Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-01
MIMETEEMTH CONGRESS.
BRITISH COLONIAL TRADE.
IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES


Mr.. Johnson of Louisiana, made the following
report:
The Committee on Commerce. to whom was
ferred so much of the Presidents Message as re-
lates to Commerce, have had the same under
consideration and now beg leaveto
REPORT:
That, by the British Older in Council of July
last the commercial intercourse between the United
States and the British Yves, India Colonies is in
terdicted, and the American viga,ion excluded
from all partici patton iii the trade between them.
This sudden and unexpected measure, adopted
not only without notice but on the eve OF renewing
suspended negotiation, mutually arranged and con-
certed by both parties, which changes in an essen
tial manner the commercial relations OF the two
countries, calls how for such corresponding mea-
sures on our part, as the new state OF things and
our own interest require.
The Committee, without adverting either TO the
character OF the o. der in Council, the time seec,s
Ell for its Promuls alton, the tone in which it is
communicated, will present, conc-ey, the views
which they have taken of this subject, and recon-
mend such measures az, 10 their opinion, the occa-
, sion demands.
In presenting to the Senate the result of their
consideration of the subject retoried TO them, it
seems Necessary to 90 back and review The con =
duct OF the Government of the United States and
Great Britain, during the last ten years in regard TO
the measures which they have respectively adopted
for the regulation oil the trade Of he Colonies.
BY the Convention OF 1915, Great Britain ac-
copied propositions, so far regarded her Euro
pean possessions, which the United States made to
all nations, by the act ofthe 81 IF March. 1915,
for repeating, certain conditions, the dscrimina-
ting ia les, by which the commerce between the
Uai;ed States and the British territories in Europe
was placed on footing OF reciprocity
Bl, the intercourse between the United States
and the b itish West Indies and the possessions
the continent OF North America expressly
excepted from these mutual regulations, and each
party TO remain in the possession OF its rights
Great Britain in consequence, res9rtcd 10 the sys
tenn o. in, erdic ion TO the admission Of vessels
into her American Colonial ports.
This very exception shews that, " hiie reservng
this trade for special regulation, and refusing to
adopt with regard 10 it The equal principles upon
which the general commerce placed, she had
in view the entire monopoly; and, accordingly,
she not only claimed the exclusive trade and ma
vigation ct the Colonies, but she attempted 10
carry that trade il her vessels productions
and through our ?orls, 10 the cntle exclusion OF
our shipping.
Although the Colonies we're dcrenGeat upon W.
for the necessities o life, and markets were ne
cessaiy 10 effect the exchanges by whit she pro-
cured them, she maintsined rigorous prohibition
OUR navigs iioa up TO lie perioj of 1922 excepi
duri temporary suspensions OF her Laws, occs =
stoned by her necessities. The greater part of
that period, annual trade OF eleven millions one
half iroduccl and the other half consumed in the
Uni!eI States, employing one hundred thousand
tons OF shipping, with five Sin ,hnusaud scamen,
and forming aggieSaie of freight and profit OF
two millions, carried on by British navigation;
while American produce was burtiered by heavy
duties, even when carried by. British ships, and
while the essels of European nations having Co
ionies were admitted under certain limitations into
htr Colonial ports.
The right set up in this Gaze, and 10 which we
Tor some time submitted, is nothing less than the
ASSERTION OF the right trea, us as her COLONY
This pretenson, as injurious To our interest as i,
was offensive to the pride al feeling OF the coun
Try, was maintained To- years, and then reiuc
family and partially abandoned, under the opera
ton OF re,d!ia.Cry measures, TO which we wer.
forced TO resort.
On the 18Th Of Apti!, 1918, Congress passed
an act, by which the ports of the United States
CLOSED agains, British vessels, coming from
British Colonial ports closed agans; vessels OF the
United States; and ly which, also, Bsi,ish owners
were required to give bond not to land their car
goes in any of the closed ports. Ills was non
intercourse, in British vessels with ports closed
by British law against vessels OF the United s. ates
The supplementary law, CT lJ,h May, 1890 was
non intercourse with all British American Co.
ionies, and pr ohlbi,ion of all articles, the pro-
duce OF those Colonies, except he produce Of any
Colony imported directly from itself.
These laws were intended TO counteract the re
: et.ictive system adopledby Great Britain and were
not enacted until repeated unavaiiing attempts
were made 10 settle, by nsgo luton, the terms of
liberal Intercourse.
The effect OF the several laws oil the two coun.
tries was TO produce entire interruption of COM
mefcial intercourse Tue Colonies were still de-
pendent on US for supplies, and the trale opened
Tor itself new channels, through intermediate ports
by which the articles OF consumption went ndi-
recily to the British West India ports, at prices
very much advanced: and The American nayisa
'ioa obtained the Carrying trade, which had been
before exclusively enjoyed by Great Britain The
operation OF these laws was severely felt by the
Coionists in the dersnged state of trade the want
Of markets for their productions and the increased
value of the necesssries Of life. They were loud
and clamorous for relief, TO " hich demands the
Government was obliged to yield, as well as Fl ON
sense of the impoicy of her lsws.
The first relaxation OF the absolute and unouaIi-
fed system OF prohibition, and the FIRST change in
the colonial policy of restriction was by the act of
Parliament Of the 2ilh June, 1922, which opened
certain list OF enumera ed ports in he British
American colonies Tor the importation of certain
specified articles drec, from the producing coun-
Try, and for expectation direct 10 the country OF
the carrying vessel and providing, also for certain
duties TO be levied on certain importable articles
from any foreign STATE Island, or country, and
which authorized the King, in Council TO p,ohib.
1t trade and intercourse with any country, if the
privileges granted by this act to foreign ships, are
not allowed TO British ships trading TO such coun-
try.
On the 9Th May, 1922, Congress passed an act
IN anticipation OF the act Of Parliament last referred
TO, but having precise information Of the terms
aaG conditions upon which it was contetnplafe ed fo
open the trade they were obliged, in order TO be
prepared, TO meet the views OF that Government
IN any measure Of accommodation they mjeht a
dept, TO give thssi esident of the IT, S. The oovver
bY proclamation, declare the uorfs of ,b. ~ :,