Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-16
MONDAY. OCTOBER Is, 1926
INTERCOURSE WITH THE BRITISH COLONIES
In SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,


March 81, 1926.
Mr. LLoyp. from The Committee on Commerce,
TO whom was referred the memorial OF the
merchants, ship-owners, and manufacturers,
of the city of Baltimore, made the following
REPORT:
The memorialsts state: "That Great Britain
having lately opened the trade OF her North A
mericap and West India Colonies, insomuch
!. that not only are almost all articles admitted,
but the trade of those Colonies is accessible to
all parts Of the world, on far more favorable
terms than those now enjoyed by merchants OF
the United States, " They, therefore, submit
the propriety Of abolishing the discriminating
duties Of ga cents per ton, on British colonial
vessels, and of 10 per cent additional, on the
duties Of their cargoes, and OF admitting Brit
ish vessels, from whatever ports, on the same
terms as the vessels of the mos, rednation "
In reference to which the committee remark:
That, by the existing laws of the United States,
5uty of fifty cents per ton as tonnage duty,
and Fifty cents per ton as light money, is impos-
ed on all foreign vessels entering the ports OF
The Usited States, with an addition ten per
centnm on the amount of duties on the cargoes
Of all such vessels as belong to foreign powers
who do not admit the vessels of the United
States into their ports on the same terms as
their own vessels that convention is now In
operation between the United States and Great
Britain, whereby the duties on the vessels and
cargoes of the respective parties, 50 far as re-
CARDS the commerce between the United States
and the territories Of Great Britain, in Europe,
are eQualized; but that the provisions OF this
convention do not extend to the British colonial
possessions in America; in consequence OF
which, British vessels, arriving in the United
States from those colonies, pay the discriminate
ING duties before mentioned, amounting on the
vessel, TO one dollar per ton OF its admeasure-
men,; while vessels belonging to the United
States pay only six cents per ton, on entering
our own ports; but that these vessels entering
British colonial ports, are subject to coulter
vaiiing duty Of four shillings and three pence
sterling, per ton, equal TO ga cents, being the
difference in favor of American over British
vessels from the colonies, entering the ports OF
the United States.
This distinction it has long been the earnest
desire OF the government ofthe United States
to annul, on the principle of just reciprocity;
but. although much discussion has been had on
the subject, and many laws have been enacted
in reference to it, bv both parties, the desired
result has not vet been accomplished
By an act of Congress of March Sd, 1915, the
discriminating duties on vessels and merchan-
disc, were preferred to be repealed in favor Of
anv foreign nationwhich should, on lis part,
reciproc ate the same provisions of law towards
the United States.
By the convention of 1915 and 1918, this was
done between the United States and the terri
tories of Great Britain in Europe: and reel
procal liberty of commerce was established be-
tween them, for the period Of ten years from
the last mentioned date. This, however, pro-
duced no adequate relaxation OF the British
system in relation TO her colonies, from which
vessels of the United States continued to be ex-
cluaed; in consequence, a due degree OF self
respect, on the part of the United States, gave
rise 10 the passing Of an act in April, 1918, by
which the ports Of the United States were clo
SD to British vessels arriving from port or
place in any British territory, 10 which vessels
owned by citizens of the United States, were
no, admitted
In May, 1920, the act of April, 1918, was ex-
tended so as 10 embrace, and exclude from the
ports of the United States, British vessels ar
irving in ports from Lower Canada, Nova SEQ
tia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and all
ports under the dominion of Great Britain In
the West Indies, and on the continent OF Anne
RIGA, which, from having been occasionally o.
peued, were not considered as included in the
act of April, 1918.
But to enable the government of the United
States, consistent in its principles, and always
ready to verify its professions, to meet the over
lures of any foreign nations on equal terms, in
MAY, 1922, an act was passed, authorizing the
President, on satisfactory evidence being given
to him that the British colonial ports were o.
pened TO the vessels of the United States, to is
sue his proclamation; declaring the ports Of
the Uniled States opened TO British vessels en-
ployed In that trade.
AnS in consequence ofthe act of Parliament,
of June Oath, 1922, admitting vessels OF the u
nited States into certain enumerated ports In
the British Colonies, still another law OF Con-
gress was passed, March lst, 1928, by which
ports Of the United States were opened tor YES
sells arriving therein from the said enumerated
British ports, and from all others which were
or might be, opened thereafter, to the vessels OF
the United States; and the President was au-
thorised to equalize the duties on such British
vessels and their cargoes, on proof being given
to him that no other, or higher, rate of tonnage
or impost, and no other charges of any kind,