The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-09-28
HON. w. s. LINDSAY'S PROPOSAL FOR TIL f
REGULATION OF OUR COMMERCE. WITH


The advent to our shores of Hon. w. S. Lindsay,
NJ. p, has already been announced. The Boston
papers, of Tuesday, give the report of adj
dress delivered by him Monday to the Board of
Trade of that city, wherein gather tOlerably
definite notions of the purpose of his mission this
country. The opinion has prevailed, to some eX-
tent, that he came with quasi diplomatic authOri-
ty to devise commercial regulations with this
country, but his address shows that this impression
is incorrect.
He discIaims any authority to act as Especial en-
voy' or accredited agent" stating that he came
simply as business man to talk with business men
to compare notes with merchants, ship owners
and commercial agents Of Boston, New York, Phil
adelphia Baltimore, &C., in hopes of being able to
concentrate the action of the various Boards of
Trade and Chambers of Commerce, to the end of
their memoriazing this government on the great
questions of international comfy and uniformity Of
commercial law and regulations. Following these
memorials to Washington, he would then enter into
conference with the heads Of this government to
see if the desired harmony and mutual co-opera-
tion of the two governments could not be estab-
lished. This was his Emission.
The various subjects upon which he desired their
co operative action werc The habiilty OF ship
owners-the rule of the road at sea-collslons-
signal lights-the application of the British For
eipn Deserters' act to American yessels-olfences
committed on the high seas-the settlement of dis
putes relative to wages, &c.-the establishment of
shipping oiices-the rights Of belligercnts-the re-
gistratiOn of British built vessels-the coastng
trade &c.
In regard to the liability ofshipowners, he says:
If British ship, coming to port in America, run
down another vessel the responsibility of the owner
that ship is not in this country limited to the value Of
the vessel because your make that mita-
ton. Such, also, was the with American ships in
our ports,
Regarding the use of lights at sea he suggests
the adoption by all our vessels-sail and steam-Of
the new mode of signal lights in use on board
all British vessels. He also suggests the same law
of the road, by which collisions would be avoided.
The commission of crime on shipboard receives
his special attention. A heinous crime may be
committed on board American ship in British
waters, and rice ver8a on board British ship in
American waters; yet, from want of jurisdiction,
the local courts cannot interfere, make arrests,
punish, &c. He asks for a convention between the
| two countries to correct this great want, and, by
giving local authorities full power act to repress
crime and wrong.
So of desertion. Great need is felt for strn-
gent regulations. He suggests that the adoption
of the British Foreign Deserters Act, by this gov
ernment, would relieve the shipping interests OF a
great disability. simple modification OF the
wording of the act would render it acceptable, he
| thought.
He refers to the British regulations in regard to
| the shipping of seamen, the examination of cap.
tsins and mates, the paying off of men, with facili