The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-10
ENGL.iND'S ROID TO RUIN.
IFrom the New York Evcning Post]

(From the New York Evening Post
The commercial and industrial prosperity of Great Brit
ain in the face Of the gigantic dscouragemcnt it has
counercd of late years. is of the marves Of the age
Though for the last four years tried other nation
tried by an uninterrupted series of expensive
waged simultaneously in the most distant quarters
of the globe, from all gather she more
prosperous than at the present moment The tables
the Board of Trade Just published show that her exports
have already nearly recovered from the last autumn
crisis although the shipments to the United States and
Australia nconsiderable. Notwithstanding the de-
pressed condition of these two great markets. which must
revive the reduction of shipments for the month
June last was less than five per cent.
This result shows how by her constant multiplication
of channels of trade she renders herself independent
of any that may chance for time to be partially
tireIy closed
Her shipping appears to have increased in still larger
proportion, and may well astonish the most sangine
free trader The total tonnage which in Is f3 entered
into and cleared out of the ports Of the United King
dom in the foreign trade ,5G2 tons in 1851
had risen to less than 49, 17S7S2 tons and is
most interesting to know that the greater portion Of this
extraordinary increase has taken place since the repeal
the navigation laws. In 1913, the aggregate tonnage
entered into and cleared out had risen to 306 626
tonsso that in the last ten years of abolished restrc
tons the increase has been close upon 000 900 Du
ring the period the coastng trade has increased
from % 1873, 600 tons to 27 065 900 tons.
1t is in the face of such results of free trade these
that of cotemporaries clanor for strin-
gent navigation laws.
The more liberal commercial system which England
has been outvating for past is also gradually
giving to her the transport tation Of cnigrants which
formerly important branch of the American ship
ping trade, From return of the total number of emf
grants from the United Kingdom to America during the
past three years just published il appears that in 1855
the number l2l 80I, of whom 23, 95s sailed in Brit
sh ships in 1855 it was l29 093, of whom 81 ls9
sailed in British ships in 1851 il l4S 64S of whom
so 600 sailed in British ships Thus it will be perceived
that the proportion taken by foreign vessels is steadily
decreasing
While England has been exporting almost as largely
as ever during the past year, she has imported more
largely Of many of the necessaries Of life which America
might readily supply if the talent and capital absracted
from its natural channels by the artificial heat of pro-
ectivo system devoted TO agriculture For exam
pie the imports of wheat for the six months have been
26S, 1868 quarters against 274 1919 quarters last year
of -four there have been 724 cwts against 065,
CAS- cwts and Of potatoes 226 392 cwts against 3l9,
63o cwts.; cotton from the United States, 1875,
GIG cwts., against 4046 324; hemp, l6s,750 against
III i25a these be it observed, articles which may
be produced In the United States, with proper skill,
cheaper than in any other part Of the globe and in
limited abundance. Tho wheat and flour imports have
doubled, and potatoes quadrupled-o ,rsk
Thus, it will be observed that England not only sells
where she sell dearest but she buys where she
buy cheapest and all the world profits by her prosper
ty. Her imports increase i'ort pasm with her exports,
and what protection friends call thc road to ruin
she finds remarkably pleasant road to travel.