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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 32X .^t-fbrit CoU.,>o.v Q\\iAs. a-it> CUSTOMS DUTIES (CANADA AND THE WEST INDIES). RETURN to an Ad-Jresi of tlie IJonourable The Hoi.ie of Commoni, Uated 50 May 1 8^6 -.—/or. " COPIES or Extracts of any Correspondence which has taken place between the Colonial Office and the Governors of our North American and West Indian Colonies, on the subject of a Proposal for the Mutual Abolition of Customs Duties upon the Productions of Canada and the (Vest Indies:' Colonial Office, 1 28 July 1860. / JOHN BALL. {Sir Stafford NorthcoU.) Ordered, by The Houbc of Commoni, to be PrinUd, 29 July 1 85G. 43^- 1»\\ A^ i i Circular Despatches from the Secretary of State Cdrrespondciice with the Governor-General uf Canada PAor. 1 4 Correspondence with the Governor-in-Chief of Biirbados and the Windward Islands ....-.-35 Correspondence with the Governor of Britisii Guiana Correspondence wiih the Governor-in-Chief of the Leeward Islands Despatch from the Governor of Jamaica - - - - - 67 62 05 "i^i ! iii sen K I) r I. K Circular Despatches tniin the .Secretary' ot State. so. IN rilOM U'II(>M, DAII: AMI VIMrCII. ! 1 \l l'( (I! 11. 1 » 1 M ( » Till-, t. ( )|.t »- KuSSfU tn IJK- (illVITIliirS NIKS. C'lilliiiL.' iittriiiiiiii 111 l.iiril SliuiliV' of lUr Majtot^'s C'olo- Circiiliir of -Jl Mav |m|.), in.j |iiiiniiriL' mil llii' llll'S. tvil« iliiit wiMild sliil rfsult fiDiii tin iuln|>lioii ol Slicll IIMUMinn ....-- 1 *> Circular Drspntch from 1 1 Aiiftii.st I'UoposAi, i()HTiii:Mrir.\i. abolition l!ii.'l.tll.in.Sir\V..M.,lr3- wortli, I'lurt., Ill llii (!«- vtriior.t iif ihc- Wtsl India Ciiloiiii'8. OF ( rsi(i.\i.-> 1)1 rii.s ()\ Tin; imiodii'. TIONS Ol- CANADA, AND Ol-Tlli: \Vl;sl' INDIKS. SliitiiiL' ill' riiiiMiilM oil wliiili Ilir MajestvV (iovcriimiii! wimld rt L'liril tlir pnt- ponfd urriini;i'iiiiiit as very oh|iciiiiiiiililr - a Correspondence witli the (iovernor-General of Canail.i. DESPATCHES IIIOM SIR E MEAD. OoviTiior-ircncral llcnd, III Ki^ Lord J. Kuasi'l Sir E. lit 11(111. 1 Hr>j : 20 Jul^- (No. 88.) Govflrror-ir''nrrnl Sir E. ] 29 Sept. (No. I. 11.) Head to liiL'ht lion. Sir VV. Mulcswortli, Uiirt. I In oxplannlion of tlic ori^'in nf llii' prnposiil for ' fstalih>liiiiir I'm- (iiiiiiipTriiil Intcri'imrsi' Inlwrrn Ciinnda and tlic \\ 1 si Indus .... Ill port of Cdniiiiitli'cuf l,i'j.'i«lativf Aini'inldv on Trade and Ciiniini'rrc, and Corri'spond- inciMvilli tlirGoTcrnorinCliii'fof liarlmi'is, eni'losi'd ...... Corrcspondonpii uii tin' sulijcct willi tlic I'psnli'nt udiiiinistiiriiig tin.' (Jovuruniunt of .Montscrrot, inclosid ....... 34 m DESPATCHES FROM THE SECUi;TAllY OF SI ATE. 1 M5.5 : Iliglit Hon. Sir W. Moles- 10 August (No. IS.' worth, Uurt. to Sir E. Head. Ritrht Hon. Sir Grey to Sir E. Head. 19 October (No. 45 ) in ncknowludgment of Drspatcli of tlio Jdili July (.So, 3 of M'rics), and cnclosiiitr fopv of Circular Despatch of the I llh AiiL'iist (No. 'J of seriisj, for information and guidance . . . - Expressing approval of hi.s answer returned to tlw I're.sidcnt of Montserrat . . - . - .15 Correspondence with the Governor in Chief of Barbados and the Windward Islands. DESPATCHES FROM SIR WILLIAM COLEBIlOOKE. GoTernor Sir William Cole- brookc to Right Hon. Lord J. Russell. Governor Sir Willinm Colu- brooko In Kiirjil Hon. Lord J. Ruh.sell. 1800; 3 May (No. 27.) Ifi .Iiuii(No 4(1.) Addresses and Resolutions from the Council and Assembly of liarbados, on the proposal being brought before tliem, reporting that he had for- warded tlicin to the (iovcrnor-general of Canada Extract of r.eport 01 the Lieincniinf-governor of I (ircnadii, on tlic Hltii' book for lt. -A^ ( IV i l)K:^l'AICll»> IKOM SIK WII.I.I.\M COI.KUKUOkl'—Mm^i'.K^i i Kfl. tlt'lM HllliU. IIAIK AND NI Mill It. • I BJK T. TAQt. ■ iH.-i,'. : 11. (iimrni.r Sir W illjuin^'olo- hriiokc III liik'lit Mull. Lord .1. Uu«iiill, IH Julv (No flj.) • KjirocI of SpiiTli on opf-ninp tbu .^'eiwion of the Lt't'i'luturu of liurbtdwa, on the nuiiject - 37 10. CidVprnorSir Williftin C(»!i!- briMik III l«l«turc, mid iidvopiitin.' llii' \lc»;< winch have Iwl to the itdiiplion of till' propustil in (juv:«tion 37 11. Govrrii'ir Sir W ill ium Cole- liriHiLi' til Ki^lit Hull. Liril .). itiisKi'll. 7 Au'.'ust (No. PAcr. 37 37 39 40 40 43 46 HI Klf»M moM wiifiM i)r>t'\ii ni> ii:<'M iiir si:( nEi'MiN <>r siati HATr ^xn MMrRii, I If .v. 21 i KiKiit lion. Sir \V. Mol.i- 1 1 Aupiist (No. 4. «ortli to liovfrnor Sir i W. Colt'brooke. Iji urkBowlrilirnicnf nf Dctipntrh ol ,1 Mny (No. 7 III i) i September (No. 4 ) 2.-.. j |l,,?ht Hon. Sir W. Moirs- 18 September (No. 18.) wortli to (iovernor Sir W. Colcbrooke. -•■' Riplit Hon. Sir G. (irey to Governor Sir \V. Cole- j brooke. i 2". i Ripht Hon. H. I.abouchcre to Governor Hinckn. i28. I Riirht Hon. H. I.abouehere, to Governor Hincks. 10 October (No. '.'.) Sppccli on openinif SenMdii nf 1 1 (.'ixlutiire of Har- biuloH lii'kiiowliili,'e(l. Oti.'erviiii.', m refireiiee lu the pii»^ii|;i' ri'k'iirdinL' tin. niiitiiiii iiliiiitinn nf (liitit-H ; thut ^M'eat ctiiitinii ih neceHMirv in e\preKi«- 111^' opiniiiii!' to till' |j'i.'i»luturi' nil i|ueiitionii uliectiu^r tlie j:eni'rnl jinliev of tin- Kiiipire Lieiitennnt-^.'nvirnor Ki ate's nttenlinri to lie ilrnwn to Circulars of ]•.• Jiilv and II .\iijru>t lH.j.) In acknowle l).'ni('iit of DespatclieH of 7 and 13 AiiK"»t (No:". II anil I -J of Herifs), referenre to previiiin ftni\ver< and n mark" in re^rard to the Treaty with the I'liileil States of .hine XX'ii In reply to I)ispntelie< of II and 'ij September I NoK. 1:J iinil H of series), views wtated by Governnr do not iilier the opiiiionx pretiously rnmimiuiciUed to him . . . . . '2-2 February (No 4.) 2H February (So. 5.) SuL'nr irrown in '•''iaiiii'h (^olonies. Enclosinff letter from Fir : OtHee on the subject of Sir W. ColebrookeV 4 ' iiiimendations in regard to. Ill reply to Dc.-pa ch of -27 November. (No. 17 of Series.) ...... Address from Leirislative Council of St. Vincent Beknowled;.'ed. (In reply to Depatch of 31 De- cember. No. 18 of Series.) . . . . ul r.a 40 47 47 48 60 Correspondence with the Governor of British Guiana. DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR WODEHOUSE. I 20. 30. Governor Wodehouse to Itight Hon. Lord J. Russell. Governor Wodehouse to Rijrht Hon. Lord .1. Russell. 31. Governor Wodehouse to i Right Hon. Sir W. Mole.sworth. aa. Governor Wodehouse to Riirht Hon. Sir W. Molcsworth. 1855 : 21 April (No. 48.) - 11 August (No. 110.) 17Scptember(No.l30.) 20 October (No. loO) Proposal of the Chairmai.- of a Committee of the Legislative Assembly iif Canada, for the mutual abolition of duties on the poductions of Canada and British Guiana rerjrlcd - - - - u7 In reply to circular Despatch of 12 July (No. 1 of Series), requesting instructions on the subject of - ij^ Pointing out the negative character of the course taken by the Legislature of British Guiana, in reference to the proposol in question • - SH Editorial Articles in the Royal Gazette newspaper, ciiclosed on the subject - - - • - 58 43«- i i i I ^•^■' DKSPATf IIKS KIMiM THK SKf HKTAHY (»K STATE. lit: m f;*tll' Corrrspontlriu'o with tlii" Govonior in Chief of the Loewanl I»*lan(Is. DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR. 30. 37. Governor Mackintofih to Right Hod. Lord J. Ruuell. IhSi-).- t) June (No. 47.) Governor Hamilton to Right 1 1 October (No. 1 .) Hon. Sir W. Moles- worth, Extracts of Addressei interchaofred between the Licufcnant-trovcrnor and the Council and As- 8('nihlv of St. Kitts, on the subject of the pro- posal ...... ..(!2 Despatch from Lieutenant-governor of St. Kitti, in explanation of the passage in his Speech relative to a Free Coiimicrcial Intercourse be. tn-een that Colony and Canada • - - 03 .>m 38. DESPATCH FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. Right Hon. Lord J. Russell to Governor Mackin- tosh. 1865: 14 July (No. 22.) In reply to Governor's Despatch (No. 36 of series), and calling for an Explanation of a passage in the Lieutenant-Governor's Speech on the subject of the propoBol from Canada .... OS DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR OF JAMAICA. i i 39. Governor Sir H. Barkly to Right Hon. Sir Wm. Molesworth. 18SJ: 8 September (No. 02.) In reply to circular Despatches of 12 July and 11 August (Nos, 1 and 2 of series), and reporting the course pursued on receipt of the proposition from Canada ....... 05 1 ■"Act. r.i C2 (12 en the 1(1 As- le pro- 02 Kittt, Speech rse le- " " 63 OS OS ^7^ C'<)PIES or KxTRArTs of any CoRRRKmNnKMCR which ha^* laken plact* hetwocn thf Coloiiinl Office and the (Jovcrnors nf our Xorfh .imiriran aiid /frit Indian Colonics, on the subject of a IVoponal for tlic Mutual Auni.iniiv ofCisTOMS DtTiF.8 uj>oa tlie J'roductionH uC Canada ami the WtM India, Circular Despatches from the Secretary of State. — No. 1. No. 1. CopYof a CIRCULAR DESPA'ICH from the Right Honourable Lord J. liussell Right Hon. Lord to the tiover'.iors of Her Majesty's Colonies. J- Hutwil to the (lOTcrnor^ ot Her -,. ,^ . . > « 1 .n,, .Maifity's ('olDnii-^, Sir, Downing-strect, I'J July ISS.'i. n July 1855. I nEsiRE to call your attention to a circular despatch addressed to the Governors of Her Majesty's colonies by Lord Stanley, when holding the seals of this department, on :i4th May 1843. His Lordship observes, in that despatch, that : "The imposition of discriminating duties on goods imported into tho British colonies, when the discrimination is made for the protection of some branch of British or colonial industry, is an office of great difficulty. To the right discharge of it, an intimate acquaintance with the commercial treaties and political rela- tions between this kingdom and foreign states is indispensable. To legislate on such a subject in ignorance of those treaties and relations, would be to render inevitable much serious practical error. " But, in the nature of the case, it is impossible that this knowledge should be possessed in the requisite degree by the various lociil Legislatures of the colonies of this kingdom ; they have no means of knowing the state or the objects of pending negociations, nor even of ascertaining, with absolute precision, the terms of treaties actually concluded. If they legislate at all on these subjects, they must do so in ignorance of some facts which cannot be safely excluded from consideration. " Neither is it possible that 40 distinct Legislatures, having no means of mutual communication and concert, should act consistently on such subjects. The local opinions or interests of each colony must dictate the laws of each ; and the general code of the empire, compiled from so many diflerent sources, must be at the utmost variance with itself on a subject on which unanimity and consis- tency is indispensable. In such a state of the law. Her Majesty's Government could not negotiate or treat, with confidence, with any foreign state, for com- mercial purposes ; nor could they fulfil such treaties as might be made. Painful and injurious discussions with those states must arise, and perhaps indemnities and compensations must have to be paid. " Nor is this all. If such laws should be promulgated to meet the local views and to advance the local interests of each particular colony, it would be impossible for the Ministers of the Crown, or for the commercial body in the United Kingdom, to ascertain with the requisite precision at any given time, what is the real state of a code so complicated, and framed by so many different authorities. " For these reasons, Her Majesty's Government decidedly object in prin- ciple to the assumption by the local Legislatures of the office of imposing differential duties on goods imported into the respective colonies. Parlia- ment having already prescribed the rules by which such duties are to be discri- 4;^!. A minated, • I i '', j vv"^ ( (iltltlSI'ONIH.NC r. ON TIIK MrTIAI, AnoMTION OF i; I iiiiri;>t('(l. with ri'in m c to llir |iliii r of oriu'iii or ot c\|M)rt, tu I'.irliaiiu lit aluiic till- i><>>«(r ot nitciiii:: tlio>><' riiltx lllu^t In- rt'M'rvfrr\i'ht tlif iiitro'liicliciii iiit" ilii' l.« u'ulaturr dI tlir (■iijiiiis uridir Miiir < inxcrn- 1 '. limit, 1)1 aiiv lau li\ mIik li coiiiiiry III IioikI troiii tiirfit;ii !tii;.'ar, tlimi in tlu' vi\>v of ^iii' iMiMic('i>>fiil, anil if any "ucli la>v *iIm)iiIiI Ik* |irr»nitid lor your ncTr|itHnfT, your fluty will Im' to wiililidld your ii--iiit to it. I n/iii tlic (li>char'_'c ol that iliity. InuMvcr iin|i"|iiilai' it iiia\ In', Mill will not >liriiiK ; l< r liy iliclinini; tu iinilcriaki' it, vnu wouiil niiK .sulijcct I It I Mujitiiy!* (iovirnuii'iit, and tlic culuiiy itt>clf, tu a Htill more scriuuK iiicoii- \i iiiptuf." 1 lia\i- intr'idiKcd into my iinscnt I)es|ialf'h tiie fircattr part of Lord Siaiilfv's; Imaiix', a!tliini:;li ^incc it was «iiitin tlic |iolify of the (iovirmin'iit III this country has iiniici;ronr u'liat inoditications, the principles l.iid dnwn in it n iniin un-hakcn, or arc. it' j ossibic, still nioif firmly established as part of our ('(iniincicial IcLiislation. liiilcr the old 8\e>tcm of colonial policy, the rolonifs of (ircat liritain were lioniid to very strict compliance with the views and supposed interests of the mother country. 'I'lii' iieople of Canada, for instance, were restricted from (ilituiiiiii^ articles of silk niuiiiifai ture Iroin France ; and tlio-^e of the Hriti-'h Vest I iidicM, provisions and lumber from the United States; in order ihut the iiiaiiufa( turcrs and merchants of tliiti kingdom mi^ht enjoy an cKcIiisive (xis- si'>-sion of the eoldiiial inarl.cts. The iilaxation of thin sy>tem, as rcf^ards the colonies, was cfTcctcd f^radually, and by a scries <>f lei;i>lative measures, while, at the same time, the principles of Iree trade «erc iiiakin^r pro^'icss in the eommercial leiiislaiion of the mother rountry itself; and, after prolouL'ed diHciission, the final triumph wa.s achievcfl by the Act of IblU, commouly known a.s tlie Act for the l(e|ieal of the Navi- gation Iaws. 'J'hus the protection which it was in former times thought expedient to grant to Hritisli industry against tbreign coni|)ctitioii in the colonial markets, and thiit which was accorded to the colonies in the home market, have been removed liy the ado]>tiun uf ]irinciples of legislation more enlarged in their scope and tendency. And wliile we have ceased to impose duties fur the purpose of protection to the Dritish producer in the home market, no attempt is made to prevent the colonies from admitting, upon equal terms, to their markets, the Kritish, the foreign, and the colonial producer. Hut this policy of freedom for the jirodiicer and the trader, as well as the consumer, would be "seriously afli'cted, if colonial Legislatures were to establish ilifi'crential duties in favour of their own natural productions or manufactures, whether against the British or the foreign producer. And a similar violatioa of the principles of free trade would result if favour were show n, in the legisla* tion of u colony, to one colony over another, by the reduction or total abohtion of duties in favour of jiarticulur colonies. In addition, therefore, to the mischiefs apprehended by Lord Stanley, and clearly pointed out in the letter to whicli 1 have directed your attention, measures intended to impose differential duties or prohil)itory checks upon importation into the colonies, involve a departure from the course of legislation which has been deliberately adojited by the Imperial Legislature, and which has resulted, by all but universal consent, in consequences roost favourable to the general prosperity of the community. An attempt at this period on the part of one, or a few, of the British colonies to separate themselves from the general march of progress towards commercial freedom, woulil inevitably entail much loss and inconvenience on the particular communities concerned, and could not fail to lower their position and reputation throughout the empire. In order to guard against these evils, I have to instruct you to withhold your assent to Bills passed by the legislative body of your colony, if they should contain ^v V ^]fc r otlicc to ir (inMTII- • •«• to tlw'ir I. Iii li.e y iiiijiotnii; III Mi.'iir tTSTOMS DUTIES IN CANVDA WD TIIF. WKsT INDIFS. rnitlain |iri)viHiuii<, litlirr iii (lie iiittiirc ot |iriiliil)itii>iiM ul tlu' imporlniioii m nrliilfH (rorn flsfwht- n- iiiiKhh wlieu |iulilir oalrlv nun ri'<|iiir'' it , nr ini|>oi»im (lirt't |)r()(iui< d in >oiir colony it<«-lt, or in fiivour </o/.<. worth, IJart., ti) titu Ciovcrnors of the Wist Iiniut Colonii's. Sir. !)i>wiiiiif;->tr«it, II All^ll^t I'^.Vi, 1 iiAVK to ac(|iiiiint you tliat tlic attintioii of Ijir .Ma)i>i\'-. (Jovtrmmiii ha-* hocn (.'allcil to a pru|i()Hul wiiicli has ln'cii nuiilc ior the nuitual almli'i >ii ot CuHtoiii (ititii'M npoii tlic |iroiiii('ti()ii> of Canada and ot tlu' W cot Imliii coloiiu's. Ill n rt'irnt d spntcli • Ironi tin- (ioviTii'ir-iriiiiTal of Canada, datid tlii' 2t)tli ultinio, I am inforincd that tlu* (Minniunication in which that arran.:ciniMit was proposed lor ci>n>idi'ralion emanated from the chairman of a committii' of the Lci:i»lativc \'<-iiiiidy of Canad.i. It appears, however, that neither the miu'.ucs- tion it»elf. nor the n'porl of the mmmittee, whieli wasHiil)se(|vicntly presented to the l.o^iiilative A>senihly, lins been disciisx-d by the l>'<;islritiire uf Canada, and that it would he premature to suppose that the KxecMitive (ioverninent, or the lA;:i>laline of Canada are commilted to the ado|)tion nf the pohcy therein indicated. I transmit t(» yu for your information ;i copy of a letter froni the I.nrd^ i-f tlje ( omniitlee of I'rivy Council tor Trade, to whom a despatch | from the (iovernor of Ilritisli (iuiaiia respecting this proiiusition was refernd lor consi- deration. Her .Majesty's Government woulJ icu;ani the jiroposed arriin'.;ement as very ohjcctioiialile ; on tiii' jirouiids, tir.st. that it wouhi s parate ( onuiu rcially, so li-.r as such an arraiii;i ment is ciiiceriied. llie c(do!iies wlio entered into it Iroin tlie rest of tlie empire; secondly, that it would be injurious, not only to the interest of consuiiiers in the colonies, who were a party to tlu' arraiiLjement, hut to the interests of producers in every other jiait of the euipiir ; and thirdly, tii.it it would be inconsistent with the Imperial policy of free trade. It is the earnest ilesiro of Her Majesty's (ioxeinnu nt to maintain and extend a course of |)olicy which shall closely unite together by ties of mutual interest the whole of ller .Majesty's Colonial Kmpiivwith the innther country. To such a policy any im asures tendinj; to form the colonies into separate i;roups with peculiar and exccpiiiHial commercial relations, would be oppctsed, and Her .Majesty's (iovcrmiient, therefore, tru.st that they will not be asked to submit for Her ^lfljest_^'s approval Acts or Ordinances giving cH'ect to measures of that character. I have, &c. (signed) \V. Moleswort/i. lii^'hl Hon. Sir W . .MiMinwiirth, B.irt , In till' (ia%«Tni)r\ of III!' NV mt Imnu CoNlIlM •, I I Aujju.i i8j5. «H. 4- J«./ :l"'i< '";,;. I'liK"-' r>:- Enclosure in No. 2. Office of Coiiimittee of Priry Council for Trade, f^ir, Whiteliail, 26 June les.l. TnK Lords of Conmiittee of Privy Council fur Trade huvc had undtr their tonsidemtioii En?l. in No your kttfr of the 13tli instant, transmittin" for tiieir observations, by direction of Lord .lohii Russell, copy of a dcspiiti h from the Governor of British Guiana, respecting u proposal which had bpcn ieh Guiana. 1 uni to request that you will inform Lord John KnssclJ, that the proposal which forrai the subject of Governor VVodehouse's despatch, apjiears to this Board to be open t< objectii, to jj'rave Since the adoption of free trade as the peneral principle of the coinnirrcial policy of the \ United Kiii>:doin, it has been the object of IF»?r JSl.ijesty's Government, in advising or con- r trollinsi the legislation of the British colonies in matters utfecliUj^ trade, to discoiuaue the \ maintenance or adoption of protective duties in colonial tantis. " 1 43'- A 2 The I I Ill %T I * ' r'op.-ai. 4 COUHESPONDENCE ON THE Ml Tl'AL ABOLITION OF The rftect of tin- urruiii;riiipiit «liicli i* now proposed between Csinuda and nritisli y dihiri.iiiiiatiii'j dtitien, tlie pr(Miiicv uliich ii:iii«iire the same advantai;e would have been derived, willioiit liie mliini:einint !pf|.iMi(ipU' involved in the present proposal. Thiols, l.owevii, tar liiMu l)cin'f; the ea^i' ; on llie lontiary, it a|)j)ears obvious that the in' .cement vvhieli liiis It il iIkm' two eolonu- to entertain the piojeet in (pie-itioii, has been the mutual prnti; liiai ulmli its adoption v»ould •■icuk! to tin n pvoduetioU!: ; for instanee, ("anudian liMiihii \\< nil! I'lijov a nioi.o|io|v ol the market in Itiitish (iuinna, to the exrhision of thu lundj<-r of the I'nited Slates; and the sugar of Hntish (iuiuna would underiiell thu sugar of Jauiaien and if Cuba, in thi' markets ul Canada. Ah artificial stimidns would by these means be (;iven to the industry of particular loralities; and the inierest of the consumer in the two colonics would be prejudiced by ail arbitrary interference with the free operation of trade. My Lords are not aware of any exceptional circiimstanrcs in the condition of these two colonies, which \\ould justify or render expedient a deviation from general principles in this particular case ; and tliey observe from a dcspiitch* of the Governor of Uarbadoes, trans- mitted in Mr. Merivale's letter of the 2'.:d inttui.*. that a resolution to the same effect has been passed by the House of Assembly in that colony, so that it seems probable, that uidess tln' present measure is disccuraped, it may receive um extension which mijjht seriously compromise tin; system of commercial policy which llcr Majesty's Government is anxious to maintain throusihout the Hiitish em])ire. It is necessary to remember that the ]>roposal now under consideration, derives some colour Injm the treaty recently concluded between Her Majesty and the United States, providini; lur the mutual admission, duty free, into tht! I'nited .States and the North American Provinces, of certain ai'ioles of their res|H'etive produce. In saietioniiiii this coiiveiuion, il cannot be denied that Her Majesty's Government de- viated (loin the rule which forms the fnndauicntal principle of their recent commercial policy, but the political motive which determined them to adopt this course upon the occasion in (piestion, was ol a kind to counterbalance and outweii;li considerations of purely com- mercial expediency. Wiietiier any such exceptional gioaiuis exist ii; the present case, it is for Lord John Russell to decide; but in tin ir absence, my Lords would recommend that the Governor of British Guiana shoiilil be inlormcd that Her Majesty's Government cannot absent to a pro- position of the kind under consideiatiuii. I am, &.C. (signed) James Booth. NADA. Correspondence with the Governor-General of Canada. CANADA No. 3. t-overnnrCieneral Sir U. Head to The Kight Ilun. Lord J. Russell, ic July 1855. inAi — No. 3. — (No. 88.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor-General Sir E. Head to the Right Honourable Lord Jo/m Russell. Government House, Quebec, 20 July 1855. (Received, August 1805.) My Lord, (Answered, 10 August 1865, No. 18, p. 38.) Some misapprehension appears to have prevailed with reference to a proposal said to have been made on the part of Cana^'a, for establishing free commercial intercourse between this province and the British West Indies. The enclosed copy of a report to me by the Attorney- general for Canada East, and of a despatch addressed by mc to his Excellency Sir William Colebrooke, Governor-general of Barbadoe;-, tS;c., will explain the nature of the position apparently assumed by Mr. Meiritt. I also enclose a printed copy of the report made by Mr. Merritt's committee, whicli contains copies of the circulars forwarded by that gentleman. 1 was not aware that any such step had been taken, until I received the communication from Barbadoes, to which my despatch is a reply. I have, &c. (signed) Edmund Head. CUSTOMS DUTIES IN CANADA AND THE WEST INDIES. J%« Enclosure I, in No. 3. Memorandum. CANAnA INAnA. ij ^ViTll rcfori'iirc t'> the (li'«[>;iti'li fiom H;\tl) nines, I wmiM rp<;prctfiilly «iit)inif, for the j-nei, | ;„ No i rDiisideratioii nt' lii-. l",\ci'llt'iKv tin- (iiivi'riiiir-i.'ciii nil, whi-lluT, after (lefiiiiiiy; Mr. Mcrtitt's trill! ])ositioii 111 tho iiKittor, iiiid (li'chiiini; to ;is»ii!ii" any ics|>(inslhihty, nr make aiiv |)lt'ilj;t; (111 t)('lial( lit the (i ivcniinriit nl (';itiaila, I'.is Iv:iillt'iicy vvmild iint Jcpm it in'ci'-isarv to assure the (iovnior (if Haiba'liii"* tliiit flif rt'soliiliiiii-i adoprrd bv the LciTislatiiro cif lliat island will lip dulv laid UitnH our I'.irl.ami'iit at il-< next Sc-sion. 'I'lifse resoliitiions, especiallv tlmsi' ]iiss"d liv ttie I.iwcr Huiisc, ;irt' so drawn, u-« to i^ivc tliiMii tlu' appcitratu-e of ])roCft'(liiii; lidiii a spcmtaiicoiis iinpiilsi' of tlie llmisp. Moreover, they will most assuredly be called tor, if not laid on the table at an early period of the Session. 1 have, &c. (sii^ned) /,. T. Dritmmoiid. 'llespectfiilly submitted for your Excellency's perusal and directions. 2S June issr.. ! \ policy, Enclosure 2, in No. 3. Sir, Government House, Quebec, ."> Jidy 1 «.").•>. In answerini^ your Kxcelleiicy's despatch of the .Id of .May la-t, it is essential that { should first define Mr. Merrill's true position, wliieli has, in some dciiree, been misiiiuier- stiiod by the authorities of Harbadoes. Mr. .Mer/tt was the chairnian of a eoininittee of the l.c'islative Assembly of Canada, appointed to inquire into the coininercial inieicoiiise between Canada and (iieat Britain, the West India I'ossessiuiis, the United States, and i^llier f'oreiun countries. That eoininittee made a ' ■ ort, which in the usual course, uas ordered to be printed for the inforinution of the House : but at the time of the Frorojiatioa, neither such report, nor its snl)ject-matter, had been discussed by the J.cirislatiire. I fi'el convinced that Mr. Merrill's cotumunicalion must have (.