ception is express that no trade whatsoever should be permitted with the enemy. Address on the Maritime Rights of Great Britain. By Sir Frederick Morton Eden, "When Elizabeth was eugaged in wat Bart. Second Edition. 8vo. pp. 139; Ap-Hangetowns which were entering into the "with Spain she seized several vessels of the 'pendix pp. xlviii. Price 5s. London, Budd, 1808. : When the individual who first peruses a book submitted to the corps, has completed his commission, we sometimes are carious enough to examine what number of foldings at the corners he has made, as marks directing to peculiar attention and we report, on the pamphlet under consideration, that it has experienced an unusual number of said corner-indications. It comprises, in fact, two tracts, both of them on important subjects, with a third part, and appendix, intended to suggest means for rendering the United Kingdom independent on other countries for the necessary, perhaps, indispensable articles which they now furnish. Nobody can doubt the real patriotism of a writer who proposes such a theme for his observations; and the public appear to have felt much obligation to a gentleman who took no common pains to inform its judgement. Sir Frederick has had access to authentic documents, and we shall avail ourselves of some of them, for the advantage of our readers. We have no inducement to resume the consideration of those edicts which Gallic hatred and British determination have issued against each other: but it may not be amiss to insert an instance or two of the resolution with which some of our former sovereigns have wielded the trident of the sea. As early as the second year of Edward the Third (1328), in a charter of privileges to foreign merchants, " an instrument, which," Lord Liverpool observes,* " may well be considered as a sort of maritime regulation by which England meant to direct her con *duct at that time on affairs of this nature," the liberty of navigation was confirmed, and foreign merchants were allowed to carry their goods, whether purchased within the ingdom, or not. to any country they pleased, except to the King's enemies; and, some offences being afterwards committed against this charter in the succeeding wars, it was again renewed in the same manner in the sixth year of this reign. In both these instances the ex *In his Discourse on the Conduct of Great Britain respecting neutral Nations, 1757. "port of Lisbon; and she urged, among "other arguments, the charter above wep tioned in defence of her conduct: she was her cause, that the threats of the German "in this respect so satisfied of the justice of empire, and other neutral powers, could "not oblige her to relinquish her right."* 66 By the treaty of Whitehall, dated the 12th of August 1689, it was declared that it was agreed between the king of Great Bri"tain (William) and the States General that "if, during the course of the war, the subjects of any other king, prince, or state, should undertake to traffick, or have any commerce, with the subjects of the most "christian king, or, if their vessels, or ship"ping, were met with in their passage to the ports, havens, or roads, under the obedi 66 ence of the most christian king, the said "vessels, shipping, merchandize, or wares, shold, in the case above-mentioned, be 66 attacked, and taken, by the captains of men of war, privateers, or other subjects "of the king of Great Britain and the Lords "of the States General; and should, before proper judges, be condemned for lawful "prize." It is true that the prosecution of this measure was given up, u compliance with the representations of the northern powobject of king William was a vigorous war on ers; but it must be recollected that the chief the continent. This country, however, is, now, differently circumstanced. The reasoning of Puffendorf applies no less forcibly to the right contended for, than to the right of search: "les Anglois peuvent " dire sans absurdité qu'il leur est permis de "faire tout le mal qu'ils peuvent aux François avec qu'ils sont en guerre, et par consé quent d'emploier le moien le plus propre à "les affoiblir, qui consiste à traverser ou empêcher leur commerce: qu'il n'est pas juste que les peuples neutres s'enrichissent "à leurs depens, et, en attirant à eux un "'commerce interrompu pour l'Angleterre, "fournissent à la France des secours pour "continuer la guerre. On ne doit pas It is remarkable that Mons, de Thou, "who was himself a great lawyer, and had "long sat in the first court of judicature in "France, even when he blames the conduct "of the queen in this aflair, passeth his cen sure upon it not as defective in justice bur "only in policy: in tam alieno tempore (says "he) rerum prudentiores existimabant im See Lord Liverpool's Discourse. souffrir qu'ils l'augmentent, à l'occasion de "la guerre, au préjudice des Anglois." Le Droit de la Nature et des Gens, traduit par Barleyrac. Liv. 8, c. 6, § 8. note. It cannot be supposed that the actual circumstances of Britain demand measures less energetic than those which influenced dur Prices on these occasions: they were then contending for their welfare, dignity and honour; we may add, as the object of contention, our existence. supply of Hemp from our own colonies either in the East or in the West.