The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-12-08
From the N. Y. Evening Poe

From the N. Y. Evening Post.
The following paper, written with the
forecast and comprehensiveness OF an expe.
rienced statesman; appears in the Hartford
Republican. Ii is probably from the pen
OF Ex-senator Niles. Whoever may be
lis author, it certainly presents some Of the
most statesmanlike views of the future CON-
MERGE OF this continent, which haveI Hound
their way into print, and we hope its length
will not deter any Of our readers from CIV
ing it careful perusal:
A New kra In tine Trade OF the American
Centinent.
For two centuries, the settlements on
this continent were colonies OF the different
powers OF Europe Their trade was con-
t,oled by the colonial system, originating
with the selfish and narrow policy Of the
parent countries. This policy aimed at
securing to each European country the ex-
elusive benefit Of the trade with their colo
MES. They were either restricted entirely
to a trade with the parent country, at such
determinations made in favor Of that trade
as to nearly exclude all uade with other
countries. The interest Of the colonies was
almos; entirely disregarded in this policy.
The system Of Spain was more rigid than
that OF any other European country, as the
trade with her colonies was a government
monopoly which not only excluded all
other countries from participating in it, but
excluded the colonies also. The trade was
confined to certain ports where the annual
fleets Of galleons exchanged the products Of
Spain and other European countries, for
the products of the mines and other colonial
exports. In this trade the colonies had no
share, and hence it Is that since their indie
pendence they have exhibited so little ca
pscity for commercial enterprise.
The separation and independence of the
British American colonies gave the FIRST
blow TO this colonial system, which render,
ed this entire continent tributary to Europe.
The great event-the greatest in its con.
sequences that the civil history Of the world
records, raised up one independent power
in America whose trade was no longer con
troIled by Europe. But after Britain had
been compelled to relinquish her political
dominion over these States, she did no
abandon her scheme OF controlling anC
crippling their trade. That with her Wes
India colonies, shexubjected to such restric
tons. as nearly annihilated il; and as {
bellgerant power in the continental war
which soon after aruse, she enforced such
restrictions upon neutrals, as was calculated
TO deprive them of the advantages which
they might have enjoyed as carriers for tn,
continental powers engaged in the war
These regulations operated mainly agains
the United States, then almost the only
neutral power, possessing any commerce
But the navigation act OF l7S9, revivet
our trade, and it has gone on increasing
until it is second only to that Of Grea
Britain herself, and it is destined at no dis
tant day TO exceed hers.
But the independence Of the SpanisI
American colonies has not, as yet, redeeme'
their trade from European control. So ia
as their commerce is concerned, they hav
remained in a great degree European colo
MES. Without the habits or capacity 70
trade, and wholly destitute Of manufactures
their dependence on Europe has continued
and with little to export but the product O
+ the mines, the monopoly Of their trade ha
been enjoyed by Europe, and principall
by England. What she lost commercial
by the independence Of her own colonie,
she has sought to regain in the monopoly G
the trade ofth Spanish American republic:
All of these States became early indebte
. to British subjects, and many OF their cred
tors obtained mortgages Of the best Of tn
mines, and finally the control and workin
of them. No effort has been spared b
England TO secure, as far as possible, III
monopoly of the trade Of these countris.
, She has obtained treaties with Mexico, an
, other of these States, giving her advantage
in commerce over other foreign countrie
. She feared no other rival in this trade b,
. the United States; and there is no reaso
!. to doubt that the hostile feeling in Mexic
n and other of these States, against the cit
8 zens and government Of the United State
a was mainly illstigated by British subjec
!. and agents Of that government.
And at the same time that England WI
o steadily pursuing this policy Of excluding
n from all participation in the trade with d
q independent countries on this continent, o.
o own government was extremely neglectf
- of our commercial interests with ther
h The diplomatic aud consnlsr agents. Sc