The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-07

Giles should clash, she gave the latter latitude oil
Interpretation that nuiied the other. England
never lacked subterIuge when she found 1t conve
nent to escape from the obligations OF any compac
to which her faith had been pledged.
CHAPTER H.
American Northumberland Rcrases he Rue o,
l756 as APPLIED 10 Hcse,f-7hc French Become
the Carriers II England--JPcst Ina,a Nentyoi
Irade-7roatjes q lie United States Of IT'S Re
garding acknowledgement DESTROYS the Ne,t
trcf Trade Of Hof'ana-d,med Neutrality of 1850
Surrender Of B itish PretensionS- Treaties o.
l7s3-Engiish and French Ttcqty 1876.
Upon the breaking ont OF the Revolutionary war
the rebels aware at what point their antagonist was
most vulnerable at once converted great portion
OF their shipping into privateer marine which so
scourged the commerce Of England that a howl of
misery went up from one end of the sea-rung island
to the other. At the commencement of l77s, not
less than thirteen million dollars Of English property
had been sacrificed on the seas, and the burdens
were vast from the increased rates OF insurance,
freight, DC. On voyages under convoy to other
English American colonies, the rates of insurance
from two-anda-half to five per cents and with
out convoy, and unarmed, there was a nominal rate
of fifteen per cent though under such conditions it
was generally impossible to effect insurance at all
The prices of all West India products and of naval
stores, the entire dependence for which had been
upon the insurgent colonies augmented vastly.
What the commerce Of England had suffered in all
previous wars with France, combined. was small to
the ruin endured from America in the two years
I776 and 1777. The audacious privateers infested
even the English and Irish channels. throwing the
city of Dublin into great CONSERVATION.
t.s1 49, al q.
the great enemy of neutral trade should reverse her
own rule 1885, and invite neutras to assume trade
denied them in peace. She opened her ports and
those of her colonies not in rebellion. The invita-.
tion was accepted with alacrity; the French, who
had OF late made great commercial progress. taking
the lead of all Others They became the carriers of
England, and the swarm Of their vessels in the
Thames presented a spectacle, which, unavoidable
as it was, was hateful enough to the eyes of John
II was, indeed, most cruel in his undutfu offspring
to humiliate its parent to dependence upon that
nation. her ancient rival and detested enemy de-
graduation rendered less tlerabe from its succeeding
so near to the late notable triumph over the Gaul.
In the West Indies. the several nations hay-
ing colonies there-thc French, Dutch Danes
Swedes, and Spaniards-profted by the freedom
extended to them in the British islands. which
were thus furnished with needful Supplies,
and other parts of Europe usual. This alone
saved them from utter ruin. The United States had
not the ability the wish to interfere with this
neutral trade. On the contrary, she turned it to
her own advantage, by employing it to find market
in the West Indies for her products and to furnish
the West Indian products and European goods for
her own markets. For this purpose, several neutral
islands were made general rendezvous for the Anne
rican and neutral trade England herself contem-
plated this arrangement, knowing the mpossibty
of supplying her islands otherwise than from the
United States and anxious in this indirect mode to
continue in the latter the consumption of her manu-
features. From several Of the neutral islands the
United States obtained large quantities OF military
stores, with which they were poorly able to supply
themselves.
The great centre of our West India trade. at that
time, was st. .Eustata, small, rocky island. be-
longing to Holland. BY making its commerce free
to all nations, the Dutch had converted this barren
spot into repository OF the wealth Of all parts of
the world. The Americans in peace, had been
used to carry tlither provisions, tobacco, lumber
and naval stores, which thus found their way, in
spite of British efforts ut onopoly. to the other
Islands and to various parts Of Europe. The British
brought thither innumerabe manufactures, to be
distributed to the Spanish and other islands; the
French, manufactures, brandies, wines, &c. Mer-
chants of all nations established there upon
perfectly equal footing, taking concern in the
quarrels Of their respective sovereigns. The conux
Of trade upon this little island was so great as to
render it one OF the wealthiest of the West India
colonies. and a source of vast profit to Holland. The
the Americans, the supplies derived through it
from Europe, rendered its trade invaluable. The
English government complained to Holland of the
use of this island as depot for military stores for
America. and the States-General issued prohibit
ton Of such use, but without intending its enforce.
ment.
II was impossible for France whatever the pre-
MUM offered her forbearance to restrain her old an.
tipathy TO England, when she saw that the war in
stead Of ending so quickly as had been anticipated
was 80 severe trial upon the energies and endu.
rance OF her rival. The capture of Burgoynes army
decided her policy, and the Franco American ALI.
ance was completed early in IT'S, being the first
treaty negotiated between parties separated BY
the Atlantic ocean. Among the provisions Of this
document, which was intended to establish per.
manent connection between the two countries were
stipulatons regarding the trade Of either as neu
trail 10 the enemies Of the other providing for the
examination Of the vessels Of the neutral for contra
band goods, enumerating the goods to be considered
contraband, leaving the neutral commerce In all
other respects free and providing also for passports
which should secure the vessels of the neutral
against violence from the vessels of the party at
war. No treaty had ever been formed so well Sc
curing the rights Of the neutral as this though not
altogether perfect, perhaps. There was no secret
provision 70 be brought TO light at needfu commune
ture, to vitate the open stpulations. Al fair
and above board. The commissioners Of the United
States, in negotiating this treaty. wisely regarded
the position Of their country as an independent
power, In the future, in the case of European con-
vulsons, and endeavored thus beforehand to secure
the establishment of principle which should make
the full advantages OF that portion available by pre-
serving their commerce from belligcrcnt spoiation
The French upon entering the war made their
colonies also free TO neutral trade: but the presence
thenceforth OF large English and French squadrons
in the West Indian very decidedly affected the
interests Of that trade. The restriction was espe
caIly on the part Of the British, whose old war
spirit, excited by the junction Of France with Anne
RIGA, speedily swept all the American privateers
from the ocean, and subjected their commerce in
turn, TO great annoyance, though not causing its
Iiolla5d. IN the corrse Of tlir -car r. ..,il,
ssx.ss COMMERCIAL treaty with the United ststea