Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-01-23
FOREIGN.
From The London Times, Nou. /.

in the United States. we characterized the whole
collection as one Of extraordinary value and I'M
portance
Isl that it contains full statement OF the american
case considered in opposition 10 that OF England on
the subject of protecting and prohibiting duties.
Nothing can IN itself be more unrcasonable-noth. I
inr we really think, in the mouth OF an Englishman. ,
more mmodes--than the habitual use OF angry ana
yindlctye language towards other countries, on oc
cason of their choosing to adopt Il precedent which I
this country has been first to establish (and, long
as It suited the purpose, to persist ln for securing
her own manufacturing interests at the expense OF
all other nations.
MIR. Huskisson has been spoken of as the author
of what is termed g" liberal system of commercial
policy in contrast with the old system of either lit
eral or virtual prohibitions. Now it is necessary to
distinguish between those acts of Mr.. lluskisson
which relax the navigation laws, or affect the col
ones and those which facilitate the introduction OF
foreign produce or manufactures 10 the home mar
ket of Great Britain. The papers before US con-
Germ themselves almost exclusively, as we shall do
with the latter branch of English beraliiy, and they
can leave no shadow of doubt upon the minds of
those who were not already aware of fact quite
obvious and unquestionabe. .hat Mr.. Huskisson,
whether by removing prohibition or reducing an
impost gave indulgence to the toregn manutac-
urer, of which that manufacturer could in any in
stance take sny practical advantage. Where free
competition has been offered by Mr. Huskisson to
foreign dealers in the staple objects of British in
dusry, it was in cases where the British manufac-
ure had arrived at pitch OF excellence which sets
all real rivalry at defiance and wherever such RI
valry was still probable, why then there was no
relaxation. We do not say this any sort Of re-
proach to Mr.. uskisson further than having appli-
ed to his acts term which better fitted his pro-
fessons. lie protessed to be /" LIBERAL while he
was merely observant and shrewd. We believe
that where Mr.. IIusksson failed to offer fair and
Substantial reciprocity TO other nations it was when
| he had no power to act as he desired We all re-
collect what hornets nest was brought about the
ears of the right honorable gentleman from that
ment when he first announced his intended substi-
tuition of duty for prohibition in the silk trade to
that in which under storm Of abuse and impreca-
tion, he completed that most sanitary measure.
That was an act TO which the name of " lberality"
had, by monstrous error OF language, been appro-
prated the lberalty consisting in this that the
right honorable gentleman adjusted his duty for the
critical purpose (Which purpose he has most skliu-
ly accompshed) oiopening foreign markets TO Brit
sh silks in enfold the degree TO which he admitted
French silks into the British market.
| But if Mr.. Huskisson be not reproachabe for this
practical protection of the home industry. under
professed system of general relaxation neither can
with the least pretence to justice, foreign peo-
pie he condemned for following Mr. Huskissons ex-
ample. The right hon. gentlemen did nothing tow
ards allowing either foreign manufacturers or foreign
producers any access to this market, by which ma
tive goods or native produce could ever so infinitely
suffer; and the United States by the tariffs of 824
and 1928, have only gone the length of such proec-
ton TO their manufactures as it was not requisite for
the matured manufactures Of England TO protect by
any new legislation. We accused France ofilliber-
atty towards England and why ?---because she
effects by law those purposes which England like
wise secured by law so long as the imperfect state
of her native skill and capital required such guar
dian.
: We find--in an exceedingly curious and instruc-
tive, though in some instances biasse and partial
document the g proceedings of convention OF man.
ufactures at Harilsburgh, United States the fol-
lowing description of the modern British policy,
J concluding with a quotation from M. st. Crcq, d.
rector OF the French Customs, which is mare and
Just. The British Free Trade System torbds the
importation of every article which the British soil
or labor can produce except in some such articles
as from superior capital or other causes, she makes
cheaper than any other nations. To an application
from the British Minister for reduction of duties
pnra pasSu with that Of Great Britain, the French
:, Director of the Customs M. ST. Cricq, sagaciously
replied---' The system adopted by England adni-
rable, because 1t endangers other manufactures;
and we, sghen we are as tor7Vah as England zoiil
be as liberal. But until then, we must abide by our
q prohibtory duties.''
y The meeting at lIarrisburgh was an assembly OF
o delegates from most of the States of the Union.
These representatives of the manufacturing interest
v OF America sat for several days. and framed memo.
It rals and propositions for the Congress- which sery.
ed in many instances as the basis of the tariff law
!. which passed the last session. The great and al.
It most exclusive ground on which the establishment
of protecting duties in the United States ws defen
n ded. both by manufacturers and by agricultursts
e was the virtual prohibition Of the corn and flour O
lie America from the markets of Great Britain. and the
% mpossibility of otherwise iudemnifyng the Amer
Re can grower for this rejection Of his grain than b,
ID the announcement of domestic ononuf,c,,moo e.