The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-14
EUROPEAN intelligence,
RECEIVED BY THE
3 YHAH6SHIP HIBERNIA.
Our London Correspondence.
LONDON, April ~, 1S4e


LoSDos April 27, 1s49
The Navigation Laps-7He Position Of Canada, &C.
Net the least interesting portion Of the intelligence
brought by the seamer the debate of Tuesday night
In the House Of Commons the third reading Of the
navigation bill The result was, for the third reading
276, against 1t 24 majority for 81 1t Is going
through the Lords The debate is full, but
annex the following short summary for the readers
Of the New York Herald that have not the patience
wade through eighteen columns of close print
Mr. LABoucHEnE then moved the third reading Of
Mr. HERRIEs thereupon moved amendment,
that the bill be read third time that day six months
The hon gentleman maintained that it was our inte-
rest to encourage, by every means in power,
our mercantile marine, and that in this wealthy,
highly civilized. and burdened country it i'm
possible to compete, in the business of shipbuilding
with and less burdended states but proceeded
TO state the circumstances which had arisen since the
introduction Of the BILL and which had in his opinion,
rendered utterly valueless the whole foundation
which 1t was made to rest The opinions and wishes
Of the colonies relied upon for its support But
what the colonies wanted was not repeal of the nav
CATION laws equivalent for the loss of protection,
but return to protection, amongst other reasons
an equivalent for the navigation laws Here again,
the foundation of the bill had given way. The third
ground on which had been made to rest, the
sumed Willingness OF foreign powers to meet in this
matter But neither from the continent of Europe nor
rom America, had any tidings been received justi-
~ such an assumption The golden promises which
had been made to with respect to the beraty and
generosity OF America, were now ut an end aud here
again. the foundation of the bill had proved itself TO hi
Of sand lie thought that the consideration of all
these should induce the government if
NOS entirely to abandon the BILL to postpone it at least
Mr. RonINsoN seconded the amendment.
Mr. MAcGREeoR spoke ut considerable length in sup
tion laws which during the days Of their greatest
stringency, had always been endeavoring evade
capabilities of foreign countries show we had
no reason to dread anything from free competition
tainy of opinion that the shipowner shpbuder of
this country should De relieved from all such burdens
restricted the budding Of ships.
Mr.. WALPoLE in opposing the measure, considered
It historically economically and nationally In deal
ing with the subject, in its national aspect, he laid
great stress the close connection which existed
between fOurishing mercantile marine and naval
strength, and upon the damage with which the
sure before the House was fraught to the mercantile
marine Of the country In an economical point Of
view, few might benefit by the measure if 1t passed;
but considering it in its political bearings would
peril and compromise the safety of the country The
individual gain which might ensue from it, utterly
dsproportonae to the national perils which it would
involve. II the present law faulty, let them find
remedy for it; but it reason for its abolition
that it might be defective in points He con-
cuded by strong appeal to the House not to the
bill.
The speech of the night was that of Sir James Ora
Sir JAMES GRAHAM was anxious to give expression to
his views upon the measure before the House finally
decided upon it, Mr. Herries had endeavored to show
that the commerce of the country opposed to the
bill But all that he had to Justify such assertion
q few petitions which had been signed by a few
parties respectable it true, but insignificant in
point Of numbers; compared with the mass not of
the whole population but Of the population of the out
ports themselves. If anything wanting to show
that the Of the country In favor of the
measure 1t would be found in the pursued with
reference to it by the representatives of the great
pOria Of commerce. The measure introduced
the responsibility Of Cabinet presided by the
noble member for London, whilst it had been support
Of commerce amongst which he instanced Liverpool,
Glasgow, New castle, and the West Riding had also
now presided over the royal navy Of the country and
who not likely to take any step to the manifest in
jury Of that mercantile marine, to which he and his
family owed much With these facts before him,
how could Mr. Herres assert that had spoken
out against the measure! The right hon. gentleman
then, with view refutng his objections to the BILL
closely followed MIR. Walpoe in his historical eco.
nomical, aud national review of the subject In
doing So he intimated during the course of his re-
marks that he attached but little value proceeding
in this matter by reciprocity and to the retaliation
clause contained in the bill, he thoped that it would
not be made rule which would be frequently carried
out To retaliation, q rule, he opposed and he
was prepared to give his sanction to the BILL because
would tend to increase the general commerce of the
world increase from which this country would de-
rive the greatest advantage as the lions share would
fall to it. Admitting that the superiority of
camille marine the keystone OF naval power he
supported the measure without any approximations
to Its imparing or compromising superiority
the seas He was not disposed to follow MIR Herres,
and set at naught the Of foreign powers in
cd the attitude assumed by those powers as furnishing
cogent reason why some steps should be Ia
ken in the matter Another reason for putting our
basis than that occupied by it, was to be found In
the complication Of reciprocity treaties complies
where We the raS 20
man then proceeded glance ut the injurious mode in
which the navigation laws indirectly affected the diff
ferent interests Of the community. After this he
to the Of the colonial branch of the
9cser ana expressed his astonishment at the evity
with which Mr. Herries had treated 1t. The ec.on..
Asd very generally demonstrated against ,xsent api
katisn system but the remonstrdces the Others mere Of
secondary import as compared With the urgency Of the
he'd the fullest concivion that unless they returned to the
system Of protective duties aror Of Comedian corn the
loss Of Canada e.utd Dc iresitase i persisted
. profound sensation in the House1 He would re-
peat that II they attached any Importance to the re-
tenon Of Canada amongst colonial no
time to be lost in passing this bill Nor was 1t by
any means certain that the laws in question were ia
vorsbe to the shipping interest Of the country In
deed, At was not difficult to show that they
Nor were eaers benefited by them. In his opinion,
the old reliance on mpressment greatly to be at
tributed to the laws in question And If change
TO be made, this the time at which to make it.
The measure before the House necessary to con-
summate the policy which the country had already
embarked Mr.. Herries and others attributed all the
present evils OF the country to that policy If they
Without delay upon the attention Of the House Lord
Stsnley's views had been frankly stated by him. He
had declared himself to be the friend Of reaction and
the promising enemy Of free trade and progress.
such were the views of his party he could not but
expect that they would make great struggle
this bill The measure the capital necessary to
crown the work which had been already begun [hear,
hear without it, all that had been done would prove
itself nfrm with it, that which had been achieved
could not easily be undone. Here, therefore, direct
issue was joined and fairly Joined. He regarded this
measure, then, the battle field which the last
struggle must take place between reaction aud progress
kgrcwt cheering he far from regrettny the part
which he had taken in recent commercial legisla
ton. Tho and tranquility Of the country during
the year jutt past we're his opinion mainly to be
attributed to that legislation To back now to pro-
tectivc duties, would be dangerous experiment. and
might lead to commissions and fatal consequences
(h<ar At all events, his part taken. He was
opposed to reaction, and favorable to progress, tenn
pered with prudence and discretion and 1t was on
these grounds that he gave his cordial support to the
third reading Of the BILL which he was an xous with
out delay, to see the law of the land
The right honorable gentleman resumed his seat
amid prolonged and deafening cheers, particu larly
from the ministerial side Of the House.
Mr. T. BAaIrc In opposing the measure, admitted the
Injurious influence upon commerce Of restrictions gem
orally But whatever grievances might be- traced to the
bavigaton laws, were lar Outweghed by the immense
advantages which they conferred upon the country 1t