-also, South America will supply us with hides and tallow. And the recent revolu tion in Spain holds out the prospect of a supply of so much as may be necessary of fine wool. Silk will certainly be an increasing commodity from India: but, if not, it is by no means an indispensable article to the whole of the public. For wine and spirits we are not bound to depend on France. strength is certain: and that some staple commodity for exchange with Europe would greatly benefit it, is equally certain. We see no objection to wine: but we should not recommend an article for which the dependence of Britain on this colony would be either strict or extensive We have taken several opportunities to Sir F. advises to turn the current of state the progress of manufactures in France the materials for which are derived emigration from Ireland, &c. toward the from foreign countries: and in our pre-stands in need of such an accession of Cape of Good Hope. That that colony sent number will be seen accounts, which inform us, that the cottons of the Levant are cubarked on the Black Sea, and sent by Vicuna to the Rhine; a long, uncouth, and heretofore unthought of, transit! Yet this is necessary to prevent the machines of France from standing still for want of the raw material. Wuat can be the export trade of commodities burdened before they reach the manufacturer, with such expences, and obtained under such uncertainties, and inconveniencies? This single reflection supersedes all remark on the reasonings of the present writer as to the difficulties of the French in obtaining cotton, and to the prospect the finances of France possess of supplying a deficiency amounting to more than 500,000 a year in that branch of revenue only. Sir Frederick further observes: France has long been accustomed to draw from foreign countries many articles required for subsistence, manufactures, or naval stores. Which of them, and to what extent, will she be able to draw from a British source, it a confederate world becomes unwilling to supply them? What brauches of industry are most exposed to risks from their prohibitory system of commercial hostility? An answer to these questions may be collected, from our article in this Number dated Lyons. An influx of white population is indispen; sably necessary to promote the course of industry most beneficial 10 the Cape; and to develope those resources which in naval, milita ry, and commercial points of view, the colo ny, in the opinion of very adequate judges, is supposed to possess; the number of its inha bitanis in 1798 (exclusive of British settlers and the army and navy) was only 61947, of which 21740 were Christians, 25754 slaves, and 1444 Hottentots. We are particularly gratified with the view taken by this writer of the article timber, and the sources of supply which he has pointed out: we can do no other justice to it here, than by making this acknowledgement. It deserves every attention from our public officers, as well as from private individuals. Speaking of the British woollen trade Sir F. observes : Although it is probable that the far greater part of the superfine cloths made in Great Britain is consumed at home, yet that manufac ture must continue, even during the probibitory decrces of Bonaparte, to furnish a considerable branch of export. The Chinese are beyond the reach of the French conscripts; and are our customers for nearly a million au This writer proceeds to enumerate those articles for which Britain is dependent on foreign countries: these are Corn, Naval Stores, Hides, Tallow, Flax, Silk and ally of woollen manufactures. Even France Wool. We are in great hopes that the herself, notwithstanding her superior advanresult of the present harvest will shew, will no doubt, whenever we can raise fue ces in the multiplication of fige wooled sheep, that we do not really depend, always distin-wool at home, at a more reasonable rate than guishing between dependence and conveniwe can import it, deal with us for kerseymeres ence, on foreign countries for corn. Our and other fancy goods, (particularly mixtures exertions may hope to be rewarded with a of cotton ami wool,) which the superiority of our machinery will enable us to sell at lower prices than French manufacturers can do. The prices of superfine cloth and kerseymeres at Paris are at this time 40 or 50 per cent. higher than in London. Of woollens exported, not one fourth part goes to the continent of Europe; and of a considerable portion of the exports to Spain and Portugal the ultimate destination is probably their colonies. Compared with the aggregate export of woollens, the export to those countries has been very inconsiderable. Official value of woollens exported to All Parts Portugal and Madeira Spain and Canaries L. L. L. L. in 1790 1793 1796 1799 5,190,637 3,806,536 6,011,133 6,876,939 382,098 376,171 425,058 $569,788 407,464 259,849 262,192 none. Some hints not foreign from this subject may be gathered from our report on the state of the woollen manufactures in Holland; in the present number p. 1169. A plan for the increase of the Anglomerino breed of sheep closes our author's considerations on the subject of wool: this we cannot detail; but we heartily approve of the exertions making by individuals for the purpose. Seeing that the trade of France is seeking a new course, it