Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-08-20

the navigation laws, to which we propose to call
attention; those defects Is follows
The requisision that American vessels engaged
ir the cosssing trade should pay SO cents per ton
unless "three-fourths of the American
citizens then only cents per ton = and the furth-
er provisions that American vessels, entering
from foreign ports. to pay SO cents per ton unless
1.-THE officers and two-thirds Of the crew are Amer
lean citizens"
2. The exclusion of foreign built vessels, thou gh
owned by American citizens, from engaging, with
entire equality, in the coastng and other trade Of
the United States.
s. The entire exclusion of foreign vessels,
owned BY foreigners from the coastins trade
As regard the second defect alluded to In the
law, by which foreign built vessels, though owned
by American citizens, are not admitted to entire
equality, unless purchased after shipwreck, and
repaired to the extent OF three fou-ths Of their
cost, we consider this rests upon a totally indie
feasible principle. 1t is giving to American
ship-builders perfect monopoly. We can SEQ no
ground of Justice upon which this monopoly can
rest Every American citizen ought to have the
privilege TO buy ships wherever he can buy them
the best advantage.
As regard the next defect in our navigation
laws-the prohibition of the coasting trade to
foreign ships-this is another monopoly which we
conceive to be unjust and nexpedient, and which
ought to be abolished
If there be any thing in which all the
people of the United States, all classes, and all
industrial pursuits of all sections except the
class of ship owners, are interested in, it is in
cheap s,a transportation. When consider the
vast value of the products of the United States
which are carried by water coastwise on both
Atlantic and Pacific coasts the Gulf of Mexico,
nd tho lak To pf uhi Nv
be formed from considering that the amount of
tonnoge engaged in this transportation is 2, 24I,
6G3, TONS nearly one-half of the total tonna &c
of the United States, can readily see how i'm
portant is the element of cheap transportation.--
The only pratical mode of attaining this result is
competition, and yet we resoutely turn our backs
upon this principle, and persevere in a monopoly.
We are clear that our navigation laws should be
modified in this respect
The Report treats the free trade theory
next in order, and argues because there is
free trade between the states, and it has
worked well, therefore, it would work well
to open our commerce to the world. II
says:-"Why should we hesitate to extend
to its utmost expansion, a system that has
worked so well Sc. There can be no good
reason for not doing so. "BY OUR Reel
PROCITY TREATY WITH ENG
LAND-T'HE MARCY-ELGIN TREA-
TYNE HAVE GIVEN THE BORD-
RE STATES OF THE NORTH PRAC-
7ICAL FREE TRADE IN A GREAT
DEGREE, WITH THE NEIGHB OR
ING BRITISH PROVINCES THE
RESULTS OF THAT FREE TRADE
EXPERIMENT ARE MOST ENCOUR-
AGING"
Voters of the Sixth District, do you think
this experiment has been encouraging >
Look to your low prices for lumber and an
swer. This is the democratic doctrine. ant
the one you are called upon to sustain, whei
you are asked to support Mr.. Bradbury
Because in supporting him, you are support
ing Mr.. Buchanan's Administration, and hi,
policy.
This report closes by form ularizins thei,
recommendations in resolutions. Among
the number is the following one, to which
we invite the attention of the ship build
ers in Maine, and especially in this Con.
gressional District, Us the true democratic
principles Of the party in power.
5. "ResoiV.d, That the vigaton laws should
be SO modified not to require any portion of the
officers and crews of American ships to be Ameri.
can citizens, and that American cit liens snail be
free to purchase and sail foreign built ships
| entire equality with American built ships, and
| that the American coasting trade shall be open
Oh terms of perfect equally to foreign SHIPS"