Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-06-10


MEssRs. EDIroRs find in the papers receiyed by the
last British steamer the report Of preliminary debate in the
House Of Commons 18th May ls4s the proposed
abrogaton Of the Navigation Laws. In the speech Of Mr.
LARoUeaERz, the President Of the Board Of Trade have
observed It least two paragraphs which worthy Of
tenon' and which ask permission simply and without
arSed comment to quote in your columns The first relates
to what may be called the personal character Of the British
mercantile marine, ard is as follows
sour mercantile navy suffers exceedingly in comparison
with the mercantile marine of other countries not from the
want Of protection but regret say from evils inherent
It's constitution, which OF protection will cure but
which, the contrary believe the removal Of protection
will have great tendency TO eradicate We find that while
the character of British sailors far as skill in the handling
of ships goes stands high ever the character Of British
shipmas'e is at low ebb, partly account Of their want
Of nautical skill and partly owing their low moral charac
es Owing to these causes our ships fast losing their
character in the commerce of the world. must say think
il is better to look these evils in the face than endeavo to
dismiss the truth from minds The is that
merchants prefer in too many instances their cargoes
TO American, Bremen, Swedish, and other vessels rather
than to British ships because Of the injurious effects produced
in respect to the latter by the want Of professional capacity
and Of proper moral conduct the part many cases.
Of the shpmaste One scarcely read page Of the docu-
men have jus, referred to without being struck by the pain
iul description Of those masters"
The other describes the agency OF the American
Minister, Mr.. BAscRuFr this subject. Without deter
of commercial policy help being struck with the
contrast Of his positive executive with that of the British
Minister Mr. BAscnoEr at pledges his Government
to given Of conduct. We are ready" he says
"fo do any thing you Ike " WHILE other hand Lord
PALMEssroS cautiously declines the overture the ground
that the previous sanction of Parliament necessary Con-
gess to have occurred to Mr. BANCROFT The
extract speaks for itself. Mr.. LABnucHERE says:
g" have reminded the House that voice Of warning came
from Prusa and let that from another quarter
proceeded voice of warming but of invitation. alude
that great republic of the British which second only
ourselves in commercial and manufacturing Industry, the
United States of America Hear, hear In the autumn of
last year, the American Minister, Mr. Bancroft, my
noble friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and
informed him that the Government of his country, believing
the disposition of Parliament TO make large and liberal
alteration Of the navigation laws, anxious
operate with US in that work, hea hear, ano conjunction
with to give example the the world which he
hoped would be productive of the important aud saluary
effects Hear, hear Mr.. Bancroits language was, eve
are ready to do any thing you like you do but e
we must do litte if you do much, will do much if
you shall 10 all, shall doal Hear, hear NY noble
friend requested Mr. Bancroft put his views in the shape Of
formal communications and the consequence that he adj
dressed letter to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
which will now read TO the House
90 AMERICAN LEGATION, Nov. 8, 1Si7.
tThe undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenponay OF the United States of America has the honor
inquire of Vscount Palmerson her Britannia Msjestys
ys Government Inclined existing restrictions
international commerce Universal reciprocity, in the widest
held by the American Government only tho
roughly appropriate basis for intercourse between great
nations he prohibition of the indirect trade
ed enterprise tit has done good to neither country To abro
gate would free dormant commercial wealth. with
out njurng any Should her Maesy's Government
terrain similar views the undersigned prepared the part
OF the American Government propose that British ships
trade from port the world any port the United
States and be received protected and respect charges
and duties treated like American ships If recprucally Amer
ships may like trade any port Of the world
any port under the dominion Of her Britannia Majesty.
The removal OF commercial restrictions while would be of
mutual advantage the material interests OF both countries
could bu; give openings still further relations of amy
between hrm and influence the intercourse
guarantees for the peace of the world.
s'sGEORGE BANCROFT
81 viii not read the reply Of my noble friend to that
municaon but simply observe, that he stated Mr. Ban
croft, that though he authorized TO negoa
tons the SUBJECT, and that such course, with view
any final arrangement would not be ushable The part of
the Government without the previous sanction Of Parliament
yet that Government prepared make such proposal
TO Parliament would TIE views expressed b Ban
croft on the part Of the United States" [HeaI.l