>ris.rinated in some error, inasmuch us hi; could not, as simple chairman of a committee of inquiry, have wished to supersede the Executive Government, or Lave desired to commit beforehand the whole Le<;islature of Canada to some definite line of policy on so important a subject. On my own \ta.\t, 1 must disclaim the ,-esponsibility of pled• U. articles were furnisiied to the consumer in the United States at less prices thait in Canada ; and, secondly, whether the encouragement of manufactures would i)romote the general interest; and, if so, what legislative action would, in their judgment, best attain that object. 431. A3 After ti^ CAS ADA t I Aj)|i. H., No. I, |l. m). ,6 COIll'.KSl'ONDKNCK ON THK MUTUAL ABOLITION OF Alrcr . Xiiiiniim- tlir ;iii-«ir», «tal.'iiPiils. iiml oliuiiil rdiiriis :ip[nrMl.>>iiit'Ml uiil III M tlu: iiliii' i('|>iirt III Mr. AiiiirewH in 1H.'>:<, I'lKicr tlii' Cuiiadiun tariff „t -J J |. fron ii.f r lit. and diM'riiiiiii:itii ■d Stall liili< s, it iiicrriisiMl in a ratio of throe tu une over timt Since till- eliaiiL'P i" tin' ci)lniiiiil coniinerciul policy of the liii|M;- ;d with timt ol the irlii rial (iinciiiiiiiiit II has decrtHHi. , , , I'hited Slatis. IJcuMxi-r, il idiitiniii <1 ti> iiiiiease in imports from l,)iiiU,iiii,'l/, in 1H49, tu :>,~U\''.Vil. ill Iti.'it; and in <'X|iiiils lidin 1 .:i 1^,42 1/., in lr<41i, tj •J,711»,171t/. in l»ft4, ailliomjh alnio-l wliolly r..idiiitci to lindier. ( )l thi- total e.vpoiU o( -Jji-KiiimA in If 63, i.iilv .'I'Jl.ol?/. were the pioduit of the inine, thi! .sea, and of annciiltiiru. Alllioiii;li v.irioii> ri a-oii» liiive lieeii as»iL:iii(l tor tin- roiiipaiiilive diminution of this trade, slili no ctrriliial lemedy ha- liein ailoplid to i heik il. \\er(r eoii-lnicted iit a lai'ie piiljlie expenditure tor the piir|>i We-lern Slules to the poits of Moiitrc il and (Viehe<'. Thev Tlie St. Lawreiu-e Canals Ii.iuiiil; the trade of the laveiii'i iiiilv faded in attaiii- iiii: that olpjrel, lint even the tiade ot We-tero t'unadu itselt, on and ;il)()ve J..nke (Jutniio, lias lieeii (h\erled to llie port- of Ne\V York and Uoslun. Prior to ls47 pnhlie opinion was direc'ldde Ixnetit accrued to the S|. l^awrence . (iriat ex|iectati()ns are still Meld out that the comjietition by An. erican vessels the reciprocal iieatv will produce a chaii'j;e ; hut so loni; as this iiade is confined lent nam vv limiN, the north side of the !St. Lawrence, and so long as public to favour the port of New York, and ihe natural falicitics which the Canal!' under to its prcse bounties couliniie I' St. Lawrence jio.-esses coiitiliue to be iiei;lectO(l, so long will our etforts to ie>;ain this trade be unavailinu. Hut vour ccnimiltee is convinced that so so n us the natuial udvanta^es of the St. Lawrence loute to the ocean are well understood, the area of its coinnierce will be cxteiitlcd. A vessel eariyni: flour or other produce iiiav, at this inonient, dpsceiid from the head of Lake Suiieiior or id' Micliigaii to the port of (Quebec, with a larger carao in less lime, and at less co»t, than she can lo any other Atlantic port, the price fioin Chicago, or from any intcrnudiale jjori on Lake MichiLian or Krie, being iieaily one-half less than to ilie port of >ew Yolk. Hut the ddleieiice iii the price of ocean freights from those two ports respec- tively to Liu'ipof the Lukes, which nalnre has de-igiied should seek (Quebec as a port of ocean ship- iiieiil, has licen tlivirlcd into the jiauds of its rival. One of the principal causes of this superiority is apparent, 'file bniiiilies given by the Govcrninents of Great Uiituin and of the Uiiiled Stali"),000 s(piare miles. Althougii but a small |)ro])ortion of it is yet settled, it furnishes at this time a supply of one-and-a-half millions of tons, and has doubled its produce wiiliin the last five years. The tiade of ihis boundless country, including that lying west of Lake Superior, which in a few years wdl be intersected by lailways to the base of the Rocky Mountains, and in due time lo the I'vific Ocean, will warrant any judicious expenditure to facilitate and chi'apeu transportation by the St. Lawrence. The removal of the obstructions between Lakes fit. l-'rancis and St. Louis, lecently surveyed by Messrs. Maillefert and Haaslofl", and enhir-'in"' the locks on the provincial canals, would open this navigation throughout to the ocean for btciimers of the largest class, and reduce the interior Irciirhts to miniiniim prices. AVhile, on the other hand, the discontinuance of the public bounty between Liverpool and New York or the giving of aid to the same extent between Quebec and Liverpool, for building up a niaiine of e<]ual capacity and sjiecd, would reduce the ocean freights in the same propor- tion, and bring back the trade to its natural channel, great encouragement would also be given towords the estnblishnient of so desirable an object by the con.s^ ruction at Quebec of tidal docks, for which the greatest Jiicilities exist, and the revenues from which, when made it is expected, would amply repay the cost. These improvements, in connexion with daily lines of steamers to Chicago would inevitably secure for the St. Lawrence the trade of the gre.tt West against any successful competition from any other quarter, during the six months of suninier, for all future time' and there is no ];ait of Cutiuua that is not as n.uch interested as another in extending the aid of provincial credit for providing the facilities which your conimiitee now vcntureo to suggest. II. 27ie Ct^ ilS DL'TIKS IN CANADA AM) THE WKST INDIl-s. i'ii II. The ('(immtrciiil Iiiti-retiitise lif/irnut Cinuiila iinil the other l>nti>li y^ilh Am'iiiun I'vliitiies. 'I'lip viiliip of the trail'- willi tin'-c jvisac-ision* aiiimiii'cd iii IP.M, to ;i7:l,i"i7 /. ; in IHAl, fi.'i4,l)0l A, of whirli Hit.oH-.'/. wcrr iiiii>ort', anil tlip dulics tlicrpoi) 1i\.W\ I. Siiijnr a:j tn open n coni- niiiniration witli tlicsp miiinip*, with n vipw ot liirnislim'^ tli<' l.i'ui-liitiiri' with aniniai stilp- nii nts of the ri'-i'iiiccs ;imiI ii turns ol llip tiadf :in i ii«t iin* ilulns c.illfcli'il liv p;ich. A tabular ■•tati'inpiit was prtj) in-il, iroin which it iipppared that tlip iMi|iiilatii)n in !><'>1, includini: Canada, nniiihpipd 'i.JltT.'Jl'.i ; thn irvcmif IroMi eii-foti's anwuiiifpd to :i7ii,'.i:t« /., hpinj; an avcrauP per lit ad for I'lmada of Hjj. 2', il., Niw nninwick lo.s-. 1 1 } . f^\i« d to tliP Sccii'lary of path (ioviTiiineiit (a oojiv of which will he (outnl in Apppiidi\\ lint no rpplifs hiivf as vpt bipn rpi'i-ivcd from thrm. Wlipthcr from tin- i^i ii_;iiip!ii(itl poMiion of the I!rili«h posspssioiis in .Xawrica, a frpp intprt.-oiiisc would nirna-.- llicii ciinct Iradr, can oiilv hr iim'i rtnincd hv iii^i'c.: it a for trial. I'roni the Invourahle pimition the Norlliprn Frovincps occnpv hptwccn thi' Mpditcrnincan, the West Indies, and tlv W i-lirn States, your cmniiiiltcr are otOpiniou that the aerii.'iilliiral production of the West would lie exci allied at ( iir ports for thi' piuilnctions of the KasI, in addition to their liiniher and (i-li, Ivirnishiii-jr return cari^oe^, anil opeiiimr a direct and apparently profitaMe trade. Their shipping intorct wciuld po»ses> llu advaiitaiie ol eiuplov- nieiit in tliP iiilaiid n ivi;;ati>in dnrine- ■iMiiii;,,'r, and on the ocean diirilej, the winter. Voiir coiniiiittep would, under all these circninstancps, leconiineiei theiefoie a free coiii- mercial intercourse hctweeii t-'anada and the nci^hhourinj; pro\iiii"es of Murth Aincrica. .Alt .■V ,.. J.-.. i. A., Not I M- II. App. U., .Na. 4, II. -7. to J I A., Nos. I |.. II. Nm. i;i! to :m;. III. Commercuil Iiilerruuine lirtirePii Canada and the liritis/t H'est India Islanh. In 18."i4 the value of West India productions imported umoiinted to 3U.'l,U70/., of which onlv (i'Jl /. came diiect from tiie I'litish possessions, 5 1,1'* 1 A fr'iin (oreiicn i-l.iiids, and f)i»,7/. throiejli Nova Scotia, Ne.\ toiindland, and Prince l'.dward"s Inland in all, tkj the St. Lawrence, 114,7n!t/., leavinj; 'Jlli.-iiil A lo reach Canada tliioUi;h the I'uited States. It will thus he seen that the direct trade betiveen ("anaiia and the Uritish W est Inoies, liy the way of the St. I.awience, wliieh a few years a'.:o was in a Hourishinj; euiidition, lius almost dis,i])peared. Circulars were addressed to the ditrereiit Colonial Secictarios, with a view of ascertaiiiiui; whether, in their opinion this trade cuuld, by ii reniuvul of all duties be revived, and the replies received are favourable. IV. Conimerciiil liitercouse helween Canada and the United States. In 18-40 the Imperial (iovernnipnt chanired her colonial commercial policy, and the inarkpts of Great liritain were thrown ojien to the products of the Cnitcd States without stipuliitinp; that they should receive the products of the Hiitish ]irovinceson the >aine terms. Tl lis chani;p established two pricis (or agricultural productions on the frontier; tlu? grower in Canada, aceordiii'j; to the course of trade, receiving 20 per cent., or the amount of the duty, less than the !:r2 and I85i),pktimate$ the amount of tolls collected on the productions of Canada, passinir over the New York canals, at jl3(Mt,000 per annum. Only 31,6()1 /. of the above exports were in square timber ; the remuiiKier were the productions of the soil, and sawn lumber. This rapid increase of the trattic und trade through the United Sta'p"- and conseipient decline of tralHc rid the St. Lawrence is ►uititled to deep attention. The statements Nos. 10 and II exhibit the annual inerease of the trade between the two countries, in the United Slates since 1830, and in Canada since l»t49. The very alile repoit ol the lloii. .lames (luthrie, Secretary td' the Treasury of the United Stales, contains numerous tables, not only confirming this increase, but ati'ordiiig useful in Kiuiation relating tu the foreign and doiucttio trade of tlie United Slates. Their iiuporta App. R., .Nos. 10 & 11, pp.31 &. 12. A3*- A4 in i^- fii ^1 iii CANADA. A] p. n., No. 1, Ai-r. A I cttpr f U iitdii Umi'iui culture, 4.1, p. 22. rom W. Kmi., of Agri- 8 amRMSPONDKNCH ON TUC .Ml' Tl'AL AB()LlTlf»N OF ill IH.-,| ucrp jl:»0l.:.ti:i,.181, export* of t'orcL'n and doiiiotic pmds |27t<,-J41,(ii;», l< iivii,(f III! <:xots* oCiiiiporH over rxport-s to liii> |«r ci iit. ml vulnrctii, to two ••rhediilcs ipf ^5 anil 100 per tent. rcHpecllvelv ; albo the r-inoval of diitie* on all raw iiiatirials used in inaniilaclures. <'onsi>iin^ iif 1!I7 iiitiilec, to lorie-poiid willi Mr. < iladstoiie's lodiictioii of the Kii'.'iish tariti of 1H4:|. Ill e.dliiit.' till' iiMciitioii of <.'oii;;r(ss to tlm rediiitioii, .Mr. Gullirif >ays : " In lecociiisiiiir aM I do llie principle that diilu's •.lioujcl be livied for revenue, and not tor |)roteclioii, i liave considcii il It no depaiture froin llii.- priiiriple to eomiterael tlie lei^islation uf other cuniitriesi, and niiike the ^aine articles lice iiiuler our laws that are free under liieirs." Jlo prove* from the tabli"! exhibited tiiat iht! proposed reduction will leave an ample revenue to di— rharge ihe public delit, pay the expenses of (Joveiinncnt, and allow u reduction of taxation from |&ti,(i7 J,:i!m to ^47,7di»,y2o. \'. Ciimmercial Iiitercoiirie between Canada and other Foreign i'uunlrifs direct. The trade of (iJaniida fioni tiie sea-coast of Labrador to the head of Lake Superior is naturally directed to (irtat Hritain or to the United States, where, under their drawback Kysteuis, the productions of th- world centre, and arc furnished at the lowest prices. At no distant day, the competition lor the forei;;n trade of tlie Western States will be between the direct route of the St. Lawrence and that bv the Atlantic ports of the United States, the latter beinp; subject to a transhi|)ineiit at lintValo and other lake or river jiorts. In If.'ul, the value of this traib; info Canadian sea-ports aniuunted, in imports, to 2(>><,5o7/. ; exports, 02,44h/. ; in aP, :iJ0.9iij/, liisi^'uificant as it is al present, it should not be lost siuht of; for so soon as the connexions of our lakes and rivers arc completed, a diiect trade n.nst sprinn up between the interior and all parts of the worltl, tiie extent of which it woidd be difficult to estinuite. Ci:.NEH.VI, Remauks. TiiK object of ibis investi;;ation is to p..int out the position of the inhabitants of (.Canada, as compared wiih that of the people of the adjoiniue- States, with the view of plr.cin^j them on n foolini; not less favourable. Hy the iceiproeity Acts of 18,'i4, this has been aecompli>he(l, so fur .-is the urower is concerned, but not so as reunrds the coiisunur. To atlain the snnie advanf a;.;ts for the liilter, vour loiiiniittee liaxe exanuned the ditleient tarills of the two countries, wbiili exhibit the (!itlereiit commercial policy pursued, and the ditlerrnt results produced. In Canada, for instance, tea, coffee, and other articles in ueneral use, arc subjected to duty, while in tlie United .stales they are admitted free. In Canada, such manufactured articles us should be produced by the industry of our own people are chnrgeable with a «luty of 12j per cent.; in the United States, from 20 to 100 per cent. ; confiniiig the comparison to the staple manufactures of cotton, woollens, and iron. In lUAS, the importations of theso articles into the United States amounted to ^80,4i')7,209, avera|zing ^3. 20 for each iidia- i.itant; while the like manufactures imported into Canada amounted to |7,b8,'),07)!, averaging lor each inhabitant ^a. 50 per heau. The amount of those imports were in the following ])ropurtions, from difl'eient countries; viz., Great Britain, ^5,819,8'J2; United States, '^•J,0.10,904 ; all other parts of the world, ^(1.33,868, This result proves that the United Stales furnishes tis with from one-third to one-fourth of those articles cheaper than we can procure them elsewhere. The total value of foreign merchandize imported into ilie United States was ^304,5Gl,38i ; duties thereon, ^58,072,390; being an average consump- tion, for a populatien of 2,'j. 000,000, of about ^jiri; and average duty jj2. 2,") per bend. The impons into Canada, of corresponding articles, amounted to 1 40,629,324, and ihc duties to ^ 4,900,192; being, for a pojuilation of 2,0(iO,000, ^20 for the former, and ^2. iio for the latter, per head. From which it appears that the inhabitants of Canada individuallv consume double the aniouni of foreign impons, and pay higher duties, than the inhabitants of the United .states. Manvfactiircs. — The entire capital invested in the various manufactures in the Uiiiied States, on 1st Jmie 1850, ainoiintpd in round numbers to ^600,000,000; the value of law niatciial niannfacturcd was i550,00ti,ono ; the amount paid tor labour, |24o,00(i,0(io ; the value of the niannfuctured articles, #1,020,300,000; the number of persons einploved was 1,050,000. The amount of home m'rinnfactuied articles exported by them in 1854, «as $ fi4,242,073, of which $ 38,002,570 was gold and silver coin. The capital invested in nianuliictures in Canada, or the value of the articles manufactiirn!. connot be give.i with any degree of accuracy, as tlit census returns merely give the nmnljcr of saw-mills, and maniilactures from wood, Houring-mills, grain and various descriptions ot machinery incident to all new countries; but give no inibrniation as to the value of tl(> material. The exports of manufarlured articles amount fo #140,124, of which #107,8;!J are to the United States, consisting of iron, woollens, wood, stiaw-hats, rags, groin. d Elaster, and a few other articles; showing that tinder our present policy capibil has not een invested in the munufacturc of cotton, wool, or iron, to any extent. The principal cause of the excess of foreign importations into Coniida, in proportion to its population, over tho«e of a similar kind into the United States, arises from the fact ilac SUi 11 ^ir^ CUSTOMS ni'TIKS IN CANADA .'ND THK W F.ST INnil.S o fiiily sill|l4 In \ . Kinu'l..!-. .I..t rm.l.',-'V ■.'11Im;;i. such articles nre not proiliiccd licro tn iiny extent, whil" in tlie I'liittftl StutP* thfv :irf t'.\\\l)A. Iiiuiiiitactnrcil in !-ucli <]i:!iiiti(y U'^ to niovt aci'.tjiii |iri)|>()rtion of tlir liciu.tnd lor tlnni : , and vet, it'tliortr is a coiniliy in tin- world wiu' c siuli nmi'dacliircs iDidd ho cxiwctiil f.> Hoiiii>li, It is (.'iinada. W at biipply iMj|iniil<'d. The cliiiiatf, owini; to the Ioiil'' winters in l.nwei Canida, diir.n'^ wliuli the popiilatmii are iim niplnyd, uisuics a supply ot l.il)oiir at low prii i-s ; and ihe ixpurt- of Biraw hat> and bonnets is an iMdence at least ot' tlie cli^^iic tor einjloynieiil a;iioiiL;st Us iniial'itants, wliieii nii^lit he turned tu more piulitab'.i' aeeount. Yonr coniinittee can see no <^ood reasi'ii uliv tlie same li'i;i-,laliv(! eiieoura.;iineiit in Canada sh(juld )li>t puxliicc tliu same results as it lias done in tlic I nitid ^tall'S. TIik Mlhje.t, however, <|i/es not seem to have altiai ted much publie attention in I'anada.as onlv one Hoard olTrade, and but very lew individuals, have furnishi.'d the committei' with thtir views upon it. The leplirs reeeived recomnieiid t!ie inerease of duties on the importations of all artiilrs which can be nianulaetiireil in (jaiiada, and a re Imtion on all raw material recpiiied Cor the same : as also a rLiluctioii ol tli • dntus on those articles in general Use, wh cli cannot be produced here. Coneuiriiii; in the opinion of the Secretary of the Treasury of the t'nit''(l States, that it is DO tleparture from the general principle of tree trade to counteract the leifislatiun of ol ler countries, your Cominillie recommend that the principle of reciprocity m our coimuiMV i.il les;ishition be exteiiiled to the productions of mauid'actuies, as well as those of ai;ricultiire ; anil that the same rate of duties be iiu|)oscd on the manufactures of the United States as aie imposed by that (Jovenimeiit on the manufactures of Canada. Herenue. — The operation of our j)resent dr^vback or bonding system is not j;eiierally understood. In Gri at liritain and the United States, where lar^e amounts are warehoused ami ai;:iin re-exported to forei.;n countries, this system confers great advautJiges on the shippini^ interest, and nuleed on every branch of commerce. In the United Stales, the imports from (ireat ISritain and her possessions alone, amounted to ^ U>a,nl(s,0!),'), of which an amount of ^ l,">,744,»i»l wai re-exported. But the waieliousiu'^ svstem, it seems to vour committee, is only required where re-ex- portation IS meant to take place, and is not adapted tor a purelv internal trade. It lenders necessary the erection or renting of numerous buildings for the purpose of storage and dehvery of goods, with all the consequent e\|)ense of attendants of every description, thus creating a heavy charge upon the public, while the only object it can possibly secure in this countiy, is the saving of a small sum of interest to the im])orter on the duties he would have to pay, if exacted fiom him at the time of importation. But it ap])ears to your committee, that the old system of extending a -redit to the importer, on his giving bond for the pay- ment of the duty, is a much more ec(U)ouiical one for tlie public, and better adapted to the trade ol this province. It will be for the Government to consider whether it woiilil not be well to revert to it, as it wouhl not only render unnecessary the heavy expenses of ware- liousin.:, but would also remove any objection the importer might have of paying interest on duties before the goods had entered into actual consumption, such reasonaiile delay being given as would attbrd time for their sale to his customers. Theie are only 17 principal ports on the frontiers in the United States bonlcrin.; on ,\|ip. H., N'o. 1". Canada, and durin;; a period of 24 years (since 1830), an increase of only one lia« beiTi made. Whereas tliere arc 74 ports on the frontier in C.mada, bordering on the United No. 51. States, including 30 additional ports creatid since the year 1841, or during the period of 13 yea IS. In the United States the expenses of collection increased from |.><4,'24l in IS.K) to ^137, HI!) in 1848, exceeding the whole amount received by about ^4(»0,000. During this period of 1!) years the revenues increased from |(]3,2U4 to "j^l,0d-2,3(i8. In Canada the expense of collection increased from ^4.j,d84 in 1841 to |23!),01(! in 1SJ4 ; App. B., No. II. and the estimates for the present year have reached ^ 'iU0,0U0, while the revenue has increa-ed from ^yu3,336 to ^4,900,7(>8. These tables exhibit the relative increase of imports, revenue, and expenses of collection ^'"s- 10 & H. at each port and at different periods. Under the existing laws of the United States and Canada the duties on merchandize under bond, in passing through either country, cannot be evaded. The article must be entered at the sea-port where lauded, and bonds given for the payment of the duties, to entitle them to the drawback on the goods being re-exported. A few ports of entry, there- fore, at the most promi.ient points on the boundary of the two countries would he sufficient to protect this re>enue on toreisin imports tliroiiirh the United States, as well as on the manuliictures of that country; but this necessity for ports of entiy in the interior does not seem so obvious to your committee, nor, if the old system of giving bonds for duties were restored, would such cstablisluiients be required for the warehousing of goods uniler Her Majesty's lock. The Trade and Navigation Returns referred to in most of the above statements were introduced in 18J9, and your conmiittae have lound them useful lor reference, and as recording the progress of torei^n trade. But the statements enumerating the articles pass- 43' • " B i"B coiUM-.spoNnr.NC!: on rm: MrruAL aholition of -i1.--:': ? «: M f ;i iiiir lli(> liir.alH .mil l m ll"- :iiliii(ir, "(•■•npiii',' M |)a'.'<"< of fli.- Ti:i; al-n tiii- \ .iIik' oI fori-iitn ^(loiU f>ii wliiili (iulio-. Iia\c i) 'cn [iumI III tlic Uiiiti'd StaCcs. anil iii;am in C'aiiaila. The (Jiiiiiiiiitl.'"' "i.iilil -ii-^c>i tile iiroiiiK'ty ot t'luv -itatKti.-- Iiciii.; a-itiinpaiiK. | wi.h a writti'ii rcpiirl >iiiiilir i > thai ctllie Si.tni.iiv of llic Tri'a«iiiy ul thr rniicd .'''al'«, winch i> inmire.l hv law to l)<- |iiihli-li'(J aiiiniali'y. ."'luh a ii'|)ort would poml out I'immi year In year the (■oiir-o of tiadi', -ir_'::''it fiiil'iir ini]iioK'iiii>nt<, ami alloid -ciiiTal inl'uriiialioii on one of ihc iii.i>l iiiili'iit.inf -iil)|ccl-. I 1 wliifli pii!;lic attention can Icj ilircctcil. lii'ifUKi fiiim 'l\iU^ I'll I'rtiiiiiiiiil W'ir/is.- I'lom tlif ilivei-ion ol'llio liinlc of the Western Statis and A\ r>li'ni I'.inad.i to .New York, the toll.< on tiiu St. Lawrcnci' Canals sciircely pav llie lo-i 111 nianaiifiiiiiit and npiiir. In toiini'Moii Hiili this -idiim t ilic atti'iition of th" coinniillne li.is Iin-n iiatiirallv directed t.i the fllbil- ~tiil niakin_' hy tlic Stati- (iovcrnnu'iit of New York ti enlar;;e tiie laii; Canal, lor whicli Work an appropriation of ^ln,O0O,O(»O lia>- b"portation, and ritaiiun;; the trade of the West. At present an anirnil snin of one-and-a-half million of dollais is set apart from the canal revenue, in order to litjiiidate the principal of the State deht, and the toll of -J-Jj cunts is levied on every har;-l ol tloiir pass- inir tliroii'^h the eaiial, to enable that appropriation to he made. This toll, iitlded to the forwarder'- charge nf li-iaii Ull lo 'Mi cents, makes the whole evpeiise of linn^in.: a barrel of flour til lide-vvatei, tlii.>ii;:h the I'.rie ("anal, to M or liif Cents at this time. Uut should no diversion ,t the trade he ell'ected liom tliis channi 1 to the St, Lawrence, it is obvious that ,1 few \eai~ will >u!h(e tu |iay oil' the State debt, now amountiii|f to aljout ^•2:>,i)U0; and when this is etli'eted, the toll niny be reduced to t«o cents, and the eonsecjueiit total i;liar"e tor tran-pcri • f a barrel of tlmir to HO or 4(J cents only ; and if a lari-cr class of vessels be Used, that cliar.e niay he stiil fiiither reduced to 'J,') or ;in tents IVoai Lake p.rie to .\ew York. Ti) t oiinteract this inevitable lesult, the construction of a canal from tlie St. Law- rence to Lake < haniplain has become u necessity, ina>inucli as it would divert all that por- tion of tills Ir.ide which imw looks to the Eustern .States for consumers, and would thus not only prolong the permd of the payinentof the Mew York Canal debt, but tuable this province to raise as lar^e a revenue on the Canadian canals as can be realized oi< the New York canals, ,.r about .it:J,ooo,oou. The receipt of such an amount, or of any Iar;fe portion f>f it, would clVectually aid the sea Hade by the St. Law rence, inasmuch as no tolls are collected oil the lower portion of that river, and the revenue derived by means of the Chaniplain route woidd enable the (loveriiiiu lit to diminish the expenses on other branches of trade by (Quebec. Your committee would, therelbie, most eaiiiestly recoiunieild the early eom- uieiiceuieiit of that undertaking;. They are also of oiiinion that the removal of duties on clicaj), heavy and bulky articles by the St' Lawrence, will inereiise importations for the Western States, and conse(piently the tolls on the provincial canals, to an amount that would amply compensate for any diiuiliu- •ioii of revenue at the Ciistom-hivUse, arisin;; from such a step. t )■ I'rom till" Lcirislature : above statements your eominittce submit for the consideration of the 1st. The removal of all duties on the productions of the British Possessions in America im])oitcd by the St. Lawrence, on precisely the same principle as between the different States of the Inion. •lA. That the principle of reciprocity with the United States bo extended to the produc- tions of mamitacture, to the registration of Canadian and United States built vessels, and to the shipping and coasting trade, in the same manner as to the productions of a'^riculture. f 1 ;!d. That an address be presented to Her Majesty, jirayiu}; that the bounty on steamers ictwicn Liverpool and lioston may not be renewed after the expiration of existing contracts ir that an equivalent bounty be given to the St. Lawrence for six mouths of the year. 4th. The removal of all duties on cheap, heavy, and bulky articles by the St. Lawrence. ■)th. The deepenin;^ of the channel between Lakes St. Francis and St. Louis, immediately, tuul the extension of liberal aid towards the building of tidal docks at Quebec. Cth. The construction of the St. Lawrence and Champlain Canal, with locks of the same dimensions as Sault St. Mane, as soon as possible. 