Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-05-25

ecu oy Tue Brush Government the basis of its |
new commercial policy: it was an error for which
The British ministry themselves were RESPONSIBLE. !
lot 'ne proposition of Mr.. Gallan was the neces
saty inference from their premises Ii they acted
WIN precipitation. aud without that wise foresight
"hich Ought TO distinguish the movements of nations
ana u perp!eXy and danger to their own navigation
was inc result of the principles their ship
ping interest be proPitiated and relieved xpensc
we think not. We are OF opinion that had go
verninen acquiesced in such sacrifice, would have
incurred responsibility of the awful character.
our own ship owners would have right to cunpain
as loudly OF the neglect Of their interest by the govern
inent OF The United States, the British ship
seem disposed to do, at this moment, of the dangerous
tendency IF those doctrines of free trade which appear
destined to abandonment aud destruction in British po
cy while their first breahngs have scarcely vet been
heard hey ond the walls Of ST. Stephens
There are but few rejecting men, whether in the
sPhere Oh pohtcs or OF commerce. who ~ i'll maintain
that The United States Government would have deser-
ved better of the country, f il had consented to that
principle Of monopoly which was laid down bv Mr.
canning. IL would have been something more than
ac9uescence IN that principle, had abandoned the
ground on which hlr. Gaatin placed his argument. it
"ouin nave been an accommodation of views
aud policy TO the whm and caprice of Great Britain
would nave been sacrifice OF national principle and
dignity on our patt-and for whai' Merely aid tho
DTsh Government in Quieting the cancIs of its own
navigation interest. Ought that to have been an Anne
rican OBJECT! Was ii not the plain and direct
.or the oni'ed States to stand aoo from all foreign
interests and TO look vgiiany and determined to the
protection OF their OWN IL will scarcely be conten
ded' we should hope, that ought to adapt and fash
ION our course so as TO suit all the siDuosties and
winnings which may mark the irregular aud chapreful
notlons oil other cabinets. Our government has duty
to itself, duty 10 the Union TO discharge which Dre
scrioes different conduct. 1t is as imperative upon
us 10 avoid commercial enrangements with other ma
uohs as 10 shun those of political character: We
stand perfectly distinct and independent in the pursp;ts
OIL peace, as IN the purposes of We stand on a
basis OF unmixed and perfect freedom looking to com
nerciai as well as political rights; and principles
le In
sttute the despotsm of trade, as TO those tyrannous
dynasties which claim commission from the God OF
nations to convert the human i,mIy ino separate com
nunties OF "hewers of wood and drawers of watern-
Aor are we less competent 10 support our CONNIE cal
IMAM our political independence. We have enterprise
INDUSTRY and ingenuity and we shrink from com
petition. We would that monopolies should be thrown
open 10 ALL and those who win the benefits shou ii en-
! Joy them Such is the principle in commerce which
harron'zes with all the oiier principles which our
institutions are founded youthful and lusty patton
we require nothing beyond the free of The euer-
gies and faculties We have received from Providence
10 work our prosperity but tenacious of dignity
and avarcious of right. For national character
and rights we have successfully contendcd on land and
hoch: The present contest although of less sangu-
nary character, waged for congenial objects: but
Is to be fought by the Hestors Of c Cabinet instead
| OF the Sgamemnuns of The field
as regards the un1nediatc effects of the non inter
course by direct trade with the British colonies on
our own navigation interests may be pardoned if
we dissent from those who you'd represent them as
hke!y to check their prosperous career. The colo
mes VIII still obtain produce either from the Htpo
In Great Britain, where they will be warelonscd or
from the neutral islands in the West Indian saes The
communication will thus be rendered crcuto Gus in
stead of Direct and the additional freight both to tho
Amercad and British ship ill be added 10 the
cost ofhG commodity, and fa! ultimately the con.
suners IN he colonies. The object of The Britist co.
VcrnmcD is to throw the CARVING trade TO the COLO
Mes into the hands OF British ship-owners That OBJ
Ject will be partially accomplished the British yes
ses oeing employees to fetch tire products from Great
1rIta'D or the neutral islands, bat the American ships
owners will still retain their share of the carrrium
trade and shall have avoided any surrender n
pi incPles for which have always commended and
stl do contepd- British vessels will be unable TO en-
ter INTO competition With ours in the carrying trade
tween tie United States and Great Britain. 1t was
lately stated in the British House of Commons that
Tie average cost Ter ton of building slip in that
country IS from fourteen to sixteen pounds, from
sixty to seventy doliars;) while in this country the
cost does not exceed from thirty TO forty dollars
The cost of British three masted vessel for three
months, including captain men, and provisions is es.
'maed at two hundred and eight pounds sterling, Tor
nine hundred and thirty Eve doiars the cost of an
American vessel of the same SIZE for the same per-
od is about oEethd less. II is evident, therefore
lhat any competition with The American ship owner
would be undertaken under disadvantage TO The
foreigner, which would speedily put end TO any Ri
vaIry.
II then, the country has little TO approlend from the
pohcy adopted by Great Britain, navigation in
terest has much to commend the resolution
which has marked tho course Of the Government of
tho United States The Administration has exhibited
disposition to ipterpo5c shel6 between the forciro
anu American ship owner which will be correctly ap-
precIacd by the great body Of tho rejecting citizens
~ throwing an efficient protection around one inter
est will establish It's claim 10 The confidence of all the
other great interests 1t will receive from wisdom
and patriotism higher tributes to the sagacity and
decision which have marked lis course IT, instead !
OF resisting the principle OF monopoly which was laid
down. and attempted 10 be enforced By Great Britain.
me Administration had succun5ed TO policy SO hos
nall fh,r ,,r, 4 r
would have received, as it would have deserved zen
eraI rePro5aion. either for IFS want Of discernmcnt
u:'nness or patriotism Du is has pursued course
nHec'y the reverse, directly the should be
the sentence of public opinion. The different situa
tloos m which Great i}afain and ourselves stand
should he taken into caIculatiou when this CONNER
Iai question IS consdcrcd She boary and encebed
WIN age, and bowed down by load of burdens the
accumulation ofnany ages: we have the y,gour aud
tho spirit Of youth; and with knitted nerve and elastic
step, burdeness and free, pursue our coursc. Size