The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-05

Having considered tie obligations OF the governmental
provide for the national defence and for carrying The
mails on the ocean, will now briefly state the case in
regard TO its duty TO promote our foreign commerce.
We are empha,ically grea, agricultural nation. But
also have interests at stake n manufactures
mechanical abors. in mines in steam power, and in CON-
merce Of all kinds. We have vast resources and are
always exposed TO All these interests go hand
hand. and be crippled without detriment 10
all the rest They all promoted by foreign commerce,
which provides outlets and markets for produce and
corresponding returns in money and merchandise. II
the shpowner is directly interested in this commerce, The
farmer and planter have indirect in this grea,
branch OF industry. far as it provides markets and se
cures high prices Shall this commerce be transacted
under the Aueriean or under foreign flag 90 Tor
the American flag against the world, in in bu.
ness. Now, we have only 10 advance the means lor
carrying the mails Gas qaa loan for which the treas
ury will have returns in poslage) 10 the means provided
by enteprsng individuals, and we secure this ocean
commerce. and reserve fleet OF war steamers for all
emergencies at email public expense.
The British government. ever alive 10 its own national
prosperity the nrs, to enter into similar arrange.
ments with it's own subjects. Prior 1880 there was no
regular sleam intercourse between Europe and America
Mr.. Cunard, wealthy and enterprising merchant Of
Nova Scotia, saw the benefit Of such commerce. He
proposed, in consideration OF aid from the Crown,
establish regular line OF steamers between Liver
pool and Boston, via Halifax. With the guarantee Of
suitable governmental aid, he proposed 10 place four
efficient steamers the line, TO run once in two
weeks. and to be turned over TO the British government
whenever wanted for the purpose Of war. The British
government, with its usual sagaci,y, saw the benefit Of
the arrangement This arrangement promised TO 81"
them the monopoly OF steam navigation and trade on the
ocean 10 instruct British naval officers in the science
steam navigation and plotting our own waters; and
squadron OF powerful steamers in Of need, and
all at very little expense The British government en-
tered into IT, This the beginning Of the famous Co.
nard line 10 Boston. II worked 90 well that the British
government, after short experiment. added considerably
to the pecuniary bounty for this line and subseqpenw
furnished the company the means 10 establish similar
lines to New York. until British subjects had the wbos
monopoly OF steam trade between this country and rag
land. Other British companies were afterwards esaU
lished to the East and West Indies TO Africa, TO Coe
and South Aneriea-in fact TO all the world
Thus powerful fleet of British war steamers W.
created By private companies, to be Offered and maan
by British subjects, and in OF war, eonvefno'
the defence OF the British nation Nor was tbs al. =
enabled officers Of the British navy 10 become iAmn,a
with steam navigation, and excellent pilots on our osa
waters Could any better mode be conceived 'Qr p's
the British an advantage usl Ia the mean nme, -
British government had The monopoly and me p,on'~
transporting the mails, crowded with Amencan isa'-
They had also the monopoly OF Transporting all peeps
articles OF merchandise which required despatch
quick returns OF merchandise. and Tor all our
formation, we were indebted TO the "ROfAb sihn
MAIL" from England. Our enisrprsing merchants w.
compelled TO knock under, and remain with ioloea -
and all these advantages enjoyed " British snot.
But at length Of eniefprising and respo'@s
citizens conceived the bold idea OF enerog into oon
ton with these foreigners As The British compan,
favored by governmental aid 10 very large amoua.
nuay, self evident that no American co"r sa
could safely enter the l,sts against such fesHu'
But they reflected that American genius ana en,'T
were equal 10 anything All We want, they sA'o "a
open sea and fair contest not OF war, but O pea'
honorable oompeti,ion Give US but equal encoa''s'
men, from our own government and we will bulla $50
ers that viii transport all the mails OF the soss'aIs
will beat the British steamers in speed anu
will furnish brosd,id,,-manned by our gallant pA''