Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-17

10 per cent additional TO the duties we have 10 pay
whilst other nations pay no such charges: IL Is IN
our power, by act, to relieve our commerce anu
naviga alton from those burthens and the sole ques-
tion is, shall we do so, or remain eight or nine
months, until long negotation' on uiat ana o'ner
subjects shall terminate!
The Committee say, that the memcrialsts have
stated that the Colonial ports Were closed in
mad inter TO the vessels of the u States, under
re construction of the act OF parliament, OF july
1925 which construction the Committee say, is
NOW admitted even by the British authorities, TO
have been erroneous. The act of Parliament will
best peak for i,self The act appears to me, In
the most positive manner, to close the Colonial
ports on the 9th January 1876.
Section l. That, from and after the 9th
January, 1926, this act shall come into and be and
continue in full force and operation, tor the regu-
laton OF the trade of the British possess ions a
broad
Section 4. And whereas, by the law OF navi-
cation, foreign ships are permitted to import into
any of the British possessions abroad, from the
countries 10 which they belong, goods the produce
of those countries. and to export goods from such
possessions, to be carried to amy foreign cou'i-
.rv tuhateuer; and whereas it i. expedent that
such permission should be subject to certain cond-
tions: Bet therefore enacted, That the privi-
leges thereby granted TO foreign ships, shall be lin
tied 10 the ships of those countries, not having
Colonial possessions which shall place the COM
nerce and navigation of this country, and its pos
sessions abroad, upon the footing ofthe most favor
ed nation.'
Mr.. President, The United States have not pla.
ced that commerce and navigation upon the foot
ing of the favored nation. In consequence,
the ports OF hose possessions were about 10 be
closed, but have been kept open, through the IN
tercesson of The British Minister and the request OF
the officer sent out from London by the CUSTOMS
until the British Government shall give orders OH
Al VI h- hty
paying the enormous duty of 81 cents per ton
Sc. our vessels, and shall not be much
surprised, if they should consent that they should
be kept open, by order of council, forever, on
those terms. We pay TO their revenue 100 DOL
lars, when they pay to ours only ten Ii is simply
financial operation.
have been told by high officer Of the Go
vernment. that the ac, OF parliament OF 9Th July,
1925, prohibits the Importation OF certain articles
of produce and nlsnuf ctures into those posses
sions.
Well sir, that is true. But it i. a curious coin
ci3ence, that the United States do by prohIbitory
duties, exclude the importation of the same ar
ticieS INTO the United States. What are they?-
Gunpowder, Arms, Ammunition, utensils OF
war. Well, sir, our duties efTectuay prohibit
them.
Beef, fresh or sailed Pork-These also are pro-
hibted by cur high prohibi;ory duties.
Iea-well, sir, Tea is not the prodrce OF GIea
Britain nor her possessions abroad, and, OF course
Is prohibited TO any foreign nation.
Fish, dried sailed, Train OIL, Blulber, Fins
OF Skins, the produce OF creatures living in the
These list Of the articles, the importation
OF which is prohibited to the British possessions
abroad, and equally prohibited from importati-u
into the United Sizes by prOhibitory duties.
Nov, sir, l will ak question. Suppose Great
Britain was to make his offer Great Britain will
repeal her prohibitions condition that the u.
States will repeal her prohibuory duties. believe
risk little in saying that the answer y ouG be -
No, we will not
Mr. President, the Chairman, (Mr Lloyd J
made an able report against the memorial OF Ger
tain merchants of Baltimore, who praye that the
duty On dried fsh might be reduced enable them
to make np their c7rSde- for South America Sir,
Maryland could not consent TO a repeal cf those
proiibhory duties; she has extensive fisheries.
think there are about hundred thousand barrels
OF shad and herring, and 'en thousand barrels OF
pork annually inspected in Baltimore. Not the pork
OF Maryland, fN Of Virginia, Ohio, Pennsy lyania
ana Maryland.
will nov proceed TO a more general view OF
the whole subject. will take up as little of the
Sine Of the Senate a. can possibly avoid
For correct undertaking OF the causes which
have INTERVIEWED to cheek free commerce between
The United States and he British Colonies in A.
mer.ca and their West India Islands, it may no, he
iire!eyent to revert 10 certain occurrences and 10
make some introductory observations.
Commerce and navigate are considerably many
as one great whole; but you know tia, they are
separate ard distinct intere.ts, however nearly al
lied. Commerce can exist without the nation be-
iag It's own carrier, bot Certainly not with the
same sdvaniaSes, activity, or enterprise.
The Eastern states own nearly one half of the
shipping Of the L. STATES; hey has little of their
own produce, comparatively, and therefore are
compelled to seek employment N the Southern
5 ates, and elsewhere Tor heir ships. Their ner-
chants, in consequence, look aueniiyely 10 every
thing that relates to navigation.
The Southern States having the great and valu
able article of export, attentive 10 com
mcrce; it j. not OF such vital importance to them
whether heir produce is carried by the YES els of
the one or the other nation.
In the year 1902 or 3, introduced resolution
ino he House OF Representatives on the principle.
Of the act of 1875. The members from Phlsd,l-
phia, and from the cities he Eastward concurred
with me; but the merchants and ship mcchanicks
Of those cities opposed the measure unanimously
when from Baltimore, Southwark, it was az rem
eTuiiY approved ! mention this fac TO show now
the two Interests cla-hed that occasion The
treaty OF Amiens opened the eyes of the ship own
ers TO their true interests; their ships could not get
bale of cotton freight, at Charleston; whilst
the British ships were filed Immediately.
In 1915 PROPOSED the subject again, and an
act passed with little opposition. Upon that act
was botomed the convention Of London, By
which you know, that al duties, tonnage, and
charges, on trade between the British possession.
in Europe and the United States, are made The
same, whether in the ships Of the one or The 9th
er nation rational trade with The East Indies
was accorded, whilst the trade with the West In
dies was left IL had been restricted In 1917