The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-09-06

CITY OF WASHINGTON.
THURsDAY MORNING, SEPT. 9, is4s.


THURSDAY MoRNING, SEPT. 9, is4s.
Repeal q ths Navig.tssa Laws--IAmsnss hsid 81
enterprises opened Ar shs American SssrcAAnss
The oct passed BY the British Parliament on the 10th
OF June last repeating the navigation laws OF that king
dom, win take effect on and after the first day Of January
next II we comprehend fully IL operation, il repeals all
the existing egsation Of Great Britain, which for
turies has constituted her great system Of maritime and
commercial monopoly. except 20 far as relates to the
coastng trade Of the United Kingdom, including Great
Britain and Ireland. and the adjacent islands II author
lies her Majesty in council on address Of the legsla
tare proper Legislative authority Of any Of the
Brsh possessions % permit the vessels of foreign ma
lions to engage the coasng trade Of such dependency
and eopiers upon the Governor General Of India the
power to make similar regulations with regard TO the
British possessions under the control Of the East India
Company. @
Az most Of our readers are not merchants, and may
not understand fully the restrictions upon the commerce
OF other nations imposed by the navigation laws Of Eng
land will be proper. before proceeding further. TO ex
plain them. which we will do in brief terms as pos
sihls
They imbody substantially the following provisions
That no foreign vessel can be employed in, in any
way interfere with the coastng trade Of the British en-
pirs.
q That no foreign vessel can import into England for
home consumption. any other than the produce Of its
country; for instance. American vessel cannot
load cargo Of sugar At any Spanish port in the West
Indies and import il into Great Britain for home con
sumption. In other words, il the grower cannot carry
his own produce the English must if go into the British
domnions nobody else being permitted to import it,
Discriminating duties are also imposed prejudicial
70 the right Of The grower, and in favor OF the English
consumer; for instance. the duty on olive oil. when
brought in British vessel is Cor was) 81 per tun but
il imported in the ships Of any OF the subjects Of the Two
Sicilies. Il Is tor was) "a pertun
4 The fisheries were also protected by similar dscrim
nations; for instance, the duty on whale oil, when
caught and imported in an English ship. shilling
per tun; il imported in foreign vessel. the duty was
Ei5 per un for SPERM and go per tun for train oil.
S. No article the produce Of the British colonies, could
be imported and entered for home consumption in the
United Kingdom. except in British ships manned by Brit
ish seamen.
In short the direct trade between the United Kingdom
and other countries and with the colonies was, by the
operation Of these celebrated laws, secured to British
vessels, manned by British seanen, except when the
commodities brought by the vessels Of the countries
which produced them. This system originated as far
back as the reign Of Richard II. although the "nayga
ton act.r 80 celebrated in the commercial history OF
England was passed by the Parliament during the Protec
torate OF Cromwell For long time il has been regard
ed by the most eminent British statesmen, well po
lcal economists, q the foundation OF the maritime great
ness and supremacy Of England. Some British writers.
however, have doubted the favorable influences ascbed
to this system by its admirers, and denied the bene.
effects claimed for H.
1T i this celebrated system the result Of the wisdom
.-.----
the oct Of Parliament mentioned in our first paragraph
The whole Of It is virtually repealed with the exception
Of the cossng trade Of the United Kingdom and the adj
jacent isands and the commerce Of the British empire
opened 10 The competition Of other nations on the con-
don that they extend the same Iberality to the CON-
mercal and navigating interests Of England.
Nov, let Us examine and explore the field which is
thus open TO American enterprise, and the advantages
which Il offers to the American merchant and navigator II
we cast our eye the map Of the world we shall see
that the prosecutions Of the British empire are to be found
in every quarter Of the globe. in every latitude, emb
cling every climate. comprising numerous congregation
Of nations and TRIBES and producing every article Of CON-
merce whether it be the production Of the soil or OF
manufacture. To impress more wildly upon the mind
IN idea Of the extent and Of this vast theatre
Of commerce and trade, which the repeal Of the navga
ton laws has opened to the enterprise and skill Of the
American merchant present below the different coun
tries and islands Of the world which constitute the British
possessions. with their population and commerce. which
we have collected from various sources. and which we
give down TO the latest dates.
Population Imports Exports
ssd IIsi.ad neseooo csaIsos0 fsso7,ns
BviuA ysssssssrs {. E~srs
0braiH, British 1919