The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-10-11
LETTER FROM JOSEPH HUME NJ. +, ON
FREE TRADE
Berkeley Square, sept'r 5, 1874;

BERKELEY SQUARE oepll - i0''
DUR GEsES, ESQ. &C,
DrAR Sin | have pcrused in the Times OF The Isl
instant the extracts Of MIR Upshurs and OF MI Oi'-
houn's letters the subject of commercial treaty
between the United States and Great Britain aud II al
fords me much satisfaction TO know that men oil tAeir
station and influence in your country take proper
view Of the advantages that would result to both our
countries by removing the barriers now set up, SO M
iuriousy, by both countries against commerce.
strong conviction exists in the minds of the great
er part OF the people Of this Kingdom that the reno
val of all the barriers hitherto mischieyous 10 the
industry Of this as well ofyour country should be
removed that free trade should be established be-
England and the rest of the world, as the best
means of giving employment to the industrious classes,
and Of rendering capital valuable And, believe,
is also becoming of general belief that The dhcui-
ties, both commercial and financial, of America aud
Of Englan would be speedily removed by that free
intereouse betioee The itoo countries which was 80
strongly recommended in the Report OF the Select
Committee on Duties of Customs, Of which was
chairman in 1910.
may say, without fear of contradiction, that the
manufacturing and commercial interests Of the I'm.
ted Kingdom in favor Of free trade and deep
ly convinced of the necessity of that freedom beng
carried out speedily The landed aristocracy, who
have for many years had monopoly Of the home
market for and cattle, opposed to the repeal
Of the corn laws and that interest have, at this
time IA jorty in both Houses of Parliament, the
country is thereby placed in the situation in
OF depressed trade and diminished euipioJ meat
After the declaration Of free nade principles, and
the alteration of the tariff many articles of import
by Sir Robert Peel must consider him a convert
TO free trade principles and that he is consequently
DESTROYS to these principles fully and generally
carried out, if his colleagues in the Ministry were
not opposed to them
You have had opportunities of know ing the truth
Of that statement, and account for the do-nolt-
ing policy Of the last session Of Parliament
We see the evils arising from party, which risks
the welfare Of the country by allowing the monopoly
to continue, rather than risk the breaking up OF Il
Tory party, which would be the case, if Sir Robert
Peel had the courage TO attempt free ade-and from
such state of party, the population are doomed 'o
misery and want-the ordinary revenue TO decrease
and even the sources of the wealth and power OF Eng
land are in danger.
fear the opposing interests IN the United States
| and the pteponderance in Congress Of the New
England and manufacturing interests, produced the
evils OF the high tariff of the last session. from which
both countries are suffering but, from all the &C
counts we hear, ] believe there will be in the new
Congress majority of the representatives against The
existing high tariff ard monopoly; and in favor o
free trade principles, and Of improved Commercial
intercourse between the two countries
In both countries therefore, hare the desire Of h
large majority for free trade in corn and the difficulty
appears TO me TO be, as to the manner both our lie
gisatures shall effect the wishes ofthe community.
! can bear testimony to the trouble you have taken
TO convince Sir Robert Peel Of the vast importance
Of his sending 10 Washington some person enjoying
his confidence; and with powers to settle liberal
tariff between England and the United States and
have been sorry TO observe the want of moral courage
J Of Sir Robert Peel TO sanction aud to follow that
course. After what has passed do not believe tina
he will do his duty to the country and commence ne
gotiatons for the repeal Of the Corn Lave, which
,-t'-s---' - "nmun.o~- -.'irh, ulti
the decreasing revenue and the Increasing paupcrsm
shall threaten the public credit Of the nation. At
attempt will then be made TO remove all monopolie.
and to re-esiabsh tie trade and prosperity of the
country when, perhaps, 1t may be found a very diff
cult business 10 effect IN comparison with the favor
able opportunity tina, Low presents TO commence nc
] gotiaons with your Congress.
! have done all in my power to promote free taIs
and have to lament the party aud interested views OF
the political party now in power in oppo.ngit But
have to express hope that, in the United States
you may be able 10 adopt sound principles of trade
without regard to the blind and Interested policy OF
this and Of other countries
] 81
By When nations obtain ardnfoge orer each oier b.
diplomatic mana cement - and would ask him to act
upon the principle that mutual interest and mutual
convenience ought 10 bind our countries together in
friendly, because profitable, intercourse. We pro-
duce what you, in the United States, wish TO buy
and you produce what We, in England, wish TO pur-
chase. What more powerful motives can actuaie
any two countries 10 promote free trade than Eng.
land and the United States have; A kindred race,
and mutual interest," urge pow erfully TO the frees
exchange Of the products Of our respective countries
and Why should either country hesitate, for a mo-
ment, TO adopt that course which will certainly re-
lieye one, II not both countries from much Of their
present suderingsi | have explained above that
the landed ari,tocrscy which now have the po.
litical power Of the State are opposed to free
trade principles under the erroneous opinion that
they can keep up their monopoly by prevent
ng the repeal Of the Corn Laws but there exists
sufficient majority in Congress to proceed at once
to reduce the tariff, and thereby take away from mo-
nopo'ts, in this country the only plea they put for
ward-ihat fire, in England h rad repeal our Corn
La,c that you, IA me United States, ,rouid not rccipro
cafe
hove strongly Advised vi, RUJcr, Peel to alter the
duties Of customs in this country, without relation to
any country IN particular but solely suit the ine-
rests Of this country; and have recommended the
termination Of all the existing commercial treaties