Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-21


dict upon the direct trade. On the contrary, ii
frustrated their scheme entirely.
The "obsct of that government" said Mr.. Idv-
ingston, ''was plain and obvious. 1t was to pro-
mote the growth, the prosperity and Importance
of her Canadian colonies" "Great Britain had O.
Violently determined on the policy of building up |
those colonies, and the clause in the act giving |
bounty ola dollar barrel on flour shipped in ca /
madam ports, part of the same system. Pro-
vided the islands could get supplies, England cared
not for what price, so ii tcere means Of increasing
her ndpigdtion."
These passages are taken from speech deliver
ed by the present Secretary of State, then in Con-
gress, the 2Sth of February 1927 And, Mr..
Livingston added 'this be ing the ovpwed policy of
the British ministry, the question IS, ,ohether zoe
shall play into their hands,"
A very slight survey of the trade as it was then
carried on, and the mode in whichit is now to be
carried on according to Mr.. McIane's arrange
ment, will show that Mr.. Lvingston's question sis
solved, and that we hare ''played into their hands,
most egrogiousy.
1t has been that flour or grain (the chief
articles of supply had ever been carried from the
British North American Colonies; hut the whole of
the supplies were taken from ports, in our ves
sells, to st. Thomas and thence easily and cheapy
distributed to the British islands This was the
actual of the trade, in respect both to Amer
lean produce, and also, debenture goods
But when lord Aberdeen announced that his
government would open their ports to direct
trade, after ports should be actually opened he
| not only declared that American vessels would be
allowed to carry only American produce; but also,
that there would be schedule of duties fra
med, with view more effectually to support the
| interests of the British North American Colonies"
The order in council, which followed our Pres
idents proclamation opening our ports unreserved-
| ly to British Colonial shipping, corresponded with
lord Aberdeen's intimaton; and announced that
ships OF the United Ssates may import into the
British possessions abroad, goods the produce of
those States" and no other goods.
1t is already manifest, therefore, that the amount
| of our tonnage employed in this trade, which Mr.
Cambreling Justly declares to be the criterion of
value of the trade, is diminished in the proportion
of it that was required to carry foreign debenture)
goods thus forbidden to be carried any longer in
our vessels.
The amount of such goods formerly obtained by
the British West India Islands, from our ports has
been estimated at near three millions of dollars
nually, because about that amount is known to be
| taken by Cuba alone.
| 1t may be more and may be less; but whatever
be the amount, and whatever tonnage is in due
proportion to the freight of it, there can be no
doubt, that the whole amount of tonnage is dimin-
| shed in just that degree.
| So that, applying the test suggested by Mr.. Cam
breling, it is clear, that losers in this res
pect, well as in regard to the tonnage formerly
employed in the export of fish, which is equally
| prohibited.
| 1t would require too much time and space to
examine the whole list of new duties, provided by
the British government, for the purpose of cherish
ing their North American colonies at our expense.
The object has been, plainly and avowedly, to force
the trade out of the hands of American, and into
the hands of British ship owners; and we have so
| 'played into their hands," to secure the accom-
plishment of that end,
| Indeed, 1t seems tie be understood in England,
| that such has been our design. Mr. Herbs, the
| President of the Board of Trade, declared in par
lament, that america has entirely and uncondi-
tionaly withdrawn her pretensions." And he said,
also, 'the object of the new duties was to give an
encouragement to supply of the West India is
lands by the North American colonies of Great
Britain, instead ofby the United States of Ameri-
ca"
The mode adopted in order to effectuate TIL is OBJ
Ject is by imposing on American produce, carried
| in American vcssels--of course by the direct vow
| age-such duties will in effect be prohibtory,
and at the same time, by permitting such produce
to be carried TO the North American coonies-that
is; to Halifax ST. Johns free of duty or SLIGHTLY
charged, and thence free Of duty, and in British
vessels only, to the West India islands.
The manifest effect of this system is, that
sells cannot enter INTO the competition without
tain loss.
For example, pine lumber will pay six dollars and
seventy-two cents per thousand feet if carried in
an American vessel-whch is in effect prohibi-
tlon-but the same lumber may be carried to st.
Johns duty free, and thence to jamaica IN a Bril-
| fish vessel duty free. OF course the supply of
lumber in American vessels though not prohibited
expressly, like fish and debenture goods is efectu-
| ally cut off and terminated.'
| AS to flour, the effect is not less plain. 1t goes
| into Halifax and st. Johns to be warehoused duty
| free and thence in British vessels to the islands
by the first schedule burthened with one shilling
| and by more recent act, free of duty-but if
| carried in an American vessel of course from the
United States it is subject to duty of five shnes
one dollar and twenty cents--the barrel.
The consequence, as to this particular staple, is
that it will be taken from the state of New York.
across the line into Canada, duty free, for exporta-
ton, duty free, in British vessels, to the islands
Now, whatever benefit the agriculture Of New
ork may derive from this arrangement, certainly
| our tonnage cannot but be lessenedi
The same remarks would apply to the expectation
of beef and pork, which are charged about Sc so
barrel, if carried in vessels and are allowed
to go nearly quite free of duty, in British yes.
! sells by the way of st. Johns, &c.
Our only chance would seem to he when the
northern ports may be blcckaded with ice; but then
British vessels can come TO ports, and engage
In the direct trade to greater advantage than our
own, because they are allowed, in despite of the
| act of congress, TO load with mixed cargoes, of
debenturc goods and American produce, while ours
| are restricted to carry only produce.
| In addition to all these advantages, British ship
| owners here obtained market which they did not
before possess. They may supply our twelve
millions of people, with West India produce on
terms in all respects of equal advantage with our
| own vessels, and in many respects manifestly on
| terms of far superior privileges and indulgence.
An intelligent merchant from he state of Maine,
gives this account Of the dctiue condition of the
trade as affected in that quarter by the system.
| Maine has exported lumber a great extent,
Now the Halifax and St Johns traders, send the ir
vessels down the coast for lumber take it to one of
these ports ST. Andrews duty free, obtain frese
clearance for the West Indies, and carry their
goes to the islands duty free, But the ship owners