Excerpt from Twenty-Two Years of Protection: September, 1888
SO late as 1826 the Government of the United States, in reply to an application for permission to vessels owned by its Citizens to trade with the Colonies of Great Britain on this Conti nent, was informed, that, according to the ancient maxims of policy of European nations having Colonies, their trade was the exclusive possession of the mother country; that all participation in it by other nations is a boon or favor not forming the subject of negotiation, but to be regulated by the legislative acts of the power owning the Colony.’ Existing solely for the benefit of the mother country, colonists, leaving England for the purpose of escaping persecution, or of benefiting their condition, took with them none of the rights or immunities of Englishmen. They were little other than chattels, subject to the harsh and selfish rule of a government in which they had no voice. The mother country was eager to see Colo nies formed, as they opened new outlets for her products, gave increased employment to her shipping, and supplied an abun dance Of new material for the industries of her people; but the greatest vigilance was always exercised and care taken that the colonists should engage in no industries that could interfere with her own.
While in a colonial state, the European commerce of the Americans was confined to Great Britain and that part of the continent of Europe which lies south of Cape Finisterre.
The great staples of the Colonies could only be carried to the parent state, and all imports from Europe came through the same channel.
The colonial policy of the parent state was not confined to the external commerce, but extended to the internal concerns of the Colonies.
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