The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-10-10
MARITIME COMMERCIAL LAW.

sttton OF British Views In Regard GS
the Coasting Trade, Lake Tradc, Pri-
vateers, and Other Maritime Questions.
meeting OF the merchants aud shipo sDers u This
city held last evening 10 a ia Asrcaltile
Library Building, for tho purpose of givrg opportu
nifty to Nr. Wm s. Lindsay member Of tho British Par
lament to explain the views which he this
try to represent reference to sucb change tho
navigation laws would make the coaslng trade OF this
continent free 10 the chips Of all nations
There a hlndred gentlemen present, repre-.
renipg large shaIeof the commercial wealth Of this
metropolis
Mr.. pslKTIAH pERTr introduced Mr.. Lindsay, sstiog
that this special meeting called TO give him OPP
portuni,y Of explaining his views many important
subjects connected with ho interests Of shipping and or
commerce.
Mr. LINDSAY expressed ibapks for the opportunity
given him 10 express nus views 10 reference
maritime questions in which tho shipowaers and mer-
chants and people Of both England and America were
deeply interested. AS many reports he'd eirsu
lated regard to bis VISIT be thought right ssy
few rersora to himself II had been stated-aud
perhaps believed in quarters-that he visited this
country In Official capacy-as kind Of smbsssador,
perhaps special envoy Of the Brtish government Hs
ehed to dieabuse theft minds OF such idea His visit
be might say, one o. pleasure. For many years. as
many Of hose present aware he had had large
nections IA America He had great many kind AMI
friends various parts Of the United s.aes and
he had long promised himself the pleasure Of visit
this great country. Up TO the present time, however
his many avccatons had prevented him ral6nng
that promise. hrd John Russell, said he, when
be heard that ! about to visit this
country, goo. enough TO ask me, my intercourse
with merchants and shipowners the States have
some conversation with them In regard to commercial
questions which the Of both countries were
Brtlsh shipping, and brg interested in these
questions, ] readily consented TO do what possibly
questions HIS Ter iship was goot enough to furnish me
with the correspondent which had the subject
so az TO make me familiar with the question: and also 10
write 10 Lord 70 afford facilities That lie the only
correction that had with the British governmen His
lordship knew that for many years past have, in tac
H,use Of Commons, devoted my attention almost exclu
sivtly TO these great maritime questions and he also
knew that for the last two three sessions
Of Parliament both branches OF the House hal
popular views IN regard 10 these questions
There were some remarks made about him, be sad which
be should not pass lest they might pure the great
and good which he bad vount iriy undertaken II
raid that he not at al competent for such tk
because be self tight aud selfmafe man; but he
felt that bis being sefade and self taught woui not
make him the less acceptable to the American people
(Appause) II WAS also said that no had not sufficient
sidsnt and gentlemen said he, ignorant abb many
thDer, and the longer live the more ignoraLt feel my
self 70 be- and 10 coming among you desired more TO
gain knowledge than to attempt " mpart Information.
But II am ignorant general questions ought 70 DO
familiar with the questions shich sm about 70 adj
dress you THE evening, becauye hare been from my
boy hood connected with maritime affairs and since have
been q member OF the British Parliament, now
any years, have devoted myself almoet exclusively
10 the understanding Of these questions. said that
perhaps was rot competent 10 deal with the delicate
questions Of diplomacy Well, gentlemen however eager
may be TO obtain knowledge, there one kind OF know
ledge which DO not desire 10 obtain, aud that Is the
knowledge OF diplomacy "a taught In too many Co1rs Of
Europe think world be woll for mankind, and veil
for the nalons IL there were lees OF that intricate dpo
macy and more Of honest, straightforward dealing be-
tween men snt nations applause ] think can best
attain the objects that have In view by Speaking 10
plain man of business, addressing plan OF busi
resf In great business city, and frankly pointing ont
pointing cut what conceive &c be wrong 10 laws
That appears TO me to be the height Of all diplomacy
which, to use . homely phrase, Is prepared TO give
aud take, and 10 do Justice TO all men. applause
think ihar lily wort lille 10 notice The remarks Of
These assoc atons in England very din rcnt from
ia ,se hererom your Chamber Of Commerce and Board
of Trade chi represent great numerical and maritime
Interests and have great weight with the federal govern
Too many Of our sssocat r In gland email
political factions got together ostensby for the purpose
but too often they hobbies Of their pot
cal dogmas Such the fact in the Of the called
In soemn conclave In the attic in which they usually as
mbe, and passed resolution declaring that they had
no confidence IN me The resolution pleased them dare
say, and do not think u ipjurod me; but shall call a..
