The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-19

which he has constructed to secure it, will be
thrown comparatively reproductive upon his
hands, when, instead of relieving him in whole or
in part of the burden of taxation, he had every
reason TO believe they would do in course of time,
they will prove themselves the cause of additional
calls upon his pocket. Will he, or should he, sub
mt to this Not only justice, but sound policy also
torbds that we should call upon him to do so; and
1t is TO be hoped, for the sake of all pares-for
even the shipping interest If they besr themselves
properly, have but little to fear from it-that the
session OF $40 Will not pass be ore the 81.
Lawrence is thrown open to the shipping of the
world.
The English Navigation Laws, and the
United States.
From the London Mercantile Gazette March 10.
The reply of the United States government to
the letter of our Foreign Secretary, the proposal
to repeal the Navigation Laws, laid before
the House of Commons last night, and to-day it
has been issued from the parliamentary printers.
This document will not be found to afford our go
vernment any more excuse for the headlong policy
they are pursuing, than have the answers from the
other States, which were noticed in the Mercantile
Gazette OF the LIST and the 9TH inst. America, as
we anticipated, rM reserre to itself the exclusive
possession Of its coosting trade The United States
will meet our proposition "with entire rec pro-
CITY," only there is no proposal that could
make that would induce their government to allow
Great Britain to participate in the trade of their
extensive seaboard, which Is similar in effect to
colonial carrying trade. Mr. Champion, our Minis
ter at Washington, thus writes TO Lord Palmer
ston:-
All the alterations in the British navigation laws
enumerated in the printed memorandum which accom-
panes your lordships despatch of the ODD December
last can be met with entire reciprocity by the United
States the laws of the United States stand
without recourse being had to Congress, with the
ception of the last point mentioned in the
randum, which relates to the proposed change in the
definition and qualification of British and foreign YES
tells The present of the Uned States as
your ordshp will perceive from the concluding part of
Mr.. Walkers report, is decidedly in favor of meeting
this change also by reciprocal legislation. Mr. Blu
hna infp nI haiti i,n hail
that some difference of opinion would manifest itself
in Congress upon this question: from the unwingness
felt in some quarters to throw open the ship building
business in the United States to the formidable compc-
ton of British shp-builders and particu larly
to that of the builders of the British North Amc
rcan colonies. JOHN F. CHAMPION.
The last point mentioned in the memorandum,
referred to by Mr.. Crampton relates to the pro,
posed alteration of the title registry of British
shipping, and is thus expressed in Mr. Walkers
| report to MIR. Buchanan =
The definition qualifications of American vessels
(s ut present prescribed by laws) require
them to be built within the United States and owned
wholly by citizens thereof to become entitled regis
try and to the privileges of national vessels Likewise
ships, and vessels captured in by such citizens
lawfully condemned as prize. also vessels adjudged
to be forfeited for breach of the laws of the United
States being wholly owned by citizens thereof Great
Britain, pursuing wise and liberal policy proposes to
change her laws in this particular and merely require
n ship to be deemed British ship that she shall DO
owned by British subject and navgated by certain
specified crew of British subjects Any change of
laws in this respect must, you aware, depend
upon the views entertained by Congress This depart
ment however believes that the proposed change by
reciprocal legislation would be highly advantageous to
both countries.
But Mr.. Buchanan, in his letter to Mr.. Champion
on the subject, refers hun to an act OF Congress-
approved in May, 1928 by which the United States
then offered to eopen their ports to vessels of all
naons-1nopided such nations should extend SINH
lar privileges to them; but then MIR. Buchanan adds,
:" The codsftng trade IS 81 course reserved" Mr.
Buchanan concludes as follows:--
Tho Irn;to Stato far havip al q 10
accept advances made the part of Great Britain for
placing the ships Of the two countries footing of
equality with the single reservation of the coastng
trade" had themselves, than twenty years ago
by act Of Congress- made advances for this very
pose to Great Britain and all other nations might
add that the President in accordance with the spirit
of this act has already made specific proposal to Great
Britain, by note from MIR Bancroft Minister at
London to Lord Palmerston dated Sd November 1S47,
to conclude treaty, providing that British ships may
trade from any port in the world to any port in the
United States and be received protected and, in
spect charges and duties treated like American ships
If. reciprocaly, American ships may in like manner
trade from any part of the world to any port under tho
dominion of her Britannia Majesty OF course this
proposal not intended embrace the coasing trade Of
either country.
What, we would again ask, are we to gam from
America q?
[From the same paper, March 22l
The United States of America have something
to offer if they would, and if they could; but here
a jealous Congress interferes, in accordance with
the views of the President. America to be sure
has colonies, but from the great extent of its
coasts, participation in its coasting trade might
be some equivalent for our colonial trades as, how
ever this could not be required under the BILL IT Is
quite certain that the Americans would not recipro-
cate with us in the coastng trade of the two
countries. Mr.. Walker, in writing to Mr., Blu
chanan, says" In reference to- the first inquiry,
would remark that British well as all other foreign
vessels are prohibited from engaging in coast
ing trade" But America has reciprocity treaties
with other powers under which she is engaged to
grant to such powers all the privileges enjoyed by
toa E,vA thop
even if she were inclined, make concessions to
England, without making like concessions to other
states. Neither is America the only country which
is thus circumstanced: England herself $50 are
several of the northern powers; therefore this IA
vored nation clause would, in many instances,
prove alike bar to reciprocity as to the lee aionis
which Lord Pamerston wishes to reserve for HIM
self Il will thus be seen that were England to
surrender its colonial carrying trade the plea OF
reciprocity, it would indeed be throwing away her
birthright for mess Of pottage.
1t may well be doubted that, under all the cir
cumstances, ministers will venture to proceed fur
ther with the bill. With so slender majority as
56 for government measure-of which majority
more than 80, showed in the Shipping and
Mercantile Gazette OF the 18th, voted against the
prayers and petitions of their constituents with
such remonstrances as have been presented against
the destructive measure from London and Liver
pool, and all parts of the country; and with the
very unsatisfactory answers that have been re-
ceived from every foreign power to which an APP
peal has been made for countenance and support
we can scarcely think the government viii have
the hardihood to go further in a course which has
damaged them not a little with the country at
large But should they resolve TO set public opinion at
defiance, the House of Lords can now have no hest
taon in throwing out the bill in the most uncere-
monious manner. To the upper House, then, we
repeat, let pettons be still presented against the
measure, in the full reliance that their lordships
will do justice to their country.
Switzerland.
The Suisse of Berne, of the 10th ut says I'VE
have already announced the measures taken in the