ntries
where it is regulated by a single legislator: and the distinction is too
remarkable not to be noticed, that our navigation is excluded from the
security of fixed laws, while that security is given to the navigation
of others.

Our vessels pay in their ports one shilling nine pence sterling per ton,
light and trinity dues, more than is paid by British ships, except in
the port of London, where they pay the same as British. The greater part
of what they receive from us is re-exported to other countries, under
the useless charges of an intermediate deposite and double voyage.

From tables published in England, and composed, as is said, from the
books of their Custom-Houses, it appears, that of the indigo imported
there in the years 1773-4-5, one third was re-exported; and, from a
document of authority, we learn that of the rice and tobacco imported
there before the war, four fifths were re-exported. We are assured,
indeed, that the quantities sent thither for re-exportation since the
war are considerably diminished; yet less so than reason and national
interest would dictate. The whole of our grain is re-exported, when
wheat is below fifty shillings the quarter, and other grains in
proportion.

Great Britain admits in her islands our vegetables, live provisions,
horses, wood, tar, pitch, and turpentine, rice and bread-stuff, by a
proclamation of her executive, limited always to the term of a year, but
hitherto renewed from year to year. She prohibits our salted fish
and other salted provisions. She does not permit our vessels to carry
thither our own produce. Her vessels alone may take it from us, and
bring in exchange, rum, molasses, sugar, coffee, cocoa-nuts, ginger, and
pimento. There are, indeed, some freedoms in the island of Dominica,
but under such circumstances as to be little used by us. In the British
continental colonies, and in Newfoundland, all our productions are
prohibited, and our vessels forbidden to enter their ports. Their
Governors, however, in times of distress, have power to permit a
temporary importation of certain articles in their own bottoms, but not
in ours.

Our citizens cannot reside as merchants or factors within any of the
British plantations, this being expressly prohibited by the same statute
of 12 Car. 2, c. 18, commonly called their navigation act.

*****

Of our commercial objects, _Spain_ receives favorably our breadstuff,
salted fish, wood, ships, tar, pitch, and turpent