1832.] 
COMMERCIAL RIVALRY. 
387 
great capability for naval and mercantile purposes, will make it 
a point interesting to the commercial world. 
Again, then, we repeat, let our government look to the east ; 
let our flag be seen at the different ports of China, Corea, For- 
mosa, Loo-Choo, &c. &c. These ports and islands afford an ' 
ample field for us at the present time, nor should a day be lost. 
The expense must be incurred : suitable agents and hnguists 
employed to co-operate with our commanders of public vessels ; 
not in coaxing, and flattery, and prayers, and humiliating petitions ; 
but in the spirit of that steady, firm, judicious policy, which a 
wise council should know how to give, and the intelligent merchant 
be able to turn to good account. 
For three centuries has the commerce of the east been shackled 
by ill-advised companies and monopohes, while an impenetrable 
veil has been spread out, to hide from the rest of the world the 
true condition of those countries. These abuses are slowly, 
but surely drawing to a close. Great Britain is our great com- 
petitor in the new and glorious competition for free trade in that 
quarter of the world ; and great and decidedly as are the advan- 
tages mher favour, we must, in the spirit of generous rivalry, nailto 
the mast-head our motto, " free trade and sailors' rights," and leave 
the result to time. 
The ports of India will become free — Calcutta, Goa, Manilla, 
and Macao must follow, should Bombay lead ; and then, with the ^ 
spirit of free commercial zeal animating the English, French, 
Spanish, and Portuguese, and We continuing our own system, which 
knows not the word restriction, who shall say, that the ports of 
the Chinese shall continue closed against the persevering enter- 
prise of the Old 9.nd the New world ! 
' Bb 2 
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