OUR CONSTITUTIONAL SHIPPING POLICY AND THE COMPACT 



FOR ITS ESTABLISHMENT. 



By William W. Bates, Esq., Member. 



[Read at the eighteenth general meeting of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, held in 



New York, November 17 and 18, 1910.] 



To understand our subject well, we need to study pertinent historical 

 facts preceding, during, and following the Revolution. When it appeared 

 that a struggle for freedom from kingly oppression was imminent, the 

 colonies organized a general government such as seemed necessary to collect 

 and direct the resisting energies of the people. Only a loose confederacy 

 was intended. "Articles of Confederation" — as few as possible — com- 

 prised the authority of Congress. Congress could plan for defense, but the 

 men and money for execution were to be furnished by the several states. 

 At first this was done as required, afterwards at convenience or not at all. 



Congress could not legislate concerning commerce or navigation, lay 

 a tax or collect a duty, regulate the currency or encourage industries. 

 These things were attended to by each state for itself. The general 

 authority was much impaired toward the end of the war. The states 

 then furnished but scanty means for carrying it on. After its close, with 

 disunion in sight, it was even more clearly seen than ever that, on the 

 ground of safety alone, the Union should be continued. Without a general 

 government making for nationality, our dearly bought independence was 

 insecure; foreign intercourse would be restricted and difficult; domestic 

 commerce, under different state regulations, caused friction which might 

 result in warfare; safety of life and property and freedom depended on 

 peace and tranquillity. Prosperity would not obtain unless a stable and 

 energetic government, on the republican plan, cared for and encouraged 

 the development of natural resources. Particularly must commerce and 

 navigation and the fisheries be promoted and sea power obtained. 



Unless a national government of a closer union, under a wise con- 

 stitution, were soon established, America, instead of becoming a single, 

 strong nation, its freedom secure, its prosperity favored by good condi- 

 tions, its power developing with population, a dissolution of the existing 

 union would certainly take place, and in time be followed by two or more 

 confederacies; or, the several states remaining single, each might make 

 foreign alliances; or some be reduced to dependencies of foreign nations, 

 thus encumbering the continent with fortifications, standing armies, dis- 



