The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-05-22
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From Yte National Jouraai, May II.
THE NAVIGATION INTERESTS AND POL
ICY OF GREAT BRITAIN


There are few attentive observers of the
course Of things during several years past, who
have not seen variety of indications that the
time has gone by when the great manufacturing
and maritime nations OF the old world contem-
plated the growth OF the United States with an
moonccrned eye In Tie opinions which have
prevailed in Great Britain particularly the
change from uncoacern TO anxiety from fee
Ing nearly all, 10 contempt, to one Of visible
and active apprehension, has been most marked,
as well most rapid. For all her greatness OF
power, fur all her abundance Of wealth, for the
extension of her name and influence 10 the most
distant regions, she Is entirely indebted to the
superiority other commercial marine To the
preservation of this interest therefore IL is natu
raj and necessary that she should direct her Mt
most vigilance aud energy it has elevated he
TO an unparalleled pdeh Of prosperity; II has
tanned her against the shocks which have shaken
other nations to their foundations and lis fail
would carry with II all her political spleDdor and
power Heretofore there has appeared no ma.
ton competent to dispute the commercial sway
OF Great Britain. All others have exhibited
deficiency either IN enterprise or manufacturing
ingenuity, or maritime strength, by which they
might be able TO meet her in successful competi-
ton. II was left for the United States MS soon
rs they had cast OFF the fetters of a foreign thla
y
grasp the various advantages ola state of ma
tional tranquility, TO OPP ose to her a rivalry suf
tcicnt 10 shake the influence which her long mo-
nopoly had given to her How lively the ap-
prehensluns are which have been excited by our
succeSf to this period, and by the probability of
ITS increase, may be gathered from the tone of
some of the leading politicians and papers of
Great Britain, since the recent change IN her ma
vigaton laws. In this tone we may discover the
Senslveness win which she marks the approach
OF danger 10 her naYig alton Interests, and the
spontaneous eagernrss with which she PUSHES to
their defence. The long and exclusive posses
sion of the ocean and the markets of the world
seems to nave led her 10 the erroneous inference
that she possesses also a sole aud exclusive right,
| the claim TO participate in which, on the part OF
any other nation Is viewed with jealousy and
repellcd with an unbecomng arrogance. This
Is conspicuous IN the various communications OF
Mr.. Canning TO Mr. GallatIn il is equally visi
bic in the language Of some ofthe British editors
one of whom, the editor of Bells Weekly Mes
senger,) III reference TO our determination 10 en-
force non-intercourse with the British Colonies
uses this language;
I" We think, however, that the British Cabin
ct, provided Mr.. Husl.isson has not an undue
voice in it, will here take their stand that they
will boldly meet and despise all the menaces OF
| this non-Intercourse system, aud reply TO the A
| mefcans with contemptuous defiance of their
! threats TO bully us out of policy which has
| been one OF tue main pillars Of the naYie alton
| system. Cuba, ST. Domingo, and the Dutch is
lands, may easily be made depot 10 render the
| West Indies independent OF the trade OF
the United States and although the commaa-
| ties imported from those islands may be some
| what dcarer this Inconvenience must be submit
| ted to- in reference to succumbing to the naval
| f,ft Oh l..
some termination to a system which has already
! triuered away 80 much of our fundamental poll
Fey, and which az last if not restricted, w.li cut
| up our navigation laws by the roots
| In other Journals we find this feeling of appre.
| henson clothed in Il more dolorous strain The
Sunday Times ekclaims " The shipping inter
est, the cradle of our navy, is half ruined--our
| commercial monopoly exists longer, and
| thousands OF our manufacturers are starving, or
| seeking hope and redemption in distant lands"
Its editor then proceeds thus:
We have closed the Western inaics against
| America from feelings OF commercial rivalry,
Its active seamen have already engrossed IN
important branch ofour carrying trade with the
! Eastern Indies. Then comes an Embargo and
a Non-intercourse Act, from which America
would now have less to fear than formerly for
she is no longer dependent on Britain for the
| supply of her domestic wants In few years
they viii entirely Supersede British productions,
with the exception, perhaps, silks, and the fl
nef cotton fabrics. Even now they interfere
materially with our manufacturers in Upper Ca
NADIA and South America, -They have even rea-
ched the Mediterranean, TO one port OF which,
within a few months. 5000 bales of American
cotton goods were shipped from Boston Peace
or war, our Commerce aud manufacturing mon
opoy are no more Already muisitudeS Of our
best workmen have emigrated, bearing their art,
and industry TO other shores They swarm
through the Northern States of America. Her
starred hagis now conspicuous on every sea,