Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-02-02
goMeseas Of ttDc as. States.
IN SENATE, Jan. 81, 1897.
COLONIAL TRADE.


Tna Committee GA Commerce., to whom referred $,
auch of the Presidents Message clatcs to Commerce
have had the same under consideraa., and now be.
leave 10
REPORT:
That ny the nsitish Oder in Council of JAY last
r comercial :'itcaouTso between tIc United State.
and the Bi4h West lmda Co!oaie5 is inerdiced and
tire american navigation excluded from I'll rarcipa-
ton Il. the trade between them
MS sudden and une% peCtes. measure, adopted no,
ouiy without notice, but the renewing sus-
pcnie negotiation, rnniua!y arranged aud concerted
T., bIi; parties, which changes essential manner
the commercial rcllons of the two countries, calls
for such corresponding measures part, as tic
he,v slate OF things and cur own interest require
Tho committee, without aYcrting either to the cha
raccr of the Order in Council, the time selected Tor
p JinuiSntion, The tone in WHICH is co,.lnica-
;t, Will present, soncisel the views which they have
taken of this subject, ami recommend such measures
~, IN their opinion, the occasion demands
In presenting the Senate tac r..sut of ihcr consi-
deraion of the snhjec; rceircj TO them it mes
cessary to so back ana review the conduct OF The Co
Of the United States and reat Britain ,u-
mtg the last ten years, in regard 20 the winch
ey have respectively aiopte} for the regulation Of the
trade Of the coua:cs
By the Convention OF 1918 Great Britain accepted
4 proposition, 50 far regarded her European posses
sons which the United State made all nations by
the act of the 81 of March, 1871 D for repean ON GER
tain conditions the discriminating duties by Winch the
com ;lercc between the United States aud ,ha British
territories in Europc was placed on a ,jtinc OF re;
grocity.
iin; tina intercourse between the United States and
the British West Indies and the possessions OIL the con
t!aelit OF North America expe ssly excepted from
these mutual regulations a,l each party was to remain
ia the possession CT 10 rights. Great Britain in con.
sequence rosorted To the syste, Introduction to The
admission OF our vessels in;o her A:notcan Cclon;a
ports.
This very exception shows that. while resarvin. ti
trade for special regulation and refusing to ADOPT will
regard 10 it the equal principles upon which the eene
IA! commerce placed, she had in ve;y the entire
monopoly; and accordingly, she not only claimed tho
exclusive trade and CATION OF the Colonies bal
Size attempted TO carry that trade her vessels in
oar pro nctons, AMI through! ports to the entire
exclusion of orr shipping
Although the Colonies dependent upon us g1r
the necessaries OF life aH mai kes we're necessary
70 effect the exchanges by which SIZE procn.e hem
she maintained q rigorous prohibition our uavi"a.
ton mp 30 the period of -, except DARN teapcr
y suspensions OF her Laws. occasoned BY ncceasi-
ties. he greater part OF that period. annual trade
o eleven millions half produced and the oil.er hal
consumed in the Un;te! States. employing hundred
thousand tons or shipping, with five SIX thousand
seaincn, ami forming aggregate OF freight and EguG
o two millions, carried by British nnvjgaon
while Arne.'can produce burihcned hy heavy du
ties, when carried bY British Ships, willie the
vessels OF European nations having Colonies az,
nIitci, under certain limitations, uto her CUlDnia
ports.
Tie right set u? in tls case, AMI to which We so
time submitted is nothing less than assa:ta!
o the right 10 treat US her Colony. Tbs prcton
SION injurious to our interest offensive Il
the pride and feeling Of the country was maintained
for years, and then reluctantly and partially a
bandoned under the operation Of rc4iiaoss measures
IL which forced to resort.
Ga the 18th o. April, 1918, Co:gcss passed an act
by which the ports Of the Uni. i STATES were cl5sce
against British vessels, Coming from British Culonia
ports closed against vessels of the United Siatcs fnc
by whIc'i also, British required to give
hoad not 10 land their Carg)c5 in any OF tie cluscd
ports. This non intercourse, in British vessels
with ports closed by British law against vessels oi the
Unicd siates TIE supplementary law, OF 18th May
1890, intercourse with GU British Amer AZ
Colonies, AMI prohibition OF all articles, tic produce
Colonies, Df nj nnI
imported directly ffG;A Itself
These laws intended 20 coun,eract tie restfic
tive s. stem adopted by Groat Britain AMI were NO
enacted until repeated unayaug attempts were t,aIt
10 SETTLE b ueGotiaon lie ;eri's Of liberal inter
CJursc.
The effect Of the several Jaws Of a go countries wa
10 prodacc entire ~ ,crruptiu1 of commercial in
fcrcourse The Colonies still dependent on IL
for supplies, AMI The trade opened for Itself CHAN
els, through Intermediate ports, 10y which the articles
al consumption went indirectly 10 the British West In
da ports at PTices very much advanced; md the Ame
Fican navigation obtained tic Carving trade wI,cl
had been before exclusively enjoyed by Great Britain
The operation Of these laws severely felt by t
soioDi,is ~ The dcranged state Of trade The want
markets iorhcir productions and the Increased value
of tho nacessaric5 o. life. They were loud and clamo
Tor rciict, ch demands the Government tya
Obliged II yield - well rs FROM srasc cl the s.o.i
Cy ol her laws.
TIC FIRST relaxation Of he ahsj!He AMI unqual,ha.
system Of prohibition, anil tie first change in the colo
NAL policy OF restriction, was by tie net Of Payarcn
81 tiic Ei June, 1922, which yi,c;,ui cert ,n list q
enumerated ports IL tie Brl, Anc.i:lu cnioaies "a.
the Importation Of certain specified articles drect iron
'ne producing country, and l,r expiration direct {,
''c country Of the carrying vessel, and provpI a1
Tor certain dniic 20 be levied certain improbable
articles i5on any jorcigh State, island o. country en-.
N"ic'i authorized tie King, in Council 10 pru.iji
''ida ani intercourse with M, country, S hc priye
zee gIahtcu rs CHS act Go foreign ships. arc not allow
81 10 br'lsh sims trading to 5nc'sapunt5v.
fin the Oh May. 1929, Conercss Passed a.. act /.
anGciPatoa OF the ACT Of Parliament last referred to
EH Saving - precise inflammation uf . terms and coz,
diirns nHon which II was Contemplated 10 open III,
trade they were obliged III order g. bo prepared, &c
rcct tie Of 5ai Goycr',fncn IN ,l,v measure ~
accommodation they n1irh aiop'. to -yc iAr i',.d-r
81 lie United STATES thc poaag. bY rtocIauli:si. Il, M
clare tic P0:is uf Tie United Sta'cs oncn To- i.ri.
vessels from tic Colonies in tire " est indies 'sunIc
certain reciprocal ru!rs auJ restrictions"
the President issued bs proclamation 9Th August
1872, declaring the port. o7en TO British vessels, ru