Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-06-09
Mr.. BOYCE and THE NAVIGATION LAWS.

We are pleased to learn (says the Clarendon
Banner) that our able and industrious represen-
tative, who never omits an opportunity of labor
ing to carry out whatever measures he may dis
cover to be Of practical Importance and benefit
TO the South, is at this time laboriously engaged
in investigating the navigation laws, with a
view Of bringing the question Of reform be-
fore Congress at its next session. 1t is, indeed,
greatly to be desired, that radical changes bo
made in the present laws upon that subject
The ZEAL the energy, and the practical talents
sof Mr.. Boyce, render him the most proper in
dividual to undertake the great labor involved
in thorough elucidation Of this subject, and in
bringing the question in all its aspects before
Congress. 1t is q subject of great and vital in
terest to the South, and if such changes as are
really desirable can be effected, it will he worth
more to us Of the South, than all the legislation
of the last twenty-five years. The extract
which We give below, from the Norfolk Argus,
furnishes striking example Of the operation
of our present navigation laws:
awe are pleased to learn that the repeated
calls Of this journal upon Congress to repeal
the present unjust and odious Navigation laws,
have met with response from one Of the ablest
representatives Of the South. Mr.. Boyce, Of
South Carolina, as chairman Of q special COM
mittee to consider various propositions in con-
nection with free trade, &C., is investigating the
expediency of a reform in the Navigation laws
Of the United States. ,a,.s:
"For the benefit Of Mr.. Boyce and his fellow
members on the committee, We should show the
injurious effects of these laws, which have,
since their enactment, operated as direct
bounty to the North, upon one Of tile principal
sea-ports Of the South. We can do this in no
better manner than by publishing the following
extract from the 10th chapter OF Forests His
torical Sketches of Norfolk and Vicinity pub
ished in 1859, and of course with no view to
influence repeal Of the law referred to-:
"'NAY 5th, lS2O.-On this day the Naviga-
ton law was passed. which restricted vessels
from bringMg the produce Of the British Colo
MES to ourHports, and from taking, in return,
that of the States. The effects Of the law were
of course injurious to the commerce Of Norfolk.
Notwithstanding which the exploration to the
West Indies amount to Sll8,0OO and the i'm
portations in sugar, molasscs, fruit, rum, &c,
were considerable; but the succeeding year the
amount was much less. Norfolk was about the
only port at that time on our coasts at which
assorted corgoes Of produce could be conve-
nently obtained. Tobacco, grain, flour, meal,
lard, fish, and many other articles required in
the West India trade were furnished here at
fair prices.
"'For many years previous 10 this, Norfolk
showed manifest signs of advancement in ap-
pearance and commerce; but sad reverse in
the commercial affairs of the place occurred
about this time. Some Of the principal mer
chants were compelled to suspend payment,
others failed for large amounts, while some
the small traders were reduced to poverty.
There was very considerable Interruptions to
the West India trade, and the general business
Of the place suffered greatly
"The statement of Mr.. Forrest is true, as very
many OF our citizens can testify. In 1920 the
West India trade Of Norfolk eq1alled that Of
any port in tue United States. Since the pas
sage of the Navigation law during Mr.. Mum
ro's administration, the trade has fallen of un-
til it is far behind that of many New England
towns, and compared with its former extent, is
very small. Let the unjust bounty to Northern
ship-owners, which is paid at the expense Of
Southern merchants, be stopped, and Norfolk,
with her sister ports Of the South, will regain
their lost trade, and once more become busy
marts;'
GETTING THE LAWYERS ALL ON HIS SIDE
Oliver II. Smith gives this incident in the llisto-
~ of Indiana At tho Rush Circuit Court my
friend Judge Perry bargained for pony for
1926, to be delivered the next day, on credit
of six months. The man came with the pony,
but required security of the judge for $25.
The Judge drew the note at the top Of sheet
of foolscap, and signed it. signed; James
Baridan signed it and handed it on, and on it
went from lawyer to lawyer around the bar, till
some twenty Of us had signed it. then handed
it up to the court, and three judges put their
names to it. Judge Perry presented it to the
man he had bought the pony Of, but he promptly
refused it. "Don't you think am q fool to let
you get the court and all the lawyers on your
side? see you intend to cheat me out of my
L. TOD tl,o nr,I