7tb, The extension of a credit to the importer, so as to admit of a reduction in the number of inland ports of entry, and in consequent expense to the public. All of winch is respectfully submitted. (signed) Wm. Hamilton Merrill, Chairman. CUSTOMS DiriKS IN CANADA AM) TilK WKST INDIKS. AlM'KMUX (A.) 3M ( \NADA I N r> K .\. C'.]y i>{ < irnilar I.riK r t.. tlic Colonial Sn i, liirics nf Biiii>ii N,.itli Aiiif l«laiiiU ; \ii!. lirB anil llif Wi-t ImU, • same No. :!— N, N... .i.-I'ii Vi w Ilniii>«iil. "tia Mtiil (', lllTto .'. R. l',irM'.\T. |>r,. . II.. Ijlnanl's Nlaiiil • h Ih •1. Niwfcinn'Uaihl 11.- Triiii.l.i.l 7.- Itiillia^lnrs . It. 'i'lif MalianMs I' miii'is I.nnL,''.\ (M .Iniiii'^ ('rii\vil\ , 1',' W. ( til. Iv i. Sti w.irt. Iv T. \: .roiii.M..] Jiinit'!! Walkii Il.m. C. a. N.' K-i Tl li. i,l.i> Nil. iH.--iiiiti>;, f;u No. I l.-lli.n.liiras Nil. lu'.— .\miiiia So. l:! No. 14. No. ],i, No. Hi. No. 17. No. Hi. No. l!l. No. ■2». No. 21.- r.'o. 2:;. No. 2:!.- No. 24. No. 2.-.. No. ■:!■,.. •Vo. 27.- No. 2i!.- H. Ki M illia ir.lv. i; Walk, .1. r. |(,.rkr!,v, i: .\mli .\hi«'«'t- Iv K. I». It.ivniK. K>. - I{. M. H.un■^^, K..i. - T. Slali r. i-o.|. - - rv-ilalc. i;*|. ■ No L'!l No !J0 No •^l. No .'<2. No .t;i. No .04. No ;io. No w. No. 07. No. P.H. No. m. No. 40. No. 41. No. 42. No. •iO.- — Miintscir.it .... — St. ('ll|-istl.[iluT, &C. -N..U — Tirtola and llii' Virj;iii Ialt.-> - — Dimiiiiiia ... - — (iriiiaila .... — Sr. \ hmnt .... — ToIiaL'ii - - . - — St. I.iiiia ■iiuliiilcs Dciniram) — Co|iy of Lcttf r to tlic I'lTietarv of the GovcrnMicnt of Culpa — Copy ol( ircular to SfcrrtariLs of ilimTcin l!.Mi-.ls..f Tr.i.l.-, ami iliHirrnt |n'i-5ons in Caii.aila --------... -Copy of Utterto 11. S. M. nnuclidti, r>,|. — Itcply from llio Hon. .rosci.Ii llcjwo, I'lovliai.il Si ii tarv. Halifax. N. S. 12 .lannary Ill."i."i .-.-.-.-.I. — .\n>wc'i' tliciTto --- -Itcply from A Miirlicll. Kso., Drputv Ci.Ii.nial Si ii t.iiv. I'rinii- KilwanlV Maml. ;i M.iivli lii.-i . - - - . . " . . . ; -Ucply from John Kcnncily, ]>.|.. Colonial .STMiarv. I!, iiiiuil.i. l."i Kr- lirnary l!)."i."i -.----..",... -Reply from lion. .I.inics WallM'r, Coloni.il .Sicnt.irv. li.:rliai|i.c.-. -'H I'V- l.raary \\i:,:, - 1 ... . -Urplyfn.m A. Mii'-gravp. Ksi;., Colonial S..,r(tarv. .\nti-ii.i. :!!', Fcliruarv li);i.-) -Hilil\ from W. G. Stewart, Esf(., Secretary, .latnaiea. 2.'i .'anmiry IB'i.'i - -Reply from George II.. A. Porter, Km|., Tortilla. 211 I'.lini.iry Il)."i."i - -Riply from S. Mitehell, Esu.. .Vclim; Seeret.irv. iirenaila. 27 Kelmiarv lit.).) -."---..'. -Reply from W. C. Lamonil. Esi|.. .VctinR Secretary, Nevis, l.'l .M.areli ICSri -Rejily from G. Milne, Esi[., Colonial Secretary, Udize. U Feliniary 18.*i.5 -Uci)Iy from E. Eyre, Escj., Lieutenant governor, St. Vincent. 10 April lii.'j.j ------.-..... -lleply from Kingston Board of Traile. 2.; .laniiary lil.'i.'i - . - - -Ueply from ^Villiani Lyman & Co., .Montreal. 4 January l!!."i."i - -Ucply from .M. Child, Esf]., Stanstead. 20 January lU.V) - - . - -Reply from Jamca .Morri.>-on, Esip, Collector of Cusloin.x. Co.iticoke. J4 Fe- bruary lli."i.3 ----.--..._. -Reply from C. Hatch, Esij., Kingston. 2.T March Hi.').". .... -Ucply from U, S. Jl. Itouchcttc, Esip 2.'! JIarcli lU.'j,") .... -Reply from William Huttou, Esip, Uurcau of Agriculture. 10 Ajiril 1U55 - 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 I:; 14 I I I I I,'. ].• 1.-. ii; HI 17 II! IR i:i 20 o.» h.: it ?': fi 431- s<\ |9; CANADA. \i CORRESPONDENCE ON THE MUTUAL ABOLITION OF No*. I lo •.'!. I.ff^islative Ansenibly, Committee lloom, Sir, tiucbpc, Novi-mbtr 1h54. A coMMi iTRi; huvinj; licen Appointed to inquire into the present state of the commercial iiiler(<)iip.e betwerii ("uiiadii and Orcat Mrituin, the Hritigli North Anierican possessionn, the \\<-«.t India coionien, tlic I'nited States, imd other Coreiiin cuuntrics, they are dcniroiM to be indiimed whether in tlie event of a removal of every restiiction and duty" on tlie n.ituiai pro- (liietions oC the iKlniid of Newfaandland, yonr (ioveriiment are prepared to remove thi; duty oil tlie prodnetionn of Canada by the St. Lawrence immediutcly, or within a ^liven time. The olijfct III view IS to iL-certain whether it is the mutual inten Ht ofthe Hritisli American 1 iiliiiiieK to establish the same freedom ot commercial intercourse between them, which exists b( tweeii the dilFerent states which compose the American union. I have, &c. (signed) Wm. II. Merrill, Cliuirniun of Committee- To the Secretaries of Kritish North American Colonies and Uritish West India Islands. No. 22. Legislative Asssembiy, Committee Room. Sir, Quebec, November 1854. I iiAVEthe lionour to inform you, for the information ol the Governor-general of Cuba, or the proper iiutliority to address on the subject, that a conmiittee bavin;; been app)inted to iiKiuire info the present state of the commercial intercourse between Canada and Great Ih'itiiin, the Dritish North American pos.sessions, the West India colonies, the United States, and other foreiiin countries, the committee are hi[)|ped here from foreign porta. Since the first inlorniation was receive4 15 » ;M 20 „ s:t,8.io 2S „ 7»2,!t7-2 30 „ ....--.-.. 431,.'i;jO 40 „ 210 and under page 1 28, value of merchandise exported to Canada, Free from duty Paying duties $ l,2fl.'>,2()2 1,188.221 2,036 "'0 I will thank you to infcjrm this committee if you have any means of a'-.rertiinin;^ whether we pay duty on that amount, first to the United States, unu ai^ain in Cunaila. I see no returns showing the amount of foreign articles imported intoCanniJa throii<^h the United States in bond, in the return of 1853. It 18 quite clear that all foreign articles imported into Canada from the United State*, not in bond, pay a double duty, and as the duties must exceed ^&0 on each .-i^-parate article to be entitled to drawback, it is desirable to ascertain the relatwe proportion nrported from thence under bond and otherwise. A column of foreign articles subject u) drawback, another not subject to drawback, and a third for the domestic articles of the United States, appear necessary to give that information. The committee are also desirous to ascertain the present course of foreign trade, and you will therefore have the goodness to point out what proportion is entered in the Atlantic ports of the United States, from foreign parts, and re-shipped to Canada by sea viii St. Lawrence, and what proportion passes throui^h the interior of the United States by canal ur railway, and from which port, New YorK, Hoston or Portland. With a hope that there is ample time to give this summary statement in the Statistical Report of 1854, 1 have, &c. R. S. M. Bouchette, Esq. (signed) Wm. Hamilton Merritt, Chairman. ■■ \- I J; m No. 26. Sir, Halifax, 12 January ! 850. I HAY E had the honour to receive your circular of the 3d November. I do not know that I understand the sscope of your inquiry. The United States apply to domestic exchange me principle of free tiade. They tax foreign commodities at uniform rates, and apply the pro- ceeds to support the national treasury. If the provinces were united as the Stales are, they might adopt both systems. As matters stand, I apprehend that there may be difficulties not etwily overcome. I do not, however, venture to express an opinion until the honourable Chairman's views are further expounded and explained. I have, &c. (signed) Joseph iiowe. wm. 43«- B3 ,'■ ,^ 1 I ((IKUKSI'OMHINC'I. ON T CANADA. N hi: Mill ai, amoliiion ok o. id. Lcuithitivi- A'"' iiiMv. ('■■ii.iiiitti < lt> !:• Mill I'll I'^.'tO. (juc'b< In i>|ily til yoiii lavoiir III llio l^illi .liiiumry and .illi Frhnliiry, ^e^lll^^lilll: lurllui fxpla- ii.,ii r..,r'.iil,i,',r ii„. , oiiiiiii'ii i:il mlrrciiiii-c liitwccii tlio rii|'iiii-« in r.nti-li .Nmili AinrTiui ir.ili'in nixiriliii'^' llic HMI I 111.' Wr.t liicli. ». I !«•" Ill iiifiiriii yoM ihiil ihr «i np,- ,,( ,u\ inf|Miiy ww I'lli-ndMil in hf ■onfr 1P.I (■ 111. ;n (ir a» re liiliH to llv iimvinc- "f Niivii Sroliii. It 111.' I,( liitiirr .if I iiniidii ilioiild (At. iid tlii> |irinri|)lr of ii-ii|ii(ic il cxclmii'^r*, mid nn i»i' i-verv lirliil'' ••liiiiiiril Iri'iii y"iii pfiMiin'. uli'llirr ul liniiic m Imi ijii (irudiii tioii, lire (i,,ui duly, vviiiild voiii LiL'i"l.iliiri' ricciM' all iiitiik> liuiii Caiiud.t m; tlu> lite Irmi- I (In iKil -'•(■ aiiv (lilliiukv ill tlio-r ( xoliaii;;! <, and frinnot draw IJiu di-itiiHtloii to wliiiii Villi allude. It ii) ijiiilc triii' tlii' I'ldcrul < iovcriiimiit i- -ii|)|M.it4 il iVi.iii dutirs mi l'olrii;li tniili', I lit till* II lij'H'i a! trade III hMcii Nma Scoll.i and Canada wuidd i.ct pri vent yuiir illl|in*llli; \\U\i< dlllK « yU pIlMSC, (111 llll- |irii(llll lill|l» nl iitlli r (OlllltriCS. Ill 11. .Ii-<'l.ii II wr, I'riniiici.il Srcictary. .Niiva S?r(ilia. I ha\i', A.( . (ci^jned) ///«. //. Mirrlir. ( 'liairiu.iii (if ( 'uimniluc. Ciijiiiii.il Scfii t;ii v'- < Mliir, I'liiii" IM«ard'« Nlaiid, Sir, •■' Man li l-.')."i. Vmii 1. Iter III' llll.' mull Niivciiiliii l-.ivt li.iviii,; Im en "iiliiiiittrd In tlir I.hmiIi iianl-^iivcriKir. I am diicitcd lo Mitniiii ymi ilia! llir di'ci«iiiii ul lii^ Kvirliciics in {'miihil limits (•iiinnnicial iiilcniili'iiial iiitciiiiiii-c will) llii>- inland In the rpripnx'al adiiii««iim of ail tlir articles iniliiaccd in ilic i(ci[)r()cilv tri'.ity ^\itll llic I'Mitcd Siati'«, and lliat a iiniKiiic i< iiliniit In I'l pa.-sKJ liy till' l,c.;islatiiit' n| this i,|;iiid liir tliut pmpi.sc. I!c.>|iri tiiii; vi.iir in(|iiiiv relative I > ailiclcs lifiii;;- llii' prddm i ^t' the Mdiil. >..iiiL:in .'iiid West lii(li('-i ii>i cnminiditU'-^ (if ('V|)iiit Iniin lirp' In llic pmN nl (^lu lici- and .Mnntii al at clicaprr riili's than v<>ii ran ul tain llinii dirnl trmii the place nl pn'diutiMii, | im, tn at-cpiaiiit ytiii that tills ( nil iiy lias no direct Hade willi cithei' nt tliisc palt^, and is ilsell ilppt'iidtiit fill' siipjilics if tlicir pnulncts fioin the lower sister iirovinecs and tlic I'liited JStates oi Ainerica. I have, &c. Will. ]!aiii:itnn Merr It, Ks(j. (signed) A. Mitchell. (Jiicl)ce. Deputy Culonial .Secictury. ri''. '''■M I No. 28. fsecfetary"s Offiof, Herinuda. Sir, 1:1 February 18M. I UAVr rccti\cd and laid before the fiovenior of this colony the letter that i have liiid the lionoiir to leceive Iroin yon, dated Quebec, ^laieli 1851, exiiresjin^ u desire " to learn vvlietlier, ill the event of the prodtietiuiis of the Uenniidas beiiii; udiiatted into Canada f'lee from duly, this fiovrrnnieiit is ]iie])ared to irniove the duty upon the productions of Canada by the way of the St. Lawrence on the like ternis, ininiediately, or within a giveii time;" and I have the honniir lo ai quaint you in ie))ly that on a subject so materially con- nected With the tinaneial arraiiiiements of 13eiu)iida, it is impossible for his Kxeelleiicy to siijiply aiiv reliable e.viilaiiation or answer until he shall have had an opjiortunitv to subniit the same tn the coiisidenition of the l.e;:is!ature. winch his E.\celleney will talie an early opportunity tn do at its approaching Session. I have, I'sC. (signed) Ju/iii Kcniiedi/, Wni. Haiiiilton ^lerritt, I'^scj., Colonial Secretary. &:e., Jkc., ice, Quebec, m No. 29. Secretary's OITice, Darbadoes, Sir, 28"February 1865. I HAVE had the honour to receive, and to lay before the Governor-general your letter of the 30th November last, which was oniy received at thi.s place on the 24th instant. ILs Excellency directs me to state to you that he enters fully into the views indicated in your coniniunication, and that he will take the earliest opportunity of i'econiniendin<; them to the favourable consideration of the Legislatures of Burbadoes and of the other colonies undei tlii> (ioverniuent. I have, &c. (signed) Jas. Walker, The Uon. \\'m. Hamilton Merritt, Quebec. Colonial Secretarv. Ji:.' I CUSTOMS |)lTII-> IN CWADA \M> rili: W \:n. no. < 'mIiiIuiI Sr. rilirv'- I )ili.'-, \i.ti.;ii;i, Sir, •-•• Kiliiiiiix l»j.i. I IIAVL till' lioiiuur to :u'Llli>\\li-(ii;i' tin- riVi'ijit of \UUr li-tttT ul ttli' :ll)lli >o\rlii)j<'i IHal. I ii'i^ri't tluit I uin iiiKililf at |iri'M-iit to riiiivcv an .iiitliMn/<>it ri-|ilv to tli.' i|iu>li >ii wliuli It Ciilltuill!*, U> it will Iju l.i'i't SK.irv lul' tlut |Mii|H|.4- III «llt)iiiit till' niil)|''i't l< r llic lulKulrM- tiiiii (it' till" l,i';;i-lafiiii'. Till- teiiipiiraiv ulisciiti' of tiii- (iiivcriiMi--i:ii'ial ti'Hii iIim i»luiiil 'III a vi^it t'l olliri |M>rtii til lii^ uovi rniiii-iit, ainl all ailjoiiiiiiiK'nt ii'»i>, |iri\riit luv )'tt('i'tiii'j; this nijcct in tiii.t* ti>r a ciuaiiiuiiicaiioii liy tins muil. Tlif iiiipiiituiu'i' if till' Mi-:;rsti(iii (IK MiUi'il III ymir Irlti r will iii-nii' lor it tlie iimst r'ariK'-l roiisiilrralioii of tin; liycal i;ii\iriiiiii'iit, uiiil I uiii ili-|n -cil to liii|ii' that tlio I.M'.;i'oMtKiii it' it ran \>f (.iriieil mit. i.'ANAD.4. Wni. Hamilton Mctritt, V.m\., Qu<-bec. 1 havi', Xc. (sigiiL'il) --1, Mu'i/rarf, Ciiluiiml S>i'Cictary. Nil. 31. Islaml Scrrotary's Ollice, Sir, 'JS .laiiiiaiv iK.'i.'i. I IlAvi; tlic hoiKiiir to acknowli'dn'L' your li'tti r of the HOlli Noveir.lH'r last, <'oiiiiiiiiiiicaiiii'.; (as tlioir (.'liairiiian) the (li'sirr of a coinmiltcc of tlii' Iioiiouialili' ilic l.t-^islaiuc A-^smitilv of Canada, to be infornicil how fur u ri'cipKiriil rcnioval of tluty ii|ii>n tin- I'loilnctioiis ot .lanmicu and Cunmla nii'^lit lie ostablislied, and in ri|jly I Lcj; to static that I laid yiair coni- nmnicatioii before his lAcrllmcv the Governor. Wni. Hamilton Mcrritt, Esq., Quebec. I have, kc. (signed) IK G. Stftrnrt, Hecretiry, Jamaica. No. 3-1. Colonial Secretary'!! Olliee, Toriola, Sir, 2H Febniarv \>*r>b. I iiAVi: much ploasnie in ackn(nvlcd';;iiig tlio receij)! of your letter of tlie ;uith November last, liy last mail, i.e., i!2d instant. In rejily tliLiein I beir to nc(|uaint you tliat I laid the -anie lic'fore the (fovcnior, wlidse authority I liiive for statiii;^ that the governnitiit of 'I'ortola iwliich includes all tlio lintish Virgin Islands), will lie prcpaird inmiedialclv to rrciprocalc «itli the 'j;o\crninent of Canada, in adniittiii;j: fnc ol duly the productions ol Canada Ijy tiic way of the St. I.awituci'. Should any otlier information be required I shall be hajipy to afford it, if in iny |iowi.'r. I have, ice. (signed) Ceo. II. A. Porter. Wni. Ilan.ihon Mcrritt, Esq., Colonial Secretary. Cliairniaii of tlic Committee of the Legislative Assembly, ike, ic, Wuebec. ■ ,? No. 33. Colonial Secretary's OfTicc, Grenada, Sir, 27 Febiiiary 1855. I iiAVK the lionoiir to ncl*;..S. Al.Tiini i,M ciiilir.iciii.: tlif r-nrln'-t (i|i|Mirliiiiity wliicli Ims Imth utiordi'il me of i"|ilyiiii» t'> «iiiir lf'li). Till' iIIiii*'. "1 iIh' (;.i|ciiiiuI S'i rrl;iry liii-* lu-i'ii tlir c iii«f of ymir very iiii|iiirt:iiit LMiilluuiii- cutioii In'iii'. uitfilii'M Iriiin tli>- piililii' ut' Unit I'liiinl until tlir .illi instiiiit. .Nil iiiirrini: C.I llir lrKi>l.itni' liiiii«i-t liuuii'^ tiikni placi' siucu your litter eiiine to linht, I am iiii.il.li Im i;ivf a «ati«lariory rp|ily to your im|iiiry. I mii»l, hovveviT, iiir.vrm viii tliat the Iml WiiikiiiLr ■ r the |ire«eiit •s«l('iii III' iiiilireet lavati'Hi li.n lieeii alreiilv liroii.;lit iiiiiicr ihr iiolii Itlie l.ejitliitiiri'. iiiiil a liill iiitroiliiei'd lur tlie aliei| iiie.iMiie iim>t Ktill bn r iii-iilered lioiilitdil, hill llie lai t lli.il it hill lirrii imilir m nnis roiiteiiiplalinii iinliires me to licheM' that (he prii;>osal III a In ipiiiial ahojilMO of iliitii'semhly, ulieii tliry xhall be iiiadu unpiiimleil wilh the substance ul your letter. I have, ir. (>'i!.;niil) Will. ('. LniiKinif, To Wni. Ilannllon .Meiritt, I>i|., Acting ('olonial Secretary. ClMiiiii.in olComniillee Lrjislalive AsM'iiiblv, Jtc. iftc. \e., (Janada. I No. 35 Coluniul Secretary's OITicr, Hclisp, Sir, 14 Ffbriiary Ib.-i.'*. I iiAvi: had tliu honour to receive iind liiv lielore ller .Majesty's .*»uperiiitenilciit, your jetler ol llie ;iiitli Novi nibri, loqui'stini; un; lo state, for thi' iiilormatioi< of the eoinmitteu appiiinled to iiKjiiire into tin present state of the coiiimereial intercourse bet. •ecu (^'aimda and iitiier countries, whetlier in the event of till* prodiictioim ul the settlement of llondiirn.'t belli!; admilled into Canadii Tree from duly, the (ioverniiiiiit here would be prepared lo remove the duty upon the productions of (Janada n|ioii the same terms. Ill ri|ilv. 1 am iustrueteii to iici|iiaint you that wlien pl.iced in ]ios»ession of the precise itnre ol the lueaMiie about to be introduced into the t'anadian Le;;islatiire, the Superiiiteii- (IrMt will he in a iietter position to state the extent to which the (ioverumeiit i)( iloiiiluras are likely tu p) with the view uf eslublisliiiii; a mutual system to pruiiiotc the f'rucdoiu uf commercial intercourse. 1 have, &c. Wm. H. Mcrritt, Ksq., &c. 4c. &c., (signed) Geo. Milne, Quel)Oc. Colonial Secretary. if ^'1 H ■'■ >'' i ;-i 1 No. ac. Government House, Saint Vincent, Sir, 10 April 18a5. I HAVE the honour to inform vou that your letter of the 30th November 1851, addressed to the Colonial Secretary of the Colony, on the subject of admitting into Saint Vincent, duty free, tiie productions of Canada liy way of the St. Lawrence, upon the removal of ;;ll duties from the productions of Saint Vincent introduced into Canada, was only received by this Gove.nmciu .iii the iiith February iSHh. 2. On the -Jb'!'. February I laid your letter before both branches of the Legislature, recommeiid'o!: tiu'i assr i . to the immediate mutual removal of all restrictions upon the commercial intercourse Oi.'Cween Canada and Saint Vincent. 3. I have low ti.e honour to tra^ismit a copy of the Speaker's reply on behalf of the House of .•\s'"!mbly, iud thoufh i have not yet received any answer from the Council 1 have no reason to doubt that it will be touched in very similar terms ; and as soon as i receive it a copy shall be forthwith transmitted to you. I have. See. Wm. IL Merritt, Esq., &c. &c. &c., (signed) E. Eyre, Lieut-governor. Quebec. ff^: Committee Rooms, Court House, Sir, 7 April 1863. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge, on the part of the honourable House of Assembly, Your Fxcellency's joint message, No. 5, encIosin<; copy of a letter from the chairman of eomiiiittec of ihe Legislature of Canada to the Colonial Secretary of this island, in which inquiry is made, " whether in the event of the pre Juctions of this island being admitted into Canada CUSTOMS DITIKS IN l ANAOA AND THE W i;sT INDIKS. i; Cmiada (rre ufiluty, t\\<* (invn i.iiiciil i* prt-pureii (<> Tf U"y>- Ui<> iluiy ii|toii iIip priMlurlion* i>M\mimIm >>v tlif wuy of the St. Lnwrpiii'f on the like tetlli* imnifdiilcly ur Mitliiii a -{iveii liaio " On tlir |uirt III' till* lii>iii>iir,klil(i liniito, I am iinttriu-ti-il to reply tli.it, iiT'iVhlivl tin- I.i-;;i«. Iiitutc i.t'C'iiiuila rxi'liiilcH tlie itilmixiiuii ol !tuu»i "»•! i>ii> a«ii>, tlir piiHluie I'l ithitc LilnMir, from tlinr iiiurkit* (r»cr|it ut tli>; r.iU-u ot diity now or liiTflolorc iii lone), and ho Ioii'.; nt tliut e\rlii»ioii coiitiiiiii'ji, till* IIi.um; will \>r prcpiirvtl to n-iiiove tlir iliiti)*ductu>ii» ot tlil« (iovirnmciit bfnig udniiltpil fi*'i; from duty into Cunadu. I hii«i>, &!'. (*i|jnt-
  • iik<*r. Ilm Excelli'tioy V.. J. Kyri-, Esq Lii'utfiiunt-'ovcrnor. (.\ tiiif copy.) (■*H;n''il) GfOTije Iliimmniiil fliiulm/in'. Private Si-nittaiv. if CANAUA. No. 37. Sii, Kin|:^.ton, '.i:! .liimiary H.'i.'i. YovR liuniar, dated at Qiielicc, 4tli Ui'cenibfi la»t, «u< duly reicivnl, and liiiuii>lit undrr till' consuliTation of tin; Knii;ston IJnard of Tiiiiif, by whom tliu various subircts refeiird to tluTPin liuve been rarefu'lv and attciitivilv roiisiderrd, and who iP)»|witivelv submit, for the consideration of your committee, the loliowini; observation-* upon the trade of Canada : The fiist question in vour circular nuks, what Leiiisiative |)ro\isioiis viould U.'st promote the trade between Cauadu and (irent Urituni, the Hrilish Noi til Aineiieaii I'oii.sesiiions, the West India colonies, the I'nited States, and other forci-n coiintrie-. Fir^t in ini[Mirtance ol' these is our trade with (innt Hiitain. ii|)on which this Hoard liavu no s'Ji:iie9tions to make. Our jiroducts are, under tiie tree trade policy of that country, admitted at the lowest possible rates of duty, while we admit all ravv materials from thence at u merely noniinul late, und only char;j;e upon manufactured •^u(id» the duty necessary for revenue purposes. This Board anticipates important udiantaues from the reciprocity treaty with the I'nited States, about to come into efTect, and would >;iadly see this principle applied, and similar facilities cxMeiided in the c\chun<:e ot our nuiicullnial and other natur^il pioiliicts with those of our sister colonies, and i'lso of idl foreis;ii countries. With a view to open ii|) a ilirect trade f ion. th's country with China and the Kxst and West Indies, a trade which this Board believes would larsiely pioniote the general interest, they recommend that when the products of tin se countries are inipoiled into Canada, direct from the place of growth, a lediiction be made of -Jj per cent, on the duties otherwise ciiar^eable thereon. This will tend largely to increase the trade by the St. L iwience, tiie natiinil channel for the commcri'i- of this Province, as will as of large sections of the adjoining states of the American I'nion, and in the pros|)erity and extension of which all parts of Canada have a dee|) interest. This Board have not b«en able to obtain any satisfucnuy information as to the relative prices li re nd in the adjoining State of New York, of tea, coflee, salt, molasses, sugar,and goods man ..cactiired from cotton, wool or iron, nor have they the menus of ascertaining whether the m inufiutuie of the goods lust mentioned is equally proHtable on both sides of the I' >imdary line dividing Canada from the United States. 1' IS the opinion of this Board, that the commercial und general interests of this Province would be promoted bv eneonrauing the manulucture of certain descriptions of cotton, woollen, and iron goods. In \o year l".'):} we imported from the I'nited States over 000,000 /. wo-:h of these goods, the urent. part of which, this Board are convinced, could be manu- factured as cheaply in Canada, , d they reconnnend that, with a view to this end, the duty charged upon maiiufn' luiid l: .s iniporte iiisir imr |)iiiiii|i,il MMjidit •Aitliout |iiodiicinif Ik iirlic III I. Willis, iiviT ;uiil iilt.rvc Iliii4i' tluMiii; iiitrcly IriMii ilw ll,lll^lt ol [irnpertv tliioiis^li the (iiuiilrv. (:-iuili(ll ./(//(H Hfi?/;;'//^, I'lcsidcnt,! KiilL'«tuli 'I'd till- lldiii. 111. il/ir J}inil;ilivi- iiinvi-^ioiis would li, i, llic W'l st l.i'lliili I'oloNU-, till' 1'iii!;mI !St;it('-, ami olliii loini^ii comiiUk^ : 'I lull "/cMriallv llic l)i-t 11 '^i-.|iitivi? |iri.vi-iiiii is to cliafji- a iiiiiiimniii r:ili' ol dutv ii|ioii all !iili(lr« iiiipoilid tioiii tlic |ilac<' ol i;iowlli, liciii'^ iiatiir.il |iroilin't-^. Tllc I'llrct ol' lliis will 111' to li j-lcr iiiir niaiiiii, ami icdin'ij tlie Co^^t otliriulit ii|ii)n oni- cxiioits liy M-a, r's|iic'ally ii|ion liiiiiliri . Ill It I'lv 111 till' (iiicsliuii " l» ihr iii:iiiiiliictMir i.( llh'sc artirli's ((luallv |ii'olita'ili-' i-n Imth sjdi > of tlic li('iiii(liii\ line: ich n in:: to colton, wool and iron; wu liinc to .-av tliat tlii! niiiiiiitaciiui ■>. Ill (jiKslioii an not i(|iially prolitablc ; ami, tor tins reason, tlic ('an.idniii lariHT IS nut placed mi an cijiialilv wit 1 tlif. AiiiciKan on inaunt.K turi'd aitiLlo, and tlic coiise- <|iii'n('c IS, the Ain'riciili luaiiulactnii'r can avail liiiiisc.r of llic Canadian niiil-ct in addition to Ins own iiiuc II iiioic cMcushc one. uliilc tlic CaiKuliiii cannot .ivad liiin-clf of tlie Aiiiciiciin on cijiial tirins. In answer lo the : policy, with much dillidence ; and should they suir'jest iinythiiig which may contrib"'e to a wise settlement of that for which you and ymir colleu'iiies are laboiiiiii;;- lo perlipct, ' shall b<; hiuh'.y ::ratirird. And, first, our commercial intercourse with the sister colonics in North America is of the first importance, and that it should be as free from obstacles as the circumstances under which tliey are severally placfd will perinit. Canada can attbrd (with lier hiru;e surplus revenue) (o leatl the way in niakiii;.;- that home trade free ill all native produce and manulactures. It is clenr that such iiilimale relations between thcni and us would cement the elements of our national streiiiilh and i)rosperity to iin extent hitherto unthought of liy our coteinjiuraries. •2d. The tariH' of duties, except 01. such articles as are required by our niaiiufactLircrs, >hi)i- builders, and fisheries, should be fixed at 'hat point which would not discouru^ic con- sumption, nor native jiKidiiction, nor industry ; yielding the largest amount of levenue, and such articles as tea and luown sugar, whicli enter into general coii.suniption, should be made free as soon as the leyennevvill permit. ;)d. On articles of luxury a maximum duty could be safely placed, but not so high as to check consumption. Reciprocity will soon di-vdnp its eti'ects upon our interests, and con- tains yirovisioiis which are subject to suspension by either of the parties thereto. I flatter myself that, in the end, it will work well for us and our sister colonies. If our alien laws are liberal, Americans, with their skill and capital, will sit down on our superior water ]iower with their machinery, and become denizens of the land. All their property there, and skill, is taxed heavily; and even head money is required of them nnd their labourers, which is not a small 5.. CUSTOMS DITIKS IN t AXaUA AND THE VVKST INDIKS lo yi^ a tiiiiiill itcMii in tlirir aiiiiiiul cxiiiiices. Ileri', im ,m h lindiii wi.uld ui-r^h ilnpi ilowii, iililv a scliciol mil mad lax t i |i,iy ln-re, uliuli h ( luPitiillv l> riii' l)y "wr pioplr, and wmild !)<• iiiHic Ml l>v siirll Aiiu't'iraiis a- viiMdd Imchiiic -ftllciH iim<)iiL;«t us. ! lu'liivc it is uii iiii|>"rati\<' (lulv that «!