ionon 10 u, simply because may have reached
parts Of this country, and some gentlemen here might be
hat the gentlemen no parsed that resolution have
influence whatever in the Parliament OF Eogand. With
ibese preliminary remarks allow me TO state 10 you
The objects which have In view in meetIng you this
everrg. ] viii speak drs. With reference 10 the
liability Of ship owners, because that, perhaps one of
the most important questions, and which think Is
net sufficiently well understood do not think that Ia
sufficiently known how tho shipowners Of both countries
FACT 10 the law OF England any shpo~ner therc-and
indeed might almost say the Of the shpo~ner Of
be- miso, rise any morning and nnd himself : raiaei
man. That serious thing 70 consider. Nov
o. shrowners iimn the responsibility Of The owners 70
the value Of the ship and freight In moet II the ether
own",. n,n,'a - ~, cs,sp 70 ne .ss
this county-shat 70 cay, 80 In THIS country so
FAR ~ understand the law. speakneto American goa
een q course. speak under correction bot far
understand the Ia. OF country, your responsibility,
IN Of ooson, IL limited The value Of the ship
ard freight That h 10 say, II one Of your ships runs
down another ship see, and ycs pay your
voc value d ne .lp and freight your respons oiiy eau
well 80 AR as lbe laws Of The respective countries stand
BC u my shir runs down an American ship AMI my ship
tniers any q your ports, an made responsible, mol
merely IN your courts Tor ths value Of the ship and
freight, but made ponsble exactly FOR Whatever
amount q dsmagc have been sustained through the
shp rms down vessel With esrgS and freight on board
- The extent cf roo 600 sterling would be responsible
r we sh0 hin q Iun ga rue allow Iowa sny OSsf
a be brought INTO Our courts you also responspie
our courts for Tic fu amount Of tie damage which your
slip raused, Vow this arises from the fact that our
Jaws lave Jurisdiction only over British ships and that
your ss have Jurisdiction only American sliye.
Now cor siderng thova; traio which cxrried be-
tween tie two coultTies, Tim and hopc you ~l
agree With me, that II H most desirable. par.
tcusy tie tg satares Of either country have srecl
red thai tic ,ip owners respousbi.y sal be nlt.d
Now, think that there ought ~ be . convention
hetwten the two countries WHO shoah decide
% conc principle vheh would De common 10
beth countrss That q, hat when q Gaze or collision "a
ihrown into your courts Il should he dealt sith in the
tame manner 40 Bfitfh shipthat q 10 ay that your
Tesrous ones should BE- limited ia our country m the
sane way and 70 The same extent As they 10 your
ovr and. on the other hand. " 81 - are brought
INTO yonr courts responsibilities should be limited Ia
The same way a. yours For my Part, DO
see any difficulty 10 the way n calling Convention 20
carry out ths important and desirable Ob,sct In.
der the head q responsibility, there vari.
POINTS 10 which I would desire 10 call
your attention TO- and which have direct reference 10 As
question OF Liabilities. First, ths questi arises with
resIeo, 70 collisions oil Now, The OF collision
various. Many collisions take place which, believe
entirely beyond the control OF nan. There others
Which take place which believe might be avoided n
certain alterations made In the maritime laws 81 the
We couptrics The Alteration DESIRE