The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-19
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
FRIDAY MORNING OCTOBER 10, ls4e.
The Navigation Laws--ComneFeiaI Reciprocity with
Great Britain.


The Navigation Laws CommereiaI Rseiprocity with
Great Britain.
We published on Wednesday the circular of the Secre
tary of the Treasury addressed TO the officers OF the
TOMS nstucng them that by the operation Of the existing
laws British vessels would be allowed, after the LIST Of
January next to enter ports with cargoes Of the pro-
duce OF any part of the world the terms to
duties and imposts with vessels of the United States We
reoced that circular appear for had been
induced by the of certain journals supposed TO be
in the confidence OF the administration, and by norma
ton derived from other sources, to believe that it would
never appear. We discussed the question of re-
cprocity some time since. We enlarged upon the
advantages which it would confer upon our com.
mercial interests We showed what new theatres il
would open to our enterprise We showed, too, that
might defy the competition the high OF any OF the
nations OF the world. We showed that the enterprise,
the skill and the resources of citizens, would enable
us to take the lead of them all The British navigation
laws offer commercial reciprocity, after the first OF
January next, to all nations. We took the liberty
of urging upon the administration a prompt accept
ance of the British offer, and Of throwing open TO
our people the benefits which that oBer will confer
upon them To our utter establishment, we were met
by objections from the administration press The minor
organ of the administration threw cold water upon the
proposition and led the public to believe that the cabinet
looked with GOODNESS upon the whole subject interesting
as it was TO our commerce and navigation. The New
York Courier assaed with the vilest sophstry, and
gravely commended that under the laws of Congress
not bound to accept the OFFER and also that the
whole subject should be reserved for the further consider
alton and action Of Congress Yeihe ice is broken last
and the Secretary Of the Treasury has determined
reject the benefits of this reciprocal commerce. wing
press has acquesced with very bad grace in the
They codly republsh the correspondence and the crcu
lar OF the Secretary; but yet have not been foru
nate enough to meet with single note Of reclamation,
single cordial response to the course which the
Secretary has been forced to pursue.
But must confess, at the time, that cannot
be insensble to The gross impoprietyto call by
harsher name--committed by Mr. Meredith in writing
private letter to Messrs. Barclay Livingston of New
York. informing those gentlemen, in advance, Of the
course which would be pursued by the Treasury Depart
ment Our commercial interest desired to be informed of
the effect of the British navigation act according to
the existing laws Of the United States; and Of
shippers and importers anxious to know whether
English vessels with cagoes from any part OF the world
would be admitted into ports after the first Of Janu
AIRY next the same terms .with American vessels,
thereby acquiring the privileges for vessels Of the
United States in British ports. Mr.. Meredith knew Of
this anxiety, and it his plain and imperative duty as
he had determined the proper construction
be given the law Of 1917 have made that consruc
ton publicly known by issuing circulars to all our GUS
houses, setting forth the which the Treasury
Department would adopt But instead Of pursuing this
evident course, Mr. Meredith, for reason unknown
and OF insufficient addressed the following letter
to Messrs Barclay Livingston:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Oct IL, lSl9. .
GENTLEMEN In reply the inquiry made In your letter
OF the III instant have thar, in consequences the
alteration in the British navigation laws, British yes
sells from British olher foreign ports will (under
istg laws) be allowed, after the LIST Of January
ports with cagoes Of the produce OF any part
of the world have further state that such vessels and
their cargoes will be admitted the du
ties and imposts vessels OF the United States.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
w. NJ MEREDITH,
Secretary OF the Treasury.
To Messrs. BARCLAY & LIVINGSTON, New York
1t will be that this letter is dated October l2 lsl9;
and il promptly mailed, il reached New York on the morn
ing of the 18th OF October But three days were permit
ted to eapse before copy Of this letter furnished for
publication by the Treasury Department, and il did not
make its appearance before the public until the morning
of the 18th Of October, when it published officially
both by the National Iatahgenxr and the Republic.
Mr. Neredths circular, conveying to the public The same
information which had been conveyed to Messrs Barclay
and Livingston three days previously issued on the
18th, and published in the Washington papers the 10th
Of October II is perfectly evident therefore, that for
no, apparent, Mr.. Meredith was induced TO
furnish New York firm with important information,
which withheld from the public when it was the
plain and imperative duty OF the Secretary to make that
information known to all We do not initiate the esab
lished tactics OF the wing party, and charge Mr. Mere.
dith with fraudulent and corrupt conduct but we must
be permitted 10 say that he has subjected himself 10
censure. There have already been TOO many blum
ders committed this question-too much hesitation too
much delay-and we cannot see how Mr.. Meredith can
escape censure for adherng TO that bungng system
which has characterized the conduct Of this admins
tration from the 4h Of March 10 the present time
Mr.. Meredihs letter 10 Messrs. Barclay and Living.
ston Of the i2th and his circular TO the custom
officers OF the 18th OF this month"; state, that in conse
quence OF the recent alteration OF the British navigation
laws, British vessels will be allowed under our existing
laws. 10 enter ports after the st Of January next with
cagoes Of the produce Of any part OF the world and that
such vessels and their cargoes will be admitted on the
terms. as to dutiesand imposts as vessels Of the
United States. The circular does not cite the laws
which have this important and beneficial operations and
as readers may feel curiosity the subject we
will briefly explain the act OF Congress which promises
a r