The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-10-04
THE WESTLNDLa TRADE.

THE UEST.LNDL4 TRADE.
Notwithstanding all the clamor which is
raised, upon the subject Of the British CO.
lonial Trade, by ignorant and interested
partlzans in this country, yet the books OF
our custom houses will show that the
West. India trade was never more fiou-
rishing since the expiration of jays treaty,
than at the present time. Nay, since the
opposition presses have been shedding
crocodile tears over the loss of the West.
India Trade, as they term It, our exports
to the West Indies have been greater than
during the corresponding months Of the
antecedent year, when the British ports
we're open. This information is not unex-
pected by lis; for we have all along been
assured by the most intelligent merch hunts
of this city, that the trade with the West.
Indies would not be essentially diminished.
by the suspension ofthe direct intercourse
with the British Colonies. Ever since the
separation Of the United States from the
mother country, the West. Indies have in
one way or another drawn from this coun-
try their principal supplies. They must
do it still: and it does not make so great
difference as many people imagine, whe
v, "
indirectly through the ports of st. Thomas
or Carthagena. Indeed, the more intelli-
gent Of the British shipping merchants,are
well apprized of the effect of the Order in
Council which has closed their ports to the
vessels of the United States; and they al
ready feel, that the indirect trade is strip
ping them in great measure of the al.
vantages, which they hoped to derive from
that measure. We have before us the
Nova Scotian Of the 29th ult. containing
some extra It's from letter on the colonial
policy Of Great Britain, addressed to the
! Ministry. which originally appeared in the
London Morning Chronicle, and has been
attributed to Mr.. Carter, of London, zen.
tlcman well known in the mercantile
world.
The writer tells ministers, that i, is true
the Colonists did express by addresses. &c.
their gratitude for the boon which they
we're told was to be conferred on them. .bl
opening the trade Of foreign nations to
their industry and enterprise But he
| states that he kno,cS, from personal cbser.
vatlon, that while they have experienced
all the evils of the new system, they have
reaPod none of the blessings which il pro.
missed Throughout New Brunswick. he
remarked, that almost every article of do
mestic use was Of United States manufac
ture; and was satisfied from the informa-
ton he received, that since the lntroduc.
ton Of what is called the liberal system
the competition Of the United States in
hardware, manufactured tobacco, leather.
furniture, Sc. had seriously injured the i'm.
! port ot English goods ard of provincial
| ,,fa nj -
scrtioD, he refers to an act Of the provin.
cial Legislature. passed on the 10Th March
last, imposing high additional duties Oh
the Importation of the articles above emu.
| merated.
He apprehends far less risk, however.
from the competition ofthe shipping of the
United States. If allowed to participate in
the trade with the British North American
and West India Colonies, than from that
of the shipping of the North Of Europe.
But, he asks
allow this restraint upon The American
shipping, agreed on all hands TO be so de-
srable, is to be produced, If the Orders i'm
Council, prohibiting the direct intercourse.
are construed TO admit American produce
into our islands from the foreign West In
dies, after having been transported thither
in American vessels? Will not the con-
veyance Of such produce to st. Thomas
afford as much encouragement to the A.
merican marine, as the conveyance of it 10
Barbados or Jamaica;"
He argues that it requires only the en-
conragement Of q few years, with Ger.
fdinty Of their not beirg Suddenly deprived
Of It, to enable the North American colo
MES TO supply all the wants Of the West
Indies, on terms as favorable as those on
which they have been hitherto supplied by
the United States; and he contends that,
even without the advantages of the return
trade, the consumption Of West India pro-
duce in the American Provinces has been
very great; which he illustrates by stniis-
,icsl reports. He adds that
"I,is fact perhaps not generally known.
that New Brunswick has been for some
years in the habit Of Exporting large quon-
titles of boards, for the West India market,
to Boston and other ports in the Eastern
States Of America, forming an important
item in the exports from Passamaquoddy
bay-a convincing proof that in sone artI-
cles, at least, the West Indies would not
suffer BY having their supply confpet TO
the colonies"
lie then proceeds'to advise. since so
much has been said Of the necessity whc h
the national faith imposes, IN maintainn q
treaties once entered into with foreign
powers, that if be be called upon " behalf