■ .-h'. aid st t alioiil inakiiii; tiadi' tree with nar ."islir coluiiii's : lliat tlip ell niciils fit' ])ii)s|.eritv wliiili «>■ |>.is-c», arici ia l.ict id' natimiul «<'altii and stii'iijtli wliicli lie Ml a Lire. it dfi:if..' iincaltivati'd (ir iniktuiwn witliui lair liiiiils, may I o |>if^(iMd tu our (iwn liiiictit, ami iiltiiuu'i'ly cfinc itini; »- ml^ mw li.iliuii.d iiitirr^l ami iliaracti'r. Oiir (rccdoiii i> virtiialiv accomplwhiMl. We >ii«laiii imiiiTiiil intcro^ts Inmi atii'i'tiDii au I intiMC't, and mir tiadc and iiiaiiala(tniini' funndutiDn, and wo have not tn i;i"[)i" oiif uav in the daik. We have p\ani])lrs troni tlic policy of tiie parent sfatp, and o!ir wise ami aclivc ncnilibonrs over the honiiT lor our '.;nid('. I ti'cl a digior o( tliaf;iiii lliiit oir I'mvini.'i' shows n > nnac Icadni^ al)ilitv upon tliis snli)i'i't ol public polic\, and a \vi 11 dijc-tf'd svslini of tiade anil (•(unnicrff. Tlif clcnii'iits ot national stii'nt;tli and greatness wliicli tlif llntisli I'losinci - in Notii America possess, snrpa^-, in my opniion, the largest eoU' i'|)tion ot'our c iteuiporaries. I'he cxpinsKjn to them, uliich lias taken place :,i Canada, under a little freedom id' action, for a tew years, ihoiiuh, in mv opniion, not as wisfdv directed as tliev miiiht iiave lieeii, pro\cs that under a uvae ellic leiit direction a vast deal more may lie done to develop tln' nehes that lie niirnltivated in our soil, our waters, and our mines. Our forests are fast wa-tioi; away hefiire the improvident lumlierer. 'i'iit fiist fruits of our country have already passed away, aud our pohcy iliuulJ cacuuraet; labi-ui not (aily of the fanner but tlio uicchaiiie. Whi'iiever those two classes thrive, idl other classes 111 a civilised eommuiiily will Iti' t\aind tliriviiej;. It is not so with those two classes of niiMi who must jiiecede tiieni, flw hiiiif r and lir.uliirman. I ilo ii'it undi'rvalue either o( them, but 1 would wisely adopt our pi icy id' trade and comnuMce to th" encoiinii;eim>iit of tiu' (oinier, ;is tlie latter have ci.'aseii, or are lapidiy (Ioiiil: so, while the former aic i;r.iwin^ stroiii: on the rtuaids of labour, and under wise !rL:i.^lalioii would, in my opinion, surpass our active neighbours over i he border, in a very s!iort lime. I deploie llii cmieiMtion ot our yoiine men, which iias been liraiiiin.; Canaibi for the last ]0 years of its best bone and muscle. It oiiLiht to cease by belter [uospects beiiiL; opened up to the ambition of our son-, and 1 iippiclieiul thai a trade [policy, as sound as that «{' our iieiLilibours, would piiciiinai^e tllciii to return and remain in the liononrable and protilalile pursuits ol' their flitherl iiid. These tliiiiiis have bo; lie heavily iijiou mv mind for years, and my iidluenep has been exer- ci.sed to promote them. 1 have seen but little to eiK:onras;e me. .My own children are grown to manlio.id, and through mv innuence have not Ibisaktn tiie Kind of their birth, but my neighbour's children are cliiefiy g;oiie to the Stales, and fhiTO become settlej. Von will not be siiijirised thai I t;ive expression to my wish to see IJrilisii North America well uniled in trade aud commerce, lormiut; a union ot i^enerul interest, that will induce a political and civil union to our mutual advantage. Elements of decay already ajipear in the union of oui neiL;libours, and it woul i not surprise me if they should ere Ion.' work, a se|,uraiioii of free from slave states. Our dusiiuy dou.^ not call us to mix i luscdves up in their iiitestiui; conflicts, but pursue diliL^eiilly the protection and cullivation of the riches which lie in out soil, mines aud waters, in doiii;: which we cannot i(o wroiiij. liie price of articles made ol cotton, wool, and iioii, of course fabric, and the latter, which is used for edge tools, is in favour of the United States, but Mcneral hardware and fine fabrics in favour of Britain. Manufactures may be as siavi^ssl'iilly carii'd on in Canada under the TJ.J duty as in tiie States, to the extent demanded, and that demand would be iiicieasing as our intercourse enlarged with our sister colonies and foreij;n counliies. They would reipiire the (dsterinn' care of the lei.islatuie. Whatever i-. profitably made in the I'liited States may, with less cost, be (lone line, as the taxes here are so much less upon capital, labour, and skill ; hence men from there would, lor that reason, be induced to -etile liete, under our alien laws, which are indeed liberal. Tea, sugar, salt and cofl'ee, are bought ia Boston cheaper than in our own cities. I do not believe our niannfacturing inti rests require ]uotective duties, over and above the 12i per ceuU now imposed; yet tliey ri quire the fostering care ol Government to free articles they use, or raw material, IVoir time to time. I have, &c. Hon. William H. Merritt, Quebec. (signed) M. Child. t A.\.\I)A :ni No. 40. Custom House, Cr>atioooke, Sir, 14 February 18.'i5. I ilAVK the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your circular of 4th December last, and in reply, to state that 1 am not siitKciently acquainted witii the commercial transactionft between Canada, and other foieign countries, to oHiir an opinion as to what Lugislstive provision would promote their mutual benefit. The relative price of 'oa and cotl'ee, in this section of tiie |)rovince, varies but little more than the amount of duty with that of the neighbouring villages in the state of Vermont, until you get I'i or 14 miles into the province, vvlien the price increases. Molasses are retailed about (\d. per gallon dearer here, aud sugar about \d the pound. With regard to the manufactures of cottons, they vary about 2(1 per cent., being dearer here; Blnves and castings, To per cent,; Canadian manufactured woollens, about 15 per 43' • C 2 cent., -^v 2() CORRESPONDENCE ON THE xMUTUAL AHOLITIOX OF CANADA. 'tn'- 'tifupfi lli'i" timt i.f the I'nitcd States; llie inamifKCture of which uiticlin, if |iiilrci>iii-ly carrl'.d I'lil, 1 c.iii-ic\tht'«, liofs, fork-, and other ai;iicullii;a'. iiii|iltMiifiit-, Irnin the I'liiled Stall's, n> "ell as -tipves, is i;reat, tiie «hol(! nf whicii coiilii he iiiadti in the I'r.iviiife, and the Hdiiiissi(>n t;ililisliiiient (i! hrilKiies ol the New I'iiigland I'lotective L'niuM, the liienibers ol v\hi(li, ;rn siihsLribinir three dollars as a Joint stock eoiii|)aiiy, eaii |inichase (roiii the es;aljli>hniiiit uoods at an adv.niee of ti per eeiit. on cost and cliai.es, jiiid iloll- sub^erihds at in per eei t., wiiieh tends to keep down tile prices ut the other stores. ■> to so cent'i a yaid. Stu\ts about "i eints the pouiiil. I have, &e. (signed; James Muinson, To VV. H. Merritt, Lsii.. m.i'.p., Qiieluc. Cnllecior. I I ilP, No. 41. Sir, Kinjjston, QO February 1R')J. Is let'erciuo to yoiir cirmlar, datid (inebec, 4tli December l!*.'>4. 1 be_' leave to r)tfer a reply, triistiiii: that it will be received, and the iiiiiiortance id' the sn:;i;estioiis therein con- tained be diilv weii^lied and considereii>ch<>l(l furniture can he proiliiccd iif re liy tlif (uc aiinii>siun of t''t; law lualnial, nn as lavoiiraljlf tt-riiis »>> iii tin- I iiitcd Mates. The ureal Uisailvartta;;e uiidiT wliidi we lalnnii liy tlic [ircs' ut arr,iii::eiii«.iit hctwctu the United Stutcs ami CanwM, whereby we are excluded frnm srndin;; any uf our iiiaauiacturta i to tliat country, is the low or TJj per criil, jiivstiit duty, cliar;;t;uble lieu- i>ii tiifir j>ri"liir- I tioiis, tlien.'l)V cicatiiii; a sure niaikct tor tlieir siirj)!' s (H- uiisuleublc munis, tlieir old or (ast-otl'tu!ii:;lil varnisli, inali(j|j:aiiv and nthei wooii, in the log, or s,nvn,and all other ailicles of raw ni,it>iial beiiiy; nun-prod uctioiis. Kinustoii, J'J Minvli 1^.■|.■>. The necessity or even the exprdiciicv ot'a.iy i;re.tt advance on the rate of duty on manufac- tured iioods coiiiiiiij from ll.e L'nited Siales to this eoiiiitry would ilien lieextreuiely iloiil.tliil. I think that when tlie les'.nctions of which I liaveconipiained are reii oved, that every hraiuli of maiiuluc tiire which is ie(piiied will build itself up on a protection of IJ percent , wliiNt a •,iO per cent, duty would be prohibitory in its effects, thcrefoie a dutv so extremelv hiuh as tlu' l'nited .states could oiilv be advised upon a principle of retaliation, wliicli is unsound. The tree tn.de principle would also operate ti' our di»ailvanta;;e for nianv years, when appbel to niamu'actines as now applied t i the pnidiictions of the sod, as the Iniled States aie nuu li in advance of Canada in perfected niachiuery and piactical oper.itii.n, Ine trade would have the saiiic ellect on Canada as it would iiavo on the l'nited States by tree ttade with (ireat liritain. 1, therefore, witiiout any liesilation say, under all circumstances, that free trade on niaiiufactiiieliall seek it. When the L'uUcJ States reiliici.' their tariff, ^o will we; when tlicy remove lestrictioiis ulto;;ether, we must do so too, but 'tis nul our interest at piCMut to do it, Foreiui) wines and spirits ("except whiskey) is n coninieiidcd tcj be cliar::e(l at an advance of l(iii per cent. So liir as the ini]iortation or use tbereol is ilinnnislu d by the advnnce of lite, that thi; consuiiu rs of these articles are scarirly loniid aiuoii'j; the labouiin;: clashes. The duty at jueseiit on whiskey is a j/rotection, ami the tempt. itiou to sniii;.';ile it is but small. l/.'alher is also another article to wliicii 1 bej; to draw your attnitiijii. 'I be facilities of jaocuriiii; slau^ht( r — bides iiiid materials for tiiimine, are ureatly in liivour ot the Canadian tanner, probably to the aiiioi iit of 7 or tt per cent., the duties on leather I wiaild sui:i:est should be reduced to ."i per cent., which will scarcely be inpirioiis to the leather trade lieie, and the eti'cct of which will be the inijiiiitatinn of leather in?tead of l:oots and shoes, thereby traiisfcriiiiLi' a h.rue amount of labour from the I'mted States to Canada, and increasiiisj; the demand for labour here, by vvhicli thousands would be bcntlited, where pcihaps no individual would be injminu>ly atiected. .All of which I lieu' to submit for vour consideration. CAN MM. To the lion. Win. Hamilton Merritt, Chairman of Committee of L. A., Quebec. Itcspectfully yours, &c. isitiiie'd/ C. Hutch. No. 42. Inspector-Cieneral's OtVice, Customs Department, Sir, t^iiebec, -in March Ib.'i,"). I'poN the receipt of the communication of the Kith of December last, with which I was hoiunircd by you as chairman of the committ. e on trade of the Legislative .Assembly, ealliiii;- upon this department for certain intoniiation in reference to the trade of Canada widi the neighbourinir British Provinces, the West Indies, and tlie United States of America, all I'f wlrch is not to be found in the trade and naviszaliiin tables annually laid before Purlia- mint; I lo>t no time in preparinji such lorins in a tabular shape, as appealed to me calcu- latul to I licit the infoin:ation recpiired. These forms were iransmitied to the various cidltciois of customs throiijihont the province, who were recpicsted by circular to till them ti)) for their respective ports from the best duta at their command. Ill coinpliinice with these ii;str'ictions, I have, with a liw unimportant exceptions, ifccived returns from all the provincial ports, the agi; regale result of which will be seen m the two statements A and li, which I have the htJiuiur to transmit herewith for the infornia- lion of your hoi^ourable committee ; the statement A being a " Return of the quantity ami value of goods imported first into tlic L'nited States, and from thence into Canada, distin- 4JI. c 3 -uishinjj v^'^ J2 couiu;si»ondi:n(:e on tfif, mi tcai, abocition of 1 i I l;|> V CANADA. uuikIiiiil' himkU |iii«siii'^ lliroii;:!! th.ii coiiiitry iiiiclcr IhukI, from those piirclmsed in bond, ciiily |),iiil II tr.f; iiUo lln' iiiiinl^ biiii.Mlic |iioi|iico of th.- I'liili'd States diiriii;.' th'! year lll.',4. And llic >tatcniiiil II luiiiii u " INliirii ol tln' fnianlitv iind vidiii- of iroods iiii- |>oiti'wi(k, I'rjiicr IvKviird'^ l-l,ind, and NiwloiMidland, sliowmu ilic ainount of dnty |iaid lljiTfoii, (,r llir cMiMjiliiMi (coin duty, toi tlic year cndini,' :>\U Jaiinary 1».'».>." Allliou.;li till- entry <■' the iiii|)'irtiitions at all tlu- (i >rts niay not liiive heon surii as to ihalile tile e;illi itor- to (ill tlie return- uitli all the doirahle acenraiv, it i« lielievrd tint the nsnll e\liil)il- a |irettv eoueet staleriienl of tin: nalnre, amount, and eliannels of the trade «lii( h lorne d llii' >uli|'ii ut ini)uiry. 'I'lie at'.eutiin of co 1. clois of i:u-.loms liavini: now In en cal «'d to the suii)i(t, mole -ati>ila('loiy materials wdl, (or the (ntinc, be *iij)|)lie(l for the |ierlectmi.' of smdi returns. U'itli re'^.od to llie trade lioin l"oii'iL;n West Indie-, t'lo N'min (or llt.'>l are not yet received. Imt wdl be fiirui-lled as early as pos-ible. The tradi- tables m course of |ire|)aia- tiiiii, will -liow the imporlatMin (roiii llie Ibiti-ii West Indies. To the Il(ui. W. II. Meiritt, Chaiiinan ol the Coiiiniilti I Tiaiii Lciiislative .is-iuiblv. 1 iiave, ie. (-i'.Mieci) li. *». .'/. /{(im/irtU: Mr, No. 41. I'uriau (d Ai;iieidliire and Statistics, 1(1 April 185.'.. 1 I i:.\u it i- ipiite imp.— ible to arrive at the va!iu; of our iiianiiraeiiiivs, 5ve. The nearest upproac h to it i- loiitaiied in tli" abstracts cd' the Census, vol. "J, pa'_'o -.'.tiO, for l'|iper Canada, and paLie 'A"-! tor Lower Canada ; but this information is vi ry ini|)erreet, and the returns various. In some cases the atiioiint of capital only is ';ivcn, in others annual iiiodiice, and in sonr.' even the rent of the premisi's only. I do ;iol think it possible to arrive at an approxiination to the truth, and the result w.iuld be niiTe uiie-s-\\ork. I very much regret that I cannot give you any satislactory iufornia- tion. .And I am, kv. Hon. VV. II. INlerriti, m.i.i". (si;.'ned) U'illiitin Iliitlon. &(■. &e. iXC, Quebec. Al'PKNDlX (D.l I X U K .\. Nn. I.^Suniiii:irv ( i>in|i;irntiii' Statinu-ii' uf tlu' \'aliK' Nil, n. — Uepiirt 111' tlu- ('iiminittcv ap|iiiial(il to iiivpaii' a Talmlar Statement of the I'liinilatioii, liiionu", Kxi'iiiilltuie ami iK'lit lit' the I'loviiu-r of Urilisli Noi-tli Aiiierioi ... - -21-1! No. 1. — Stalcimnt of lni|ioils inio CamiJa, of certain .\rtiilcs, showiiip; the Coaatrics whence Iinjiortcd, and ili>lini;ui>hini,' whether siuli lin|ioi'tatiiins have tieeii director throairh other Itritish Ciis-e-sions. or tliroin;h any Foreii;n and which l''orcii;n (onntry or Uriti-h I'os.-essioii diiriii',' the Year IS.").'! --... ---27 No. ."i.— ('oni|iaialivc Stateiiieiit of the (Jaantity. \'aliic and .Vnionnt of Dnty collected in the rnitcj States and in C'aimda on certain Articles named in the Itociprocity Act, lielng the Growth and Pioihice of the two ..luntrics in the Year im8 --------27 No, 0. — Stntcinent eshihitini; the V.ilnc of, .and Amount of Dnty on .Articles which were imported (liiriii!; the liscal Year, ending Jintli June lli.>J, and now made free hv the llcciprocitv 'I'leafy - - - "---"- 2n No. 7. — Statement showing: the Value of. and Duty on Articles imported into Canada (enumerated in Keciprocity Treaty) during the Year 1H54 ......... 2'.f No. H.— Ueturn of the Qaantity and \'aUie oi'tioods importiMl lii-st into the United States, and from thence into Caiiadn, distinguishing (iooils passing tliroii^h that C'ouiilry under IJoiiii, from those pnrchased suhjcct to the Drawliack, imd those siihject to Hiily there and here, and free ; also, the (ioods being the Manufacture or Proiluce of the United States, during the Year I(!o.l .1(1 No. !). — lUtui II of IJoods imported into Canada from Sea, riil St. Lawrence, and forwarded under Bond to the United States, during the Year Hi.').') ......... ,'jii No. 1(1. — Statement of Itevennc cnllcctod in the dift'erent Districts in the United States, bordering on Canada, durii'g these I'eriods, from Ill^iO to 11154 -.----.. .'51 No. 11. — Statenieiit exhibiting the \'alue of Imports, Expenses of Collection, and Oross and Not Jlevenue at thedill'erent I'orts in Canada, bordering on the United Stales, in the Year 11)4(1, IlJJIl, and 11154 ' - . - . 02 CrSTOMS DITIES 1\ CAXADA AND THK WKST IMUKS. T^i iii-r, 20 2!) no 30 32 ' - ' -- **. "1 - *. ri r; -» — rr r: ri r 71 r: * X I- I* r Ti c a a 5 S ■3 a I i -T .o r:_ X 71 — c".-: r: .5 1' I- r: — t t I- t t\ r. — -") T. »; o' 'o «< X ?r .•? tC J^ -/■ c — C. i« « ■■£ 2- " X- - ~ . : • 1 1' c^ ^' ^' rS 1-' t ri •; ri, :- r /^ ■:, /, •- ^ Ti rt ?i T* Ti r: -r .;^ sj =^ - * T % 'J ^ '■^ r^ ■-r .-T .* «-' c" ."; — T r, I- 1* 71 :; I- ri o I- 'JD rj ..-S X. ..-S !>• — ■ — -I ?r yt /' -r r. I- -i -c ^ ♦3 ' I a ■.! I I O '*'.;:' * "~ "** - ^'^ .1 — r;; ■£ -^ JD I- -r ^ .H ?! I tT T^ — r? -T ^: -)• -r r. — ^ 'J-' — — Tf 7? tJ CO — -5 i ~ Tl Ti ?i fi r: ra C3 o ! 75^ ti ^-^ I • ''■ 9 :2 ^- *£ * ^^ c f* M c -M C /J c* jn> X rs c_ C;^ o i-^-ri^ JO CC I- T? I-T (Tl o X C — X -M "* 'J f O X '£> t-^ — 7r rf tT -t .?a . X r. c — Tl « ■ I ^ D I — -r ; ^ - I W r. -: « --^ ■» — i 1- X :4 •- :i n J (. I I a. a: 2 5 " \ . X — Ti I / ff. — • •» (■• ?t / ■; ■: M ■^ i ;; ; isr.'i^-i?:^ '■; .•^ 11 ' X . ^ — ?| • t »^ X C T . ?i I- ri X r '' , y. I -= . •>i!l I 111 >; •Mil IlBtlf) 'B ' — M c« i ■< >■ 1 ^ \—. >• H H iS — < 1 ^ a i ■/ •8 ■< ^ !- i Z - = U "c H * » ' 1 f 71 I- r*. T rt ?i r: 71 -f - r. /, I :; ! .- \ I. ; -r r: X — 5 1^ I- -i "i 5 T >- - re 5. s. •- ~ "■ f !•- g ■■ .2 I' s ■« 1 1 i 5 e ^ - o \ « u d ; ■ \n ;n i 431. C4 vv\ CANADA. -M (ORRI-SI'ONDKNCE 0\ THE MJ'TirAL ABOLITION OF REPORT. Till', Committee appt^iiitpj to prepan; n Tal)uli>r Statement of the Popul.iiioii, Income, £.v|)uiiditiiru and Debt of tlie Provinces of BritUli North America, beg leave to report : — A tabular statement of the popuhition, income, expenditure, and debt of the Briti>li North Anicric'in Provnices lor the year llt.")l, by whlcli it appears that iii 18.)1 the po[)uhi- tion of Uritirh North Ann rica iiuml)crs •J,2!»7,-l!'. Th-.it tl'.e auioiiiit of customs dutie.s received was 0'Ci,'.tM I. tt,«. Oi f/., avoraginn per head for < 'aiiii(l:i, 8.«.'Ji(/.; Nesv Hruiiswick, los. 11J-. s^r/. Tile |)ublic debt of the united colonies amounts to 4,6i>l,oOO /. 1 s. 0\ d. \iiiw ("oniniitiee ngrct that they sue unable to select from the above statement, the ainonnt of the annual income received by each Province from the public lands and other sources derived from the soil, which doe.j not constitute a tax on the amount of specihc revenue received and expended. 'I'hcy would therefore suagest an annual statement of — 1st. The gross amount of tax coi- lecteil from each separate source for the support and purposes of the Provincial Government •Jd. The gross anioiini crJlpcted from lands, minerals, and other sources of revenue derived fioni the capital of the country from which no tax is imposed. 3d. Specific funds raised from a piirticular source, and ex])ended for a particular object, and the relative tarlH' of duties ou each se]iarate article, as herein pointed out to be made by the proper officer, and sent aiuuiiilly to each Goveriiinent for the informaiion of their respective Leijislatures. All which is respectfully submitted. 11 June IWoH. Wm. Hamilton Merritt, Cb.airman, i^C* CUSTOMS DITIKS IN CANADA AND THK WKST INDIKS • 'J 5 •fl fl = 1 a 1 1 1 1 , ^ r* i jj " 2 2 '' 2 ■•' * 2 t r t' <• tt ] . n « r* '-^ » 1 — i" 1 nil 1 1 1 1 1 1 is-n 1 1 1 U 1 ;; 1 '$ » £ j^ s Ti -f iC (b « * ^ 3 •^ ?i -N f C -T — C 1 • »' •» 5-. 5 ?« -fl — 1. 3-. r; ;2 ta "n X CI « •- .n .£ o 1^ o r. o i c .o « » ei 3-. a -f ^ -J — 3-; •-• M V -* « o" 1 . . ."-8 1 9f g H i> 3 1-^ o Jl^ - '£ ^ 1- ?t -■ - . ''^ •* . V I 1 1 • ■" 1 I V hi • I I • « • -*co-« 1 in-M'/s'ASr-t^ lo ^ 1 t 1 ' • » ■§ •| ■ n-jx iaj?*«'Mj»'*«« ""f ( e — rs '■e c *• ^ 1^ ■« ^ ^ ^ 0»^P90l'»'Nt->. — O-fl'-W©!- * • 1 * lit II 1 ^ I I • I • • c s f ' 2*2 '1 ■^ ;3 U « O ^ O. ^ «. 1. ''I ^ * ^1 •^ o '"^ •4{ J5 o -f rff ai i« ^r^-T -Tr^'iC n n . 1 ,■*'"". i ^ s B J; Q s a. Si-** ^!0 — — 1-.— • 1 iEi|i!|i|.a.f1|in- d a o -: . Ti Tj > 1 • 1 I 1 .£ W , I ' g I I • • I y 3 3. id Debt, of 3 O u X d * ■g -3 -* ^ CI » ?! •fli. S5 «- PS 1 a •O 9« 1 1 1 1 0> r^ 1 1 '?5 •^« TT 1 f; v3 . O I- 2: -o 91 ,j O HI C A J ■•^5 >'. % r» • -- o u A* >; H 1 •til?? - TT., S-i . « o sr "^•r w »3 "1 I "* ■ III 1 " ■* » ^ o ^S ! 2|3 23 'sg n w.- « 3 ^s q ?l rt 'Hi 55 »■ »^ CI 1 eX 1* B. CI S 1 •ri'l '""iti." ' "' - . . 1 < J . CI o to (O CI w 1 MO f t^ sT ^ i w ' O ^ ^1 CI— o«ci*' '*© O lOir* •o t 1 •o om Ho — Socj-B '-i o i« 91 O Ol ••wl n (jcj, oLaon to -leisi ^ TO <3 S 1 1 i • M n CU •3 1 1 •J ■B-. "• !•" ,1,. 91 •s "" I 1 . ■ . 1 . . . r* *j «* , •^ s n ■^^ 1 i 1 f« •# o 1 '-^ 1 1 1 ss > I^- 91 W« u 2 ;» . » "" . - . . ■» 'oD 2 -^(p-r^r-l— oa)«ci ,,, . . 1 CI ■tioo •^ir;?" 05 ^ -I" -a r- 1* 1 *i (Oft"" iO ,-*• -4* n • r^ - • 4 t) oo OS •< ■3 O O O n— oiO© *i a o ® r: CI , : °i ^ n U Wg^-^ «-f {g -*" •■Ho" "■ "^S S < <^ - — , , , oo ^ Si — H -f '^ , U s z u > b: o CA a - 1 • § s II * r r J •? g- S •: 1 ? • S. = t 1 ^. :- • ! 11 1 1 1 .a 3 3 •5 ' (S.S ■ '-^ 9.< 1 g 1 O H 1 \ o \ ;. 43«- D -^^ ■iC CORRKSPOXDENC'E ON THE MUTl AL ABOLITION' OF s :<.:\ .3 3 e2 i iUs 1 i j 1 1 » M 1 .1 J « •1") ".I .1 1 1 .. 1 ■s 1 j T'lll ".I . -^ -«■ •«! 1 -« — «4 m ' 1 z? 1 1 ' • 1 * • 1 •« 1 , , ■0 ■B ■ 1 {^* a . ■"' NV) '-'.l 1 I ST 3 J 1 • CO g it i 1 1 f ^ ' — 5 t3_ 3 ' ' ■ ' • • «j '^ ••«"»"I»A PV s e e •fi ^ 'a. • I I • • 1 . 1 • 1 1 — 1 -jijojds III' t 1 1 1 1 1 ■» 1 1 1 1 « , ■>"J J'M X) 1 ' ' •3 e3 ■p'lH '•> ' • ■ ' 1 f»« n • 1 1 1 T • S ""ii'u ".I ■ •II t 1 1 I n 1 n 1 1 1 be c U IS J . . . . 1 I 1 1 2 1 I • « 'X s -mjioiL-^^ PV ^^ V -* a. ^ •ogi.i.xIs 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ' 1 ' 1 1 ^ " . 1 1 ' ' •»•:) jj,! ' •* 1 1 1 I 1 ■P4H « 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 M 1 1 a ■1«D "<1 ^; , . 1 ' IM 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 t _. .^ .4N -« 1 1 1 1 Hn 1 1 1 1 , 1 1 , a •pqii "a •* 77 ^ w 1 1 1 1 •*» !♦» t • • , ■^ " ' •aoipo JiJ •^ . . . • 1 1 1 1 1 1 • • .5 1 es 1 > 1 1 • 1 A • ^ _ A 1 c ^ '+«• ■ff •** H* •iil»JOl»A PV s , • 1 «rt «>1 C4 ii t* •ai|i.i»1s S 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 • ^ 1 «A n. , — ~ 1 • g •1»D »d :ti - 1 1 1 J ' ^ ■= ' 1 1 r . « * 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 •piII "J _ 1 — ^ 1 ,. a es c •no||»o J,\| ■a 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 CO to ' 1 1 1 1 g U 1 --I .*i -*;i -*! -« •«l •«K -«M -4m -*N -*n (71 a 71 n ffl (M ifi •msaoniA PV •q. "" " a c* ■Olfljodt^ 'a. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ! 1 1 £ • 1 1 • ■ ' ' • i • • ■ I s ' -s ' ■ -? ' 1 1 ' 1 1 1 1 t i ' 1 1 1 • s 1 ■ 1 ■ • 1 6 » • b 05 1 a 1 i? • ■ an tn •3 -2 1 J a- 1 a 6 br X .a g -1 U_ ■n W . ? £ s?- -U_ (O ^ H* M IH M 1^ • «A 1 9 e3 V t CUSTOMS DV TIKS IN CAWDA AND TUR WFST INDIF.S. No. -1. STArF.Mr.NT of Impiiiits iiitii ('ii)iiiil(i ol' the folliiuinL' Artirli'«, "liowine tlic Coiintriri « lum i Inipnriiil, unci ili^(ini.'iii»liinif wlirtlifr mirli Ini|mrtnti<)n« Imn' bci'n dinot iir throinrli other britiuli Po»»«iiii()n«, or fliMiH'h nnv Korili.'ii, iiml wlncli Fori'itrii L'liiinlrv nr Hrifi-'li Posucs'.idn (lurin;: tlip xiar In'i.I. TOTAL VAI.i:e. Dirwt friiin Throu|ili other ( ntinlrm. A R T I C L K S, llrill.h H'l-Dl lntlir«> I'Ditod Stale*. Nova .^-itiia, Nfwfuiiixlland, 1'. K. I>lanl. CoffeP ! 34,3J4 - ac. 8 II 103 to 7 03,701 1 11 482 14 11 Confoclionary and Prcservcn l,47!l 7 10 I 4 4 127 - 5 1,.160 - 1 2 MolaM.40« • - - - • r,u,rM li - - - 17,881 _ n 27,4,-.7 H 7,008 17 4 Cigarx ..... 12,145 10 - - 710 14 t 1I,2S0 11 148 4 ID SpiceH ..... u,-.'ni - 8 180 13 K ion 3 ."i 8,650 15 203 K 3 Cordiala IS!) n 10 - • 4 14 n 184 — Hum 3,-,'(i7 !!• 8 138 13 - 330 - 4 1,111 2 1,028 4 3 Honey . . . . - -1 I» tj - • 71 •J — Sufe'ar ..... a20,«24 'j 1 •J04 3 4 3j,oao 2 11 135,.J'2S 2 4 49,084 10 6 Mahofrany .... 89 7 .5 1 • - - 89 7 5 — £. 333,000 la fi2l 3 1 .'■.4,48(1 12 10 210,200 10 10 50,007 H 7 No. 5. CoMPAHATivK Statk.ment of tlio Quiintitv, Vnluo, nnd .Amount of Duty collected in theUniled Slate* and in Cunaild, on certain Articles named in the Itcciprocity .Act, bciri;^ tlio Growth and Produce of tlir (wo Countric-i iu tin' year 1848. ImI'OP.TED i.sto Caxapa. I.M POUTED INTO I'viTEi) St \Tr,s. ARTICLE.8. ■ Value. Amount of Duty in AIITICLE.S. Value. Amount of Duly a .f. ». d. 4- £. X, ./. £. 9. if. f f. £. .. ./. Grain and nreail!.tu ITt . 17,L'.')4 - - 9,60 2,400 11 Ill Cii'iiin nnd lUeadstufTH 90,164 _ _ 72„13I _ 1 H,0C2 15 - Vpgctablei - a,7B0 - - 1,504 376 - - IM kinds). Fruits ... 7,428 - - 4,929 l,2;i2 6 7 Vecetables 44 _ _ 35 . 8 1;. - Seeds «,S43 - - 2,033 512 3 6 I'ruitH ... _ s _ - 20 - 1 - Animals for breeJ, nut — Seedt ... 687 - - 550 - 13 13 - given. * Animals (for breeil) 12,.'I97 - - Tree. Animals paying tltitv - 13,931 - - 6,3 ?2 1,645 9 (i Hides . 2,7-6 - _ 2,2.tO _ 5.'i7 10 - Hides, ■) Wool - 2.1, 8 S4 _ - 19,107 - 4,776 15 - Wool, Butter 2,209 - _ 1,767 - 441 13 - T.->llo», 'not classed - 163,000 - - 6,524 1,631 - - Cheese ... 2 - - 2 _ 10 - Horns, Tallow - *) _ _ 1 - - 5 - Ashes, J Horns . - - Butter ... 72 — - 40 9 IS 9 Salted and fresh meat — Cheese ... 4,431 - - 2,9*9 747 / 4 Ores of ail metals Meats ... 23,156 - - 26,629 6,672 6 3 Ashes . . - 714 _ - 571 - 142 15 - Ores, none imported - _ .Staves - - - Staves ... 1,633 - _ 902 240 12 8 Wood and lumber (all 27.7 »9 ~ - 22,231 . 5,537 13 - Woods 4,623 - - 1,763 440 16 2 kinds). £, £. 246,151 - - $ 63,594 £15,909 13 7 100,668 ."i - ^118,625 20 t29,.i-2 11 - * Animals pnyiDg dutjr (not giren). Extracted from priDted Report of the Treaiury Department of ibe ITnitcd State* for 1848. Imports into Canada examined, and certified correct. I. G. O. Customs Department, ) Montreal, Canada, 17 July 1649. ) 43»- J. ir. DunMComb. in D 2 \'> J 8 COKRKSPONDKNCE ON TflE MUTUAL ABOLITION OF 'ANA DA. ■ 'h . .r:i No. 0. (KlI'lJKT OK FlKAMCtl.) Siwi'KMliN'i <-xhibitin)r »hi' V'alue snil Amoiiiii nf Diitifn on Articlri wliirli wire liiipurted diiriii),' thn fiiK'ul yr»r cniliii); aoth Jurn- iHo*, unil mm iiumJd fri* liy the Itvripruc-iljr Treaty, A II T I (1. F. s. Uuijr ptr col. V.lir uf Artit-lrff. (iriiiri, I'lciiir, mill llros '>.tiifl» • AiiiiiiHlii, fri'i' - - • - ,, iliitiHlilo . . - l'"ri'»li, SiMoki'ii, and SullfJ Mt'al Ciittiin, Wool, free - Si'i'dn, PluntH, Slirtibt, Sir., (tee „ „ dutiubl Vi'irctublcpt . - - . I'nilried Fruiti* ... Dried Friiif* . - . • Finli of all kind* ... I'rmluclit of Fi»li nnd of all other rrcatun tlio WHlcr . - . • Poultry . . . - '•+'»■''' Hides and KkiiiH ... Fiir«, undressed ... 