The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-26
From the ~. Y. Journal Of Commerce
OUR TRADE WITH THE BRITISH WEST
INDIA COLONIES.


OUR TRADE WITH THE BRITISH WEST
INDIA COLONIES.
Several ials have been presented to Con
gress from the New England States, representing tha
the existing arrangements with Great britaih III TO
gard to the Colonial Trade, are unfaVoraDe 10 the
interests of our commerce. and praying Tor such mo-
dicatons Of the shall place that trade upon
a more just and equitable footing. Some OF the
grounds Of complaint set forth by the memorialsts
are as follows:
That while, under the present arrangement, all the
ports of the United States without exception are
open to the vessels of Great Britain, only selected
ports in the British Colonies, called free ports are
open to the commerce of the United States.
That by Of the particular locality Of some
of the selected ports peculiar advantages secured
to British vessels which not enjoyed by those OF
the United States Under this head it is stated that
GYPSUM grindstones and wool, which constitute the
principal trade the United States from the Bay OF
Fundy not shipped directly from any OF the free
ports but from the banks of rivers and inlets into
which British vessels alone are allowed to penetrate;
and that American vessels seeking the same articles,
are obliged to obtain them free port, where they
are already subject freight and other charges and
that thus the trade is in great measure monopolized
by British vessels.
That in some of the Colonies discriminating duties
are levied upon American vessels, contrary to the
conditions of the Act of Congress upon which the
rangement based Thus it is stated that coal ex-
ported from Nova Scotia TO the United States Ame-
rcan vessels pay export duty of four shngs ster-
ling per ton, while the coal, if exported IN
British vessels, is free of duty
That articles produced in the United States are
shipped in British vessels to the North American
Provinces and after being naturalized there, without
unloading, conveyed to the West Indies OF to the
United Kingdom, and thus avoid the foreign impost
duty; and that, as American vessels not allowed
TO perform this voyage the trade is gradually passing
INTO the hands of our commercial rivals
That British vessels enjoy the advantages OF the TIL
angular voyage, while ours do not
That sundry articles forbidden to be imported
into the British Colonies from the United States,
though similar articles are received into the United
States from the Colonies, by which means they can
compete with us in markets. while we cannot
compete with them In theirs.
The different memorials on the subject having been
referred to the Committee of Foreign Relations IN
the House of Representatives that Committee (where-
of Mr.. Cushing, of Mass was CHAIRMAN submitted
the 14th ut elaborate Report, extending, with
the Appendix, 25S pages large 8vo. The result OF
their deliberations and inquiries is imbodled IN the
following propositions
lst That it is the policy and the desire of the Uni
ted States to observe in the regulation of the COM
mercial intercourse between the United States and
other countries, principles of equity reciprocity
fair competition, and mutual advantage to both par
ties.
3D. That the existing arrangements regulating the
commerce between the United States and the British
Colonies in the West Indies and on the continent OF
America are unequal unjust and injurious to the in
terests of the United States.
Sd. That SO long as Great Britain persists to apply
to the vessels and productions Of the United States
in the ports of the British Colonies in America pecu
liar regulations OF commerce, other than such
gulate the commerce between the United States and
the British territories in Europe it is the right of the
United States and the necessary consequence, to
ply peculiar regulations of to British
sells and their cargoes in the ports of the United
States entered from or proceeding to the British
colonies in America.
4th. That the continued imposition by Great Bri-
tain OF discriminating duties upon the productions
of the United States imported into the British colo
MES in American vessels of the United States, will
justify the imposition by the United States Of dis
eliminating duties upon the productions of the Bri
tish colonies in America imported into the Unite
States in vessels of Great Britain or her colonies
5th That the continued prohibition to the vessel
of the United States by Great Britain Of the ndirec
voyage between the United States, the British colo
MES in America, and the British territories in Eu
rope or between the United States and one and ano
Their British colony in America will Justify the pro
hibiton by the United States Of such voyage to tn
vessels of Great Britain her colonies in America
9TH. That if Great Britain see fit to adopt AM
pursue system Of prohibitions and restriction
against the United States, it behooves the Unite
States to protect citizens, their commerce am
navigation, by counter prohibitions, duties and regu
latlons, and to decline to give free commerce ant
navigation in exchange for restrictions and vexa
tions.
It'll. But that, before having recourse to measure
OF legislative restriction, the certain of ef
fectually guarding and securing the rights of tn
United States in commerce with British cole
nes it is due to national comfy to recur, for ths
purpose, to friendly negotiation with Great Britain
The committee therefore recommend, that tn
President Of the United States be requested to ente
into negotiations with the British Government for tn
purpose OF efecting permanent, equitable, and jul
conventional arrangement in relation to the trad
under consideration
Similar views expressed in a document fro1
the Secretary of State, Mr. Webster prepared i
compliance with resolution of the Senate requirin
him to submit to that body statement of the priv
leges and restrictions of the commercial ntercours
OF the United States with all foreign nations. TIL
document was presented to the Senate the 31st
March last, and makes pamphlet of liz page
large 8vo In treating of the privileges and restr
tons pertaining to our trade with the British COLI
nial possessions, the honorable Secretary speaks
the warehousng system established at the free por
IN the colonies, operating much to the advantae
OF British commerce, and to the disadvantage of OF
own. He remarks:
The advantage it secures to British commerce III
der the protection in addition thereto, extended
their own vessels engaged in the carrying trade b.
tween the colonies, is that all goods admitted
warehouse in either of the colonies, may be col
veyed thence in British vessels usvely, to oht
British colonies, at lower rate of duty than smil;
goods imported in own vessels to such colon'
direct from the United States.
AS part of the commercial system of Great Br
tain, her navigation act ed and 4th William "
provides that no article the produce of any otht
country shall be allowed to be brought into the I'm
ted Kingdom, to be used therein, except in BIRTHS
ships or those of the producing country.
1t further provides, that SO much of the produ
tions of the STA might be wanted for the consum
ton of Great Britain, should be exclusively procure
by British industry and imported in British ship
both in regard to England and her colonies.
There are several acts of Parliament regulatlr
the trade of British possessions abroad the main oil
Ject OF all which is to conne them, far as pract