The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-12-19
From the Charleston Mercury.
Commercial Questions aud Difficulties In
south Carolina.


The question is made in our commercial cir.
cles, how shall South Carolina ship carry on
commerce with foreign nations, after the State
has seeded from the Union
We take il fer granted that the General
Government. after the secession of South Caro-
Ina from the Union. will not attempt, by military
force, u stop vessels going out, or coming into
our harbor II snch dp attempt is made, IL lriW
be ,cdr =; and, Of course. the QUESTIONABLE arc
the masters Of South Carolina: must be settled
before any consideration # our commercial op-
erations can be properly entertained.
Suppose our haIbors 10 be uuobstructed, what
is the condition OF our commercial relations with
other powers? We will not hesitate 10 receive
the ships Of AL other nations in our ports, free
OF duties, It such shall be the will Of our Legs
lature, or with such duties rs the State shall re-
quire. On the other hand, all vessels of other
nations will be fee to depart from our ports
laden with our agricultural productions. The
only difficulty is as 70 the shipping owne! by
South Caro.iuiaus. Ii is not large el ough 10 ef
fecis the commerce of Charleston seriously. still
! it is ertitied to consideration and protection.
Nor viii the difficulties, If any, be long-ouly
| until a Southern C0uteGeracy is formed
As there VIII be no Collector OF the United
States, with the abolition Of the United States
Gus ON Houses, and the State viii appoint its
Own Collector, why VIII not the nantes by the
Captain of vessel, made before our Collector
and the clarence he shall receive suffice in for
eign ports:
II the Government Of the United States tn
tends 10 resist lhe independence of South Caro-.
lima, it is bound Immediately to take measures
To reduce her 10 sGi lection, a~d To inform foreign
nations at l., intentions. If the government of
the United States makes no efforts to reduce the
4 = =
nations no intention to DO so, foreign nations are
not bound TO submit 10 their commerce being
interrupted by mere absiract prcten>ious The
fact that our waters and harbor, are left 10 our
exclusive use and control, is quite sufficient TO
Justify them in respecting the clearances and
sea passes we MAY give our vessels. 1anitests
| of the cargo are 10 prevent smuggling. Cl.aran-
ccs are for two purposes: First, 10 protect the
ship on the high seas, by showing that it belongs
to certain nation; and, second, 10 prove that
il is engaged in lcgitm T. trade. Nearly all
nations prohibit foreign nations from engaging
in their coasing-.r8ic. They do not allow the
vessel OF another nation 10 take cargoes from
one of their ports u another This Is the priy-
lege Of the citizens alone belonging "a the coun-
| uy. Cicarances are necessary 10 carry out this
| position, by showing the port from which vcs-
| sci sails Now. will not a manifest and cleara
|
swer both these purposes? When our vessels
arrive at iiavre or Liverpool, thei. papers viii
show that they have relied for protection ON the
high seas on the flag Of the State and the mani
fest of the Collector Of the port # Charleston
and to prove the legitimacy 81 their trade, they
establish clclrauces from the Collector Of thc
| port Of tuatie>tDu--at that time uumolcsied IN
| its trade under the control oi the authorities ol
| the State. WHY, undes such Circumstances
| should not their vessels be- allowed To dischu.,
their cotton or rice in Liverpool or lavre? We
believe that they viii be allowed 10 land thcii
cargoes, aud receive cargoes on their return.
But suppose f,r,-n nations, by the hostile in
llucEcc IF the United States Ministers, should
! prevent our vessels from landing their cargoes
| there i "a very easy aud efficient resort in the
Coasuls Of foreign nations in this port. We
have no authority to speak for any Of them
but we know that it is not unusual for Consul
ot a nation when thoroughly s0sfied of the lie
chimney of the trade in which vessel is cnga-
1.d with the people he represents. to facilitate
he tra3e Ly granting to her sea paprs. This
ail obviate all difficulty. And we do not be.
lieve that the Consul of any nation, at a port
entirely free of any excited influence or control
by any other people, will permit a Legitimate
| trade with the nation he represents, TO be- arres
rested o. broken up, by any vague unvindicated
paper pgetcnsons.
Ii world, however, be wise precaution for
the Stat, Ia send. Immediately after our scces
sion, Classttar Agents 10 al tie ierdipg ports
Of Europe The period will be short we trust,
between our secession and the organization of a
southern Coniederacy, which Will most probably
be the protection OF trade with other nations.
1t is gratifying, however, 10 know, that during
that short period oar trade will not be affected
or Interrupted, even in oGr own bottoms.