The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-27
treatment q Emigrsnss-Tne Lasc 6spsre
q the E.gIish ComHons.
New York, Aug. IS, 1854.


q the E~gnsn Commons.
New YORK, Aug IS, 1854.
no The EDITOR or TIE NEW y0RK HmALDs
In referring, in to day 3 HRRAID, to the report |
of the committee Of the British Hease 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 4
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 q shipowner, and one largely Interested in
the emigration trade, 1 should be glad to see
any reasonable alterations mace in the present
emigration laws, whereby the health of the emf
grant would be benefited; but l 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
that passengers would be better cared for and
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 and over-taxed one; and the British
| government is fearful that the advantages OF
this vast and fertile continent, and the iberalty
| of our institutions, will draw from the United
Kingdom the very vitals of her existence.
suppose no sane man 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
| Q movement? Is it not rather the duty of this
| government to watch with 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 aDces 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 10 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 taeir 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
sengers unless at an enor mons price-a price
beyond the possibility Of the Irish people being
able to pay. To accomplish that is now the
chief object of the English government; and as
1t cannot, in this day and generationA without
causing rebellion, pass any arbitrary law to
prevent people from emigrating, it is 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 shipowners TO
demand suck 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, OF
entering into any negotiations with the Briti.h
government on this subject. / am, sir, yours
respectfully, KANSAS.