Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-13
remain, gentlemen, your ohcdicnt servant"
From the st. christopher Gazette.

AMERICAN TRADE WITH THE COLONIES
Our attention has bcen called to an article in the
Now brunswick Nova Scotia) Herald, on tho
West India Trade. The writer who is evidently
well acquainted with his subject, cndcavors show,
and we think does SHOW that while the trade with
thn United States was indirect, the navigation was
IN the hands of the Americans and that our Co
vcrnmcnt, III concluding the treaty with that of
America, have forced the trade from American
hands into those of British ship owners. Our Co
vcrnmcnt appears to have had another object in
vicw-naincly, that of imposing such additional
duties the direct trade TO the West Indies, with
certain exceptions, in effect to be prohibtory.
by this means, U. States produce is forced into our
North American Colonies, whence it i, transported
| in British bottoms duty free to the West Indians.
IT appears indeed, pretty clear to that Brother
Jonathan has been for once ovcrrcached by Father
Bull, who, Mr.. Niles, in his Register, observes,
'has aimed blow at the prosperity of shc naviga-
ton OF the nation, and mt the prosperity of the
State of New York so far as it is to bo effected by
a diminu'ion of its revenue from tho Canal" The
writer III the New Brunswick Herald states, in the
| first place, ''that ought to bear in mind that
| during tho late Introduction of direct intercourse
| between the British West India Possessions and the
United States, the former chiefly supplied
with provisions of every kind through the medium
of the neutral islands, whence they were dist ribu
ted to orr shores in vessels of n small class and
| consequently limiting our tonnage aud navigation
| IN that quarter, to mere trips of three and four
days 1t Is an acknowledged fact, that only small
through the warc-housng ports in those provinces;
/ flour and slaves only received n partial benefit
thereby, and even this generally con-
| sumcd by the additional freight, and other at
| tendant expenses
| Although the new act docs not 90 to the extent
which was at first generally anticipated by suffer-
ing all articles of American produce to pass
through the provinces into the West Indies duty
free, and imposing additional duties on the direct
carriage from the United States still its provisions
III and Inc
vantagcous footing than before. Wheat, flour,
beef, hams bacon, lumber, and stavcs are totally
exempt from imports in the West Indies if trans
shipped through warehousing port in the Provin
ccs-thc old rate of duties being continued when
imported direct, with an increase on the two last
mentioned articles.
The most important point secured by this new
arrangement, is the carrying trade. British YES
sells may now proceed from any part of his Maics-
TVS Dominions direct to the United States, there
load full cargo either for the West Indies or via
the Provinces, as the nature of the cargo NAV in
vite, thus completing the whole voyage portion
OF winch only American vessels would he able to
perform This also embraces the privilege of Ia
KING debcnturc goods, which could not take place
in American vessels, they being confined TO the pro-
duce of their States alone.
The object of our Government has been plainly
and avowcdly, to force the trade from American
hands into those of British owners--to continue
| and impose such additional duties on the direct
carriage to the West Indies, with the execution
namcd) will, in effect be prohibitory; and morco
yer, to, obtain market for their surplus West In
dia produce, which they did not before possess.
As the article of fish is totally excluded from the
United States i'll the British West Indies it still re-
mains our exclusive monopoly, and coupled with
the exports of lumber, shingles and articles nj
American produce, which must fall in our mark IF
under the act referred to- we trust we shall CONT
nue. TO enjoy an active West India Trade
London paper.