The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-06-18

The probability OF general war in Europe and
the certainty that in such case the commerce
many continental nations will be effectually en-
bargoed, has suggested to our merchants the in
quiry whether foreign vessels can be placed in any
way under the protection of our flag, and aowedf
to prosecute their voyages without danger of mo-
lestation? If this could be accomplished the
American ship-owners would lose the great profits
which they expect to reap from the withdrawal of
number of vessels now in active competition
with them, and the merchants abroad would avoid
the ruin that must inevitably fall on many of
them if their ships are to be rendered useless to
them for any considerable period 1t has been
stated in some quarters that the SECRETARY of the
TREASURY has, under an Act of Congress, author
ity to grant certificate, which is equivalent to
Registration, to an American purchaser of q
oreign-built vessel. This statement is wholly in
correct, and we are well satisfied that no con-
cevable method, short of an Act of Congress,
can be resorted TO for the purpose contemplated
determination to encourage the American ship
ping interests manifested at the very first
Congress, and it is of the few political courses
| to which the Government has adhered without
variation from that day TO the present
Under the act of 1892 vessels built within the
UNITED STATES before or after the 4th of July,
l77G, and belonging wholly to citizen thereof;
or not built within the UNITED STATES, but on the
10th May 1889, belonging and thenceforth contin-
uing to belong to citizen thereof; and ships cap
tured in war by citizen and lawfully condemned
as prize; or which may be adjudged to be forfeited
n of thp SpI lo
ing wholly owned by citizen thereof; these and
no others are entitled to be registered and thereby
acquire the rights and privileges incident to Ugr-
TED STATES vessels. And no such vessel as above
mentioned can be registered if belonging in whole
or in part to citizen of the UNITED STATES resid-
ing abroad, unless he is residing there as Consul,
or as agent for and partner in some house COM
posed of citizens Of the UNITED STATES and actual
ly carrying on trade within said States
BY the Act of 1852, the SECRETARY of the TREAS
URY is authorised to issue register or enrolment
for vessel built in foreign country, whenever
such vessel should be wrecked in the UNITED STATES
and be purchased and repaired by citizens, provid-
ed the repairs made shall be equal to threeourths
OF the cost Of the vessel when so repaired Such is
we believe about the substance of the existing laws
regulating the registration of vessels and thereby
comforting upon them national character. ANY
movement therefore towards inducing the Govern
ment to extend its protection either directly or in
directly to the foreign vessels in our ports, must
douby fail because there is no discretion vested in
the Government to that effect by the laws, and
even if there was it is most improbable that it
would now interfere to the injury of our merchants
just as they are about to enjoy the harvest which
the peaceful trader gathers while his rivals are en-
gagged in mutual slaughter --