The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-03-15
DAILY NATIONAL WIG.
WASHINGTON, D. c.
THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH is, 1919.
MA. LABoucHERE,s BILL.

us project 10 TdrlaH1eht, iol 'oPe"S
existing navigation laws Of Great Britain
and establishing the interests hitherto pro-
tected by them upon ditieren, and more
liberal footing. Mr.. Labouchere, on nitro
ducing the project, accompanied i with a
tolerably lucid speech, explaining the OBJ
iects Of the Government in adopting q
measure that looked 10 so radical change
in British navigation policy.
Passing over the provisions Of the meas
ure, which concern the immediate interests
Of British ship owners exclusively, we pro-
pose to examine briefly into the proposition
to throw open the coasting trade Of the Uni
ted Kingdom to the ships Of such other ma
tons as shah be wiling 10 reeiprocate III.
same privilege to English vessels.
II appears, that British ship cannot now
combine the foreign with the coasting trade,
coasting voyage with q foreign voyage.
Mr.. Labouchere says, that she must make
her election. She cannot clear out from
Hull, for example, to 60 abroad, and before
proceeding on her foreign voyage, carry q
cargo to Loadon Foreign ships are, Of
course, included in the same category, in
this respect, with British ships. Now, 1t is
proposed 10 abolish this restriction in regard
to all British vessels, and also, in regard 10
the ships Of al nations, which shall allow
the same privilege 10 British ships; so that,
a British vessel, Or foreign vessel ENJOYING
the right by virtue Of convention 10 that
effect, sailing from British port ana being
bound to Ioreigh port, shall be permitted
10 carry from one British port TO another and
then clear out and proceed On It's foreign
voyage
The ministerial project does not seem IA
eonhne tie abolition of the restrction.to the
Home Ports, but extends il TO the colonial
ports Of the United Kingdom, il we under
stand the drift Of Mr.. Labouchere's remarks,
which are, however, not very explicit on
this point, Al all events, he thinks, if this
restriction is abolished with regard TO Amer
lean ships, that the British government will
have very fair claim TO ask the United
States to admit British ships to participate
in the coasting trade Of the Union Unless
the privilege should extend TO all the port,
Of the United Kingdom, Great Britain could
not set up even pretence 10 ask recipfc-
cation OF il on our part. We take it for
granted, therefore, ia the absence Of the
Bill itself, that such are It's provisions.
Mr., Bancroft surely would not presume to
signify his willingness 70 sign such con-
vention, il all the ports Of the United King
dom, home and colonial, were not thrown
open to our vessels, unless il be, shat he is
acting under instructions to that effect from
the late administration 1t any such IN
structions have been given, we doubt not,
they will be speedily countermap.ded, for the
common sense OF the country, would revolt
at the proposition TO give British vessels
bound on foreign voyage, the privilege o.
carrying from one port in the United State,
to another and then clearing out and pro-
ceeding on their foreign voyage, and re-
ceive in exchange therefor similar right
for our vessels in the Home Ports, only Of
Great Britain Mr. Webster deserves
credit for the very prompt manner in which
he has called the attention OF the country to
the subject. 1t is 10 safe hands, so far as
the Executive is concerned, though il will
do no harm to hear the sense OF the nation
upon the proposition.
But even admitting that we interpret Mr..
Labouchere's meaning Alright, that The Brit
ish government. proposes to apply the rule
10 the home and colonial ports OF the United
Kingdom, it will be a question ol very Sc
nous consideration, whether il would be 10
our interest to conclude convention for a
rec'procation Of this right and privilege AZ
hrst blush, we were disposed 10 regard sue h
convention in a favorable light, for as 4
naratime people, the Americans have nothing
TO fear from Englishmen in the carrying
trade, if there be no legal impediments to
obstruct the enterprise Of the former---t the
two nations are placed on an equal footing in
every respect. But how would such con.
vention operate upon our shipping interests,
when those nations, with which we have
treaties, requiring them TO be placed on a
footing with the most favored nation, shall
demand at our hands the fulhlmen. Of those
treaties, the extension to them oi the same
rights and privileges We may admit Brit
ali sL. 4 !. l q a-h -.
trade, upon Mr. Labouchere's plan, and We
may be justified in doing so in return for
the enjoyment Of similar participation Of
the coasting trade oil the United Kingdom
and its colonies; but would it be 10 our in
terest to admit the Hanseatic cities 10 sim
liar share in our coasting trade, in exchange
for the coasting trade Of their seuis ,ories
Are we ready to encourage tile Brcmenese, BY
anenino ot,r coasfiuo trade Ia them acco,J