Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-10-27
Fas est ab h0sie docr,i.
(FrOm the New Brunswick ilera

BRITISH Views OF THE COLONIAL
TRADE.-The information contained in
the following article has been afforded US
by an intelligent merchant of this town,
who has taken great pains to become
thoroughly acquainted with the provis-
ions of the act alluded to; the statements
will, we expect, be found generally cor
rect, and well worthy of the attention of
our commercial readers.
4 Vest India tl'adc. c.-An act of 2arlia-
ment regulating the colonial trade, hav
ing recently come into operation here, our
attention and inquiries will naturally di-
rect themselves to the advantages likely
to be derived thereirom, by the provinces,
but more especially, the effect it will have
on the trade of our own port. unter the
operation of new system, and with this
view, we offer the following remarks,
which possibly may not be altogether I'M
interesting to some of our commercial
readers. For the sake of contrast, it may
be well in the first place, to bear in mind
that during the late interdiction of direct
intercourse between the British West In
dia possessions and the United States, the
former were chiefly supplied with provs-
ions of every kind, through the medium
of the neutral islands, whence they were
distributed to our colonies in vessels of a
small class, and consequently limiting
our tonnage and navigation in that quar-
ter, to mere trips of three and four days.
1t is an acknowledged fact, that only a
small proportion of American produce
was transhipped through the warchousing
ports in those provinces; flour and slaves
only, receiving partial benefit thereby,
and even this, was generally consumed
by the additional freight s. other attend
ant expenses.
Although the new act does not 90 to
the extent which was at first generally
anticipated, by suffering all articles of
American produce to pass through the
province es into the West Indies DUTY FREE,
and imposing additional duties on the di-
rect carriage from the United States, still
its provisions are ample, and places our
navigation on more advantageous foot
inc than before.
An attentive perusal ofthc act referred
to, will cvince, that corn, grain (ot' every
description meal, rye, flour, biscuit, rice
and live stock, can be imported dtrect
from The United States into Tie ITesi India
colonies, duty free, and this is certainly It's
most extraordinary feature. On the 9TH
or hand, wheat, flour, beef, hams, bacon,
lumber and slaves, are totally exempt
from impost, in the West Indies, if tran
shipped through a warchousing port in
the provnces-the cid rate of duties be-
inc continued, when imported direct, with
an increase on the two last mentioned ar
ticlcs.
| The most important point secured, ny
this new arrangement, Is the carrying
trade. British vessels may now proceed
from any part oflI. M. dominIons, direct
to the United States, there load full car
90 either for the Yves. Indies direct, OF
via the provinces, as the nature OF the
cargo may invite, thus completing the
whole voyage, n portion of which only
| American vessels would be eligible to
perform. This also embraces the privi-
iege ofimporting dcbenture goods, which
could not take place in American vessels,
they being confined to the produce ol
their states alone.
\ The object of our government has been
plainly, and avowcdly, to force the trade
from American hands into those of Brit
sh ship owners-to continue and impose
such additional duties on their direct car
riaae TO the West Indies, with the cX-
ccpton above namcd) as will in effect be
prohibitory, and moreover, to obtain
market for their surplus West India pro-
ducc, which they did not before possess
i As the article of fish is totally cxclud-
cd from the United States in the British
West Indies, it still remains Our exclusive
monopoly, and coupled with the exports
of lumber, shingles, and articles of Amer
ican produce, which must fall in our mar
kct, under the act referred TO, we trus
wcshallcont to enjoy an active West
nlin trnln