Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-05-18
leSs---as follows
Av. Am. ton. per 1890
nm f,r 10 ye,rs
1881
1850 H.,
$500
w. l. gon.
l36, O96 ll,5lO l29,l6i 100

So that for the loss Of transportation to the ncu-
trail islands, have not even the compensation
of any positive increase of tonnage to the British
ports! And, of that which We have, more than two
thirds, appears 10y the above statement, is merely
to the northern provinces on our borders. We lose
the long freight which we before enjoyed, and get
a part only Of the short which has been substtut-
ed, and even that portion will hereafter be diminish
ng. That such the former course of the
trade, is universally known. Indeed have such
authority will convince even the political advo-
Gates OF the arrangements
In March, 1870, Mr. McLanc said the routes
through which these supplies now pass comprehend
not merely the northern possessions, which have
tho solitary advantage of occasionally aifordng 4
better assortment of goods, but the islands OF ST.
Thomas and st. Bartholomew, Martinique, Guada-
loupc and the port of 81. Jago dc Cuba.
And Mr.. Van Buren,, in 1899, declared of this
trade, ut is carried on AMERICAN by ST.
Bar,'s and st. Thomas and open ports i'll North
American colonies" And now, since the arrange
mcnt, is prosecuted to great extent, in British
vessels, to whom we have yielded the means of mo-
noPozing it entirely. Who will be beneii,cd!-
The producer? Will il increase his market? If il
might, 1t would still be miserable apology for this
INJURY TO the ship ownor. Never in the " hole his
tory Of our country the idea tolerated that our
navigation should be sacrificed in any event for
amy consideration. In 1918, the Committee of the
House who reported the law of that ycar-sternly
repealed such Il suggestion, There be d-
Norce OF the great interests of the country they
linked by indissolube bonds, and injury to one is
depression to all.
But as this is the only apology, excuse, that
can he offered, let us examine it for 4 moment
W Ill the markets for our produce be incrcascd!-
How! BY what process? Every thing which Great
Britain supply 10 her islands, either from the
northern provinces, or any port of her dominions,
she is resolved to furnish herself; this we know
| this she has avowcd; it is her fixed pecy. From
us will he admitted only those Indispensable ncccs.
sarics which cannot he elsewhere obtained consist
ing almost exclusively of provisions and lumber
and these she received before the arrangement,
partly through the neutral islands and PARTLY by her
northern ports, to both which our vessels had the
exclusive carriage. being utterly prohibited to the
British In what manner will they be transmitted
under the arrangement Through her northern
ports, still burthened by double frcghts and insur-
ance Is the route thus substituted less expensive
than that which II has supplantcd!
Even Mr. McLane knew and asserted that it was
not and also declared that the portion of the trade
which sought the northern channels, instead of the
neutral, was diverted there only by the greater
ty for assorted cargocs; and he added that the
burdens of the indirect trade fell upon the planter
TOW then, is the consumption, our markets to be
increased Ivy this substitution OF the present crcu
'oiS route in British vessels, for the former in a.
mcrican Indeed, so essential our supplies
that change from this indirect trade, when the
ports were closed to the direct by opening them
does not seem, from past experience, TO have mate
rally affected the result. / hold in nv hand two
tabular statements which exhibit this very clearly
Tabular Statement of the Export of Domestic
Produce from the United States to the West In
dies and British American Colonies, during the
years 1923 to 1896 inclusive, when the British
ports were open to direct trade and also during
the years 1927 to 1880 inclusive, when the ports
closed.