The New York herald., 1869-03-30
FREE TRADE IN OCEAN STEAMSHIPS.

WASHINGTON, March %, 1869.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
At the present time, when the question Of how are
we to re-estabish navigation interests upon the
Atlantic, is commanding the earnest attention o
legislators and merchants, the annexed extract
from q very interesting article on "The National
Prospects and Resources from the pen Of Admiral
Porter, and published In the "Gaiaxyr OF July last
is both interesting and instructive. Yours truly,
New York, in this matter OF communication, as in
everything else, Is the great emporium. To It, as the
centre OF trade. are exported all the necessaries and
uxures OF Europe and thence depart the passengers
who would visit foreign shores This steam trade
Will so increase In magnitude from year to year
Judging by It's constant progress IN the past that
the city OF New York will scarcely afford facilities for
the augmented business. II this trade is so great
under ordinary circumstances. let us consider what
IL Will be when the great East India trade Is centred
in New York; when Jersey City, Williamsburg,
Brooklyn and both shores Of the Hudson for miles
will be lined with steamships and sailing vessels
waiting for the India frelghts that VIII be brought to
us by our Pacific railroads.
The present generation win live to see this II we
exhibit any wisdom IN our government councils.
We should commence now to prepare for the great
commercial struSfe that is tocome ana our govern
ment should at once hold out Inducements TO our
even for the present to withdraw the restric-
tions with regard to buying foreign yes-
sels and let rs purchase the fastes and best steam
the high duties imposed on articles used in ship
building, 1t Is impossible for us TO compete with
foreign ship constructors in building either steamers
or sailing vessels. The steamers now run by the
French are English built and Of superior construc-
tion to the old style Of vessels. Why then, should
we not adopt the same class OF vessels and drive
both French and English from the trackf
II may be selfish consideration TO wish to deprive
our neighbors Of share Of the profits Of the carry
but as this trade OF right belongs to US we should
never allow such reflection to be cast upon our en-
terprlse as TO permit any other nation to snatch this
rich prize from grasp.
the power OF nation Ia measured by its CON-
mercial prosperity, as may be illustrated BY that
little iron-bound island, England, which dictates
laws to the maritime world. and constantly holds
the balance Of trade against all other nations. As
and she nolds commercially, the same position that
we could hold n we would take advantage OF the
opportunities that are and viii be thrown In our
Our shipbuildng interests are 10 much neglected
that the sound Of the ship carpenters axe Is
go vessels were destroyed BY The Alabamas,
Fordas and Sumters, fitted out by the rebels the
late war aud $500oO,0oo worth OF our property has
been sunk In the ocean. IL should he the atm OF
legislation to relieve those who have suffered so
heavily from the commercial reverses OF the rebel
Ion-rcverscs due 70 the neglect or the government
IN not hitting out feet OF cruisers able to chase the
repeI privateers from the ocean.
Heavy duties are now imposed on cordare. iron,
copper and other articles employed In the business.
Timber higher In price and the cost OF labor more
by one-thlrd tnan n was before the rebellion 10
bu,ld vessel OF 300 tons costs $1,000 more than
formerly Our ship carpenters-a large class OF me-
chanics-are almost thrown out OF employ ment and
hundreds OF families are suffering from the pressure
OF want.
when our commerce has been re-established we
must protect It. commercial nation requires an
efficient navy, and although we have paid
so little attention TO this matter In the past
we must do better In the future. The navy
OF England has kept pace with It's commercial ma
rine; indeed but for her great arm OF national de-
fence Britain would no longer have her great com
mercial marine. Her national ships are spread all
over the ocean, affording protection 10 the smallest
vessel that carries the British flag The size and
character OF the English mcn-of-war are such that
they command respect from all nations, and their
commanders are supported In every act tending to
the protection OF British subjects British interests
While we have been frittering away all our re-
sources on doubtful experiments and spending many
millions on frightful failures, England, taking ad
vantage OF our experience, has marched rapidly 70
naval pre-cm nencc; ana although the issue OF the
fight between the Mcrrimac and Monitor reduced
her for the time to an inferior naval Power she now
stands, AZ she has done for hundreds OF years the
mistress Of the seas. The millions we have spent
have produced MS nothing IN the snapc OF navy
with which We could assert the rights that have