Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-05-31
England Depending upon America in tho
War Crisis
From the Times Ci,y Article; May II.

From the Times Ci,y Article; May II.
! The certainty that European war will inter
Icrc with the carrying trade. not only OF MI the
Powers directly involved. but even of those which
may be in danger of being drawn in, has caused
inquiry to he directed To the possibility Of register
ing European ships under the American flag
The statute law OF the United States is. in this
respect, virtually prohibitive: No foreign ship
can be registered unless sum equal To two.thlrls
! Of her value shall have been expended upon her
in repairs or improvements in America Even an
America vessel which have been lawfully uondcm
ned by II foreign Government, or sold to foreign
er, cannot, upon being rc.pnrchascd by an Amer
lean, receive, except upon these conditions, new
register 1t is also provided that foreign vessels
which may have acquired the American flag shall be
manned by observation-disclosures res dc more than
year in the country of their urg gin, or two years
in any other foreign country. Foreign steamers
If their owners ARE resident in the United States
may be enrolled for river service ON security be
ing given that they shall not be employed on
other waters and this. apparently, il the sole
opening allowed. Any relaxation Of the law can
lie obtained only by n special act of Congress
/ There is however, a solution of the difficulty that
would meet all general requirements. Although
| il may be difficult to procure an American regis
ter, a vessel can be placed under the American
flag bv bill Of sale drawn up by tn" American
Consul in England, together with II certificate
that she is owned by an American citizen: She
will then get tn, protection afforded by the United
States Government to every description OF Ameri'
can properly, remaining. with regard to tonnage
dues and oil similar conditions under the iabili-
ties common to any foreign vessel.
That this plan would lie extensively adopted in
case Of England becoming involved in war, can
scarcely be doubted, and it is probable Also that
increased latitude might be given, by speculate
acts to facilitate the granting event ct national
registry. The impolicy of the existing restrict.
ions is as obvious that of all other obstacles to
the free interchange of commodities. On the
breaking out If war n neutral country could, OF
course purchase vessels from any of the belige-
rents on highly profitable terms. But if this is
forbidden her traders are compelled to build new
vessels, and always ut nm cxtravagant cost, owing
to the general suddenness of the demand. Mean
while the ships which would have fully answered
the purpose. and which nigh, have been not at
halt the outlay, are lying without employment
But when the war is ended these are brought into
competition with the expensive vessels built in
the interval, and which are at once reduced to an
almost nominal value. to the ruin of all who have
invested in them The prohibition. therefore. in
wolves To the neutral country. not merely n shce'
loss of the difference between tho Price If thu
home. built ships and that nj which the forci",
vessels could have been bought, but also "f tn,
amount of depreciation which is ultimately infict
ed on both sets of vessels through the freight
market being glutted with a needless quantity. -
The Protectionists will urge that there was grea
advantage in the employment opened for home la
Dor in the original constructions Of the new yes
sels, but this ia q lOng-explOded falacy. BY EN-
ploying labor in building vessels which nigh
have been had more cheaply elsewhere, they have
diverted it from other branches Of employment