The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-12

Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, July 9, ISt9.
The British Navigation Lavs, &c.

J. WASHINGTON, July 9, I349.
The British Navigatro, Laps, &c.
We understand that no official copy of the bill
repeating the British Navigation laws has yet been
received here, and it is, therefore, impossible to
tell as yet how far action on our part, either by
legislation or treaty, may be necessary. As far
as our foreign trade is concerned no action will
be necessary, the United States having years ago.
offered that trade to the whole world upon reci-
procal terms. We believe, however, there ara
other matters in the bill which 90 what be-
yond the provisions Of the law of 1928, looking
TO reciprocity in ships, which it may be for our
advantage to accept. Under the existing law. a
vessel not actually built in this country, can oulv
assume the character of an American vessel, upon
twothirds of her value being laid out in repairs on
her in this country, having an American owner,
and four-fiths of her crew citizens Preyiou. to
the abrogaton of the navigation laws in England.
the provision there was similar, with the excep-
ton that two-tblrds of the crew only need to be
subjects of Great Britain. The law just passed
makes ownership the only test as to the nationality
Ola vessel. We hlnk would not suffer in a
competition with England in the matter of shin
building II her workmen get less wages, they do
not perform as long days works. From the
economy and peculiarly of our build our large
vessels carry greater cargoes than their vessels Of
an equal slze-require fewer hands to manage
and sail better. AS for the competition of the
colonies, II would not amount to anything II is
singular, though well known fact, that no vesse,
built in British North America is ever rated a.
Loyd's as either A or A 2, whilst our vessels
lrima tac'e, always rank in the first class. Since
le3O no dlierentlal duties have existed in favor
OF our vessels in our ports over those of British
ships, and Notwithstanding this apparent disadvan-
tage, we have continued to flourish We need
fear further competition from that quarter as little.
However, when the bill comes here, we can see
how liberal Its provisions are, and how far it may
be to our interest to take advantage of them
An article appeared in the democratic organ here,
the other day, stating that Mr.. Clayton had con-
Quoted the correspondence with Mr. Bancroft upon
the subject of change in the British navigation
laws, IN most bunging manner; betraying through
out the most amentable ignorance of the whole
question Upon the authority of Mr. Clayton him
sell, the Inteu,ngencer denies that any correspon-
dence whatever had taken place between the sse-
cretary Of State and Mr.. Bancroft upon the subject
at all. The Union, OF course, has not etr4cted
1t is more than probable Mr. Bancroft has writ
ten, urging the Secretary TO make move of some
kind; because from the correspondence which mas
been published, II ls evident our minister believes
navigation laws o.. England repealed. To him and
to the den utlc party generally, is to be ascrbed
all the b. winch will result from the downfall
OF the .' protection to her shipping which
has ch. ..eused England since she first laid claim
to be mime power. Fudge The abrogation
OF the alton laws is owing solely the gigantic
pressure ul the manufacturing interest that same
power walch swept away the corn laws, has with
equal facility consigned the navigation laws to the
tomb OF all the Capuets. Mr. Bancroft, the demo-
cratic party, or the whole American people, had
about much, directly, to do with it as the Enpe-
Tor of China
But il must not be forgotten that II Is owing to
the excrons OF what is called the whig party now,
that we enabled at once to take advantage OF
this measure; that we are able proudly to say We
led the way In striking off these restrictions. In
1876, President John Quincy Adams, in his annual
address to Congress-, strongly recommended tho
passage Of bill Offering reciprocity to any nation
which would throw open her ports to us. This re-
commentator led to the passage OF the bill of 1923;
and now, twenty-one years after, Great Britain
comes forward for the first time, and accepts our
offer II the measure, therefore, is to be claimed
by any party, the party now in power is entitled
TO II.
The Hon. Abbott Lawrence will not depart for
England till the latter part Of October.
No appointments have yet been made to fill the
missions TO Mexico, Russia, Germany Prussia,
or Brazil. II Is understood, however, that Mr..
Letcher, OF Kentucky, VII positively get one VI
these places-probably Mexico.
The President will leave here for his ncrthern
tour about the last OF August. Ii is doubtful whe-
ther any members of his cabinet will accompany
him. OMEGA.