The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-26

i Total s7sLOOO
or which the citizens Of the United States as seem
own welnish " hree-eighths. Although the mercantile
marine Of Great Britain Is apparently fifth larger than
ours, yet in reality from the manner of In
the two countries, this inequality in size does exist In
report Of late Secretary Of the Treasury Congress,
Il respectfully recommended that the mode of
tanning the tonnage Of any ship vessel directed by
IAN regulate the collection OF duties imports and
tonnage approved I'd March, $780, be so far altered and
amended require thst the actual depth of the ship
vessel be measured that the breadth thereof be measured
every perpendicular foot at the broadest part above the
walls, that average Of the breadth be made and then
hnt the length aud badh averaged, and depth
ured be multiplied, with the deduction directed by that
This change has become important, because in mod
ern models Of ships and vessels have been altered
that the directed by that does approx
the tonnage, but makes appear far less than
the truth" Now, in support Of the business and correctness Of
these conclusions, will state that in the movement Of prod
om the United States in 1873, port in northern
Europe one hundred and foreign vessels car
rcd 50 i3S 1877 ons-thus averaging 555 while
tyhree vessels sailing under flag, carried l6,4S2
tons being 7l6 tons for each This statement
made up under my own eye and direction and haz.
ard nothing in stating that, according TO the method of
measuring ships in different countries II would be found
upon examination that, in the aggregate, do this proper
ton of tho carrying by the tonnage which have
pOycd II follows, then, that for practical purposes
shipping Is effective than the shipping Of Great Brit
ain, the shipping Of all the remaining of Europe
and that have now, what verify believe the first
camille naUy earth. 1t be recolleced that in the
face OF such creditable result, in which oxut
than self navigation interest has had from time
time formidable couneryailing influence contend
with. Whatever blessings different high tariffs may
have dispensed part of New England, they unques-
tionRby have been adverse the sailing Of ships only
respects the articles required for constructing them and
ting them out but in Gripping active foreign
cal intercourse. IT, under such serious disadvantages
continued Augment, what may not expect for il by
the reduction of duties which to take effect the first OF
December, and the relaxation of commercial restrictions
in Great Britain, and those in conempla elsewhere in
Europel The quantity of shipping built in the United
States in 1915 amounted to 10000 tons This year, it is
confidently believed from the impetus given
by the causes just mentioned it will exceed 100000 tons
The last accounts represent every shpyard in the Union
being full Of vessels upon the stocks and every ship
wright as constantly and nduousy employed. There is
not doubt but that prepare vessel for
from the laying Of heT keel TO the upng Of her canvass,
cheaper than any other natien. Although our mechanics
receive per d higher wages than those this side of the
Atlantic yet, when the service which they perform is
sdered, they in reality receive less. Ask any shpmaser
who has repaired his vessel in foreign port what he thinks
of this assertion and he will tell you that our common
aborers will execute work in day than Eng
lishman, German, or buchanan will in two So
with the sailing of ships. They discharge and take in
cargo usually about oneha the time that the
other countries do nothing of the comparative rapid
y with which they accomplish their voyages Moreover
the captains of merchantmen almost invariably
part of the ships under their command and S
they peent business men, Discretionary power
given by the other them determine upon their
destination in their movements the world The man.
agemcn of their ships is left entirely themselves in
eign, and frequently in home ports No other countries.
The captains there have no further interest than to 6s
charge their duties to merit continuance of their
places. They controlled by instructions which they
dare dsobey and consequently all that expected of
them is their vessels from port to port All else is
done by the agent and the shipbrokcr Our seanen too
amply provided for by government in the of
hipwrecks other casualties by which they may become
destitute. Congress annually approprates of 75 900
for the relief OF such may be found destitute in foreign
countries and the consul commercial agent whom
they make application is directed only feed and
furnish them with necessary clothing but to provide and
pay their passage home. Our sailors have cause to be
proud of their country for whatever may fra lilies of
poor improvdcn Jack when he is found Distress even
though Ire be in the distant Chinese seas extends to him
parental hand and restores him to his family and his
friends.
Tho reciprocity treaties with Denmark, Sweden and
Norway the Hanse-Towns, and Prussia were made du-
ring the presidency of Mr. Adams and consequently were
negotiated by Mr. Clay The system has been continued
under the administrations of General Jackson Mr. Van
Buren,, and Mr. Polk if | am not mistaken none were
made by Mr. Tyler In the midst and throughout con-
tnuance OF the extraordinary excitement the tariff ques-
ton from 1924 to 1884, the propriey of the policy was not
doubted The black protection act Of 1922, was
pronounced, was approved by Mr. Adams but five days
fore that authorizing the President allow such
privileges of the ndrcct carryng aHoued them TO u.s.
received his signature. Free trade respected naviga
ton, recognized in public counses with unann-
ity OF sentiment remarkable it creditable all
concerned to be sautary in its influences upon the general
veal. In St3 however, Mr. Webster, with what he i'm
agined torchgh in his hand which he found the ar
chives Of the department., proceeds Baltimore where
quarter dozen Bremen flags floating in the breeze
and undertakes the merchants that this not
only accustomed by the RECIPROCITY treaties" that the
great interests of the country" vitality affected by
them. 81 do genteinen said he, the strongest
belief that all this principle of reciprocity, upon by
the government, is wronga mistake from the beginning
and injurious the great interests of the country
Now what, | would inquire, the great Interests
of the country? Agriculture and commerce., every one
win answer, who knows anything of the country; agr
culture the chief and commerce, which it creates the
Without agriculture should have comparatively
commerce. and without commerce, certainly navpa-
ton Agriculture Is the Interest upon which every
in the United States derives its existence. EMPLOYS
tho merchant sustans the aourer and sails the ship
has been very properly remarked, by eminent author
that navigation Is the child, the parenthe effect
the cause--of commerce. IL may with much truth be
said that In country, is the child other the
grandchid of agriculture Agriculture Produces COM
buys, and navigation carries Agriculture requires
protection commerce requires protection but
cordng TO the theory of Mr.. Webster and his conductors
navigation must be tarsd protect he duty
under the tariff Of 1872 amounting a less than
$4,000 for the articles consumed in the
ship of 900 y and il then round and ask
protection of that interest TO which Il its existence
thus submitting il (agrcuture) double against for
sgn competition II it conceived that shipowners
in any other than prosperous condition, il would
seem indeed that the voices ohose whose ympahes