The daily union., 1854-07-20


egn trade from 1924 TO 1889 has been but fy-two per
cent whilst that of British tonnage in ports has
been than four hundred and forseyen per cent in
the period
If such be the state OF our direct trade
much console in the comparative increase Of British
tonnage and in the whole Of The colonial and pro-
yincia trade The British tonnage cleared from ports
for the colonies and provinces in 1924 1925 and ls2e
ffycne thousand eight hundred tons the American tom
mage four hundred and seventy y-seyen thousand one
hundred tons n 1887, 1889 and 1889 the clearance OF
British tonnage was million two hundred and thirty
five thousand five hundred tons and of American but
million one hundred and twenty-sx thousand tons tbe
increase of British tonnage IN our ports during tins whole
period being about times greater than that of car
own
The petitioners state that while the British vessels
allowed 10 visit any port IN the United States American
vessels limited 10 few ports denomnaed free ports
the great Of bordering the eastern front
OF Canada in Nova Scotia New Brunswick, and New
ioundiand; while British vessels allowed 10 load al
other places than free ports thereby giving them great
advantage over american vessels As the exports Of the
colony bulky articles and not wholly shipped from
free ports t. carrying trade is chiefly confined 10 the
colonial vessels.
The following resolution adopted by The Legislature
of Maine and forwarded to their representatives in Com
gress:
Reoteed That the interests of the of Maine require
that all the ports the provinces Of Nova Scotia and New
Brswlck which are or may hereafter be ports for the
delivery and reception of eargoe for British vessels be made
ports OF entry for the delivery and reception Of cargoes for
American vessels
The annual returns to Conutes prove the active cope-
titiou in the chief Atlantic ports OF the Union between
American and British ships for participation in the
foreign and colonial trade The petitions which
different periods been presented Congress this ques-
ton from the shipping interest and The from the
memorial of the Boston Board OF Trade given fur
nish illustration of the feelings which have been
tanned on the merits Of that convention.
This ref history OF the colonial policy of Great Britain
have hastily compiled from public documents and Mr
Cushng very able report in order that the basis Of
commercial intercourse with the colonies the
changes ia the navigation laws of Great Britain night
well understood aud serve as guide 10 future negota
tons
Heretofore the great between England and The
United States with reference to colonial trade related
chiefly to the trade between country and the British
Vest Indies which prior 10 lS4o of great value and
Importance During the eight years from 1882 TO l54o
the aggregate yalne OF imports into the West Indies
$50 being yearly average Of 2ge 242 while
sss ss sr o value % exports ang hs period
six years which followed from 1910 To ls4G the value Of
imports fell TO average of $40 and the exports
diminished somewhat less than annually
This dninuhon has since gone from year year. until
the British West India trade has ceased be regarded
Of that importance which formerly attached IT, On
the other hand the trade OF tho North American colonies
since ls4o has advanced especially with the United States
and the accompanying returns show clearly that this trade
has greatly increased with every relaxation in the
cal policy OF either country
The colonial commercial intercourse between The United
States the West Indies and the British North American
colonies however after this diplomatic struggle of the
governments commenced liberal footing, and
the basis OF all trade and with thosecol
ones until January, 1850 when the United States naviua-
ton law Of s1 and the British navigation law Of Isla
first took effect
Although the arrangement made b, Mr. McLane had an
injurious effect for short time navigation interests
and obnoxious in ct its results as the American
government had right 10 expect that all The colonial
ports would be opened 10 American vessels the same
liberal terms American ports open TO colonial ana
British vessels yet lis influence the Misunderstanding ard
agricultural interests has been Of highly satisfactory
character and the grand results the in the
of feeling the difference in the amount Of trade between
1880 and 1850 favorable TO the United States prove
wisdom OF Mr. McLane in efectng settlement OF yexea
and troublesome question and the pressing necessity that
existed for basis even if il not comprehensive as
he desired. II also step forward in the march
commercial frecdom mother tangible proof The world
like the laws of 1917 and 1929 that athe policy of the
United States in relation 10 their commercial intercourse
with other nations is founded principles of perfect
equality and reciprocity BY the adoption Of these princ
piles they have endesvored relieve themselves from the
discussions disconents and enbarra. ents inseparae
from the imposition Of burdensome determinations
The British North American colonies in the early period
OF their history always yielded obedience the imperial
cabinet and cheertuy submitted control in all fun
damental points Of their political commercial and dones
tic and il is reasonable suppose that persons
unacquanied with their local history would expect 10 find
general uniformity among them in the administration OF
all matters, especially Of commercial character Such
however has not been is il the present condition of
tieir commercial intercourse with the parent country and
other parts Of the world During The early period of their
history while they struggling with and combating
the adverse circumstances which usually found the
pathway Of pioneers subject taxes except those OF
their own internal government and police they depended
much upon the imperial treasury for The payment II
their cv6 List they did upon its power for protection
from an enemy. As their trade and commerce have in
creased the receipts from land sales and duties on imports
have proportonab increased and been laterly an
piled to the payment Of their various local civil lists under
the supervision OF officers appointed by the Crown The
demands OF the colonial the imperial treasury
therefore gradually declined until tho of Canada
New Brunswick Nova Scotia Newfoundland and Prince
Edward island only sufficient TO leray the sala
RES OF The governors and crown officers but TO meet
the ordinary appropriations for roads bridges kols &r
&e. With the increase Of their resources there has aso
been extension OF their political privileges and they
enjoy the right make such disposition Of then re-
speoive revenues they may think conducive ioi
their interests.
As the receipts from the customs are The most valuable
and most reliable resource they have except in few in
stances where protective tariffs passed regulated zach
source OF revenue in best fitted to produce he
greatest amount 10 The credit Of their respective eegu.f
Until l643 the colonial tariff of discrninatinr
character British and colonial produce and manufactures
admitted a lower OF duty than foreign Dis
terminating duties abolished however ia that wear
by the following despatch OF Lord Stanley then colonial
secretary which is considered in the Prurnoe SIS very
important State paper
CIRCULAR
DowEING SfEEET June 2S ls43
sm have 10 desire that sou would call the attention of
the Legislature of the colony under your government
following statements and suggestions:
The imposition OF discriminating duties on goods inn
ported into the British colonies when discrimination Is
made for the protection of branch Of British or CO
lonia industry, is Office OF great difficulty To Tie right
discharge OF il intimate acquaintance with the CONNER
ca treaties and political relations between this kingdom
and foreign States is indispensable To Iegsate such
subject ignorance OF those treaties and relations
would be render inevitable much serious practical error
But from The nature Of the case il is Impossible tha this
knowledge should be possessed in the requisite degree
the various local legislatures Of the colonies Of this king