'I'liils, u'ldressed ... Uiiwroii(flit Stone ... T'n«roii(rlit Murlile Butter .... Clieese .... Tallow .... I.ard ..... Horns • . . . - Manures .... Ores of Metals, free „ „ dutiable . Coal Pitcli, Tar, and Turpentine Aslien . . . - - Fire and orlier Wood All other Wood ... P(.|ta Wool Fish Oil .... Rice ..... Broom Corn .... Bark Gypauin, ground ... „ free, un^round - Grindstones .... Dyestuffs .... Hemp, Flax, Tow, unnmnufoctured Tobacco, unmanufactured Rags . - - . - living in Total • . . . . Deduct for British North American Provinces* . Leaving for Canada 30 20 20 30 20 20 20 20 lit- * Those articles consist of: — 1. Fish . '->. Stonp - - - 3. Coal ... 4. Fish Oil -'i. Ciypsum 0. Grindstones • Treasury Department, Registrar's Office, ;!1 Novtnibcr 1854, 20 20 5 10 20 10 4 20 ao 10 20 20 :)0 20 20 30 20 20 30 20 20 20 30 $ 3,U0(I,,4n() 220,042 .'j,IH4 18,210 art 103,800 13,UU2 31 001,071 1,010 5,.'<00 34,720 i:t,02O H lG,7fi8 4 V'6,811 127 37 837 1,421 18,700 510 254,773 73 4,441 728,(188 374,051 24,039 09,182 110,402 978 353 113,312 23,205 14,717 2,913 12,090 7,398,358 1,301,154 0,097,204 Ilvtin. $. C. 781,214 (10 45,128 40 1,030 80 111 - •^0,561 20 3,73(1 40 20 180,334 20 203 20 1,100 _ 1,734 46 1,392 - 1 00 1,075 80 - 80 25,302 20 38 10 3 70 107 40 71 6 103 20 70,433 50 15 - 888 20 218,006 40 114,810 20 4,037 60 20,754 00 32,080 40 105 60 70 60 1,103 35 735 85 874 50 034 80 1,324,457 40 231,0.34 - 1,243,403 Valut. Dutieg, - 901,(!7l 180,334 10,758 1,075 - 254,775 76,432 - 110,402 22,080 355 70 - 23,305 1,103 491,223 281,154 F. Biggar, Registrar. ♦*■* CUSTOMS DUTIES IN CANADA AND THE WEST INDIES. -'9 No. 7. Stitemknt sliowing the Viilue of itiul Duty on Artii-lo!* imported into CjnaJa («iiuinersuU in Hcci|iroi-ity Trcttty), iliiiinsj the Ymr lH.->t. CA.NADA. A U T I (• I, K S. Valik. DlTV. 'I'ubacco, iinrniiiiiirmliiri'il (iooIlN 111 ;| 111 .'1 4,1HI 111 4 4,.'UI,'> tl .'I '2,,7"-'1 l:i 7 7,11111 14 (! l.."i(M» - - Other artkle.1 --.-......' I.ihmi - ToTAb Goods at 12i per cent. . - - £. '. I'.i:i,:t22 t! (iiKius at 2^ PEu Cknt. : ""^ link Brown Com ... Hiirrstones ... I'oal . . . - Uvestiiffit ... Flux, Hem?) and Tow Hides und Felts Lard .... Pitch and Tr.r ... Mnrble and Stone unwronuht Tullow .... Wool .... Total Goods at 21 per cent. - - £. Fbek Goodh : Animals .... Grain .... Cotton wool ... Seeds .... Manures .... Planes, shrubs and trees . Total Free Goods - £. .".i.T (i 1 4,!lll 7 It 2,H)7 !! .', /i.'),(l!t."i - - (t,(«HI - - 2(l,:!:l.-. - - - - 1.2.V1 - - LVLVl 7 - 1 44!l 17 n {.•Ml - - I1!I7 II 10 1117 10 - 12.'i - - 24,1(1.1 ti I 14 10 124 10 .12 i;i 1,;!77 7 l.Vt - <1.1.-1 17 1..1II1 I.T 22n r, 71 1 1117 10 2,M.T 10 201 1 271,955 1 0,700 10 1 11,007 1.5 - 212,403 m - .T,fil4 - - 24.5!Mi 10 5 ■>.!»«.) - 13,:«)C 18 271,324 13 11 U K ( A P I T U L A T I O N. Goods pnyin/i; specific and ad rahretii duty Goods at 30 per cent. . . . . Goods at 20 per cent - . . . Goods nt 12.i per cent. . . . . Goods nt 2A per cent. - . - . Free Gooils ...... I. G. 0., Customs, Quebec, 3 April lUoS. Total Deduct free X. s. 10,(7" '" 20,110 - 42,050 10 1!).T,322 271.035 1 545,021 2,100,035 - X. .1. il. .T..1!I0 - (i,(l.-,.T _ _ 0,.-.71 7 11 24,1<;.> 1 1 1 9 «' •irf i 1 .t 1 1 3?i '' " .?i';i" 0. a fl m^' '• •III! • •i^- " s ■3 i -11 1- i ? .,»;'' fl /■ u u: !»• w:;-' i UJ b: «1 ffl •< u. ■r. ^ ltl*lll(llll.*llll> 1 a a '2 fc ^ i2 S -■ «• 1 P — Tl ■ ' ' 1 » — o> c 1 ff. ' o - ?i ' ■^ rs 'i (T n — ^N n V, "" «» « IT ?l rt J; X C t t r •£ -f » T . ' . . o « _ n 3 t 1 cy , , 1 2 ■'" • 1 . 1 • 1 ' ^ - , .5 ' M ( ^ O Jl ^ .11 c n 51 Jl M - C « fl _ « ^ » ?. 1 (O i^ rr — 1 I-, -t 'J ct -^ X r. r. « K u ri to , 1* 71 .0 — , ■?! o , c r. •* .I 71 -» — X t- — , fy ,! o ' 1- -c - 3 ' / .n ' s T 71 71 r. - ^ X J - ' ?l ■» "f Q •1 ..T X 71 - tz o' 7l' -" -f 7? 71 J y. - ; - r n 5i n S'. s = iSa'sl .if- . 8:32Z;£S . 77 . . !li^"/^5::pi -f. Si. , -a- ' — ■ < ■ I. • 1 » 1 1 ' 1 .^ I - 1 ?i , 1- 1 S: 1 to ------ ^ ^ 1 , C - 1 'X! 5 ^(n >n \ mm t^ 1 i!^ r 1 n *f 'c i i i « « (/J V 1 3 .|-'|fi .g2r^^.;??j:;zS • -2 -Ir,!: S .- ^' ^ ^^■s, T - m - « ,. _ 71 -J ^. c 71 s o\-^^ o C3 1 t 1 1 — j3 " tc "f ctoix ,r. — ©?:cx40oi^ c a "r;>'S"5."Si'-? «ti •s >. o«_-,- -> :•'■;?--- = „- to . - IN ■» a mc ' „_i..iiii 1 'X S £ a — S a Tr ■"-■" CU • -" >,,,,,, 1 < *i -4 ti n . _ •-* . I 1 1 • 1 t g ,=s^aa — = = :^» .-^ = - Si b« ' M , M U u U ^ H H o b: H < • ■ ' < 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ■ t t 1 , • 1 1 1 t b o o s t 1 . . . 13 s; . . S i'iiiiiiiii«,,u3^i*i* 0. = J £ S rt 3 ^^ s - : ^ g u .^ S3 a U d d i 'i5 -3 cs 1 "^ t If V3 jj o c O -a , ,-. , !i J U M H M ^ • ' 1 Ml > a 9 rj - e 1 n J ^ 1 . r. « 1 . U — " U > "hSSS" 'i. III! 1 * t I u t t > • l-j y h.) ' H s: • 1 • ■ •< .... H ^ S ■ ^ » 2 •« C "3 S S .2 .S = X(-ES ■-; X -- - u ■<2i2- Li »J M -"I TO »^ ■< , • 5 7 ? S > CS • 1 • . 1 * 1 • 1 M y NH H 1 i . BS •< road iron inm iron ■■s.spfeS K^cqv 2 1 43I- ht^' CfJSTOMS nCTIKS I\ C\N.\1>\ AND THK WKST INDIKS. V N.I. 10 Sii.tiiMi M 111' Kiviiiu" C'(ill"'< li-(J ill till' DiffiTiiii DKirirt-. iii lliv I ininl .stulu, UirdiTiMt; on ( •in.iiln, lllirill;/ till' tiilliiu IIIC I'itIihI'. IIISTKICTS. I'roiii iNJO Id Hts (III Vi'ur»). Ki|ifm«« (if Oilli^lifin. I Nrt lit'Tvmiv. Dullari. 1, WrmiMil jiA,n«5 u ' ■ » I liili.|*l»iri - |il7."77 ^H .':. (). -iiu-li.e (itaol 71 I_ 1 .1)1^ \ iiu-i>i>t al.li*'' "1.. :•■ S4cki*1t'i lUrlMiur - I.l,!!"! 4 l<. ll.>,-Kn 'JlKi,;..4 ••4 7, fifni*« l.l.l.lllll (17 H. ,\lHt(Hl.i :,:i.:,i: 7 !l. IIhITiIo l.-ill.t.l7 till III, l:ru- . .■i..l'll lili II. Ciiv iluiqi* .■lll,«ll.l 1.. IJ. Hitnilii^kv ]l I.l, .MiMllli . .'l.liliO III H. Ilifh-iiit ^<.li;ll 71 I.V Mirhilimiii'iniir ;.. 1 -!• 4i l(i. ( liira(;ii - • ■■"■"• -a I.aiin.-i4 ur>). I Jr(r«» ItfVriinr. of ri.lW-tritll. Not Rr.r l..n nl l.k|M-rt«r«. Ik'lUrt lA.I.IUlO I.MI.Il.'H llli.'<74 7 -.1.17 liHJ,4'IJ ia7,.'ii!i 'II, /l* 117.'!' 1(17.' .1 I.Ki III 47.'il4 i!..!IJ!l ■Jd.l-.l Ili'l.lHl.'i .W.d.llJ ■1,117 Dotlnri. r, IhttUtu. Hl,7a.i (il.lll" 4 114 '■ Itwra. DJhm. r. I ttotlan. e. IMInr,. e. 47 Jii h4 «7 47 '■i •»fi -i 7.1 4« I'l 42 .'I'J 4•',■J^.^ .'•■j.iiii.i .'i.l,li7i .ii.,7»7 !IJ,.>"I» lil,4lli 4:,21li l.>J.lpJII 7..J.II Ui..iai 7j,2J'< .14,747 l,(l,»4(i l.'i Hl.hl.l * 1 27,47* 47 lJ4.l4i 1 i.'i.'i'jri I,* \ 22,>M14 22 lll!',7..l 4.'.»tJ 41 : |li.lK)2 22 20, (•411 ■.'•J.41U ' ^ 1 t.2J2 .'»■* »,l.-i iii.mil ..* 27,i">il !>.> . ■J7.l,17;i •12 l^JUl 41 2.14.(14: 4.'i..'l'i4 I ti l.'l,'t*)^ 47 .11,! 22 44,li:)i 44 21,27 7 III! 22,7!l'< I4l<,7llilll I'l "",»".'» I.l. v. 211 ;ll.'i'i4 .11 - 120.1177 21 I2,2i» 71 II. 1.441 • 14,1)1 ■< 44 .vu; 411 2'<,IIMil 244 .').» 2.4711 41' . 47,n;)j 4i 32, "lis ■^j Ii,n.i7 1,7(17 42 4,.'i.l.i 2 1 " IU.Ii7ll 41 lii,:il>ii 7.1 I i;.4 .i;i",;ii2 21 .■ni.4:»i M < H44,.11» 44 III* 20 I .'ill! llU iiviu; 41 7.1 . I .10.7IW f» 2.22.') (M 5.717 60 .10 4(i.l2nic« of Ciiljertitin tiruM Itevvnup CoUccteti - Ijntn to I^uhlii M'iirM. e. . l.>>iio,77U M . I,200,"9.> (I .IW.Ril .'lO IViiuct thi*ri>fr(iiit, DmIi.- K.'fiinrI,',! |-!x|H*nM>« nf Prii^nititin Kx)ifl)M>« nl (!ulli-i;ti<,ii KlCrwt iif K\{H-IlM-» IMIiin. r. RfVtfnup • I,l3ii,'> 2 21 Ih.lhri. r. 170 (12 I.IIOli 111 -.111,41(1 14 - 4(1, 129 (Hi .17i».''31 A3 7;)2.07() .'iH if' ir». II V,I„,. of Iin|iurti*. r,i (niie of CollfclioD. D,'ltcirs. flirf/or,.. c. IMlan. c. Dollars. IMIart. c. IMin,. r. JMl.irt. , Dull.,,: r. l)„ll.,n e. 1. Vermont - 4«,f,!l4 1 37,1147 2(1 !t,c96 - 184.312 40,114 64 10,414 ,111 317,27<) 41,819 1.3 0,-71 2J 2. Chiimplnin 7ii,311 1 114,673 .'.1 10,218 - 404,-30 111,112 -0 .-,4-2 41 104,173 121.30.i 10 1,1,31,7 .1 3. Oiiwepati'l'ie 20..1IJ:) 1 20,004 70 3,283 - 328,7;i6 44,533 (14 7.002 .30 ii.),4;2 34.101 47 8,4-9 3(1 4. C»pc Vinrent - 4i,t"'1 1 2l,<>iK) l*'2 7,K14 - 700,(101 33,07 1 •10 0.071 .37 1,111,001 27.21.1 .1 8.427 9.3 j. Sackctt'i Harbour .1(10 12,'<44 24 7,27(1 ~- 4,1!IS 4,403 .3 8.183 14.770 .1.-0 4 04 0,703 23 6. OBWfRO - 5!)2,liJ3 sii.72(l 07 10,44 ■< 2 J 1,404,140 I2'<,007 27 11,733 10 .1,100.021 174.111 7(» 20,008 37 7. Ceni'«ee - 11,075 Io.il '<3 Iti 0,!I4I 44 40,030 7,002 32 «,704 40 1(10.780 10,343 4 7,214 44 S. Niai;ai.i - 114,717 21,8 -.1 4-' .'),li.14 - 1,110,707 2",.14S A'* 11,171 I'l 171.0.0 , 22 .107 31 8.-12 6.'> (1. Uuffiilo - 07,477 1 01,172 - 13.003 - 440,708 83,201 72 10,100 00 4U."8 SO3C0 Mi 17,144 2.1 in. Erie ■ .-.17 C 850 3 .1- 310 0>1 2-3 30 4.308 1 li'lli 02 1,2-3 1 1 1 . Cu)ahoi;:i 2o,aii 1 M.a2s .^(i 4,404 - 1.12.21(1 4.-',310 70 .1,000 -0 .1T-.'..i04 113.101 28 4.304 92 12. S«nflu-kv- .134 i<2,3y7 4« 2,A1U _ 34,000 70,001 88 2,.jO0 02 10. 710 20.32(1 (11 2,334 12 M. Miami - . . - 2,414 _ . 00,310 2 2,'.* 10 73 7.041 71.107 14 2,1.-2 4 14. Dttroit - 63,634 34,111 M I1,(l''2 3M 207,7f2 8.11 ei 17,7.10 ,-1 1 30,04 1 1.1.7IK> - 1 4,8U9 .37 l.'j. Alifliiiiinacinac - 437 1,034 21 2,211 _ 3,44S 4SI (ill 1,040 •10 7,44.1 1.023 *1 2,084 .59 Ifi. .C'bii"*!" - - Ul!l SO 2.620 6 - 127.000 (13 2.377 30 40,174 I.I.^ISI .12 4.213 37 17. Slilwaiikic i-t.n- - ll.ititi 74 2,.|00 - 7,.33n 27,210 11 2,-3.1 1 1--,"0- 1.14.041 78 3,023 3S Llished ill 1862. ToiAt - - 1,101,77(1 5Sj,77l - 110,830 11 3,270,771 800,747 43 121,040 40 0,7 10, Ml 1,032,108 22 137,189 91 _Yo'p.— It ii* to be ittisTTeil mxin roii»pnriiif» t' e IiniMiit** with \\w licvrnuc roiitnint-d in tin; a'tnvc Statenn-nt, that whlKr tin- Itii|)nrt<* inrhiihf only the articles hioiight iliiutly fmin Canada iiitu the purtu mLMitioned, a puitiun ui' thu Uuvunue ia deiivcJ fiuui linpuit^ hiuii^ht into the Atlititic |iT ffi vc" ffJ — * ' V c5 (0 — ■ ^' oi ' (O'fJ" . £ V — -r 01 — to i a "* M X — C ■£ i- oti -» T "D c /> 1- — .5 — -n C i^ 'r r- C — -^ 1- =^ J 5", ffj in !■■ v 1 - — X !^ 1 • i ?t ?i — r, 1 - CI ?. ■'^ rt «( X eo ',0 -» CI >■» t ■^ » ■ .■?«'* !■• ?* a xi 5 u k. ■■<< > JT e? ?; V ^ ^ u X t£ .■* ft T ■^ ^ t.' c^ Tl '^i 1- — -I .•? ff! 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Government House, Quebec, 29 Sei>tenibcr LS55. (Ilccuivcd, I.^) Octolicr IHj.'j.) s;j|. (Answered, ID OcIuIxt iH.'ji), No. 45, p. 'M,.) I iiAVK the honour to enriosc a copy of" a letter from the Oflicer administering: tlie Government of IVlonlscrrat, loj;ethcr with a copy of my answer, which in fact consists, as you will see, of httle more than a copy of my former letter to tlie (iovernor of Barbados. I have, Sec. (signed) Edmund Head. Enclosure 1, in No. 4. Sir, Government House, Mont^erra*, IK July I8:i5. End. I, in No. 4. II AViN(i in the early part of this year cii my assumption of the ollice of President ud- miMistjc( t the establishnuiit ol ret'ipmeity of trade hetueen that province and the several West India Islands, and beinj: fully convinced that the trne interest of Monserrat were alone to be li jked for in the direction ol the most uiirestrieled Ireedom of exchange with the more v.ealthv and now pupnlons dependeneies of the Crown, I lost no tune in bringing the snl)ject under the consideration of tlu! I,e|j,islatiiie of the island. Ill my iiussaiie reconmienworll>, Hart., (o >ir 1;. Head. i(i Aiij-usi i8',r,. ij — No. (i. — (No. 45-) Copy of a DE.S PATCH from the Right Honourable Sir G. Grey, Bart, to Sir Edmund Head. Sir, Downing-street, 19 October H.'j.'). I irAVK to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch t of the 2.')th September, No. 131, enclosing the copy of a correspondence which has taken place between yourself and the Officer administering the Government of Montserrat, and I have to convey to you my approval of the answer wliich you have returned to his letter. I have, &c. (signed) G. Greij. No. 6. Right H. ^";' mIv ^^^'■'■ 3'! CORIIESPONDF.XCK ON THE MUTIAL ABOUTION OF As*cnil)ly of narl)..(lors. and I Iiavc tlie honour to enclose copy of tlicir addresses, wintli I have forwarded to the (Jovcrnor-gcniTal of Canada, for the inforniatinn oftlie l.c;,'i>latiirf of that colony. 'I lu; considerations «hiili have wcii,'hed vvitli the Assembly in jiassin;^ the IJcxohitions niclosol witli tlieir Addri's-;. and witli the (,'oiincil in ailoptin^ tliein, ha\c heen tlie bcndit they anticipate troni a revival of a trade with tiie North Anierican cohniie- on the jihuial terms pn<|iosed, by wliich they will he relieved fioni ail ;.'xduiiive depcndi nee for tlieir suj)plicH of tiour, fish, and '.umber, on the I'nitfd States, where tlieir own produce is excluded by the hi^di .) \v. ('oi,l)ri)oki< ( \ii.-«ii.il. I S, |,t,.i,,ii.T |s-,;,, \,,. 4, p. ,-,>.>.) to tho Uii;lit lion. I.I 1 » ,• 1 I . 1 ,■ .1 I • .• lord J. Itiixsi'll, HAVE the honour to lorward u (le.s|)atch troiii tlie Lieutenant-governor ot i3j„ne'8--. Grenada, will) tiie Blue Hook lor 1>.'j4. ^ Enclosure in No. 8. Extract of the licport of the Lioutenunt-fiovrrtuir of rireiiada on the Blue Bonk tor !«.'> J, dated 2i .May lf<.>5. If the fancied pogsil)iiity of a return to the princii)lt.' of dirt'erential duties worf still the '""cl. in No. 8. sole ground of the- planters' hopes, I should look upon tliein as purely delusive, hat I nm glad to observe that attention is ht'siinimig to Lc lurn('li .[(juiiKils tli:it iiiiniirv liad 1)C' 11 inadi' in I'iirliainciit on the subject IM,AM)s. of tlic ( 'iui:i(li,iii |ircppii-iiU Inr rstal)li>liiii!; xirli an irilcrcoiir-i' wjlli the ^V(•st —"" IikIk-, aii'l that du tin- riport oltliu IJuiiril ol IVacU-, it \\v\ Ih'imi deter. nimd l»y llcr .Maj(■^ty'h ( lONcinim'nl luit 'u '^iw sii|)]i()it to siidi a |'n)|ii)sal, 1 am induced at tin- titne to tronMc ymn l^oiiWnp with a ^liort review nl tlie eorresiiondenec \ilii(li lias |ia>.-ed from time to time ill reL'ard to tlie fiscal reirulatioiis and tradn of these colonies, in the lull assurance of the dis|)(isitioii of your Lordshi]) to Jillord a li!)eral Mipport to liiiin in their eft'orts to retrieve their affairs, hv the ado|)ti()n of those principles whieii are in ;!eeonlan(' with the policy of the United Kingdom, and condmiM' to tie' "iltare of all elassos of the peipli;. *J. Ill in\ report on the lihie Mook for Ks'tO, I took occasion to point out that a iari;r part of reveniu' of these islands, which had formerly l)e-'n collected internally, had In en latterly raised hy increasing the customs duties on impo'-ts, and which were mdi-erimini'.tely imposi'd nn corn and other ui't-essaric^ of lite, as well a^ on articles of luxuries. These supplies were lor tiie most part received fi-om file liiited Slates, and lieini; jiaid foi in money, it hec iine an object at once to relieve the colonies from the duties on corn and other suU-^isiencc of the piojile, and to he abh' to obtain them in exchanire for their own produce, virtually ex( luded from the Tnited States hy lii;;b ]>r()teetin!L; duties. The ])rojio>al, tliere- fori', which orijiinated in Canada, was favourably received, and recollecting that tlic trade in supplies Ironi liritish North Ameiica was, at a former period, |»ro- niotcd and jmitected by Parliament, it was not doubted that the renewal of such an intcreourse would meet w ith encouragement from I Jer Majesty's (loverment, were it only to relieve the colonics from dependence for their subsistence on the I'nited States. .'i. Not beiii"' aware of the views whieli may have been embodied in the report stated to have luen made by tin; Moard of 1 rade, I am only able to infer tiiat it may have originated in an ap|)ichcnsion that a free admission into (,'aiiada of sugar and molasse> from lieiice, might divert a jiart of the jtroduee of the-e colonies from the home nuirkets, an aj)j)rehension which, if really entertained by llcr Majesty s (lovermiient, maybe met by the remark, that from tlie relative jiopulation of Canada, its eonsuniplion could hardly have any appreeiabl. etiect on the supply of the United Kingdom open to the markets of the world, f am disposed, however, to consider the question upon more general grounds. 4. Whatever may have been the circumstances which led to the ioipositiou in r.iiglaiid of high duties on the j)!oduce r.t these colonies, it was fully conceded ill the reply to the jielition of the Barbados Legislature in !H53, that their progressive reduction in accordance wi'n the principles of free trade, was only a ciuestion of time ; and however discouraging those duties have been to the West India planters, being aware of the press' ire of the war on the resources of the United Kingdom, they have complained onh that the produce of the Spanish colonies, raised by means of tiieir flagrant vi )lation of the treaties for abolishing the slave trade, should be admitted into the United Kingdom, in competition with their own. In regard to the immediate questioa, although the West India planter would derive some advantage from disposing of a part of his produce in Canada, the chief benefit from such .m intercourse v ou'd arise from the repeal of the duties on corn and provisions, and the payment f jr them in the produce of the colonies. No steps would of course be taken to effect this object, until Canada, with the sanction of Her Majesty's Government, had repealed the duties on sugars imported frem hence, and altiiough it would be preferable that the duties on imported corn, &o. should be generally repealed, as they have been in the United Kingdom, and as I had before recommended to the Legislature, with the approval of the Duke of Newcastle, yet I hope that your Lordship will not ol)ject, ui'der the circumstances of the case, to the exemption of such supplies received from Canada from the operation of those duties, if an Act should be passed for that purpose. I have, &c. (signed) W. M. G. Colebroo/te, UiM CUSTOMS OrT'KS IN ( ANADA AM) 1 HK WKST INDIKS. J'» — \o. II,— (No. .;7.) Cuj'v ofa DF-SPATCFl fromri.ni'nior Sir// .('uli-hrouki'tothe Ri;.'ht Honouiutilc Lord ./«/i/i Jtiissill, Windwanl I^laiuls, Maihado^, 7 August I'^.'i.'i. , lii'ciMviil. II Sf|iliMiilii r I"-.'!."!.! Mv F.ord, (Antwrrpil. Is Si [iiiMiilpir, H >.'i, Nm. 1h, p.. ■,:!.) I HAVF.Iiad the honcjiir to receive your Ltinlsliii's' despatch * marked circidar, of the I'Jih July last, in which my attention is called to a eircuia.- despatch addressed to the Governors ot colonies hy Lord Staidey, on the 'J4th of Mav IH4U, on the snhject of tlie iinpfsition of discriminating' duties, and advertinu; to the alterations in the conniif rcial policy of Her Majestv's (.iovcriiment. MJiich have snbset|U( ntiy t;iken place hy the adoption ol tjie principles of free trade; T am instructed to withhold assent \o Mills passed hy the Colonial I.euislature, if tliey should contain provisions eillier in the nature of prohibitions of the importation of articles from elsewhere (except in certain cases), or imposinjj difiirentiiil duties, whether on artichs of British, foreiirn or colonial production, as a;;ainst bimilar articles in tiiis culoiiy, or in favour of one eolony aL;:uust another. In carryine: these instr>ietions into etllct. as they would appear tn ha\e reference to the lesolutions ol the Council and Asscinhlv of Marhados. toruarded with my despatch No. 27, f of the "Jod May. in reu^anl to v.hiel I recently addressed yourLordshij) in my despatcli No. (j.'), .[; of the I'fitii .July last, I venture, from the strong: interest frit hy the < oloiii-ts in the liberation ol their trade, to trouble your Lordship with soini' further ohservations. Tlie proposal retern d to in those resi)liitions bavin;,' oriijinatcd in Cinada, whcie the principles of recip'ocal free trade with the United .States had reci'ntiy been rccocniscd by treaty, with the sanction of Ller Majesty's (Jovernmcnt and of I'arliament. it was not doubted that the desire of the Canadians to establish a similar intercourse with these colonies, would receive the same encoui'a^^ement; and i need not nuiark, that any openiutj to extiiid those relations to other countrif's. Urilish or foreign, would have been nut in the same spirit. It was therefore with no narrow or exclusive views that the question was taken up, and if the Legisla ure did not generalize their resolution, as accordin;jf to your Lord- ship's despatch they wouhl have been authorised to do, it was only that tlie reciprocal advantages which were the basis of tlie Canadian treaty with the United States, had not elsewhere been held out to them. I have, however, observed in the recent connnunications between the Governor and the legislative bodies in Newfoundland, tiiat the latter had been invited to adopt the Canadian treaty for reciprocal free trade with the United Stales, as soon a . the Act of i'arliament embodying and carrying it into effect should be laid before them. I airi not aware of the provisions of that treaty, but if it should be open to these colonies to avail themselves of the same privileges, ,t would be their obvious interest to do so. Having recently had occasion to allude to the rapid declension of some of these colonies, occasioned by the withdrawal of capital and the uiminisued pro- duction of sugar, it is right to remark, that notwithstanding the advantages which have hitherto favouied Barbados, there is not that encourau^emeiit for the investment and (mploynient of capital in the island, which is required for the due support and encouragement of its agriculture. In these circumstances, it is of material importance to the planter to have access to markets from whence supplies can be obtained in exchange for their own pioduce, and if such facilities should lead, as mijjht be hoped, to the revival and extension of sugar cultivation in these islands, their trade with the United Kingdom on which they depend for all manufactured products would be pro- portionately augmented. In 1854, the imports of the Windwaril Islands exceeded a million sterling, of which one-half nas received from Great Britain, and the other half from foreiya siatci) and British colonies. I have, &c, (signed) /f. M. G. Cokhroohe. WINDWARD No. I I. t 'O^friuii Sir \V . t uli-brouke to Uiu Ui^lll Hull. Lord .1. RuMiU, 7 Augiut 1855. ' Tag* 1. 431- E4 L,^^ 4'. COURKSI'ONDI.NCE ON TlIK Ml'TUAL ABOLITION OF WINDW.MII) ISLANDS. No. fj. (iDvcrriir Sir W. Colebrnokc (o the Right lion. ].ord J. Kuiscll, 13 August 1855. • I'ugc 3'j. (No. 70.) Copy of — \o. I-'.— a DKS''.\T('I1 I'lorn (iovL-riior Sir ll^illiam Colebrooke, to the Kiirlit lloiiouriiblc Lf>vA Jnhu Ituxsell. Wiiulwanl Islands, liiirbados, 10 August ISoS. I IliMTivcd, 7 ScptciiiliiT IH.»5.) Mv l.on' (Aiiaivercil, in ScptoiiilnT IH.-iri, No. I8, |i. ',{].) .SiNCK cl( aiii},' my disitatcli, No. ()7,* of the "tli instant, I liave had an op- portunity uf rLlirrinL; to the treaty coneluded l)etween Her Majisty and the United States ol .\iiieriea at W'asliinuton, on the oth June 1854, by wliich I lind ihat tlie atraetini; capital Irom the nritish colonies to the encourafrenicpt of the slave trade, with whit h they are exposed to compe- tition in the llritisii as well as in the American market>. That .ucli an iiiter- chauLic should tend to the diversion for a time of the trade in supplies from the I'nilcd States to the North American provinces is prohahic, hut as the Americans would he an\iou8 to preserve that trade, they would prohahly lind it their interest to n ducc or aholish the high protecting duties levied in their ports on the produce of these colonies. One cH'ect the colonists antici|)ated was ilie lil oration of the capital now employed in the provision trade, and the eucourage- ment to its investment with other capital in 8u;;ar jjlantinij, and a vast and rapid increase in the production of their staple exports, while the negro population, many of whonj are sutlering from the lossor limitation of employment, and fronj the present hi,i;h price of provision, would obtain nut on!) full wages, l)ut the command of cheap suhsistence, so far as they are deptp.'lent on imported supplies. These arrangement'", if carried out with the consent of Her Majesty's Govern- ment, with tlie North American Provinces, or hy treaty with the United States, would un(|uestionably he |)artial and exceptional until generally recoi^nised an'l estahlished, and having already recommended to the Legislature, with the sanction of the Secretary of State, that the corn and provision duties should he wholly repiahd, and iliat a duty on rum consumed should he substituted, and the question having been entertained, I !