Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-09-13
THEODORE O'HARA, ESQ.

Advance OF Free Trade Policy the Continent.
Frequent attempts are made to gainsay entirely
the force of the example which England has given
by its free trade policy to foreign nations. We
might almost esteem it compliment to our
country to be much in advance of other states,
both in liberality and practical knowledge but the
truth is, that 1t to manifest any egOtlsm, it
must be the score, for it is susceptible of
abundant proof that the continental powers have
several instances followed, though at respect
full distance, the course pursuing. The Dutch
Government and legislature, at this very time have
under consideration the expediency of amending
their navigation laws, the tariff remaining as in
1S45. Beg GUM, in March, 1848, lowered the duties
"copper" silk, &c, and by royal ordinance of the
Goth September. l849, the export duty taken off
the greater number of articles comprised in the tar
if, and out of 5ll headings into which it is divided,
the articles contained in SO only now appear to be
subject to this duty. This step, though it may not
act directly upon us, is at least recognition of the
principle that we carrying out. France has
made few changes within the last two years but,
usual, it is too much absorbed by political cares
to direct proper attention to economical ameliora-
tons Spain, is we'll known, made most impor-
tant reduction in its tariff last October, and admits
cotton thread and textile fabrics that formerly
prohibited All the articles of Importance to British
industry favored under the scale. Sardinia,
July, lS47, reduced the charges upon provisions
imported Tuscany, since that year, has lowered
the impost on silk manufactures, &c; and Parma,
in October l848 made concessions in favor of bran
dy, and abolished the duty on grain. The two
Sciies made alterations in 1885, and Russia in the
same year, while the German Commercial Union
has the tariff of 1885, 1847, and 1848 still provision
ally in force though notifications now under
consideration. Denmark, in December, 1916, abol-
shed the import duties grain, and in l847 lower
ed those on coal and wollen manufactures. Austria
has within the last month made improvements in
the Hungarian tariff. The Roman States stick fast
in commercial as in religious bigotry; and Greece
behind Turkey even, is /" living Greece no more
having neglected its miserable tariff since the year
1880. The United State preserve the comparatively
liberal law of 1886 and New Granada stands out as
a solitary example of 10 per cent, additional duty
from January, 1850 Let it not be imagined, either
that our colonies behind in this race of honora
BILE competition, for in North America and the
West Indies there have been various acts repeating
amending and consolidating previous regulations
We append an important letter received from Rot
terdam, dated August 6th 1850" We beg leave
to inform you that legislature has decided
amendment in existing navigation laws by
which all foreign vessels allowed to navigate anc
carry cargoes to and from the Netherlands, and il
the Netherland possessions abroad, under the same
privileges as are enjoyed by ships sailing under thu
Netherland flag provided Netherland vessels enjo.
the same privileges in such foreign countries.-W'
have the honor to be- &c.. (signed,) John Herdig 6
Sons."-Wtlmer 8 Smiths European Times.