The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-08
From the Boston Courier.



We are close upon the commencement oil new
era in the history of our commercial relations with
Great Britain. The repeal of the old navigation
laws, which have so long constituted the basis OF
the mercantile policy of that nation, seems hkely
TO modify the intercourse between the two coun-
tries in a manner which will be deeply felt on the
other side of the Atlantic, if not on this side, In
Great Britain the is regarded as bold e1-
pertinent, and by some as a very dangerous ono. IL
will, perhaps be safe to suppose that the new sys
tenn Is not yet definitely settled by the act OF re-
peal but that further changes must follow this first
step in commercial legislation.
The London Times has given utterance to com
plants against the system which now regulates
the intercourse between Canada and the United
States, and endeayors TO make II appear that the
disaffection in the colonies has arisen from the COM
mercal restrictions of this country. According 10
this authority, Great Britain might have obtained
from the United States the removal of the duty on
the natural products of Canada, and, at all events,
by little frmness in negotiating, might even
now compel US to make this concession. II, for
instance, England we're 10 impose fixed duty on
American corn, leaving all other foreign corn to
enter Free and this expressly Tetdlidfory
duty the Americans would be compelled to make
the required concession to Canada. At present
IL appears that the Canadian farmer can never
obtain high n price for his wheat as his
neigbbor the American side Of the line. The
British government, therefore, according 10 the
writer in the Times, must now stand up and COM
pei the Americans TO repeal their duty on wheat.
lie has discovered that the United States arc at the
bottom Of great plot for ''swindling" Great Brit
ain out of her colonies. "The Americans, says
he "rcfuse free admission, in order TO force us
to annexation. They speculate on the probability
that the Canadians will not long submit TO receive
lower prices than their neighbors." He speaks oil
''the importance, particularly at such crisis as
this of obtaining for a free admission OF our
products into the United States" "lt is known"
he remarks. "that the provincial government has
been unrcrnittng in its endeavors 10 forward the
measure, and il was confidently expected that long
ere this Sir Henry Bulwer would have been at
Washington, with full powers to negotiate ON the
subject, and that the imperial government would
make point Of succeeding. Much blame Is at
tached to Lord palnerston for want of energy, and
for indifference 90 the question, the Importance OIL
which hardly be sufficiently estimated, let
reciprocal free trade in natural products OF the SOIL
forest and mine, be obtained for US, and there VIII
be an end to Canadian discomfort"
This writer proceeds upon two radical mistakes;
first ia taking for granted that we keeping Ca
madam wheat out of our markets, in order TO sarye
that country into annexation; and secondly, IN af-
iirTnng that Great Britain compel us 10 take of
our dutcs. Let US imagine the experiment made.
let MS suppose John Bud able and willing to starvc
himself for the benefit of Canada, by "xod duty,
excluding American catables. II IL very clear that
the Canadians would be further than ever from
finding a market for their. wheat IN the United
States OF what avail would be the repeal OF the
duty on that commodity, which would oversize
our home market in consequence of the British
sfxcd duty?" Flour brings a high price with us,
because IL be exported as wei as eaten at home
II England shuts her ports to American Hour, we
shall most assurcdly never buy -four Of the Canadi-
ans The writer in the Times remarks in relation
20 Canada; "Undcr fTec-tradc system the United
States, being a large consuming country OF bread
stus viii often be best market as II Is Just al
the present time. and az we are comparatively a
limited producing country, whose whole exports
would not sensibly reduce American prices u iol-
lows that the duty on the American frontier Tails
in great degree on the producer" Here the VIII
Ter disrcgards the important fact that we are 2
large exporting as web as large consuming coun-
fry of brcadstuTs and that il is only by keeping up
this expectation unchecked that prices can be main
tanned His remedy for low prices in Canada is an
expcdicnt that would defeat itself I'M the very first
moment of its application.