\ave anticipated no dilKculty in these colonies in arriving at this result ; but dependent, as they are, for their supplies ill the North American continent, their claims tc consideration are as strong as those of Canada were when the treaty with the United States was con- cluded ; and although such a measure might intermediately create some difference in the Canadian markets between tlie pricR of sugars received from the colonics comprehended in the agreement and from other countries, the tendency would be in favour of the prineijjle of free trade and not of protection, and as it would be open to other countries to enter into the like arrangement, the remedy would be in their own hands. As to the practical effect in substituting the sugars of the British colonies for those of Cuba in the North American markets, if it led to the discouragement of the nefarious slave trade, carried on in violation of treaties in the !S|)anis!i colonies, it could be regarded only as a signal service rendered to the caust! of humanity and justice, by cheapening the supplies of the colonies, the consumer also would have no cause to be dissatisfied, while, by the admis- sion of other producers to similar privileges any complaints that they might urge would he obviated. As to the difl'erential duties, the anomalies which have grown out of the privilege accorded to every little colony in these seas to impose Customs' duties for all purposes varying in the rates from year to year, according to the exigencies of each, is a far more serious cause of disturbance to commerce than any which the measure in question could produce. These duties often capriciously and injuriously imposed, it has been n.y object to assimilate, by restricting the impo- sitioi 01 them to a General Assembly. These duties, varying in neighbouring colonies from 3 to 10 per cent, on imports, of which an aimual return is made to Parliament, and the export duties, which are in some cases levied, generate a greater amount of irregularity than would result from the gradual approximation to the principles of free trade, as openings might present themselves. Such measures beinj; conducted under the sanction, and with consent of Her Majesty's Government, to whom the subsisang engagements with other countries are at all times ful'/ known. There is, however, one important consideration which remains to be noticed. The sugar trade in the British West India colonies has hitherto, from circum- stances, been for the most part carried on with the United Kingdom, and being there subject, in common with other sugars, to heavy import duties, which it may he impracticable to reperl during the war, the command of the North American markets on more favourable terms for a time, and until cultivation 43 1 . F could WINDW Aun ISLANDS. f I: M I uv\ WINDWAUIJ ISLANDS .ii. '3 ill the United Kingiioni, .11 ot ca|)ital. 42 COURKSI'OMJK.M r, ON TIIH MlTrAF. AI501JTI0N' OV could 1)1' icHtorrd, iiiiirlit divert a |>.irt nl tlic i)roducr ot' tlio "r.ionic^^ to tliit <|uartur, and ii tlii' inurkcts ot the l.'iiit' .') hogsheads), could not |ti()l)al)lv liaM' ho 11 intaincd, win with tin- aid ot l()o,U(li» coolies, witli'Hit the stinr.diis di rivid t'nnu tlir protit.s ot" tlie .Australian markets, so iniuiit tin; coiinnand ot' tlic .Anicrican niaritcts Itc reasonably expicted to atliird similar cncoma!.'loyment, iind with their families dis|)crsed. In TobaiTo, St. \'ii "ont, St. Lucia, tind (Jrenada, there are examples of these results, iiidieatini; the diminished production of tliose colonies, and as I have already had occasion to report, the increasing; pressure upon all classes of tho local taxes, which will necessitate the early adoption of comprehensive measures for tlicir relief, if these colonies are to be rescued from bankruptcy and ruin. It should b'. remenihrred that the cultivtition and manufacture of susrar necessitate th;' employment of larse capitals, the returns upon whicli are pre- carious, and tardily realised ; so that an unfavourabli> crop or a f dl in prices may involve the entire loss of the advances made for its production, and where those advances may be withheld or suddenly withdrawn from the reduction of profits r.ii I the uncertain state of the markets, the situation of the most skilful planters m 'st be precarious, nor can the negro pctisantry be readily made to understand that the continued cultivation of an estate must depend on the reduc- tion of wages as well as of other charges. ilavintr taken chr.rge of this Government in 1848, a period of commercial depression, 1 can attest the severity of the struggle at that time even in Barbados, and the ditliculty of reconcilinLj the labourers to the low rates of wa^es, which alone enabled the planters to continue the cultivation of their estates, while in the smaller islands the public peace has not unfrequently been menaced and disturbed from the disputes thus engendered. In explaining the position of the various classes in these colonies which depend on the cultivation of sugar, i am aware that no political motive could weigh in their case to induce Her Majesty's Government to deviate from their general policy, as in the case of Canada, but 1 do not the less earnestly and conhdently appeal to their consideration of the just claims of the people of every class, to support under their present depression, and if as I fully anticipate, the command of the American markets sht uld give a similar impulse to these colonies, to that which Mauritius has received from its proximity to Australia, and whicii has been equally beneKcial to proprietors and labourers, I cannot doubt that the United Kingdom will fully participate in the benetit which will result from an increased production of sugar to meet a more extended demand, and when the exigencies of the pubhc service may enable Her Majesty '.s Government to reduce the duties now imposed in accordance with the view indicated in the Duke of iNewcastle's despatch, in answer to the Barbados Memorial of 185'', it will be found that the revenue will be amply sustained by the rapid increase of con- sumption of an article in such general demand as sugar. 1 am the more anxious to put the Government into possession of my views on pend li in neral ently ss, to inand 3 that has the )in an in the educe ike of .ill be con- views on CUSroMS Dl'TlLs IN i\\\\)A AND THK WKsl IM)H>. 4.; on ttii'* iiiiiHirtaiH sulijcct. 111 llie |ircc't i>\ an ctirK tcrnnnaiimi of my i)tli( i:il j-oniiLxion vMtli tlu^f t'lloiiir- 'I'l, t ci.ini' xioii lii'^ran wul. tin- i;ri'at mu-ial cliinui-* whii li flii'v Imv.' undri'^niK. ami laiiuiiiiii'^ a- I dn tlu- i'iri'n'ii>tanci'.>' wliuli liHvi- rclardi'd tln'ir iiro.-ri^s. I >liall I'Ntn-in niyscll luriunitc il liu- latt-m act 01 ni'. adhinistrati'in siiould lie ill'i'diial in ri'inovini: sonir ot the ohstapltM to tlicira :ricnltural |)ro^|H•|•ity llirouuii tli'- liluration and extension ot ilicir tiadf. \\\n- tliu culoniLM li'.ss wimIv and IrI|i1i'>s than tlii-y ari', tin i|iii-stion niitcht have lieen lelt to dejn nd for its Mipjioit on tlieir own fwilion.s, lint tlierr are Dcca'-ions when the peo|)k' «)l these islands, hokin;; up with eunlidini; loyalty and attachment to their Soveieiirn, expect that (pic^tions vitally atfectinii them should be advocated hy her reprcscnUuive. who re>.idintr ainoii;.' them, and fannliai with their condition, iiiid moreover havim: no personal interest in tluir speculations, Would he unfaithful to his trust, in wilhluddin',' hi'* opinion from Her Majesty's iiovernnient, however open it may be to correctioa from their more conii>rehen- sive views of the interests of the empire at large. I have, &c. (signed) W. M. G. Colcbrookc. Enclosure in No. 10. Sir. (Jnvprnment Housp, St. Vincpnt, 10 April Iflft.'S. i HAVE the honour to transiriit to voiir Excellency ft copy of the Speaker's reply to my messa^ie of the 'JSth Februury IH55, Nn. ,■>, on the ftuliject of tlie rcciprociil reniuvul of all restrictions upon a free coumiercial intticoursc between Cuii.ida and St. Vincent. I have, "kc. His Excellency Sir William Colebrooke, c. n. (sitrned) 12. Eifre. Sub-Enclosure in No. 13. !?ll-, Commitfep Rooms, Court Ilonse, 7 Aj)ril lll,-).j. 1.'^ \MM)V AIM; IM \NI».- r.iicl. in No. 1 I I HAVE the honour to ;icknowledfj;e on thu part of the hunourahle tlm Ifouse of Assembly your Excellency's joint message, iSo. .'>, cnclosiiip copv of ii letter fioni the chairniari of committee of the Le'jislature of Canada to the Colonial Secretary of this Island, in which inquiry is made, " whether, in tiie event of the prodnciions of this ishuul beiiiir aihiiitfed into Canada free of iluty, this Government is prepared to remove the duty upon the produc- tions t>f Canada, by the way of the St. Lawrence, on the like terms iunucdiately, or wuliiu u given time." Oil the part of the honourable House I am instructed to reji'y, that provided the Lei;islature of Canada excludes the admission of suqar and molasses tlie jjrodncts of slave labour, Ironi their markets, except at the rates of duty now or heretofore in force, and so long as that exclusion continues, this House will he prepared to remove the duties upon the productions ol Canada by way of the St. Lawrence, upon the productions of this Government being udinitted free from duty into Canada. I have, kc. His Excellency E. J. Eyre, Esq., (signed) J. Ciement Chopptii, Lieut-Governor. Speaker. —No. 14.— (No. 8i.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir ft'. Jf. G. Cokbrooh- to flic Right Honourable Sir ir. Molesworth, Bart. Windward Islands, Barbados, 24 Sept. 1S55. (Receivpd, 10 Octobir l^.'ij.) Sir, (Answered, 10 October 1855, No. 2, p. 53.) I iiAVK had the honour to receive your dcsjiatch. No. 15,* of the 28th ultimo, in acknowledgment of mine of the 2()th July, on the subject of the Barbados Kesolutions in favour of the mutual abolition of customs duties on the produc- tions of Canada and Barbados. 431' Fa Having No. 14. Governor Sir W. Colcbrooko, to the Riglii ileii SirVV. Molesworlli, Bart., ^4 Sept. 1855. *Pagc 51. ^"^ NMNDWAItl) ISLANDS ! 4 ItW'i M c()uui:si'om)i:nck on thk .miiial AUoLirioN of lliivini^ in my (lts|i.itcli. So. fi",* <>t' tlic "tli ultimo, nn'l murp rfctntly in my •.'(■lural tiuit, stated liilly tin- considiTationH wlii( li li.'iil \st'i.:lH(l witli iiic in inlvncatiii,'^ tlic mta-'iri', I need only nlrr to tlioso (l('s|i;if(ln -i to rcniovi' an iin|pii '--loin that, in licsiiini: to oiuti a Irci' intfrt'our-f uitii Caiiarla, I liavc lufii inscnMlili- to the im|n.rlaiu'f ot' ( arryni'.' out the |>riii- ciplis ol trti- tradf with other <:ountric<, havin;;, as already explained, pn viously recomnu nded to the Assnnhly to rejieal the duties on corn, &c'.,nnd to suhstituto a duty on nini constinied. I would ai'ii reliT to the memorial of the he(;i^Intiire in \H'i',]. in proof of their a(ce|itanee and advocaev til tho»e |irin(iplcH ; aiid -f the jMisent relations ot trade with (Ireat Hritani and other countries ent„ it lios hcen tlie desire of the IjC^islaiure to adopt them ^o far as mi;^ht he praeticahlf. 'I'lie eiri iinistance which has retarded the neneral repeal of the corn duties, ami the !tituiilan(l oeeasjoned hy the cholera, whii h prevailed in the last year, and the 111 cessity of a|)pnipriatinjj the latter revenue to the diseliar|;e of the pul)lic; olili'.'atidiis. The resolutions, tiiereloic, in favour of the mutual repeal of duties ill Marliados and Canada contemplated the sul^titution of some direct tax as an etpiivaleiit for the levenue to he surren-t the contin^'cncy that the revenue could not he spared ; aii'l I have only to add, tiiat, if under the present liii^h prices of provisions, the eliict of such a measure were to increase and not to reduce the price of imported sujiplies on which the lahourin;jc classes depend, no ailvanta^'c to the sugar planters would have inducid me for a moment to have t;iven it my support. Vour recognition of the loyal and |)atriotie sjiirit of the West Indian colonists III ^uhniittinj;. with their fellow suhiects in the rnited Kingdom, to the neces- sities which the war has created, is calculated to afford them great satisfaction; and I feel assured that, if they have heeii led to take a dirt'erent view upon i|Uestiiiiis iiH'ecting their interests, from those which have actuated Her Majesty's (ioverniiunt, tin y have been only desirous that an ('p])ortunity should he allorded to them of bringing the circumstances of their position to the full knowledu'e of the (iovei'iiment. You are already aware that the liquidation of the incumbrances occasioned by the destruction of property in the hurricane of 1831, has recently been the sub- ject of an anxious correspondence with the Loan Comtnissioners, added to which, there are other liabilities, some of long standing, for which the estates are responsible; ami the large advances required to maintain cultivation from year to year, the repayment of which depends on t'>e seasons and the markets, if unredeemed, are aildcd to the debt to accumulate at compound interest of G per cent, per :uinuni ; and where such advances are withheld, of which there are examples u) these islands during the present year, it usually involves the ruin of the estate, and the entire sucritice of the capital secured upon it. Hence the eHbrts made to maintain and extend the cultivation of estates to meet the reduc- tion of profits ; and in Barbados, where there is a greater number of resident projuietors than in the other islands, their labours and sacrifices are strikingly contrasted with that improvident management which has at other times hcen fittributed to West India proprictms or their agents. Thus, in 1842, 301,030 cwts. of sugar were exported at an average value of 44 «. 5 (I. per cwt. ; in 1847, 451,598 cwts., at 28 .v. lOr/. ; and in l8o2, 082,990 cwts., at 21 s. 8idse ijivcn to the pro>i)eiity of eountries where the people of every (lass lia\e Itetn willim; to submit to dinct taxation in order to etl'eet the liberation of their coniiner< e, I shouM be pre- pared to advocate buch a ])rinciple of free trade witliout any reference to the fiscal regulations uf other coniniuniticti. I have, kc. (signed) W. M. G. C'olfhrookc. wi\n\VAUf> |N|.\M)> beeu iue of 2,990 di mi- Enclosure in No. 14. No. 1. AcnicuLTCRAi, CuAHOEs (Averapc of Four Estates). £. s. d. Expended in tillage -----.-.. «2,i _ _ Woikinen's nccoimts - - - - . . . . 17.'-, _ _ IMaiitation supplies -----.... ■jii7 1 8 Maiiiire!. ------..-.. saoji Caloiiial taxes ------.... .">!.">- f'tock - - - - - fi-JlO- 8uluric» of ninnager, book-keeper and a<^cut .... n:, ]t; h £. i.aoo - - Deduct, value of rum and molasses - • - 410 in 4 Cost of producing 100 hogsheads of sugar - - 'JTJ . d. -I 28 19 - i : 22 11 - - 11 3 22 1 - E. k O. E. I I 43'- F3 w^ WlMJUAKl) J»i.\.\JJS. A I). 1.;. (jcnini' r Sir ti) till- l!i;.'lil Iloii. Sir W. Mull Mvortli Hiirl.. •1' ',i. > I'l., ■M i J'"i;t 3: ru(.'('? 1 and ( COUKKSPONDKSXi: (>N THK MCTr.M. amolihon of Xo. 1:.. (No. SC..^ Coi'V of a DKSI'ATCFI froin Cinvfriiiu Sir H'. .1/. C/. Cdlclin/oLt. to tlic IJij-rlit Jloiiuiiniblu Sir IV. MulcMmrtf,, liait. A\'iiu!\vard Isl.iniK, Uarhiidoi's. U Octoljcr ISC)^). j^j|. (Kir(i\((l .Jl OrtiibiT IHo'i.) I HAM. Iia ! ilic lioii'iur to ntccivci vour d(.s|iattli No. Jfi,* of tlic 'h\ ultiinn, in wliicli. julcniii:; to mine, No. (>»',| of tlic IStli of .luly, y mi have enjoined tlie ol<«erviince<>f cautiiiM in tiio e.\iire.s>i(m of (>|>inions to tlie Le:;i^laturc on (juestinns affecting; tlie '.'cneral policy of tlie empire, and I lie^- leave to explain that h:i\in,:;. in my desjtaleh, No. 27, | of the oil .Mav, forwarded the resolutions of the A>senibiy as to ihe reciprocal exemptions from duties of the produec of Canada and of the West Indies, without recuiviny any rcjily to that conunu- nication when the Assembly met on the IHth July, I was led to conclude that the projiosal had met witii the approval and sanction of Her Majesty's Govern- ment, and I have oidy to add that Lord John lluisell's circular of the 12th of July, and your own of the 11th of August, have been duly communicated to the Legislature. I have, &c. (signed) //'. M. G. Colclruoke. t No. 16. CiOvcriKir Sir W. Colilirookc to th(! Ki^lit lion. SirW.MolesHortli. Bart., 22 October 185-,. -1 1'ag'' :>z- pi r tn':. A;;ritl. I'xppnscs \'l i, Co;winl. CIiaigL's ti s. Duty - - ". 1,1 >. TciAI a.i ,v — No. 1.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir //'. M. G. Cokbrooke to the Uight Honourable Sir IT. Molesworth, Bart. A\'indward Islands, Barbados, 22 October 1855. Sir. (Uoeeivc'd, l-l Novcnilier 18.").j.) I ii.wii had the honour to receive your dcspatcli, No. Isi.t of the 18th ultimo, in which, with relercnce to the treaty of the 5th .Fune 1854 with the I'niled States, you observe tliat Her Majesty's Ciovernment had been induced to make that treaty by otlier than commercial considerations. I would, however, remark that tiie inquiries originated in Canada indicated that the commercial advantages derived Irom the treaty were so highly appre- ciated thai iiii extension of them was desired, whereby the privileges of the home tradi' enjoyed in tiieir relations with the United States, might bo acquired in their relations with other countries, and the free interchanges between them not limited to certain enumerated articles. As the.se colonics are jirepared to appreciate the advantages of such a pro- gressive api)'ication of the principles of free trade, it may be jjroper to remark that they have claimed no other privileges than have been conceded to their fellow-subjects in otlier ([uarters. I take tliis oppoitunity of explaining, that, from recent and authentic infor- mation, I have ascertained that while the cost of producing muscovado sugar in Barbados has been reduced on some well-managed estates to 125. j)er cwt, the cost of its jn'oduction in Cuba, in the last year, was 8s. per cwt., affording a premium to the Cuban planter, which, with the profits to be derived from the present high prices in the English market, must tend to give great encourage- ment to the slave trade. Ascuming 3.js. per cwt. to be the minitnum ]inee at which the Ilarbados projirietor would derive a fair return iijion his investment, the present prices of sugar in the United Kingdom may be considered atnply remunerative; it is however to be remarked, that on the comparatively small properties of these islands the expensive machinery used on the large estates of Cuba cannot .so profitably be employed. A resource might perhaps be found in the establish- ment of central works, for which however there has hitherto been no sutRcient encouragement to .....pitalists ; and until the slave trade in the Spanish colonies lias been efi'ectually ixbolisliel, it is not likely that any expensive improvemeirts for abridging labour will be generally introduced. To this object, therefore, and to the opening of otlier markets, which would constitute a resource when prices I '■ T- ml pn CUSTOMS DUTH;S in CANADA AND THE WIST INDlliS. ,7 •cs in the I'liitcd Kinu'dom niii^ht cease to be renniiuraiive, tin- r(iIoiii look as tlie int ans of enablini; them tu maintain thf mitivatioii ul' their estates, tlie suensii)U of whieli tor a sin.rle siasoii luiL'ht involw (Imn and ail dependinj; on them in ruin; and althoiii;li the exclusion ol' tlie -uu'ars of the Spanish colonies would ii'terfere wi*' the [irineiple «'f free iradr, the fulfil- ment of the treaties for tin; abolition 01 the slave trade is not less a [lart of the general policy of tlif^ emiiire. I have, Xc. (si ^vncd ) // '. M. CI. CuU brooU. ISLANDS. a pro- remark to their infor- arbados rices of it is f these nnot so tablish- itfieient ;olonic3 ements erefore, when prices — No. 17.— (No. 90.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir W. M. G. Culebrooke to the Right Honourable Sir George Giri/, Hart. M'indward Islands, Barbados, 27 Nov. ISJ.'x (UcpBivcil, 18 Derpmber ISSS.) Sir (Answrrcil, 22 Fcbninry 1850, No. 4, p. aJ.) I HAVE had the honour to receive your despatch " ^cnenil," No. 2,* of the 10th ultimo, and, in reference to the financial measures recently ad()|)ted by the Assembly of Barbados, and reported in my despatches. No. OJJ, of the 24th ultimo, and No. ys, of the 2()th instant, I entertain a hope that the state of the revenue will in a short time admit of the reduction and ultimate abolition of the corn duties, in accordance with the principle recommended previously to the embarrassment occasioned by the visitation of cholera in the last year. ;\Iean- while, it is incumbent on me to urge upon your attention the great probability that the present high prices of sugar in the markets of tlie United Kingdom will give a renewed stimulus to the slave trade in the Spanish colonics; and that in the ensuing year the competition to which our colonies have been exposed will be iireater than ever, through the reckless conduct of the Spanish planters. Formerly, the importation of negroes having African marks rendered it prac- ticable, on inquiry, to distinguish them from the Creole negroes, and thus to provide ibr their liberation ; but the practice fo" 'uore than 20 years of import- ing' only the young, upon whom these indelible ...arks had not been made, has ali'orded the means of evading tliis evidence of their condition ; and I must repeat that the only measure by which the suppression of the illicit trallic in slaves can be eliectually accomplished would be by the exclusion fi ai\ the British majkets of the sugars of the Spanish colonies, until satisfactory evidence might be afforded that the treaty tor the abolition of the slave trade had been fully carried out. I have, &c. (signed) W. M. G. ColebrooLc. No. 17. Governor Sir \V. Colelirooko to tlie Itiglit Hon. Sir Ci. Circy. 27 NovemborlS;;^. • Page :;3. — No. 18.— (No. 68.) Copy of a DESPATCH from (iovernor Sir W. M. G. Colebrookc to the Jiight Honourable //. Labouc/icn; M.P. 18.').-). Windward Islands, Barb..o0s, .31 December (ReceiTcd, 30 Junuary 1850.) Sir (Answered 'J8 Febrimry 1800, No. 0, p. 57.) Rti-KRRiNG to Sir W. Molcsworth's l>espatcn Circular of the lltli August last, 1 have the honour to transmit the copy of a despatch from the Lieutenant- governor of St. Vincent, enclosing an address from the Legislative Council, together with a copy of my answer to the Lieutenant-governor. I have, S:c. (signed) ir. M. G. Colebrookc. No. 18. Governor Sir W. Colcbriioko to tlie liiplit lion. n. Laboticlicrc. 31 iJtceiuli'riu •,,";. . 4 o,,"'^'flo.^. m lit 1 1 431- F4 M^^ 4S CORIIESPONDENCK ON THE MUTUAL ABOLITIOX OF VINDWAI'.lJ ISLANDS. F.ncl. 1, ill No. j8 Knclosure 1, in No. 18. (No. i^fj.) Government House, St. Vincent, Sir, 14 Docember 185."i. With n rt'tiriicf to voiir Kxrellfney's ciiriijar despatch of the Htli September 18.'>5, cover- in;; copy ol one (loiiitlie Secretary of' State for tfie Colonies, in rcferenct to a (iroposal for tlic niuttiiii iil'iilitinn (if ciistonis jliities npon tiie [iroductions of Canada and tlie West Inilative C.iiincil of tliis colony to a message from myself, luyiu'^' those comniunicaiions bt-fore the le:;islaturt. I have, Sec. His Kxediency the (iovernor in Chief, (signed) E. Ei/re. Baibadoes. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure I, in No. 18. V\-1>rt*'^' Council Chamber, St. Vincent, 4 October lUoi». May it iilease your Excellency, The lio;iid of Council lias the honour to acknowledge your KxccUency's joint ruessajcs, sprelivcly ntinibered !i, -21, and 27, and thank your Excellency for them. 'I'hc IJoiird feels that the subse((iient (les])atcli from the Ri(;ht honourable Sir William lolcswortli, dated the llih Anirust, withdraws the mater from its consiiieration ; but hilst tlie Uoiird yields a dutiful and loyal deference to the -.■••'w: of Her Majesty's Go- Verimient on that subject, it cainiot but express its sincere regret that tlie recently adopted jiolicy of England sacrifices colonial interests to domestic necessities. Free trade to the Colony, without a power to uiodily its apjjlicalion and to protect internal interests from the Pxhaustiii^ influence of powerful antu^imisls in tin; foreiijn slave-holding' colonic must be in its ultimate efl'tcts ruimus, and the prostrate condition in which the colony now is can linhappily be traced to that cause alone. "I'lie Jioatd thinks this a fittini: ojiportunity of representing to Her Majesty's Government the severe depression under which the trade and agriculiuie of the colony now labours, in the hojie that it will sympathise with the colonists, and reconsider the domestic policy of the Goveininent, so liir as it sanctions the admission of slave-grown sugar on erjual terras with that produced in the British colonics. I have, &c. His Excellency Edward John Eyre, Esq. (signed) JI. E, Sharpe, Lieutenant-Governor. President. ■4 Enclosure 2, in No. 18. (Nr.4(i7.) Windward Islands, Barbadoes. Sir, 31 December I85r>. End. a in No. i8. ^ nAvr received your despatch, No. 149, ofthe 14th instant, enclosing copy of an address ' ' ' fmni the Legislative Council of St. Vincent, dated 14th October last, and uiiverting to their observation as to the supposed injurious eflect of the admission on equal terms to the British markets of foreign slave-izrown sugars, I am led to remark that in Barbados the 0|;inion is fully entertained, and has been expressed in a petition signed by members of the Council and Assembly and others, that the liritish colonies would be able to compete suc- ccssliillv wiih the foreign slave colonies if the treaties for aboli.shing the slave trade were to be duly enforced ; and on this ground, as well as from considerations of humanity, they have urged the entire exclusion of the sugars of the Spanish colonies from the Britisit markets, while those treaties continue to be violated. I have, &c. Ilis Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, (signed) W. M. G. Colebrooke. St. Vincent. — No. 19. No. 19. Governor Sir W. Colebrooke to the Higlit lion. H. Lnbouclicic. ■ii Januerj 183C. Extract of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir W. M. G. ColebrooVe,to the Right H-Dn. U. Labouchcre, M.r. ; dated Windward Islands, Barbados, 21 January 1S5G. (Xo. 4.) 1 iiAVK in former reports stated the objectione I have entertained to the system of revenue whicli has obtaitied of late years in these islands by the increase of the duties upon commerce, in substitution for the direct taxes for- merly U xw CUSTOMS DUTIES IN CANAIJ.V AM) THIC WKST INDIES. 49 iiicrly imposed. The cli;in'j;u was cradually introductHl utter tin- aUol tinii of slavtry. and has been prejudicial to the trade of the i>laiid.s; but a> tlie Asscinhlv of Barbados has shown a disposition i)ro2:r('«isively to repeal tlie duties on corn and provisions, and to raise an e(|uivalent revenue from internal ta.xation, and as the islam! from its windward position is already the centre of an ■.. tensive intercolonial trade, the com|)letion of these measures, if carried out, will have the eflect of rendering it the emporium of a Hourishinji; coinnierce, by which the pros- perity of all classes of the people will be j)romoted. In the pursuit of this policy, a question has incidentally arisen, originating in an inquiry which emanated in tiie Ir.st year from Canada, as to tiie disposition of these colonies freely to interchange their produce with the North American Provinees, and as the measure was favourably regarded, resolutions were passed by the Legislatures of Barbados and St. Vincent for its adoption. Although at a former period their suiiplies were obtained from these Pro- vinces, the corn, provision, and lumber trade of these islands has of late years b<'en exclusively carried on with the Unitid States, and in consetpience of the high duties on sugars there imposed, and tiie cheapne? of sugar at Cuba, the supplies drawn from those states have for the most part been paid for in s|)ecie, and the caj)ital thus withdrawn has been employed in the encouragement of the slave trade of the Spanish colonies. The in(|uiry therefore from Canada was regarded not only as holding out a pre )tct of augmenting tlie capital employed in the production nf British sugars, sn- ut 'berating the trade of these colonies with the Americf.ns, but of with- d . • in the direct stimulus given to the slave trade at Cuba and Porto Rico, i. . .