Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1843-07-18
Commercial Treaties.


We see the idea of seeking to form com
mercial treaties between the United States
and other nations, is entertained ut Washing
ton with more or less favor.
The only commercial treaties which
should ever exist between nations, are those
that arc very general in their nature and
objects. They should merely relate TO rules
and regulations for the greater security of
trade and navigation-the speedy adjust
mcnt of disputes. the regulation Of pilotagc.
harbor. and lighthouse duties-thc protec-
ton OF property and persons of each nation,
on reciprocal terms of good Will. and to adj
init the residence of commercial agents. or
consuls in each respectively. Whenever
these general objects arc lost sight of. and
one nation cndcavors TO gain exclusive priv
lcgcs lin its trade and intercourse with anotl.-
CT, at the expense OF third parties, the policy
is lraught with such absurd sclfishncss, that
it never fails To result in loss or injury TO one
or beth of the contracting parties. These
exclusive treaties have always been favoritc
projects with selfish and short-sightcd states
men, who imagine the prosperity OF a coun-
try promoted by singcncss of trade with
one party. while all the rest OF the world Is
to be shut out by prohibitory tariffs. which
third parties into countcrvailing measures OF
retaliation. For centuries to the disgrace
of mankind. nations have been fighting each
other with prohibitory tariffs, notwithstand-
ing, in many instances. their proximity. !.
has been of no consequence how much sur
plus one produced, which the other required
or how much the Other had to give in eX-
change vet. such has been the Ignorance
oil of mi
rulers. that laws have constantly been en-
acted to prevent Che Interchange OF com
moditics. And in place of free Interchange
of articles, not only in trade. but in the
courtcsies Of life, they have encouraged
isolation. absolute hatred and unreasonable
preludiccs which have frequently led to tho
most wasting and bloody
Whenever negotiations have been set or
foot TO break down these absurd barriers
between nations, they have too often assum
cd the selfish forms indicated. thus disastrous
" intcrrupting the advancement of the pco
pie in wealth and civilization.
If there be any country Of consequence
with which the United Stascs have no exist
ing treaty. intended TO embrace those gene
raj objects alluded TO above. let provision
be made for concluding such. But. II it /
treaty exclusive privileges. and grant in re
turn similar immInitics to Great Britain q
any other nation. no hing can be moro Oh
lcctionablc. and the sooner the idea Is a5an
doned the better.
The proper course for the United State
TO pursue. Is TO reduce their present tariff t.
revenue standard. regardless of the othc
nations. and cndcayor TO trade with all. Tx
general merchant. selling to those who vii
pay the most for our products. and pur
chasing from those who will sell what W
want in exchange on the cheapest terms.
With Great Britain VIC formed CON
mer5-::.a.il treaty OF general character in lSl5
which has been continued by mutua
consent till the present time. We hav
similar treaties with all the respectable gov
crnmcnts with whom we have intercourse
These may occasionally require modification
but we want no treaty with any of thcs
nations.
The English have a great many oommci
cial treaties with several nations they PAT
take of a very selfish character. AM she IN
rcapcd the bitter fruits OF her folly. OF Iii
class is the celebrated treaty made wit
Portugal by Mr.. Mcthucn, on the part O
Great Britain. in 1903. of which we sha
presently speak more a length. Preyiou
TO the accession OF William Ill. the import c
wine from France into England amounts
TO 1900 tuns per annum. \ tun contain
twenty-five Imperial English galons.) Tn
import of brandy was proportionably great
But Louis the NV. having afforded protcC
ton TO the Stuarts, the British government
in 1893. proceeded to impose a di>criminat
ing duty on French wines of IS stcrlin
per tun. and in 1867. raised it TO f3j pc
tun, 1t is supposed this excessive dut
would have been repealed. rs soon tn
circumstances which gave rise TO it had sub
sided. had it not been for the unfortunat
commercial treaty of Methuen with Portu
gal. which led To the encouragement OF tn
Penlnsu n inferior wines. TO the exclusion @
those of France. By the treaty. Englan
bound herself TO charge onc-third highc
duties on French wines introduced Int
Great Britain. than on Portugal wine. Tn
Portuguese IN return agreeing to adm
British woollcns at nominal and ixc,
duty, BY which means the Portuguese enjoy
cd the monopoly of the English wine market
AT this period. France commenced the aug
mentation of the anti-commcrcial measure
against Ensland andto this day, have tn
two countries sustainedthc most isolated an
disastrcusy antagonzing relations toward