128 ARGUMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



147 NOTE ON THE TRADE RELATIONS BETWEEN GREAT BRIT- 



AIN AND THE UNITED STATES. 



It has been thought convenient to present a short review of the 

 statutes and other political documents affecting the trade relations 

 between Great Britain and the United States down to 1830, from 

 which review the following conclusions will emerge : 



1. That from a period as early as the Stuart Kings the colonial 

 policy of Great Britain (as well, indeed, as of every other colony- 

 owning Power) was one of exclusion from colonial ports of all for- 

 eign shipping. 



2. That By the separation from Great Britain of the thirteen 

 American colonies, the United States shipping fell under the general 

 prohibition of foreign access to the ports of the remaining British 

 North American colonies. 



3. That during the negotiations which led up to the treaty of 1818, 

 various proposals were made for the opening to a very modified 

 extent of the colonial ports, but nothing was agreed to. 



4. That both prior and subsequent to the treaty the United States 

 adopted retaliatory legislation. On 27th May, 1820, Mr. John 

 Quincy Adams (United States Secretary of State) referred to the 

 " counter-prohibitions " of the United States having, by its last 

 statute, been "rendered complete" (British Case, App., p. 101). 



5. That other negotiations were undertaken at various periods, but 

 that until 1830 (with a slight interlude in 1822) Great Britain 

 steadily declined to break in upon its colonial system. 



166Q The most important of the many British statutes having 

 for their avowed object (British Case, App., p. 514) 



"the increase of shipping and encouragement of the navigation of 

 this nation, wherein, under the good providence and protection of 

 God, the wealth, safety and strength of this Kingdom is so much 

 concerned ; " 

 was that of 12 Charles II, c. 18, the first clause of which provided 



"That from and after the first day of December one thousand six 

 hundred and sixty, and from thence forward, no goods or commodi- 

 ties whatsoever shall be imported into or exported out of any lands, 

 islands, plantations or territories to His Majesty belonging or in his 

 possession, or which may hereafter belong unto or be in possession 

 of His Majesty, his heirs and successors, in Asia, Africa, or Anierica, 

 in any other ship or ships, vessel or vessels whatsoever, but in such 

 ships or vessels as be truly and without fraud belong only to the 

 people of England or Ireland, Dominion of Wales or town of 



148 Berwick upon Tweed, or of the built of and belonging to any 

 of the said lands, islands, plantations or territories, as the 



proprietors and right owners thereof, and whereof the Master and 

 three fourths of the Mariners at least are English; " 



