The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-03

A~-"'
Hoffman, deceased
Oar HavigA uon ation-HeciProcisy-As-
rfcultuxe and Com usrce-Ths Present Admi"isfr~-
ta0m-Webster his OrSan-0sncrai Iayior-Nns
Dsnssxaaic Ticket.
In 4 little more than month from the day on which
we write all the States in the Union will have voted for
= new Executive With formidable "non-commt-
tai. candidate in the field may venture in all defer
ence to ask the people whether they sufficiently
aware of the magnitude of the questions involved in the
approaching presidential issue We conceive it to be of
primary importance that they should thoroughly acquant
themselves with all subjects which relate to their nd
vdua interests and to the prosperity and welfare of the
nation, at so momentous period; and, with view to
make ourselves useful far possible while there
yet time. propose to devote considerable portion of
space to-day 10 careful examination of our napiga
ton poliey beginning at the of the ope
Taions of the government That policy is based upon
reciprocity. and has been sustained by retaliation
Great Britain met us. when we entered upon our
She Disseminated in favor OF her flag against the flags of
all other countries Until them nation had realiaed
80 successfully against her as to bring her of
that which was right in direct navigation intercourse
The second that passed Congress after the ratification
6couC
wares. and merchandises imported into the United
States" which provided, "Tha discount of ten per
cenum on all the duties imposed by this act shall be al
lowed such goods wares, and merchandises shall
be imported in vessels built in the United States, and
which shall be wholly the property of citizen ct
zens thereof or in vessels built in foreign countries
and on the 10th day of May last wholly the property of
acitizen or citizens Of the United States and contnu
~. ~
was enacted by Congress Imposing duties on
tonnage" Nprovded that son all ships vessels built
within the said States. (United,) and belonging wholly
to citizen citizens thereof, or not built within
the said States, but on the twenty-ninth day of
May, 1850. belonging, and during the time such ships
or vessels shall continue belong wholly to citi-
izen citizens thereof duty shall be paid, at the
of s,1 cents per ton; on all ships vessels hereafter
built in the United States belonging wholly or in part 10
subjects of foreign powers, the of thirty per
ton; all other ships or vessels. at the rate of fifty
per TOM These realiatoy measures, enacted with
view to secure for us reciprocity in navigation with
foreign States, were approved by GEORGE WASHING
TON. in July, 1859. They avowedly directed at
the system OF Great Brtainas contained in the cee-
brated Charta Ma,1tima-though they necessarily
applicable to the flags of all nations Our legislation,
however, disregarded for time by the British gov
eminent; but as strength increased-as
developed-ts effects were felt with degree Of
force which at first not feared by the ruling British
statesmen and they wisely determined after lapse Of
twenty-five years. to abandon their absurd policy,
related 10 the direct navigation intercourse with the
United States and to place flag in this trade upon
equality with their own. After the termination of the
Of 1912, treaty Of navigation concluded be-
n 81 IL ~ c. \
on the Sd Of july 1885, by John Quincy Adams, Henry
Clay. and Albert Gallatn, penpotentares the part
OF government By article 2, it was stipulated that
s'No higher or other duties shall be imposed or the
importaons into the United States of any articles the
growth, produce, manufacture of his Britannia Males
tys territories in Europe and higher other duties
shall be imposed the importation into the territories OF
his Britannia Majesty in Europe of any articles the
growth produce, or manufacture of the United States,
than are or shall be payable the like articles being
the growth produce, manufacture of any other foreign
country nor shall any higher other duties charges
be imposed either of the countries the exporta
ton OF any articles to the United Staes his Britain
mic Maestys territories in Europe respectively, than
such as are payable the expectation of the like articles
to any other foreign country shall any prohibition
be imposed the expectation Importation of any art
CleS the ROWtl pIOuuCe, OF OF Onttcu
States orof his Britannia Majesys territories in Europe
from the said United States, which shall equally
extend all to other nations No higher other duties or
charges shall be imposed any of the ports of the United
States British vessels than those payable in the
ports by vessels of the United States the ports OF
any Of his Britannia Majesy's territories in Europe
the vessels of the United States than shall be payable
the same ports British vessels The duties shall
be paid the importation into the United States of any
articles the growth, produce manufacture of his Britain
mic Maesys territories in Europe whether such import
alton shall be in vessels of the United States or in British
vessels and the same duties shall be paid on the mpora
ton into the ports of any Of his Britannia Maestys terri
tories in Europe of any article the growth, produce,
manufacture of the United States whether such impora
ton shall be in British vessels in vessels of the United
States"
The provisions of this treaty extended in 1s1s
and again lS27 and still continued in full force and
effect The system of reciprocity in direct navigation
was found to work admirably in our behalf, that in
1924 determined to extend its privileges without
formal treaty, to every naton large SMALL for SINH
lar privileges. The act of Congress of January OF
tina: year provides:
'SEc 4. Upon satisfactory evidence being given 10 the
President OF the United States by the of any
foreign nation, that no discriminating duties of tonnage
or ifnpo are imposed within the ports of such nation