Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-16

if we do not adopt similar system, our COM
merce must suffer Under our drawback Sys-
TEN, we can only ship in the original packages;
we, therefore, cannot prepare oul cargoes pro-
perly for the market; if we break a package we
lose the drawback, which amounts to a prohl-
bition to the expor, Of the articles In fact, Mr.
President, the British Government are playing
great game They understand the subject,
and unless met by similar liberal policy, on
the part of other nations, they will monopolize
the commerce Of the world.
The second point made by the committee is,
that bonds are required for the landing OF the
return cargo in specified portion of the Unit
ed States
That, sir, was the case formerly, but is not
now in existence; the 10th section of the act OF
5th July, 1925, desgnates aHthat is requisite, on
expectation from the colonies; no bond is now
required. Here the section was read.
In fact, Mr.. President, the 4th section Of that
act permits our vessels, if our restrictions shall
be removed, 10 export goods from the Colonies,
"to be carried to any foreign country whatever. %
The third point made by the Committee, is
"that an export duty Of 2 per cent. is imposed
on the return cargo Of the United States. -
This is an error, presume. The late Secreta-
ry of State complained of an export duty of 4
per cent. levied on goods shipped from the CO.
lonies in vessels Of the u. States, and not pay
able in British ships That was strong OBJ
lection, if it could have been sustained. 1t was
| an error, however; at least, it has so appeared
to me. That act passed in parliament many
years ago, at time when no vessels from any
foreign country were admitted; of course, the
export duty Of per cent. could not attach 10
any but British subjects. II did not affect us
until our vessels were admitted, and then both
parties paying the same duties) took from us
| all fair cause Of complaint. The duty in fact
fell on the planter, he got just so much less for
his sugar, the price of which would be regu-
lated by that Of the neighboring Islands. ia
maica protested against that export duty, as
contrary to her charter; and as the reason as
signed for levying that duty, was, that England
paid the expense of the troops for the defence
of the Island, the Colonial Assembly agreed to
pay those troops; and no export duty has since
existed in Jamaica. In some OF the Windw ard
Islands, the duty is payable; in Trinidad is it
not. The American will only subject himself
to its payment at MS pleasure, he can take pro-
ceeds Of his outward, and go elsewhere for his
return cargo. The British cannot: for, foreign
sugars are not admitted for consumption in
Great Britain.
The fourth and fifth points made are: "That
an American vessel arriving al a bad market,
cannot proceed to another Island without pay
ing double duties, and that onerous and heavy
duties, and colonial fees, are exacted."
1t is true, sir, that onerous and heavy duties,
and Colonial fees had been exacted in the Co.
lonies. and operated as stated in the report and
it is equally true, Gas the report says that they
were highly reprobated by Mr.. Huskisson in
his speech. Thai great man and his colleagues
form the most able, the most wise, and the
most useful administration, that has ever ex-
listed in Great Britain-they are doing great
good to commerce, great and useful service to
the nation, and opening the eyes OF the world
to the advantages OF free trade; and, sir, Par
lament has freed the commerce OF the Colo
MES from almost all the shackes imposed up
on it. None of those onerous duties on navI-
cation, or Colonial fees, now exist; all have
been repealed, and the Custom House Officers
are now paid by fixed salaries. II we repeal
our alien duties, our vessels will only have to
pay the moderate duty of six cents per ton, and
they will not have to pay that, at more than one
port, and proceed lherefrom to another.
The sixth point made is, 'that heavy duties
are imposed on articles imported into the Co
lones from the United States, when no duty is
imposed on similar articles, if imported from
the North American Colonies" and the report
might have added, that those articles paid no
duty, if imported from Great Britain or Ire
land, into the Colonies.
That point was the great cause why the y.
States did not repeal as to the Colonies its alien
duties; it was that which induced the United
States to refuse 10 the Colonies the same free
intercourse that had been accorded to the mo-
Their country. Our Government in the negocia-
ton, insisted, that there should be charged the
same duty on the Aou" to take one article) OF
Great Britain, ireland, and Canada, as would
be payable on the same from the United States
Mr.. Canning thought it unreasonable to ex-
pect, that duty paid on foreign produce
should be charged on their own, passing from
one of the British ports to another, and said,
that Great Britain has the same right to com
plain, (but she had not) that her Colonial SUI
gar, when imported into the United States, has
to pay most heavy duty, when the sugar OF
Louisiana is free from duty. Whatever, sir.
of argument we might have had whilst the Co
Ionles were considered, as such, it is now taken
from u.s. The possessions abroad Gas they are
now caled) are considered as integral parts OF
the British Empire, and OF course, we oannot
r.