The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-21

what was this great fundamental principle The
navigation laws were but a collection OF confused
prohibitions on imports. An Engllshman could
export in any ship he pleased He could also I'M
port in any ship he pleased, provided that that
which he imported was not tor the consumption OF
the people Of England If it was for their con-
supton, 1t could only be imported IN particular
way, and by restricted means What he cOntended
for was that if ship, come from what quarter she
might, entered our ports, laden either with food or
any other article for the consumption OF the people,
| We should not drive her from our ports The policy
OF the navigation laws was enable countries tocar
ry tor themselves but not to carry tor one another
What object could be served by this, In the pre-
sent state OF the worlds affairs What had they to
fear from competitions Whom had they to fear?
All parties agreed that the americans trere our
greatest ripais. But, by present system, pro-
tected american uesses IN the carrying trade beticeen
the t,co countries against the competition of other
countries. We were, therefore, by that system,
building up to certain extent, the marine OF that
very people whom we regarded as our most form-
dable competitors. The right honorable gentle
man then drew the attention of the House to the
practical nature OF the proposal made by the 90
vernment which was proposal to repeal In effect
at the same time the navigation laws both of Eng
! land and America The alternative before them
was to leave both systems intact, and to bring
down upon themselves in addition their probable
exclusion from the German ports. II they rejected
the proposition submitted to them they would deal
the greatest blow upon the shipping interest itself
that they cond possibly infllct. The right hon.
gentleman then glanced at the colonial and naval
| branches of the question: and concluded speech,
| which was listened to with marked attention
! throughout, by expressing an earnest hope that,
with view to the furtherance of all interests,
particularly of the shipping interest itself, the
| House would approve of the proposition submit
| ted to it by the government. On resuming his
seat he was greeted with loud cheering from the
! ministerial side OF the House.
! Mr.. HENLEY agreed with Mr.: Gibson, that this
was question which should be decided upon great
and general principles affecting the empire, but
widely differed with him as to what these prnci
Piles were. The measure, like many that preceded
it, was prosecuted in sordld spirit, the real nature
| OF which no elOquence could conceal, and before
which every consideration of national honor and
security must give way. If they to retain in
their hands great empire, KNIT together by the
ocean, they, must not part with the supremacy OF
the seas which they would run great risk OF losing
by the abolition OF the navigation laws The homo
| rable gentleman then advanced a series OF grave
| charges against certain parties IN office, who had
got up an apparently strong case against the mas
ters and crews of British vessels case which
they had substantiated by evidence which they ad
suborned for the purpose. In all the consular let
| tiers, which formed an important feature OF this
case, and which contained such ISLANDERS against
our seamen, there was an admission OF their supe-
riorlty so far seamanship at least was concerned
As to their habits, the consus only saw them
| ashore; and many man. who might be lntempe-
rate and irregular in his habits ashore, might be a
sober and good seaman at sea. The evidence OF
the II consus who had replied to the circular letter
addressed to them, was so contradictory, that 1t
was in his opinion "not sufficient to hang "A dog
upon" twas thus that meritorious body of men
We're sandered behind their backs, in order to get
up case for the government, on which to base a
measure like that then before the House Before
concluding, he again drew the attention of the
House to the risks to which they exposed the coun-
try by embarklng a scheme of perIlOus legisla-
ton, from which but little advantage could ever ba
| secured
| On the motion of Lord INaEsTRE the debate was
| then adjourned. The other business was then dis
| posed OF, and the House adjourned.