The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-27
treatment ~ Emigrsnts-Ine Asse 0spsxs
q the E~sllsh Cemnaons'
New York. Aug. 23, 1854.

TresfmeDs ~ EmlgTaMes-1ne Lave 0ePsxS
q the E~sMsh Cemnens'
New YoRK, Aug. IS, 1854.
no The EDITOR or TIE NEW YORK HBsALps
In referring, in to days HsRAID, to the report
Of the committee Of the British Heuse Of Com
mons ON the subject Of emigration, you state
that NO statistical record is kept here showing
in what condition emigrants arrive. In this
You are probably correct for know nothing to
the contrary.
You also state that the committee recon-
mend opening negotiations with this govern
ment On the subject. BY this understand you
mean the subject Of emigration generally.
As shipowner, and one largely interested in
the emigration trade, I should be glad to see
any reasonable alterations mac in the present
emigration laws, whereby the health of the emil
grant would be benefited; butt am very much
inclined to believe that were the whole arrange
ments for carrying passengers between this
country and Europe particularly Liverpool
and London) left altogether to private enter
prise, untrammelled by laws on both sides the
Atlantic, (Which now confound the shipowner
and the captain,) save the regulation Of space
less mortality ensue. This, however, is matter
of opinion.
The main object have, however, in calling
your attention, is another portion of the report
Of this committee, in which they state, in sub
lance, that it is no longer the duty Of the
British government to facilitate, but to
| throw every legitimate obstacle in the way
| of the laboring classes wishing to leave
| the United Kingdom. This is the root
| of the whole present movement in the
| House Of Commons. The people have found
| that free country is preferable to an OPP
! pressed aud over taxed one; and the British
| government Is fearful that the advantages of
this vast and fertile continent, and the iberality
| Of our institutions, will draw from the United
Kingdom the very vitals Of her existence.
| / suppose no sane mao will attempt to deny
! that emigration has been one of the main in
struments in the wonderful advancement Of
| this country. If labor be wealth, then untold
| wealth has been poured upon us. But the
British government is determined to do all it
| can to stop this source of wealth from US; aud
| ask, is our government to be party to such
| movement? Is it not rather the duty Of this
| government to watch with q careful and jealous
| eye any movement on the part of the Eoglish
| government concerning this important subject
] and to see that no unfair or unjust laws are
made to deter our ships from proceeding on
| their accustomed voyages without the many
annoy ances to which they are even now sub
jected by the agents of the British government,
and that for no other purpose than to make
them give up the trade of carrying passengers
| from Great Britain to this country? Let our
| government be on the alert.
Whatever good the British government might
have done in times past, or may do in time to
come, depend on it, the whole of the present
movement on the subject Of emigration is but to
prevent the English, Irish, and Scotch people
| from leaving their country to better tueir con-
dition here, and add prosperity to the United
| States.
There is one, and one way only, by which
this can be accomplished; and that Is by putting
so many heavy restrictions on passenger ships
as to make it impossible for them to carry pas
sengers unless at an enormous price, price
beyond the possibility OF the Irish people being
able to pay. To accomplish that is now the
chiet object Of the English government; and as
| it cannot, in this day and generation% without
| causing rebellion, pass any arbitrary law to
prevent people from emigrating, it 10 endeavor-
! ing to obtain the same result by tampering
| with our shipping interest--by making con-
| tinual changes in the laws affecting carrying
passengers; and il hopes thereby eventually to
make it absolutely necessary Tor shpowners TO
| demand such price for carrying emigrants as
| will compel them to abandon altogether their
cherished hope of joining their friends and
countrymen here, and o, settling down peace
ably in this land of freedom and this field of
labor. Then our government should pause and
consider well before making any new laws, or
entering into any negotiations with the Birth
government on this subject. / am, sir, yours
respectfully, KANSAS