The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-06-22
from no London Times.
Effects of the War.

ne HlOSu lnpOIlauJ QUESTION III tDhuCC- |
ion with the possibility of England find
ne herself involved in war is, what effect
will Il hHve upon our commerce. In the
old war with France the suspension of our
maritime supremacy would, at any period,
have sealed our ruin, and the grand effort
of Napoleon was to achieve European
combination, such as should exclude us
from every port. So long as the profits
OF our enormous trade remain undsturbed
We are sure to tire out our opponents in
every struggle. Can we count with GER
tainty upon being able now as heretofore
to secure that resutP Many looking at
the fact that the French feet is alleged
in number and power OF guns to be supe-
nor 10 our own and contemplating the
possibility Of its being aided by that OF
Russia, are disposed to entertain misgiv-
ings. But these persons omit to recognize
the alterations effected by the lapse of
generation on the international system of
maritime law.
Under no conceivable circumstances of
temporary or even prolonged disaster could
with. We might icr time use our car
rying trade, but that is the utmost injury
that could be inflicted upon us The doc
trine accepted during the Russian war,
and subsequently confirmed by the Paris
Congress, that free ships make free cargoes
has settled this point definitely. Our in
terchange of goods, therefore, would 20
on with nearly as much steadiness as ever,
although the whole of Europe might be
arrayed against US. The business would
be conducted by the United States. Their
ships would bring us cotton, corn, and all
other staples according to our require
ments, and would in turn distribute our
manufactures over the world.
Thus we should go on buying and SELL
ing and making money in our old fashion
while our opponents were suffering ex-
haustion under the effects of financial
mismanagement, commercial prohibitions,
and the depressing influence of conscrip-
TONS 1t will be urged, perhaps, that in
the event of all our ports being blockaded,
even the American marine could then be
of no service to us; but that is a contin-
gency which few Englishmen will think it
necessary to discuss. 1t would, moreover,
be as fatal to America as to England, and
would therefore soon make that power
party to the quarrel But it may yet be
said that, although the inviolability of
neutral vessels were so recently affirmed
by France, Russia, Sardinia, Austria and
Turkey, as well as by this country, the
three former powers may, if it should suit
their purposes, disclaim, with as little
scruple as they have lately shown in stul-
tifying their decisions at the same Con-
gress regarding the Danubian Principal
tiles,
There is no room for any such appre-
hension. Those who attempt to set aside
the new principle must do so at the peril
of immediate war with the United States
1t is a matter on which the Washington
government will entertain no question, and
the first interference with an American
vessel would be followed by instant de-
mand for satisfaction. Happily, there.
fore, the bearings of the case are now
cullIcll independent "! luc W lsucS Ut ut-
cisions of the Continental Powers. " hat
ever dreams may be nourished of fulfilling
to the letter the traditions of the first En-
pire, that of forming a coalition to shut
out and destroy the commerce of Grea.
Britain, must be considered by the pro
gress Of civilization to have been shorn of
nearly all it5 terrors.
Again, in this city article on the l4th,
the Times returns to the subject, and
points out that although the statute law
of the United States precludes altogether
the possibility of registering European
ships under the American flag, it will be
quite practicable to place such vessels
under that flag by bill of sale drawn up
by the American Consul, together with a
certificate that she is owned by an Amer
lean citizen. She will then get the pro-
lection afforded by the United States gov
eminent, remaining, with regard to tom
mage dues and all similar conditions, under
the liabilities common to any foreign YES
sci, Should England become involved in
war, it is probable that increased latitude
might bo given, by special acts to facilitate
the granting even of national registry.