^ . on by the Spaniards in violation of their treaty with Great Britain. It is necessary to remark that in seconding the views of the Canadians, for the inter- change of their raw produce, no exdasive views were entertained. The high duties on M est India produce in the British markets occasioned by the war, did not necessarily att'ect the relations of their commerce with other countries not so situated, and in seeking to take advantage of favourable openings for free trade in other quarters, these colonies considered they would be better enabled to bear the pressure of the war duties in the United Kingdom, since their production of sugar to meet any demand is limited only by the labour and capital employed, which is regulated by the aggregate profits to be obtained, the difference being only that while the Knulish consumer is called on to pay a high duty on sugar during the war, by which the demand is rcstricteJ, the producer avails himself of other markets for the disposal of the surplus raised by his industry and ca()ital, and which he is enabled to exchange for the cheap supplies of raw produce, which he can derive either from the North American Provinces or in the United States, or from both, and while these colonies from their geographical position, are thus dependent on the American continent for such supplies, they continue annually to import from the United Kingdom various manufactures, to the value of half of their exports. 1 am aware thai Her Majesty's Government have objected to these views of the colonies, as at variance with the abstract principles of the commercial policy of the empire, but as the subject was noticed in Parliament in the last Session, I have deemed it my duty in this report briefly to recaj)itulate the arguments, as well from a desire that the slave trade should be abolished, as that the views of the colonists should be understood and appreciated. I would especially advert to the question as it regards the Spanish colonies, and the slave trade carried on by them, which it was sought to abolish by treaty with the government of Spain. As from the fruitless eficrts and sacrifices in successive years, it had been found impracticable to prevent the evasion of the treaty, by the blockade of the African an- m,s' 5L' COIIRESIONDI.NCK OX THH MTTUAL AnOLITIOX OF lui I WISDWAHD LSI. ANUS. No. ^20 GoTCTiior Hit I kn to t)iL' Uight Mi other foreiu^n countiies, such duty has no practical e'fect, as there never could be competition, tht* United States being the only foreign country from which British America derives suj)[)lies of the raw products embraced in the treaty. it is clear therefore, that the one was essentially a protective, as the other was a free-trade measure. I have thouLcht it right to offer these remarks, as some importance seems to have been attached by my predecessor, to the inquiry from the Select Committee, which 1 may observe has not been sanctioned in any way by the Canadian Government or Legislature. Despatches from the Secretary of State. \ No. 21. Right Hon Sir W. MiilcsHortli, But., til (idvernor Sir W. Colebrookc, II August i8-,5. • Pugc 35. t Page 3. — No. 21.— (No. 4.) Coi'Y of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir W. Moleswort/i, Bart, to Governor Sir W. Colchroolce. Sir, Downing-street, 11 August 1855. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 3d May, Barbados, No. 27,* reporting that you had brought under the consideration of the Council and Assembly of Barbados, a proposal for the free interchange between that Island and Canada of the native products of the two countries, and forwarding copies of the addresses from the Council and Assembly in reply ; copies of which yon had also forwarded to the Governor-general of Canada. I have to refer you to my circular uespatch i" of this day's date for your information anil guidance on this subject. I have, &c. (signed) W. Molesuiorth, CUSTOMS DUTIKS IN CANADA AND THE WEST INDIKS. .51 ^7C No. 22.— A rNo. I,';.) Coi-Y ofa DF.SPATCII from tin- Riirlif II()iionra!)lc Sir H: Molcsworth, Mart., to Governor Sir \V. M. G. CoUl/niokc Po^uiiiir-slrrct, G** Au;j;iwt \*<'>'>. WINDWARD ISLANDS. No. 2 J. lti);lit ll..n. SirW. Miilr«w4)rih, Hurt., til (iovirnor Sir 1. I iiAVK received vour desniittli, lJarl)a(los,* No. 05, ot tlic :.:titli .hilv. in W (oUiirooke, . . . • . .■ ......... ... * .. .jK .lli.rll.:. iKfl- whii'h vou adv(.catc tlie resolutinns ot' tlu' Marbados I.i'gislature. in favour of a 48 jiropi • al tor tlie nmtiial Caiiaiid and i3arbadoi«. d)olitiou of customs duties upon tlio productions of 2. You will Imve already received in Lord John Russell's circular despatchf of tlic IJtli i)f .luly, tlic instructions by wliich Her Majesty's Government desire you siiould gu de yourself, in dialini: with any measures which may be adopted by the Council and Assembly on this subject. And I ord John Uu.-sell has explained at son,- Knirth the views on which those instructions are founded; but it may ncvii theless be desira'oio that I should reply to some of the observa- ti«^ns in your present despatch. ;]. Von have pointed (lut that a large part of the revenue of the Windward Islands whieli had formerly been collected internally, has been latterly raised, by inereasiu'j: the customs duties on inii)orts, and which were indiscriminately imiiosed on corn and other necessaries of life, as well as on articles of luxury ; and tiiat these suiijiiios were received for the most part from the United States, and beiiiii' paid for in money, it became an object at once to relieve the colonies f'niiii the duties on corn, and other sulisistenec of the people, and to be able to obtain them in exchan'j;o for their own produce, virtually excluded from the United >tates by high ])rotcctinst Indies for Canadian produce, whilst the similar jiroduce of other countries is suujt'ct to duty in both markets, it amounts to nothing more than the same plea tor protecting duties which was so long maintained in this country as against the i)rincii)les of free trade, and which has been for some years past con- clusively refuted by practice and experience, as well as by argument. (i. It is the interest of the consumers, that is, of the bulk of the population of Canada, that 'hey should gel the sugar they consume from the place whence it can be brought to them at the lowest price, and subject to only such duty as nu\y be necessary ibr purposes of revenue. It is equally tlie intere'st of the con- sumers — that is, of the bulk of the population — of the West Indian colonies that they should get the corn and lumber they consume from the place whence it c\v.\ be brought to them at the lowest price, and subject to duties foi- revenue only. The present proposal is, in cfl'ect, that the producers of the West Indian colonies on the one hand, and of the Canadian provinces on the other, should combine to defeat the interests of the consumers in both. 7. In para. 3 of your despatch you state, that not bt;ing aware of the views which may have been embodied in the report stated to have been made by the Board of 1 rade, you are only able to infer that the objection of Her Majesty's Government may have originated in an apprehension that a free admission into Canada of sugar and molasses from the West Indies might divert a part of the produce of the West Indies from the home markets. On this I have to observe, that such a motive as you have conceived to operate with Her .Majesty's (io- vernment would be at variance with the whole spirit of their connnercial policy, and of the course of action which they have pursueu towards the \Vest Indian colonies and other colonies and countries in giving effect to the principles of free 43 •• 02 trade. Autiusi 1855 I'uj-'c 37. t Pnuo >. I I 1 ^1 ^ WINDWAHI) ISLANDS. • Puffe 3 .'i2 COHUr:SI'OM)ENCK (IN THE Ml'TUAL ABOLITION OF tnidf. If tliL (":in:t(li:m Icitisliitine sliould find it cxpi-dient to altolish tlie duties ii|K)n all sui^iir imported into ('iinada tlicy sliall be perfectly free to do so, without am- irfeieiicf to tin- rl'ict-i upon tlif -u!.'ar imirket of this ciiun'ry, whether i»- -iu'iiificaut as I am disposed to thiiilv with you that they wouUl he) or not in- siu'iiificaiit. A (opy ot ilie Uep' rt of tlu- Hoard <<" Trade, to wliich you have referred, "as forwarded to you ia iiiy circular despatch* of tlie 11th instant. H. I liave onlv further to state that Hir Majesty's Government deeply regret that they have been undi-r the necessity of raising the amount of duty upon su^'ars iin|iorted into this country, owinn to tlie financial e.\i;;encies of the war; and a'thouu'li the |)ressuie will fall raliier ii])on the consumers than upon ihti |)roducers of su?ar. they admit that the producers nir.y have some ground for anxiety, throuffh the tendency of higii prices to check consumption, and they most readily acknowledge that the \\'est Indian colonists have submitted, in a loyal and j)atri()tic spirit, to the necessities which the war has created. The increase of duty, however, will operate as much aa;ainst the foreign competitors of the West IiK'ians Jis against themselves, whilst the violation of the slave trade treaties by Spain, to which you advert as the ground of the chief complaint mcide by the West Indian |»lanters, it may be hoped has been nearly brought to an end. I have, &c. (signed) IK. Muleswortk. ■4 No. iJ.'J. Right Hon. Sir W. Moleswor';), Dnrt., to Governor Sir W. Coli'brookc 3 September i S,-,^. t Page 37. — No. 23. - - (No. 16.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Sir /r. Mokswwth, Bart., to Governor Sir JV, Colebrml-". Sir, Downing-street, 3 September 1855. I HAVE ij acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 18th ultimo, Barbados, No. 02,1' forwarding a copy of the speech with which you opened the annual Session of the Legislature of that island. As regards the passage in your speech which refers to the proposal for the recip>'ocal exemption from duties of the produce of Canada and of the West Indian colonies, I must observe that it is desirable that great caution should be used by you in expressing opinions to the Legislature on questions affecting the general policy of the empire, and not merely the local interests of the colonies, over the affairs of which you have been appointed to preside. I have, &c. (signed) IV. Molesworth, — No. 24. — Extract of a DESPATCH fn n^ the Right Honourable Sir IV. Molestcort/i, Bart, to Governor Sir W. AI. G. 'Jolebrooke ; dated Downing-street, 4 September 1855. (No. 4.) l?ii:Iit lion. Sir W. As regards the proposal to establish a free interchange of the productions of Moleswortl), Hart., Canada and of the West India colonies, you will call Lieutenant-governor V rTh"'"^k''^ Xeate's attention to Lord John Russell's circular despatch of the 12th July, ^September 1855 ^"^1 to my own J of the 11 th ultimo, pointing out that any such measure would : Pages 1 and t ^^ opposed to the principles of the commercial policy of this country. ♦^^ CUSTOMS I JTIES IN CANADA AND THE UEST INDIES. r,3 WINDWARD ISLANDS. Mulisuortli, Hart., to MdUsworil), Van., to ( ioviriiiir Sir W, Coleliriioki', 1 8 Sc(itniilKriHj,-,. * I 'nee a- tl'"Kc;,i. — No. 2:>.— (No. 1 8.) Copy ofa DESrATCII from tlieKi-ht IIonoiiraMc .Sir W Uovernor Sir //', C'olf/iroo/ti: Sir, Downiii^-stroet, IH Sept. 185.'». ^y^-^ .^. I HAVE to acknowlcdjtc 'he receipt of your two further despatelics, Barbados, ui^i,J ii,',„. sir w Nos. G7 and 70, of tlie "tl^ and l.'JtIi instant, in reference to the mutual ahohtioii " of customs duties upon the jiroduction^ of Canada and tlie West hrJian colonies. I ha\e to refer vou to niv circular desuatcli* of tiie lltli idtimo, imd to my despatch,! Barbados, No. 1."), of tlie 28th ultimo, on this suliject. The treat) of the oth June 18.">4 with the Initcil States, does no doubt involve, as jou remark, a possible and perhaps an actual deviation from the |irinciples of free trade, inasmuch as the articlo from which a spccitic exemption from duty is stipulated iietwecn certain British colonics and the I'niied States may be and pro- bal)ly arc chargeil with .iuty, when brought trom other places; but Her Majesty's Government wmv induced to make tlie treaty by other th.ui commeri;iai con- siderations, and by political motives of paramount importance, whilst it will still be in the pof.er of the local Legislatures of the colonies concerned to brim; the measures which they adopt into conformity with the principles of free trade, by extending Uie exemption Irom duty of the articles in (piestion brought from the United States to the same articles wheneesoevcr brought. I have, &c. (signed) H'. Moles tDoiUh. — No. 2G.— ;No. 2.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honcirable Sir G. Grey, Bart., to Governor Sir It'. C'olebrooke. Sir, Downing-street, 19 October 18.')5. ,, I HAVE received your despatch, general,!; No. V2, of the 11th September, in „. , * ,9" ^u". , . , •' , . ' '^ , T , . , ,.„ , t^ ' , Riclit Hon. Sir Winch you represent the circumstances which induce you still to recommend (i.(ircv, Bart, lo thiit Barbadoes and the other ^^'est Indian colonies may be allowed to enter into (Jowrnor .sir an p.rrangemeni, with Canada for the free interchange of produce. ^^'- t'"librooke, I have also to acknowledge your further despatch on this subject, No. 81, of 'i) October 1855. 24th ultimo, in reply to Sir W.' Molesworth's, No. 15, of 28th August. ♦ ^"6" '»°- I have given to the views stated in your despatches the full consideration which is due to them as proceeding from a governor of the long experience and extensivu knowledge of colonial aHairs which you possess. I have, however, to state that they do not alter the opinions which were communicated to you in Sir \V. Molesworth's despatch of the 28th August. I have, &c. (signed) G. Grey. — No. 27.— (No. 4.) Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable //. Lahouchere, m.p. Governor Hincks. to Sir, Downing-street, 22 February 1850. I HAVE received Sir William Colebrooke's despatch, No. 99,^ of the 27th of November last, respecting free trade between Canada and the West Indies ; and I transmit for your information the copy of a letter upon the subject from the 29 j^ Foreign Office, (to which department Sir William Colebrooke's despatch was referred), enclosing the copy of one from the Board of Trade. I have, &c. (signed) H. Lahouchere. No. 27. Riglit Hon. H. Labouclierc to (ioveriior Sir W. Ciilebronkc 22 February i8,$G. ^ Page 47. '-'^'^yjB.G. n 43>- 03 \s {. j si«v WINnWAIlD ISLANDS. Knel. in .Su. jT. 3ao«»0(. \i-I': 54 (ORRESPDNDFA'CK ON THE >rUTUAL ABOLITION OF Enclosure in No. Ii7. Sir, Foixi.jn ()(\ic.c, 'VJ Jnnunrv IH.'ifl. I AM (lircctiil liy tlic Iliirl of Clnrrndon tf> ncqimiiit ynii, (nr tlie inloniiiitiDii of .Mr. Siciilat V I.:iIhiiii1i( re, tliiit liis l,i>r(lslii|i Ims rcfiTrcd to tlie l.orils (irilii- Coiiiniittcr of I'rivy ("iiiincil tiirTrncIc your Ictti r ot the '24111 of Di'ci'iiihcr, wliicli (muIusciI ii copy (if a • •(■"iiiitcli tidiii Sir Willhiiii Colcl.riioki', the (JovuriiDr ol' liurhudos, recoiiiiiiciuiiiii: tliat Kii::arH \>viuir tli>' jmi luce ol'Sji.iiii'ili culdiiii-ti should l)c excliu'rd tnmi nritiKli inaikcls until tlic .Anti-lslavp 'rnidc I rraty between GhmI Hritaiii auil S|)aiii >liall he faitlifully I'iirncd into itl'rvl liy the S|)ani>h (idVi'rniiKi.t ; and I aui to tnuisuiit to you, tor the inf'orniatioii of Air. Lalioucliire, tlip affoiupaiiyiiiL; coiiy of a icttrr, statiut: tli.' opinion id' tlic Hoard of Tf!idf, upon Sir Wdliuiu Oduijrooku's rei'uninicndatiun, in wlntli opinion Lord (Jiurcndun entirely cunLurs. Ilerninn Mcrivido, Fm|. &.C. Sic. iic. 1 nni, 4c. ^ned) Wodc/iiiitsc. % M Sub-Enclosure 1, to Enclosure in No. '27. Ofl'icc of CoinMiillt'c of I'rivy Council for Trade, Sir, Whitehall, -i't .lun'uary lH.-|»i. Tin; l,ot(l< (if the Committpo of Privy Council lor Trade have had under llieir consider- ation your IcttiT of tiie ;tlst of 0< ceniijcr last, IransniitliuL; by diicction of tlic luirl o( Ciuicndon, a despatch from the d'overnor of l}ari)ailos, rcceivcil tlnouLiii the Colonial ( Mllce, poMitiuL;' out tlie probable eirfcts of the jircscnt liiuh price of sn^iar in tho market- o( the I'liiled Knnidoni, in stimulutinc; the competition of the Spanish su.;ar-;iiuwinL; colonics with IJritish West Indian Possessions. In thi< despatch Sir W. Colebrooke recommends, in order to avoid the et)( cts of such increased ooin|)etiti()n, that the sn'.;ar of the Spanish colonies should le excluded iroiii the United Kinfidoni until the provisions of the treaty between this country and Sjiain lor the suppression of the slave trade shall have been strictly cnl'oreod, and Lord Clarendon (U'sires the o|)inion (d' this lioaid as to the probable elleet of such an exclusion \\\m» the consumer and tile revenue in the United Kingdom. Upon this subject I am to request that you will state to F^ord Clarendon that my Lords are of opinion tli'it the best nucle of enabling his Lordship to estimate ♦he probable pllects of siioh a measure is, to exhibit the results of the jiolicy which has been in ojjcration since 184ti, imder wiiich the duties upon the sugar » ir fiiiisider- :lic Karl o( iiii;il Ollice, CUSTOMS DUTIKS 1/ CANADA AND THE WEST INDIKS. ,;, ill Isjl; the iioiMilutiuii uf llic United Kiiii^ii'iiii d iriii^ this pciiud havm ' riiiiiiiird iicarlv WINDWARD Htati.nary. ISLANDS. I'lidcr thrsi' I'irciinislmiccs, fo ir-npi'ii llic i|iic«tiim uhich \v,is »o il. hlnTalcly •.iltli-d l)y I'ailiaiiiciit ill the ymis IHIiiainl 1.~1M wmiid he, iii llic (i|iiiiiiiii df my l.onU, in tho llijjhpst dcuriL' licrniriciiKt Id thf |jrniiaiiriit iiit' irsls id'thosp puHst-SKHis. I am, III I'diK'hi-iDii, til state lur l.nnl (.'hu'riidm'-i iiirninmlinii, that thi! ri'iuaik.ilili- rixc in the iiiici' ot sii.r.ir dtiii'it; thi' l.i-t tiiur iiKHilh-, to vvliich 1 have idivudv advc lud, \y-, in thi! ti|iinioii ( r my l.orU, a ii'sult ol' iciniioiai y and cxcL-iitiiiial caiin.'s. It is n 't in thi-'r |mwcr at I'li- present niniiieiit, t(i do iiiurR tliaii tci re lir 'generally t'' the natiiie id thosu eaiise> ; lint it is not (!ilii( alt td discover tlic (i|)eratidli id se^c lal cireiiiii- staiii.es whieii have cuiiliilintcd to this result. I\ly Lords are disimsed to aitrilinte the la] id and e\(i ssi ,(■ rise in priee wliieii took |il;iee in tile nioiitlis of ( ((■tolier and .Noveiidier. to till! o|M'i'atinn (d s|ieeiilatiiins in tins Inaiieli of trade, and the •■peedy retnrn to a inure liiodeiiite raiiire of priee e. nfiniis tills viev.' Tlieie can, liuwever, iie little donlit that othi r causes of a nioie le,;iliiiiate character liave tended to brin;; ahont the n cent aiiLriiii iitat:nn in the piici! of siiuar. It ;ip|iiar-> fioiii tlic tia.le accounts for llii' elevi'ii iiionths eintinLr :inih NoNcinlicr ls.i5, that wlide tlicrc lias lieeii a decline in the nnpuitalioiis id' niireiined sijear (roiii K,U7',J,ii>l III the lir-t eleven nunilhs of l>,"il, to (!,\2i'!i,i:x:l in tlmse of li-.'i.i, the eonsiiinp- tion liis onlv lallcii lion 7,'iii0,lii!» to 7,17ii.Ul:'. in tlie-ie ,.eriods n s]i,.ttivelv, or in oilier UdiiU, tiiat with a yn.atly (Innini.shcd .supply there has lieen m ariv the saun.' di'iiiand. My Lords would also refer to the recently increased demand (•■: lie-, artieii' on th ■ con- tinoiil for the purjiose of distiilatiuii, owiiii: tu the deticioiicy ol brandy, ari-in^ f;oni ilie lailiiie of the wine crops. I have, ice, K. Ilainnio.id, Ksij., Foreign Ollice. (s,iL;ned) J. Kinenon Tiiiniiii. !' i 431. «4 Sub-Enclosure t^V .-Jfi COUUESPONDENCi: ON TIIK MUTUAL AIIOMTION OF ^M CO 1 ^ « C >o ■V ^ ■" c t CI o to '■O I- ^ -T oT ^ 91 o t^ « 'a A (O ' . CI i: I I •5 - - 8 00 ■* 1 it 2 ■Q GO - u ■« z 3 J W S I- 1. .1 f «( • ;i o s U .$ ' 1 s s ,h. ^ 1 ■J £.■3 - ■= I'll): ul\ a ! 1 i J ^ '"rSTOMS DUTIES IN CANADA AND THE WKST INDIKS. ,7 — No. 28. — (No. .v) Copy of a DESPATCH from tin; Rii;ht Honouriiblf //. Luhnurfifre, m.p. to Governor llincks. Sir, D()wiii?ij;-stri'ft. "JH Ffhruary l^fili. I iiAVK rt'ccivcd Sir V\'. ( 'olt-bronkc's disimtcli. M. Viiut nt. No. tiH,* of the 'M st December last, forwiirdiiiir a despatcli from the l.ieutenant-j^Qveriior, with an address from the LeLiislative Couneil, respntini; free trade between Canada and the \\ est Indies, toLtetlier witli a coi)) 01 hiti reply. I request thiit you will jiccjuaint the Lieutenant-Governor tiiat tliore is no j)rospiet «)f a reversjil of the ])()licy nf free trade, which has been ileliberately adopted and sanctioned by the Legishiture of the United KinL;doin. The measures udn]>tcd by Iler Majesty's Uovernment have siiown that they are disposed to afford every eneouragcment and assistance to the West India colonies in the efl'orts which are necessary to pass successfully throu^'h a period of temporary difficulty, and fully to develop the resources of the several islands. I have, &c. (signed) //. Laboucficie. WINDWVUn ISIANDS. No. iS. Itl|(lil lion. 11. Lii'iiuclicrc 10 Ciiittmor lliiukt, |i I'l Correspondence with I he (iovernor of British Guiana. BRITISH (illANA. 3 1 — No. 29.— (No. 48.) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor JVodrhonsc to the Hight Honourable Lord John Russell. Government House, Georgetown, 21 April I85i>. (Rccfivcd, 2'J .Muy IHOo.) Mv Lord, (Anawfrod, II August 18jo, No. Id, p. '>1.) I THINK it right to brins; under your Lordship's notice that a communication has been addressed to the Government Secretary of this colony by the chairman of a committee of the Legislative Assembly of Canada, in which he requests to be informed whether in the event of the productions of British Guiana being admitted into Canada duty free, we would admit their productions upon the same terms, immediately or within a given time. I learn from the newspapers that the same proposal has been favourably re- ceived by a committee of the House of Assembly at Barbados, and that they are likely to adopt the plan at once ; but in our case so many questions of import- ance present themselves for consideration, as inseparable from the decision to be arrived at upon this subject, as to preclude me altogether from recommending the Combined Court, to give a final answer dut ing their present session. In the event of your Lordship considering it necessary to furnish me with instructions for my guidance in dealing with this matter, I shall be glad to receive them with as little delay as possible. I have, ice. (signed) P- E. Wodehouie. No. 29. (iuTvrnor Wode> I1UUW to tlic Itigbi Mom. Lord J. Itusscll, 31 April 1855. 43 • H i«V** ( OKKKSI'ONDIACE ON THK .MrTlAI, VHrUJTION OF tiiinisii f,l l\N.\. No. jr). Ci(/N( riiiir W imIi'- llMlIX tll|li){tlllt»ll. lord. I. Ituoill. • I'ou- I. — \i). ;jo. — ' No. f'oi'V ol I l'>. u DESPATCH iVntn ( iiivc riior Mi/'/i /mi/.v(. In tin; lli:;lit lloiiuiiriililo I. inl JoIdi tliisu//. (lovi riiiiiciil IIdikc, (i oiirctiiwn. II \iij:ii-«t Ihj,>. ( III. I mil, in Sipiiiiilii r \H.;ri,) \Iv I oril (Ainwpnil, .'7 .Sc|it<'iiil>< r iNTji, No. 'J4, \i. |i('nrs to liavi> had iN (iri!:iii in ihc |ii'i>|ios:i| inadc liy the ( .iiiadiaii l.<;;islafiiic lo tlic ddliri lit West Indian ( olonit-N, wliicli was lirou'Jilit under your Li>rdslii|j'H iiolici' by my (kspatili, No. 1^, ol lliu 'Jlsl April l.i-i ; and I -hall nut lad to u.M' my i)c.st (.lulcavoiirs lor j^iviiiL; cUcct to y(jiir Ijonlslnp's in>tnic- tions. If the l.»';,'i^latiiiT of this colony wiri' to di'tcnninc upon extcinlini;' to Canada or to any other colony or country the privileije of" introdncin;? thi ir produce duty lice, till y would irivc ertect t«» that determination hy inncrfinLc an exeinpti(ui in their Invour from the i,'cneral import duties impoHed by the aiunial Tax ( )rdinan(e, under the authority of which the whole revenue of the colony is raised. I hope, therefore. I may ask whether, in tiic event of any siicli 'xetnptioii heini: intn>- du('c iu\\>|i,i|icr ri'iiri>iiits tlir \ir\\s of Uu Coltjiiii;! GoMiiuiKiit, hi-caiiM' tlic coiiductoi's un tlu' coiitnu tiiro lor tin- ( iffiiial (■u/.t.'it<' and I'tluT |iiililii' |ir;iiiiiiL; , Imt 1 lice tu >tnU- tliat ^inct.' iii\ arrival iii tlic (dloiiy, I havi luitlur writtni dirictlj imr iiidircctlv , luir Kvijiufsttd tin.' jmblifatimi in any iicu-|i ipcr (il any article not i*lrirtly iitticiul. 1 liav< . \r. 'jtiiiiicd. y /.'. H'ikUIi iti.f. I'.lini»M CI lA.N.V. I(>, I'l ". '•'Il, •—Mit,,.'"^' F.iu'losurc I, in Nn. Mi'. Fi'oM " The Iloyal fiuzcttr, Sattirdiiy, la ( >it .Im . \f :,:,." W'v. |iul)lis!uMl ill till' liii-t iMiiiilicr (if tlii' (iii7f'ttr. ii |Mirtii)ii of tlic corrr'-piilHicllci' hctw Sir \\ . M. < J. (.'tilcliKiokc, tlic (iiivcriior ol' llarlniiiiM, und the llniiii" 'i NVcii liidi i.iiil (.'iiiimIu ; uiiil wc liciic\c lliiit cvciv imp of diir render^ ^id ]i:irti('ipiit(.' with. - iii a tcclili^ of a>liiiiisliiiiciit, that men callili;; tli(ni<('Kc'i lliiti«li Slatciiiicn could liiiv( vi •, ii no imich arrant niniscii^c, Tlic iiiaiillc ot Lord .loliii ltll^sc]l lias (lt'>ic('iidi-ri ii|i(iii die Moulder" ot liis mi(ic«!-(ir ; and iIk! ci)loni( s arc still to lie Kicked aln at liki> (dot-ltHlU, at llic caprice ol Certain nllicials ni DowniiiLT— trcct. The | r(i|.ositi"li lor a rPCi|)tocal treuly, it a|i|i(ars, did Hot eniaiiatc from the ( 'anndiiin l,ei;i-latiii(' as a hodv, hiil frmii a < 'oniiiiiltcc ul the l.ciiis- lalivc Asseinlilv : and in this di-finclioii J"ir \\. Molesworth sc( s, or uHccIs t'l sic, a ureal iliH'cniK e, and tlieiefi)rc sav^, " it would In jirernatiiic to sii[i|iosc tliat tin I'.xeintivc Govcninii nt or the l,ci;islnlurc of Canada arc cdininittcd to the ado|)ti(in olthi policy therein iiidicali-d." \\ ell, the (,'aiiadian Parliament at tin ir iK\t sittin<_' i an rcii -.dy that matter, and liy di>-cii-«iii^ ilic (picstioii ami passin;; icsolntioiis in fa\oiir ot a rcciprixal treaty wuli iithi r coloiiies lor an inti rchan'_'c ot ( oninioditic^, tlicy will fix the home (iovi riiiueiil on tlic liorns ola dilennna from which tlirv w ill not lie able to escape, laif will have to surrender nt discictidii. la't (.'aiiada, if she he in earnest about the inatter, and wc tirndv liehexe slu 18, only adopt that course, and the tliini; will lie uii fail tirrompli. 