Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-13

any kind, were levied or exacted in the said Brit
sh ports, on United States vessels, than were paid
by British vessels and merchandise, imported into
the said colonial ports, from elsewhere than the u
States.
Since which time, several acts of Parliament
have been passed having especial or incidental ref
erence TO the trade with the English American COL
onies and under which and the laws of the Uni
ted States before recited, commercial intercourse
was opened, and has been prosecuted between the
u. States and certain British colonial ports ; but
to an extent not equal to the expectations that had
been formed respecting it, nor, it is commended
on terms OF equality; the want of which, having
gwen rise to Instructions if 10 dissatisfaction
between the parties engaged in it, it may be useful
briefly to advert to
On the part of the American government, it is
alleged, that just reciprocity does not exist, mas
much as the duties on Anglican vessels and their
csrgoes arriving at British Colonial ports are re-
CURED 10 be discharged by an immediate prompt
payment, and frequently at great sacrifice to ac-
qute the means OF doing il, while credit is given
Tor the duties payable British vessels and their
cargoes, arriving in the United States from the
colonies, OF six and nine months that bonds with
sureties, arerequred for the landing of the return
cargo In specified port in the United States
which are occasionally obtained with great diff
Guilty, by the owner masters of the smaller Amer
lean vessels engaged in the trade; that an export
duty OF two per cent, is imposed on the return
cargo, which cannot be countervailed in the u
o1aies: that vessels, arriving at bad market, have
at times, not been allowed to seek BETTER unless
by double payment of duties, while British yes
sells from the West indies, seeking a favourable
sale Tor their carsoes, may run along the whole
coast OF the United States, from New Orleans to
Passport: that onerous and heavy duties and colo
Mai ices, are exacted, amounting, is stated, in
some instances, on snall-lumber loaded vessels to
lie value OF the cargo-the latter of which is cor
fooorated, In degree, by Mr.. Husksson, in his
speech In Parliament, in March, of the last year.
IN which he mentions the liability to abuse and
Vexation OF the practises in this particular; and
states that, in many instances the fees alone, which
are exacted upon ship and cargo, amount TO much
more IMAM all the public duties; and that important
discriminating DUTY is Imposed, in the Vest India
market, the -four, the bread stuffs and the Ium-
Der, OF the United States over that which is paid
on the same articles, when received from. Canada
Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and which, a.
mounting In many instances to full freight,
gives decisive advantage to mportatons rom the
latter.
And although il is to be admitted, that some OF
these regulations of character municipal as
not to he legitimate objects of complaint, in reie-
renee TO an International intercourse; yet they ne
verheless, do in fact contravene that just recpro-
city on which IT was to be presumed it would be
the desire oil both parties TO place the trade between
them.
While the British government, on its sart, con-
ends as Is understood, that is justified in requ-
ing an abroSalIon Of the discriminating duties, in
consequence OF Its having partially opened its CO.
iohiai ports, Tor the importation of limited num-
beg oil articles from the United States; and that il
mas right to make any municipal or local regula-
tion 1t pieases; and, among others, that of admit
ing, Tree OF duty, the produce OF its colonies how
ever remotely situated, while il imposes an impost
on articles of the same description from other
countries; hut allowing some plausibiIity 10 this
reasoning, 1t is 10 be recollecied that the question
at ISSUE between the two countries, is not SO much
one OF abstract right, of equality and reciprocity
IN entering into a commercial arrangement in
tended to promote the mutual advantage of both
parties.
The foregoing presents a brief synopsis of the
measures which have been adopted since the wear
1915, by TIE United States and Great Britain rela
tive 10 the trade with the British colonies. and of
he present state of it.
The recommendation of The memorialis,s now
s, that the discriminating duties still imposed on
British vessels and merchandise from those colonies
should be Immediately abolshed; and that British
vessels, coming from - hencesoever they nav and
with whatsoever loaded. should be admitted into
the ports of the United States, ON the same terms
az the vessels and caTgoes Of the most favored ma
tons.
The effect OF which, the committee believe
would be, summarily, to yield Great Britain all
she could ask, without any equivalent accommoda-
ton being granted her part; for TO admit British
vessels unfortunately into the ports of the Uni
ted States, with their cargoes, from whencesoeyer
arising, or OF whatsoever composed, on tie same
terms as our own vessels, or those of the most
favored nations, which would be the same thing
while she allows the admission Of American yes
sells into her ports only partially, for certain pre-
scrIbed articles, and those limited to the growth
produce or manufacture of the u. States and to a
manifest disadvantage when compared with the
like and the principal articles which She wants
when from elsewhere imported into the colonial
ports, would operate as surrender of the princi-
pie OF equality, and a Withdrawal from tie control
OF the government of the United States, of the
means 1t possesses of leading to better, and more
desirable, because equal, state OF intercourse
between the two countries.
From this view of the subject, and 4 cuIsorv re
ference 10 the numerous acts which have been
passed in relation to il, during the last ten years
both by the United States and by Great Britain
evidence Will al once be furnished Of the complex
" OF the interests connected with it, Of the diff 4
Guilty satisfactorily TO arrange them and especially
OF the ineiEcacy of isolated legislation for the at
anment 1t his International object; and also aC-
fofdIng as the committee cannot but believe a
strong ground oil preference for an arrangement
being effected, ii practicable by convention be
tween the TWO governments, on just and liberal
basis which, when agreed TO, would be permanent
and unailerabe for the of its duration rather
than to rely on detached. independent, sul,stsn,ive
acts OF legislation, which, however well intended.
are sometimes ambiguous, and liable to rniscon-
sTucion by those who called TO administer
them; aud all times, subject to revocation by The
parties enacting them.
| OF the Inconvenience and inexpediency of sub