Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 4 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 4 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
We were informed by the gentleman, that it was the Berlin decree, and
not the Orders in Council, had destroyed our trade to the Continent
of Europe. Here too we are directly at points. The gentleman has not
made himself master of his case, or has totally mistaken his evidence.
I hold a document in my hand which, perhaps, the gentleman may object
to, as coming from the opposition party in Great Britain; it is the
depositions of sundry merchants of great wealth and respectability,
taken before the British House of Lords, on the subject of the Orders
in Council. Here Mr. W. read from the depositions the following
questions and answers:
"If the American embargo were removed, and the Orders in
Council still continued in force, in that case would the
witness resume his shipments?
"To a very small amount.
"For what reason?
"Because I do conceive, that there would be such great
impediments, indeed a total annihilation of trade from the
United States of America to the Continent of Europe, that
I could not expect to receive any returns for the goods I
sent out; and another reason would be my apprehension that a
war between the United States and this country would be the
consequence of those Orders in Council.
"What is the reason that the Orders in Council prevent the
witness sending our cotton goods in ships in ballast?
"I believe I stated my apprehension that they might produce
a war between the two countries; another reason was, I could
not expect to get remittances, and a total annihilation of the
trade between the United States of America and the Continent
of Europe, from whence a great part of my remittances must be
derived.
"If the American embargo in general were taken off, and the
Orders in Council to be continued, would his trade in that case
revive?
"I certainly should feel no inducement to export goods to
America while the orders continued.
"Why not?
"I should apprehend that hostilities between this country and
America would be the consequence of continuing the Orders in
Council.
"Would the Orders in Council have any other effect as to
discouraging the trade?
"They would have considerable effect in regard to our
remittances.
"In what manner?
"By bringing all the produce of America to this country, they
must occasion such a vast glut in the market, that the produce
would be worth little or nothing.
"In what degree would it affect the dealers in those
commodities brought to this country, as to their remittances to
this country?
"The consequence I apprehend would be, that great parts of the
bills must go back protested; because the produce, for which
the bills are drawn, would sell for scarcely the value of the
freight and charges.
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