'the home (iovernmeiit will turn an at'cnlivc car to sin;::estions and remonstrances eiuaiaitiiiu Irom Canada, whih tliey will lefiisc to listen to Hr.tisli Guiana, liarljados, Jamaica, or any other smaller •.'(iloiiy. \\r need not state " the reason why" — it is pelfoitly obvious to every one. Canada cannot be awed into submission ; the dictatorial tone wia f t suit hor [icople, and licnci there is what the Hoard of Tiad(' calls "apolitical nio. .'•' ior dcaiiiii; " 'jin^erly" with tlicni. Not so with the \\'est India colonies — tlicy mny rcmon'^tratc, they may tirumblc, but tliiy aic ])owerlcss to help tliemsclvcs, and must subir.it to aiiythini; that the lni|ierial Govcinnu nt choosfs to impose noon thorn. lUil Sir William Molesworth uivcs us his reasons, r perhaps, it would he more correct lo ( sauction the proposed treaty. Her .Majesty's Government, savs Sir W ilham, "would rcjiard the proposed arrancement as very objectionable, on tin.' jj;roiinds, first, bat it would separate commercialiy, so liir as such an arrangement is coiicemed, the colonies wlio entered into it, Irom the rest of the empire; secondly, that il would be injurious, not only to the interest of consumers in the colonies who were a party to the arrangement, but to the interests ot' produceis in every (it'.jir pail of the ein])irc ; and, thirdly, it would be inconsistent with the imperial policy ol fiee trade." Here we have " first," '• secondly," and " thirdly," — a most methodical reply. There is only one omi.ssion — Sir William forgot to slat,? his reasons for coming to these conclusions; and as he has not done so, we will venture to sup])ly il;c omission. In the first place, the proposed arran'jement would " separalc commercially, so far as such an arrangenient is concerned, the colonies who entered into it Irom the rest of the empire," because il would promote the mutual interests of those colonies, — would oj'en up new markets for their produce — would tend to promote tiieir pros])erity and to rescue them from ruin. Secondly, " it would be injurious not only to the interests of consumers in the colonies, who were a parly to the arrangement, but lo the interests of producers in every other part of the empire," — because the consumers in the coUaiies wiuild obiain the principal neces- saries of life at a reduced price, and that would be an advantage to tin ni. Hut how and in what manner the proposed treaty of reciprocity with Canada is to operate injuriously to " the interests of producers in every other part of the empire," is a Downin'j;-street mystery, wliich we confess we are unable to solve. We must leave Sir William Molesworth to cxyilaiu that — we cannot. But, thirdly, "the proposed arrangement" is " inconsistent with thy imperial policy of free trade," because it is great ])resuiuplion on the part of the colonies to wish ibr the enjoynient of imperial riglits, or internal freedom of action. The trade of the United Kingdom must be free, but the trade of the colonies must be restricted. The piMiplc of England have a right to obtain gu&;ars from the clic.ijiest markets and to sell in the dearest; but the colonists must not think of indtating'"1ier " imperial" exiutti^k. They 431. ■■:-■- ... „„,.-.-•*•»' — 112" raubt EiicL 1, il. Nu 31. V !1' ^,^ Cm CORRESPONDENCE ON THE MUTUAL ABOLITION OF FRITISII must MTvilely do her liiddini.', and bo content with their hjt, whatever it may }k. V' hnve liL'IANA. iMi(l(?av()urPd to Riipply :i tew of the reuHon!* which Sir Wilhaiu omitted to pve ; l)Ut we >) not HMl)Keribe to hiri d'X'trinc, ii» laid down in his otticial " circular ;" nor do we believe that Sir U illiani MolcHworth hininclf enlertiiins the opinions to which he has given currency in that rircuhir. Wo are precluded hy a pressure of official and other advertisements from piirsnin''- ihis arixiiment fur'hcr now ; but we shall recur to it as;ain on the first convenient opportunity. In the nieantiine, we would impress ujion our reiders the necessity of keeping' this subject constantly in view, in order to obtain from the Iiii[)crial (iovernmeiU, titiit cunce-ision of i;;hts to wliicli the colonies are undoubtedly entitled. ^*^: Enclosure 2, in No. 32. FiiOM "The Royal (iazctte, Tuesday, lii October lllnS." F.nc). 2, in No. 3J. Tnr. letter of the lioard of Trailo in reply to !,ord .(ohn Russell, lui the subject of the pniposal contained in fSovernor Wodohouse's desp itch for free trade with Canada, states J that the proposal is open to " <^'rave objections." The Hoard of 'I'rade sets u|) as a priii iple (or its ^riiidance, that it will discountenuiice protective tariff's in the colonies. " Since the iidojition of free trade," writes the secretary, " as the [general principle of the commercial policy of the United Kin;^dom, it has been the o'jject of Her Majesty's (Joveriiinont, in ^- -.. udvisinir or controllinij; the legislation of the Brlti-ili colonies in matters aHcctiasj trade to • I discouratre the maintenance or adoption of proteeiivc- duties in colonial tariff's." This is all ^" very fine as a tlieoretical maxim, but how does ii operate in practice ? Does it in any way , I benefit the colonies ? Does it carry out the principle of frey trade in its lull, proper, and coinnieicial sense. Not in the least. All tiiat it does is to ;^ive to the motiiur C/Uiitry a fliirantic monopoly at the expense of thi! colonies. Tlie colonies must not be allowe; for the better take place, they must, sooner or later, bow before the force of circumstances which they cannot control. The fact is, that the system under which the colonies are tjoverned is a vicious one ; and the fjeneial principle which the Hoard of Trade have laid down for their i;ui(lance is only another proof of that fact. We are perfectly aware that, wiih the f'lee trade party in England, especially with the Manchester school, colonies are not popular. " We want no colonies ; they are a burden to us ; and the sooner we get rid of them the better;" is, in efJect, the language of the great apostle of free trade, Mr. Cobden, himself. And the Imperial Government, althuu<:h they do not go so far in words, yet are influtnced to some extent by these opi.iions. Were it not so they would act more wisely with respect to the colonies ; they would regard them as integral portions of the emoire. instead of incumbrances, that require neither encouragement nor protection. The day is not far distant when English statesmen will view coloni.il matters in a very dillerent light; and when the distant dependencies of the empire siiall be represented and make their voice heard and their influence felt within the walls of the Imperial Parliament. The whole gist of the objection to the proposal on the part of the Board of Trade lies in the following paragraph : " 'Ihe efTect of the arran>;eineiit which is tww proposed between Canada and British Guiana would be to protect, by discriminating duties, the produce of these colonie* respectively, against similar produce of foreign countries, of all other British possessions, and even of the United Kingdom itself." The solicitude of the Board of Trade for the interest of " foreign countries," is a singular illustration of tlie peculiar wisdom by which colonial affairs are managed at home. Why slioidd the British Government be so anxious to protect the interests of Cuba, or St. Douiinno, or Brazil against the interests of her own colonies ? Will they give up their slaves and place themselves 011 an equal footing ■with the British planters? Will they adopt the principhs of free trade, because England Jias thought proper to do so? Not one of them; they Know their own interests better, and will take care of themselves. We can see no reason why any consideration of this kind should stand in the way of a reciprocal treaty beinsj carried out between two colonies for the inter- change of their respective coinniodities. So far, then, as " foreign countries" are concerned, their interests ou^ht to be no barrier to the proposed arrangement between Canada and the British West India colonies. But when the Board of Trade seriously put forward as an objection to that proposal, that " the effect of the arrangement which is now proposed between Canada and British Guiana, would be to protect by discriminating duties the pro- duce of these two colonies respectively, against similar produce of all other British Pos- sessions," they are stating that wliich is not the fact, and suppressing facts which would have destroyed the whole force of the argument. They treat the question as one relating solely to Canada and British Guiana; whereas it was a proposal emanating from Canada to the whole of the British West India possessions, and iiot to British Guiana alone. So that all the British possessions in the West Indies would be in the same position, and the discriminating duties could not therefore have affected any one of them to the detriment of tlie il2 wife CUSTOMS DUTIES IN CANADA AND THE WEST INDIES. 61 tlic olher. The other colonies of Gn-at Rritain, which produce the »ainr articli-^ nf cxiMut, coiiltl "<'t hive Inen Injuriously iiHcctpd 'ly the arranueinent, Ik-cuiixp thrir tradi' with r;iniiila is nil ; and il the supplies sent Iron, any part or |)art8 of the Uritish Wcsi Iiidii>s to the En<:lisli markets were dinnnishcd to any extent hy the Canada nade, we have vi'4 to , Ifarn that that would \>c any disadvantage to the other ])rodu('inij colonies. Tills oh)c';-tioii, '( like the former, falls to the 'jround. The only objection whicli remains to tic disjioMcl nf, is i' the third, niiniely, that the eflfeci nf the aiTniii;einent would he to jirotect liv disiriniinatinir duties, the produce of those two colonics lespcctively, "ajjiiinst sinnlar produce ntcvcii the United Kinudoni itself! " Well, this is really the climax of nhsurdity. AVe ivere not aware that the Cnited Kin-^iloni had any " similar produce" to that wliich constitutes the export trade of Untish Ouiana. Where, in the " I'nited Kinudom," does the suiiar-cane ^row f anti wli.i^' are sui;ar, molasses, and rinn manufactured t These, with lumlier, ccin- stituie the priiicip;il exports ot this colony ; and with respect to (-'anada our imports ti-oni thence would consist chieriv of flour, c(jrn-iheal, potatoes, suit fl^h, and lumli r. These are not articles which arc exjiorted Iroin the Tuite I Kingdom. The ohjections, tliertfoie, which have been put forwaul hy the Hoard of Trade ari' entinlv without foiindalion. Resides which, the tliiiVj; has already been tlone in the case of Canada and the I'liited States; between which countries a reciprocity tieaty has been cairied into eiR'ct with the sanction of the Imperial Parliament and ot Her iMiijcsty's Govermnent. I'his was a very awkward faiit an extension of the same principle whicii had alrciidy been sanctioned hy l!er .Majesty's (t.)viriiiiienl, and the Roard of 1 rade tL'clini.^ this, endeavours to pel rid of it by the followiiiij; iiMCiiii.us ex])la- nation : " In sanctiouin<^ this conveiiiion it cannot he denied that Her ^Iaje>ty's Cioveru- uient devi.ited from < he rulewhch forms the fundamental jiriiiciple of their recent com- nil rcial policy, but the political motive which determined them to adopt this coin se upon the occas'on in ipiestion was of a kind to counterbalance and outweigh consideiatious of purely commerciiil expediency." This is certainly a very iiiuenious confession. The Hoard iif Trade admits that it was a deviation from the rule which forms the fundamental |)iinci|)l(; of their " connueicial policy ; " but then ihev had ;i " p litieal motive which dvleiniined them to adopt this course on that occasion." Aivl is there nut, v,e ask, a motive as pmvi rful why the said rule should be deviated from in the case of the Rritish West India possessions ? The colonies are jxoiu;; headloni; to destruction under the unnatural treatment and siiiciiial policy of the mother country towards them; and if anytliim: can rescue them from utter and irretrievable ruin, it is that they should have increased freedom of action, and that iheir commercial policy should be free and unfettered by imperial restrictions. The Canada trade would be a sieat benefit to the colony, and to all classes in it. We therefoie earnestly advise our readers to bestir thenisclves,. and to a;;itate the (pustion until they wrest from the Imperial Government a concession of their rijjhls. DRITISH (JUIANA. Despatches from tlie Secretary of Stale. (No. 10.) — No. 33.— No. 33- Copy of a DESPATCH f.^m the Right Honourable Sir If'. Moltsworlh, Bart., to Right Hon. Governor H'odehouse. Sir, Downing-street, 11 August 125.'). I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch * of the 2 1st April last, No. 48, reporting that a communication had been addressed to the Government Secretary of British Guiana by the chairman of a committee of tiie Legislative Assembly of Canada, in which hs requests to be informed whether in tlie event of the productions of British Guiana being admitted into Canada duty free, British Guiana would admit the productions of Canada upon the same terms. I have to refer you to my circular despatch f of this day's date, for your in- formation and guidance on this subject. \ I have, &c. (signed) W. Mo'csworth. SirW. Molesworth, Bart., to Governor Wodehduse, It August 18.55. ' Page 57. 431. H3 — No. 34.— fPagc 3. 11 ti; it ' \^\ lllllTKII i.flWA. N(>.,;i. Hir\V..\lol.s>«<)rtli, liart., to (ii)vtrn(jr Wodi lidiiM . «7 Sl|il. i3r,-. - !'.'«• ,-,8. (.J roRRKSPONDKNCK OX TliK MUIIAI- \ii()Ln'in\ OF — X... 34. — (No. r,4') Copy of a UKSPATCH from the Kiu'iU HonoviraMc Sir W. Molesworth, liart., to Governor llCdthov/tv. Si II', I)o\viiiiii:-:-trect, 27 September lPor>. I iiAvi: riceivcd your dcspateli * of the 11th ultimo, No. IWJ, ami 1 have to aci|uaiiit \ou in reply, that if a Tax Ordinanee .should be passed by the Legisla- ture of Hriti^h (luiaiia, granting !X specitie exemption from import duty to articles the ])roduce of Canada, you should withhold your assent to such Ordinanee; but that you are at liberty to assent to the exemption from import duty of such articles, provided it extends to those which are the produce of all other countries as well as Canada, and provided the duties on such articles do not eontrihiile to sources of revenue cliar^'ed with the payment of the Civil List, or of the principal and interest of loans, or otherwise j)ledired to meet claims on the colonial revenues which might be left unsatisfied were they withdrawn or diminished. I have, &c. (signed) IT. Mvkswortli. No- 35. Higlit lion. Lord I'animirf (No til (iiivcrnor Wodcliouse, 57 OciiibiT i8;tj t I'^ige j8. 1 — No. 35. — 41.) Coi'v of a DESPATCH from the Hisht Honourable Lord Panmure to (jovurnor It'ocJefioiisc. Sir, Dowiiing-strcet, 27 October 1855. 17 HAVE received your despatch, No. 130, f of 17 September, in reference to the proposal for the mutual abolition of customs duties upon the productions of Canada and the West Indies, and j)ointing out that the Legislature of British Guiana, so far from taking an active part in the negociation, Iiad merely received the letter troni Canada, had passeil no resolution respecting it, and had returned no reply. I aj)prove of the course which was thus pursued in this matter. I have, &c. (signed) 'anmure. LEKWARD ISLANDS. Coiresponclcnce with the Governor in Chief of the Leeward Islands. No. 3(). Governor Maikia. tosh to tlio Itif^ht lion. I.oicl Jolin Kussell, 9 June 1855. — No. 30. — (No. 47-) Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Macldntosh to the Right Honourable Lord John Rnsne/l, Leeward Islands, Antigua, 9 .Tune 1855. (lleceived, 29 .lune 1855.) My Lord, (Answered, 14 .)uly IS-")."), No. '2-2, p. Oj ) I HAVE the honour to transmit herein enclosed to your Lordship, copies of addresses which have been interchanged between Lieutenant-govertior Robinson, and the Council and Assembly of St. Kitts, on the occasion of a recent opening of a new Session of the Legislature of that island. I have, &c. (signed) li. J. Mackintosh. liu- ^^>i CUSTOMS ULTIES IN CANADA AND TllF. WEST INDIES (.j Enclosure in No. 3d. IKEW.MID ISLANDS. Extracts of Atldre«so» iiilerchauircd bj-tween tlie l.ieiitiMirtiit-Guveiiior and ihr Couiuil Kncl. in Nc ;ji"i. and A'SSKiubly, uii the 24 May l»5j. (.Licutcnuut-Goveiiior to tlic (-ouiii.il and Assiiiibly.) • *••*••• " A IMIOPOSAI. relutiv(> to a frea coniuiprcial intrrcoursn bitwecn this island and Canada, will be snbmittcd to vour notice, and wdl, I am sure, lecoivc that attetilivL' con-ulfialion which the f^reat atid all ab^oibiiiu interests involved, so eminently entitle it to connnunil." (The Cniineil to the Iloiiy, we Miay be at libeity to respj. I ilAvn the Iioiiour to acknowled;i;e the receipt of your Kxcellency's despatch. No. •!•!, of i7pp)_ ,•„ j^„_ »- the (ith \iltimo, calliiisi upon me, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State, for an explanation of the views and ciicnmstances which dictated the passaije of the speech which I delivered to the Legislative Houses of St. Kitts, on the 24ili of May last, releiring to a proposal lor a free commercial intercourse betvvceti tliis island and Canada. In re])ly, I have the honour to state for the inlbinmtion of Ifcr ^Majesty's .Secretary of State for the Colonics, that upon my assumption of the government of this islaixl in the coiinneneetnci''. of March last, I liad submitted to me by the Cok)nial Secreiaiy a circular letter, addressed to that ofHcer by Mr. William namilton Merritt, the chairman of a com- mittee of the Lcfiislative Assc^ndjly of (Canada, inakini;- iiifiuiry on behalf of the committee "whether, 111 the event of the productions of St. Kitts heiiiLr admitted into Canada free; from duty," the Legislature here would be prepared to remove " the duty upon the produc- tions of Canada by the way of the St. Lu.\reiice, on like terms, immediately or within a given time." It appeared fo nir that I could not constitutionally fake otiicial cognizance of a ciinmu- liicution fiom the chairiiiiin of a committee of a Icgishitive asscnd)ly in another colony, ap|v,irently unanthori/cd by the Local Lxeciitivc Coverinnent, an» iiatiinilly i^iivf rise to fonsiilpiahic dissatisfaction •'.i]»i'(|Uf'iice uC no otiicial iiotii'f huviiiy; Im;cii taken ui any sucli proiiosal ; cxa^e- (.4 (;On".ESl'ONDi:NrE on TJIE mutual ABOLITION' OF LKEWAIU) nir-hapfi for the considi-nition of the Irj^islativo lii)n<«etroM Iblls had been introduced, and |>assed thioii,:h sevi ral stupes, for cttectin'/ the object pro])osed. The here ill rateil iiitioiis were entertained as to the nature of the proposal ; it was believed that some ofli'i hiul been mad'- by (,'aiiadit fo titn West Indies, which iiad been accejited by other islands, ;i!id from tin- arlvantasres of winch, St. Kitts, by her silence, was likely to be excluded, and that a simple reply in tlie altirmative was all that was ne»;essary to enable the reciprocal arraiisjement to be carried into immediate effect. I'nder these circumstances I felt that I was scarcely justified in still mnintainini; my own opinion as to the iriesiularitv if a procecdinir which liaJ been so generally adopted bv others (if lonL;^! experience in the col"nial service; I determined, therefore, to transmit Mr. Merritt's comimmication fur the consideration of the Lei.;islative Houses, without, however, expressing any ojiinioii of my own as to the merits of the question. This course I ado|)ti(l at the first meetint; of the Le<;i»lative Ileuses a' lliu commence- ment of th(! new Session, and took occasion to allude in my speech 11 that day to the pro- ])osiil which 1 had traiismiited to them by messaj^e, here also carefully abstaining from offering any opinion upon the siiliject, but simply expressing a liope that it would receive that attentive cimsideration which the important interests invoked entitled it to command. I was induced to express this desire, beciuse I had reason to fear that an immediate answer in the aOirmaiive would be returned to the proposal, svithout due consideration, or a sufficiently careful investigation as to the probable results of such a decision. It appeared to be the general opinion that by accepting the proposul a new market would at once be opened for our produce, without entailing thereby any corresponding sacrifice on our part, while I, on the contrary, was very forcibly impressed with the conviciioii that it would eventually entail the ai;olition of all indirect taxation in the shape of import duties; and although 1 conceived a change from indirect to direct taxation would be highly beneficial to the true interfsts of this colony, I did not consider it desirable that a measure involving' such important considerations should be brought about without full consideration, and a clear knowledge of its probable ultimate result. it only remuins for me, in conclusion, to express my regret tliat I shouhl have been insfriimenlal in bringiii'j; under the notice of the Lesislative Houses of this isiand, a pro- posal, which, although it did not appear to rae at the time to be o|)en to any graver object-on than that of the unauthorized source from which it emanated, it is tiow ajjparent from a perusal of the Secretary of State's circular despatclies of 12th July and 11th August, Vr-ould, from its infringin'.;' upon the established commercial policy f the British limpiip lead to many serious evils. It is, however, satisfiiciory to me to be enabled at the same time to report that no incon- venience was caused by the course which 1 was induced to adopt. A joint committee of both Houses was appointed to consider the proposal, and reported .strongly in its favour; but the opinion of Her Majesty's Government upon the subject having been expressed about the same time in Parliament, the report was not adopted by the Houses, and became a " dropped order." 1 have, &c. (sigtied) Hercules G. R. Robinson. His Excellency the (/overnor-in-Chief,' &c. &c. &<•., Antigua. M mUa CrSTOMS DUTIKS IN lANADA AM) TMK Wl ST INDIKs C; Despatch from tlic Socrctjiry of Sialc, I.Fr\V\RJ) ISI.VSI)>. — No. 3«.— (No. 22). Copy of a DEGPATCH from tlic Iliglit Hoimurabl.! Lord Joliii Jii^^ell to Gt)Vcnior 3Iarkiittii.sh. Sir, Dowiiiim-stn ut, 14 .Fuly isri,"), I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your desputcli of the '.(lii ultimo, (St. Kitt's No. 47), transmitting copies of addresses whicli ha\'' been inter- changed between Lieutenant-governor Hobiuson and the Council and Assembly of that island, r)n the opening of a new session of the Legislature. I request that you will obtain from Lieutcnant-frovernoi Kobinson an expla- nation of the views and circumstances which dictated the pa>;saL'e in bis speech, referring to a proposal of a (r(M! commercial intercourse between St. Kitt's and Canada. 1 have, cS:c. (signed) ./. J'uxmII. No. .;8. Riglit Hon. LorclJ. Uu^sell to CiovL'iiiiir Mackintoiili, H-'uly l8jj. (i Despatch from the Govrrnor of Jamaica. J.^MAIC.A. — No. 39.— (No. ()2). Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir H. Darkli/ to the Right Flonoi rable Sir Wm. Moksivortfi, 13art. King's House, 8 September 1855. SJ|.^ (Received, 3 Octobor isrij.) With reference to Lord John Russell's circular despatch* of 12th July last, instructing the Governors of Her Majesty's colonies to withhold their assent from Bills passed by the local Legislatures, imposing differential duties, whether on articles of British, foreign, or colonial production, as against similar articles pro- duced in the colony itself, or in favour of one colony against another, I think it as well to mention that a proposition for a free interchange of commodities between the Canadas and Jamaica was some months since addressed by a com- mittee of the Canadian Assembly to the island Secretary here, who, not being a member of the Legislature, nor in any way concerned in politics, very properly confined himself to acknowledging its receipt. 2. As the fact of a similar invitation having been given to the West India colonies generally soon afterwards transpired, 1 deemed it advisable to mention the receipt of this communication officially to my executive committee, pointing out in so doing the certain disadvantage of such an arrangement, even if thu Imperial Government could sanction it, to the public revenue, no less than to all engaged in trade with the United States, which is daily augmenting in import- ance as the effects of the abolition of jirotecting duties on colonial jjioduce in the home market gradually develop themselves ; and I am happy to say I found the members disposed to enter cordially into these views, and to abstain from taking any notice whatever of the overtures \ifhich had been made. 3. Since that period the subject has been much discussed in the island press, and very conflicting opinions expressed in regard to it ; but the most influential 431. I newspapers No. 3p. Governor Sir ll.Karkly to the Rl);lit Hon. SirW. Moleswortli, Bart., 8 -September 1855. * Page 1 . m v; ;^' m t4m «.r. (■OlUlKsroNDINCI,: ClSlOMS I HTHvS, CANADA. »;. .MMAKA iinws|)a|i '').• prn- positinn, as it is evident, frouj I le notice tukeu in some of these wrticlt- if wh;it lias lalylv passed in I'lilianienl on the suhjcct, that there is h hvr;^- ptu!v who would he inclined, even ut a 8U( ritice to .latuaiv.i, to i.tvour I'li |u'oj< > ' of u Colonial Customs l,ay;uc, provided only I., y hul reuvui to think that tbey could in that way reiuliate on thi mother countvv foi- lier 'Vee trade «olicy. 1 have, ki- (signod} I/i'Vrt/ Ihrldi/. m hi 1.0 So).i.'nii).i !><,;;■ /'. .S'.---Ii>iiiit 'iiaieiy aftv r the forcffoiiio: was written, yovir circular (l(.">.)iatcii ,i 'I'age 3. the 1 'ill nli'ir >,♦ cdling |i;uticular alteiaion to tl-e Caaaiiiau piopc^al, eanie to hand; ;ind I ,<■.' vMvl to perceive that I had correctly anticipated the views of Her Majesty's Ciin en fiictil upon liie suliject, U. /?. \§ Vvl H 1 H UHi Cl'STOMS DUTIES (CANADA AND THE WEST INDIES). %; COPIES or ExTKAcn of any Coaauroironci which hai takan place between the Colwial Office aoH the Governora of our North Amtrieam and Wut Indian Colonies, on the subject of a Proposal fur the Mutual Abolitiok of Cvstomi Duties upon the Production* of Canada and the Wett India. {Sir Stafford Northeote.) Onkrttlt fry The llouic of Cuminoiii, to bt PrintttI, 99 Juljf 185C. iPrice 9d.] 431- Under 12 oz.