of those petitions, nc would
read few passages from from ben in order that the
House might learn the extent OF the alarm which then
prevailed and the faacy Of the predictions which
made. 10 the petitions from Glasgow, it was prayed