Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-10-15
THE WEST INDIA TRADE.


srs. The article was written before the opening
Of the ports was known, and is probably from
ne pen Of Mr.. BURGEs, whose opinions on such
q topic are very valuable.
Hsst Iadia 1raae.--It is matter Of surprise
40 me, that we should with so much eagerness
vursue the.British Government, humiliating our
selves, and begging OF them to permit us to trade
30 their West India Colonies, when such trade
would be as beneficial to tlsInas to us, and In
nv estimation more SOY d taking man
Nv stand, and saying to Ga, tain, we can do
as we'll without you, as you Can without u.s.
Suppose Great Britain shOald assent to our I'M
,ortunities, aud open her West Indies to di-
rect trade with us, shall we be gamers by IT.
Should we not IN such an event loose as much as
We should gain? We now possess all the trade Of
the West indies indirectly. The British ISL
ands now receive all our productions that they
need, through the ports OF the other islands, at
smA advanced price, which the British planter
is taxed with. We receive as much Tor Cur pro-
tuctous at the other Islands as we should at the
British Islands, were they open to US. American
citizens have established houses OF trade and
p oommerce asths gsatral islands, as they may be
called, who transoGt the business Tor US and the
British plaateI-s.E receive commission which
would be ssSeS'to the British planter. was the
goes into the pockets of our own citizens residing
az these Islands, lf by opening direct trade
with the British Vest Indies. we do no, increase
: the consumption of our productions, (which viii
not be the caSe) we are not gamers In that
point of view. Then the only gain to MS must
be to the navigating interest. by increasing the
carving of our productions to the West Indies.
How will it affect that INTEREST," 1t appears to
NE not fay0rably. for we, at this time, arc the
exclusive carriers Of oGr own productions to the
West Indies, and an arrangement for "a tn have
a trade direct to the British West indies and
back, viii in fact. open trade and commerce To
the British we cannot participate Ia nor be their
rivals upon the principle OF reciprocity, for un-
der whatever circumstances she may be placed,
abe will not permit any nation in peace to be the
carriers Of her West India productions to any
Of the port, within her dOminions, nor from her
coionies to any other place, than direct to the
ports of the nation she permits TO trade with
Them But il is otherwise with the British them
selves A British vessel will take cargo at
London. Liverpool, or Glasgow, or at any other
British port and sail direct 10 New York or
other OF the United States, and there take ano-
ther cargo aud carry it to Jamaica. there eX-
change the American cargo for cargo of sugar.
and proceed home, making three freights in one
VOYAGE Can the Americans do this!-No--the
American is confined to the direct trade, and we
must give this privilege to obtain the privilege at
going TO Jamaica and directly back asain-for
Great Britain will not permit US to clear out
from jamaica to her ports hut only TO oars; while
she by opening her West Indies to us will be-
privileged in trading where she pleaseS aud with
whom she pleases. Under such an arrangement,
the British West India planter will not consume
any more Of our productions than he now con-
sumes, and we shall let British merchants COM
pete with US in carrying the same articles We now
garry ourselves, and give her the advantage of
the loug voyage. as il is called, while we are con-
fined 10 the short one. which in my estimate, will
inure our navigating interest in the direct trade
10 Great Britain as well as to the w est Indies.
For If by the arrangement, Great Britain can
make three freights at the same time can make
But two, it certainly aids them and Injuries u.s.
We are not placed on the broad basis of recipro-
oity, or in more familiar terms. IN an even yoke,
to see which has the Il6s strength. skill and indus
trv. but we give the of OK the advantage. Give
Jinathan fair chance aud will trus; him against
the world. II Great Britain will permit us To
take a cargo in the United States and carry it to
Iamaica. there exchange 1t for cargo of sugar,
and proceed thence to England, Russia. Germa
nv. or such other port in Europe we please, it
wodld be fair and equal, otherwise we give more
than we get.
For one. would cease to bow and crnge to
Great Britain, but would say to her you have
broken up our trade TO your colonies. you have
by your own conduct brought about the present
pasture Of affairs, and there they may rest until
your West India colonies shall grow to manhood,
and be able to assert their own rights until YOU
please to alter them by and Of your own mere
| would not permit our minister to
be- of Lord Aberdeen that which is not worth
the cost Of obtaining, and to be tantazed by him,
either BY neglect or otherwise, nor suffer despatch
Is 10 be magni6ed to matter Of great Importance,
xhen in truth they contain nothing in substance,
more than, - Lord Aberdeen has not answered
NY proposition" A MAN.
A considerable and general frost was expert
.nced at Milledgsville, (Georgia) on the night Of