The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-14

The British and American H.vssa tion Laws.
We lay before our readers, oday the remarks OF MIR
LABsucHERE in the House of Commons relative to tn,
notifications OF the navigation laws OF Great Britain pro
posed by the present ministry. They highly interest
Ing IN themselves, and tend to show that England il
making earnest endeayor to obtain a more liberia
commercial policy than she has ever yet enjoyed The
work commenced by Sir Robert Peel has been carriec
forward by Lord John Russell. Within the last few
years, great and important changes have been made in
the revenue laws OF Great Britain The successful
alton of the principles of free trade in the United States
has attracted the attention of her statesmen and they
desire to profit by example. The Queens speech, al
the opening of the present Parliament indicated that still
greater reductions of the import duties would be made
not to answer temporary purpose alone, but with view
10 establish permanent policy The spirit of improve
ment is extending to other but kindred subjects The
navigation laws of Great Britain devised for the purpose
OF maintaining her naval and commercial superior
ity, have long been oppressive TO her people Since
the partial monopohes enjoyed by the colonies OF
that nation in the British markets have been, 10 a
great extent, removed, il TO be right and proper
that the navigation laws which are burdensome 10
those colonies should be modified, if not repealed
The regulations which secured the colonial trade to
the mother country without competition were formerly
counerbaanced in great degree by advantages given
to the colonies in the ports of the mother country
Those advantages almost annihated by the present
system and there sufficient Justification for the con-
tnuance of that portion of the former policy which now
remains
The other divisions OF the navigation laws consist Of
regulations made to secure TO British vessels all the i'm
port trade OF Great Britain, except that manufactured
articles, and all the carrying trade of the realm These
principles of English policy not only injurious the
shipping interests of other countries, but they have
placed heavy burdens upon her own people Their
chief, and indeed, their only justification is 10 be found
in the unnatural desire of that nation maintain
superiority the ocean, which she SO much ndebt
ed for her safety, well her power But the inter-
peace always be sacrificed TO warke policy
The enlightenment of the age condemns such course,
while the rapid and unexamped spread OF commerce has
made power in the State important to be heed
lessly sacrificed and too formidable to submit to wanon
and unnecessary injury IT is becoming TO be sufficiently
strong to vndicate ITSELF and the present course OF the
English ministry illustrates that fact. The whole sub
jec stated with great clearness the speech of Mr.
Labouchere, to which we would call particular aen-
ton He further states that Mr. Bancroft our minister
to England, has manifested willingness to enter into
arrangement with the British government by which the
navigation laws of both coun,res-applyng TO their
coasting trade-wl be placed upon footing. We
not informed what nsructsns if any, have been fur
nshed representative at Saint James, pre-
pared TO say what notifications present system we
would wish to see made. We are sure, however, that
our commercial interests in the premises are in safe
hands, and that they will be looked to with watchiul
eye by Mr.. Bancroft We that Mr.. Webster has al
ready called for information from the President upon this
subject and when that information is furnished we will
state views fully on this interesting question.
The BRITISH NAVIGATION LAws.-M. Labouchere on in
troduc ing into the House of Commons the ministerial pro-
for repeating the cation laws, made the following
remarks
shall a, once proceed to state the case within the brief
est limits that And will remind the House what
the principal provisions Of the which had
the honor propose last session, and what prac
pal by which it supported.
stated at that time to the House that considered
navigation laws upon three main principles The
these that part of the navigation laws Object
Of which is secure TO this country monopoly Of
onial trade The that which attempts secure
this what Is called the ongvoyage trade. The
third is that part of the navigation la which attempts
this what is called the carrying ndi-
European trade.
Now with respect the these did appear to me
that after the policy which this House had adopted with
protection which secured them the markets of this
enjoyed in the markets of the mother country had
gradually, but finally and entirely wiihdrawn-it APP
peared me- under these circumstances the height OF
refuse the colonies the withdrawal of those
srctions their navigation under which they had al
chaled and grevously complained lHear, hear.
These the arguments which stated at much greater
LEM 9Th and with minute detail than shall
With regard TO the complaints that have been made by
coonsts the interval which has been allowed Ella
last session has only brought additional proof of their
sentiments upon the subject There is document to
which would most particularly call the attention OF the
House. Ii OF the striking desert ptiou
the Secretary of Stale by Lord Eign 1t made
TO Lord Elgn by gentlemen whom he describes the
influential merchants of Montreal, who tell him tina
they had attempted to trade with what is called the Far
West OF North America which the lakes and those
States of the Unon well OF our territories in
North America
They said they would be able even with their natura
disadvantages compete successfully with New York in
supply OF the Tar West if they npeded by the
founded upon the examples which they give tina, ii those
restrictions removed it would be the power of the
inhabitants OF Montreal aud other places in Canada 10
compete with New York in the supplies for the States Of
Ohio and Illinois, and the lakes OF the West They
give the most irreiTagabe proof OF this.
If ihen give up the navigation laws, we may d.
good both these colonies and the mother
countryyood which am satisfied other course we can
pursue would effect And here allow observe, tina
have already said advantage in delay arising
OF the additional expression Of opinion which we have
received both from the country and the colonies
But, speaking OF Canada mention that delay with deep
regret Canada has suffered by that delay and she mas
great patience and much good feeling under ccu
stances Of great irritation That patience aud goou eee
we have right consider and for II to abolish
speedily possible code which causes our coohes 10
suffer, and which al the time does no good 10 oui
United States of America, without ehecng any benefit IN
rern and which Injuries not only the revenue OF Oanad
prevents the full and employment OF those canals
which have been made there al 50 yrea an outlay ou
must remain so long we keep up our navigaonaw
Hear hear hear1 For at present the rates Of fregh