Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-02-06
steamers carried with them sea which miol

than at his hrst deieat IN The competition of
sailing vessels. But this competition is not
ended. We have just at this time entered up-
on what must form new era in the commerce
of Great Britain and the United States. The
recent modification Of the navigation laws of
the two countries, by which vessels of either
are allowed freedom of trade from ports Of 9th.
er nations to those of each, is exciting our mer-
chants, as well as those of Great Britain. to a
more active competition. The new regulation,
so far, seems to result the most favorably to
American skill and enterprise, or, perhaps it
would be more proper to say that American
skill and enterprise have been the first to avail
themselves of the benefits of the new regula-
ton in the commercial system of the two
countries.
The discovery of the mineral wealth of Cali
fornia has not only given new impetus to, but
has wholly changed the current of our Ameri-
can trade with Asia. Now we find our ships.
instead of preceding to China by way of Cape
Good Hope, take coastwise freights to San
Francisco, proceed thence to Canton, and from
thence to some of our Atlantic ports, or, (under
the provisions of the new commercial system, J
to London or some British port. Far-seeing
English diplomatists saw that the discovery of
the mineral wealth of California would turn in
to that channel large amount of the commerce
of the world, and they proposed to our govern
ment that the freedom of the ports of California
might be granted to their vessels in return for
certain privileges which should relieve Ameri-
can trade with the North British possessions
from all restrictions. But our government was
too wise to deprive our commerce of one great
means of success in the competition for the East
Indian trade, which the events of which we
have spoken are producing. And we doubt
not, In the end it will be seen that the port of
San Francisco, being the depot, as it must
be, OF great state, will soon be found of as
much commercial importance as the city of
Boston,
Let US see for moment the beginning of
this new era in East India commerce. In these
long voyages, and where bottoms are filled with
valuable cargoes, swiftness, rather than capaci-
ty becomes the highest Recommendation of ves-
sells.
Distance and fluctuations of the markets, in
sure to the first ccmer harvest, which NAV
not be reaped by later arrival Speed gives
monopoly, and so a race to Canton ma San
Francisco, has come to be an object of the
greatest interest to the commercial world. In
New York and Boston this necessity of swift
ships, to supply the orders of San Francisco
merchants, and to insure the highest profits of
the Canton trade, has directed the enterprise of
ship-builders to the construction of vessels
which in point of symmetry and speed excel all
the previous efforts of naval architects And
the results of their efforts are surprising. So
great has become the call for this class of swift
ships, that recently one of them sailed from
Boston in sixty days, we think, from the time
of laying her keel. General orders from Cali
fornia merchants direct that all such vessels
shall have the preference at any difference of
freight. In fact, vessels of the swift build,
now command one dollar per cubic foot for an
ordinary cargo, and double that amount for fine
goods, while vessels of great carrying capacity
but of slow sailing qualities, take freight at
half or fve-eights of dollar. Late advices
from India tell MS that at Canton, the Oriental,
one of these new clipper ships, belonging 10
Boston, commanded 81 per ton, while the old
fashioned class could command but 81, or there
abouts. An order from wel-known India
house, conveys instructions TO their builders,
to furnish ship of 1000 tons, and at their own
price, the only provision being that she shall
be constructed SO as 10 secure the greatest de-
gree OF speed consistent with safety and strength.
And SO great has this demand become, that in
all contracts for vessels of this class, the build
ers are given carte blanche in everything save
strength and sailing capacities To show the
profits accruing from this class of vessels we
may mention that the White Cloud, which re-
Gently cleared frhm New York, had freight
list TO the Pacific of $4,000 She cost $9O,.
900, and with ordinary luck, will pay for her.
self in one year. The Oriental, mentioned
above, has recently arrived at London from
Canton in 90 days. This is the first expert.
ment under the new commercial arrangement
between England and the United States, and
her success has proved that the country which
can produce the swifiest ships will enjoy the
golden harvest of this immense East India
trade.
1t is in this view, that the English press is
enforcing upon the maratime interest of thai
country the importance of entering this new
field of commercial competition. 1t is to be
now simply trial of speed; and descriptions
of the new candidates for the prize, which We
read in our papers, convince us that the United
States are not to be beaten in the race be
tween the father and son."
Such are the general features of this new
commercial era of which we have spoken. The
great importance of this trade with China rit
San Francisco we need not dwell upon. A.
one thought is the father of another, so it i.
with commerce; and there isyet vast portion
of the earth so little connected with the erea
family of nations, that the arrival of one shit
creates the necessity of the arrival of two
We have recently read of an effort which is tc
be made to open the populous empire of Japar
to the commerce of nations. Careful estimate.
show that the result of this effort, should it b.