8 CAPTAIN ZACHARY G. LAMSON 



It would be profitless to take up the trade 

 of each country in detail, since the condi- 

 tions were much alike for all, and as from 

 1800 to 1812 England was really the power 

 that dictated under what conditions co- 

 lonial commerce should be carried on, we 

 will take her laws as practically those of 

 the world. 



By the English Navigation Act of 1651, 

 no merchandise from Asia, Africa or Amer- 

 ica could be imported into England in other 

 than ships built and owned in that coun- 

 try, and those ships must be three-quarters 

 manned by English sailors. European mer- 

 chants might export to England the pro- 

 ducts of their own country, but must ship 

 such cargoes in the country of their origin. 

 For example, Spain might ship a cargo of 

 wine or olive oil to England in a Spanish 

 ship, but she could not touch at a French 

 port and complete her cargo with French 

 goods. Neither could a Dutch vessel load 

 with Spanish goods for England. 



The intention of the Navigation Act was 



