Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-02-26
GOM@R@S 3ION a H.
Report Of the Committee of Commerce.
(CoNCLUDED.l


Whether forei en- nations will or will not accent our
proposals Tor reciprocaiing commercial privileges ia
question which they must determine. How long su cb
an intercourse may be continued will be dsc airy
with us, unless afterwards secured by treaty. Such
an arrangement with any nation, but particularly with
those most likely to accept terms would be de
ded!y in our favor on the of navigation. The
transportation OF the produce OF all America is naturally
our employment, and the policy of no European Gov.
eminent can fairly control that or give il any
other direction The advantages of navigation would.
however, be reciprocal and the only change that could
be anticipated would be muisa increase in the ratio
actually existing Many OF the nations of Europe have
either no colonies no maritime pretensons, or enter
tain no gallons hostility towards our navigation The
more powerful nations have a negative but deep DO
licai interest in the prosperity Of our commercial ma
rne But indep' nden OF these considerat ons, the
commerce OF country, so rich in mineral and agricu-
tural resources Is too valuable privilege to be rashly
declined by any European Power The commercial
policy OF Great Britain, since the war; has been pener
ally In accordance wi the proposed reciprocity She
has nevertheless, in her colonial regulations deemed
IT expedient, on the ground of political necessity to o.
veook our just claims in measuring out general pryi-
leges to all nations. She might have had some ex.
cuse barely plausible however, for declining to nego
tiae this question in 1885, but she can now have no
sound apology for persevering in the same course to-
wards those who advocated the acceptance of her
ionia commerce. on the terms proposed by the acts of
Parliament in 1928. Should she continue 10 suffer her
commercial interests TO be controlled and sacrificeI
through jealousy of VI; should her councils be too
much influenced by the apprehension expressed by
one OF dtc ministers, thdt, IN commerce. in
cation in naval power, and maritime pretensions, the
United States are her most formidable riva she mus,
pardon for responding that sentiment and for adon,
ing the most efficient measures to counervail shirt
and policy unfriendy to our navigation II her ne
cuar conduct towards should drive us to measures
OF specific retaaiion-to more extensive and efTec.
tive Introduction OF our intercourse with her colonies
she viii have no just reason TO complain that we have
not afforded her opportunity TO re- establish our
intercourse terms of the generous and friendly
reciprocity. 1t will remain for Great Bi'an TO deter
mine whether she will open the whole of her vast
pre- TO our commerce mutually advantage terms
or whether, by perssting in excluding us from part
OF her dOminions, she will allow other nations TO su
nersede her in the trade with North America. In ma.
king this general proposition to ions, we can admit
no compromas; cannot give he whole of our trade
for part of theirs France once enoyed free trade
with us and, although long trammeled with restrc
tonS, appears now to be disposed gradually TO relieve
herself from such unprof able burhens If she means
70 act in conformity the liberal and sound prncips
advocated in able report Of June 1928 on her wa
ami means Tor 1922 she cannot adopt better plan 10
accomplish her object We cannot better show the
commercial policy bv which the affars Of France are
hereafter propo'ed to he regulated than nv trsnsaoq
the following passage from that reports 'The minister
of commerce has great and important duties 10 petfor
The sources Of public prosperity and national mower
are under his charge We will not suffer ourselye. To
he carried away by The comprehensive magnitude OF
This question We Of necessity compelled 10 avoid
enlareing on The subject We may however be per.
mi'ted 10 say WORD on the means which we hello 90
may aH"rd immediate relief tn our national industry
ana "ilcH VIII enlarge Tor the future the sphere
activity careful and equitable revion Of the tariff
the suppression OF useless prohibitions and If ex,ra
VACANT protecting duties. The EXPRESS and formal ac
acknowledgement Of the States OF South America and
laying the foundation OF amicabe relations with the 40
Powers. Negotiating with all nations who would
come into such measures treaties of commerce
formed on the basis OF mutual concessions and re-
riproca advantages. Finally the gradual and temperate
reform OF the enormous and obvious evils of our coin
NAL system. Such are cnncisely the means which the
Committee believe would lead 10 the expansion Of ort
national industry Your Committee regret Ina, thew
cannot enter into detail, and that they are Obliged Il
conine Themselves 10 this general outline which the
submit TO your most serious con.idt ration Inducing
hope that the industry Of France will soon prove bI
the enlargement OF iis resources that an epobteneI
protection watches over lie interests" II the aTrs n
France should hereafter be drec ed by such eogbfen
Cd councils, we shall have little difficulty in reso,ine
that liberal and friendly intercourse which existed he
tween The two countries in 1889
Russia has the most powerful political motives f.
granting every facility 10 tie navigation Of the Unite,
States, and could only be restrained from allowing us
enlarged intercourse with her extensive empre
by the particular but nhUenil interests Of nobilit
enjoying special roonopolies in trade That Govern
men seems 70 have in many instances adopted the mo
noYolzng policy OF England in the reign of Elizabeth
almost three centuries back Russia has nevertheless.
POLITICAL motives more powerful than any that can in
huence other nations. 10 in any measures wbic
tend 10 enlarge the commercial marine Of the Unite
States. But " Great Britain, France Russia and Spain
fhould decline our proposals. the other nations Of IN