The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-13

respondent in another column. 1t is of unusual in
teres for it treats of the operation OF the British and
American navigation laws and tonnage duties-a subject
just now, of peculiar interest We give the views of our
correspondent this head without further comment for
the subject is new one, which we have not had OPP
portunity fully to investigate We however, thor
oughy convinced that the great principles of free trade
should be observed in all commercial intercourse far
the exigency of the stale will permit u.s. We are
willing that duties should be levied upon foreign imports,
because the government needs for its support
In like MANNER tonnage duty vessels may be prop
ery levied on the principle But are
not prepared TO say, without a more rigid investga-
ton, that higher duty on foreign vessels is not
essentially necessary to support our merchant marine
which is the great nursery for branch of
tona defence This was the original foundation of the
navigation of England, and admitted by Adam Smith
to be exception to his great doctrine of free trade
We admit at once that there great force in his auhori
ty and great ingenuity his views; but this pro.
in the world and it is proper to examine every posi-
ton with freedom whilst we submit it to the clear.
est analysis. We know it has been urged, with great
force, that the necessity growing out of the maxim
in peace prepare for war;" forces all nations to im-
they may be able defend themselves from violence and
wrong For this purpose, and to this end, it has been
strongly urged that higher restrictions should be imposed
foreign navigation when they necessary but
tanly the principles of commercial intercourse which we
hold to be sound would limit the restrictions strictly to
the accomplishment of the object by which they JUS
titled II has been especially urged too that the coastns
trade or trade between different portions of our own
country and along our navgabe streams, should be in
the hands of own peoplenot from any principle of
free trade of restriction but from others which readily
suggest themselves; though, at the time, ques
ton has been raised whether reciprocity in the coast
ing trade would itself enlarge commercial marine
well enable northeastern and western ship
builders to dispose of their great manufacture, ships,
upon the most profitable terms.
Upon one portion OF our correspondents letter may
truly remark. that have the doctrine of
protection for projections sake forciby and at the
time truly illustrated His sketch of the me.
mortal of the Liverpool scavengers nmitabe; and
contains in nutshell the whole argument for excluding
foreign products in order that they may build up home
supplies and home markets the expense of commerce
1t is full of wit is of wisdom. 1t at once
satire upon restriction and vndcaton of the principle
of free trade.
In connexion with the subject matter OF our CONNER
cia letter publish the following article from the Bos
ton Post 1t contains extract from the dispatches OF
Mr.. Buchanan TO Mr.. Bancroft, and from Mr. Champion
who represents the British governm ent at Washington TO
Lord Pamerston. From these extracts it appears that
our government, some twenty years ago, by act of
Congress, made overture, not only to England but to
all nations, to place her ships equality with THEIRS
except far the coasng trade was concerned Tat
was to be reserved TO people, and for own
vessels. Mr.. Buchanan went no further than the law
allowed and the canor which the wing party raised
against the late administration for its alleged action in
this behalf is totally unused by the facts of the case
From the Boston Post.
NEWS BY THE NIAGARA.
The navigation discussion goes with increased zeal
There is end to the Statistics the alarm cries the petit
tons, the meetings The opposition have got the great
that the United States whatever other reciprocity
they might bargain for, ,cW to Itself the exclusive
of its coasting trade Such is the inference drawn
from Mr. Buchanan letter to Mr. Champion. This letter
published in the British journals, and written with the
Secretarys usual ability and caution MI Buchanan says
"The United States so far from having waited so
the ships Of the two countries on footing Of equality with
the single reservation OF the coasng trade had them
selves. twenty years ago, by Congress
made advances for this very purpose to Great Britain and
all other nations. l might add that the President, in
cordance with the spirit of this act, has already made
croft London Lord Palmer ton dated Sd
November, 1917, conclude treaty, providing that Brit
sh ships may trade from port in the world any port
in the United States and be received protected and
spect charges and dntes treated like American ships if
reciprocaly American ships in Ike manner trade
from amy part of the world port under the dominion
of her Bannc Majesty. OF course this proposal
intended embrace the coastng trade of either country
Mr. Crampon the British minister Washington writes
to Lord Palmerson as follows
GAN the alterations in the British navigation laws emu
merated in the printed memorandum which accompanies
your ordshiPs despatch of the 22d December last
met with entire reciprocity by the United States, the
the United stand, without
being had Congress- with the exception OF the last point
mentioned in the memorandum which relates the pro-
posed change in the definition and qualification of BRUSH
and foreign vessels.
'The present administration of the United States as your
ordshlp Will perceive from the concluding part OF Mr.
Walkers report, is decidedly in favor OF meeting
change also by reciprocal legislation Mr.. Buchanan,
however, has .aformed that is probable that d
ference OF opinion would manifest itself in Congress upon
this question, from the unwinguess eit
to throw open the shipbuildng business in the United
States to the formidable com petition OF British shipbuid
ers, and more particularly that OF the ship builders OF
the British North American colonies"
Thus, matters stand, have authoritative
ment of the extent which government has gone in
relation extending the reciprocity principle 1t no
thing for the United States offer TO other nations
liberal commercial prime pies and equal trade When
we began, naton we saw our tonnage in foreign
ports ham Dered by ruinous discriminating duties The
position OF similar duties brought other nations to terms
An act passed by Congress- March g. 1915 repeating
dutcs but apply only those which were
disposed recpocate the favor This act excited but lit
tie attention it regarded embracing an abstract
proposition but in July, 1875 Great Britain accented the
terms, and the ships OF the nations were nut on
of equality. Then our American ship-owner. and n,vi-
~-,l,.