New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-24
drawing the nomination Of George H. Hand as Secretary
Of Dakota Territory.
THE DECLINE OF AMERICAN COMMERCE.

THE DECLINE OF AMERICAN COMMERCE.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PREsrDENT-HE RECON-
MENDs IMMEDIATE CONGRESSIONAL ACTION
ON THE SUBJECT.
WASHINGTON, March 23.-The following is the
message OF the President sent to Congress today In rea
ton to the decline OF American commerce:
To the Senate aud House Of Representatives..
In the Executive message OF December g. 1852 10 Con
gress the Importance taking steps to revive our de-
sage promised at day during the present session
recommending specifically plans to accomplish tnls
sentatyes intrusted with the labor OF asceranng the
cause Of the decline OF American commerce mas COM
branch OF the Government deem this nttng time 10
The very able calm and exhaustive report OF the Com
mittee points the grave wrongs which have pro,
duced the decline In our commerce ~ Is na' f
humiliation that we are now compelled 10 pay from
100000 TO s3OOO000 annually exclusive OF passage
money. which should share with other nations TO
foreigners for doing the work which shoud oe o9ne ny
American owned and American mannedivessels rms ls
direct drain upon the resources OF the country OF just
so much money equal to casting 1t into the 80 far as
nation concerned. nation or the vast ana ever
increasing interior resources OF the Gne9 en
oceans the world with industrious. Intelligent and
energetic population must one Gsy matter what
the cost Delay will only increase this cost, ana
enhance the difficulty Of attaining the result there
fore put in an earnest plea early action in this matter
in q way to the increase OF American commerce.
contract for ship building will probably be entered until
this question is settled by Congress, ana the lffer IN
racted for this year will fail OF completion before winter
sets in and will therefore be carried over for another
year. induces request your early CONSIDERATION oi
This subject | regard 10 Of such grave Importance,
affecting every interest OF the country TO so great an ex
that any method which will gain the end Will secure
rich national blessing. Building ships ana haVIgatn
them utilities q amount OF capital at nome, ana
EMPLOYS thousands OF worknen in their construction
and manning. 1t creates home market iorthe proauc
of the farm and the shop 1t dmnishes the Daance OF
trade against precisely TO the extent sor fehts anu
massage money paid American vessels, and gives us
supremacy upon the OF inestnaOe Vale IN case Vi
f0eign war Our navy at the commencement OF the late
war consisted OF than 100 vessels OF about loOO
tuns and Of about 5000 men, We drew from the
merchant marine (Which had cost tile Government
nothing but which had been source OF national wealth.
COO vessels exceeding 600 tuus and about 10000 men,
10 aid I'm the suppression OF the Rebellion Ids state
ent demonstrates the value OF the merchant marine as
a means OF national defense in time of war.
The Committee the Cause OF the Reduction OF Amerl-
Tunnage, after tracing the cause OF ts uecne SUD
nut two bills which, IL adopted, they believe VIII restore
to tho nation its maritime power. Their report SHOWS
with great minutenes the actual and comparative Aer
can tunnage t time OF its greatest prosperity the
causes and exhibits other statistics or material interest
III reference the subject As the report IL before Co
gress will not recapuate any or IT'S statlstcs, put
refer the methods recommended by the commit.
give back to US our lost commerce. AS general
rule IL can be adopted. believe direct money subsidy
is less liable to than indirect aid given TO the same
enterprise. In this case, however, my opinion is ths
subsidies while they may be given 10 speclal lines Vi
steamers or other vessels should not be exclusively adopt
ed but addition to substituting very desirable INES OF
ocean traffic. general assistance should be given, In an
effective way and therefore commend 10 your favorable
consideration the two bills proposed by te committee,
and referred to In this message. u. :. ukANI'
Erccuftre udnsiOH, Washington, March 49, 1870.