may furnish a convenience of comparison on some future opportunity, if we insert the produce of the duties at the different frontier towns of the French territory. It appears from the following account, that the gross produce in 1806 was 67,105,622 livres, of which the net treasury receipt, after deducting the expenses of collection, was only 51,727,218 f. 27 c. It is remarkable that Antwerp, in point of produce, stands highest in the list of custom-houses. Livres. C. 522,588,43 500,591,43 the public revenue of France, it would appear that the reduction was a real one; but, in point of fact, the land is still equally bure. thened, though the load goes under another name; and the people of France have precisely the same gratification that the English would have, if the power of Government could take off a million a year from the land tax, and add it to the county-rate. ference, in a few years' time. We close, Possibly this list may exhibit great difby adding the rate per cent. at which, according to Sir Frederick, additions ought to be made to the official values of the following articles, at our custom house, in order to produce the real value. Northern European produce imported. Rate per Centur to be added. Flax rough............about 75 190 100 Skins and furs............... 100 On the whole, as our readers will per489,762,36 ceive, we regard this work, as offering $98,160,69 333.984,17 317,342,46 297,979,45 150,391,00 70,595,47 Foire de Beaucaire41,279,20 Douane de Paris 32,069.27 369.794,84 very valuable materials, and very impor $17,874,61 tant considerations, to the patriot and to the statesman: such labours, from the 179,605,77 higher class of our inhabitants, are ho197,874,92 nourable, and cannot fail of proving ex117,048,76 tremely beneficial to our national interests. The united labours of the well informed and ingenious among us, will have its effect on the public mind and opinion; and to this we may be allowed to add, the pleasing anticipation of future times, which when looking back to the dit for industry and diligence as well as for present era, must, undoubtedly, give it creresearch and intelligence. 67,105,620,82 It is not long since that an apparent reduction was made on that most burthensome tax, La Contribution Foncière, but it was only an apparent reduction. From the inspection indeed of the treasury accounts of † A portion probably of this passed into Spam. 1 The Siller Gun. A Poem, in four Cantos: Mr. Mayne has chosen for his subject, a day distinguished at Dumfries, by its importance and emulation: that on which the whole town is alive to the issue of the contest for a silver gun, a prize to the best marksman of the corporation. That we may explan to our readers what this object of contention is, we shall introduce one of Mr. M's notes before we transcribe any part of his poetry: this inversion of his order we hope he will pardon. The Siller Gun, A trinket like a penny whustle. The Silver Gun is about ten inches long; has silver marks stamped on it; and, according to what old people say they heard from their progenitors, was originally mounted on a carriage, with wheels, all of silver; but of these no vestige remains. Near the touchhole, the letters IM are engraved on the barrel, supposed to be the initials of the provost of Dumfries at the time when this ceremony was first instituted. This, however, is mere conjecture: such records of the corporations as were prior to the reign of Charles II. have suffered so much by decay, that they are no longer legible; and, after that period, the only mention in them of the silver gun is an occasional memorandum of its having been shot for "agreeably to the institution.” The Burgh of Kirkcudbright is also in possession of a Silver tube, ar gun; which, like that of Dumfries, is said to have been given to the corporations by king James VI. It is about seven inches long; marked TM.C 1587. These letters are supposed to be the initials of Sir Thomas M'Clellan, Laird of Bombie, provost of Kirkcudbright in 1587, and ancestor of the lords of that name. This gun is lodged with the town clerk of Kirkcudbright, and has only been shot for twice in the memory of any person living, The last time was in the summer of 1781, when the corporations applied by petition to have the gun delivered to them, that they migirt shoot for it at a target. Their petition was granted; but no similar application ha been made since 1781. Although the silver gun is adjudged as a prize to the best marksman, and worn by him as a trophy in his hat for the day, it is only nominally his property; being invariably relinquished at the end of the festivity for some honorary equivalent: and, till another Jubilee, deposited in the strong box of the corporations. All accounts concur in ascribing the gift to James VI. during one of his excursions to the Southern borders; but these excursions, and the circumstances which accompanied them, live now only in oral tradition. It may well be supposed that the bustle attendant on this trial of skill, in conjunction with the duties due to the king's birth day, would afford plenty of matter for poetical purposes; and, accordingly, our poet begins his sang with the preparations in the morning, includes the incidents of the day, as well tragical as comical, and even the farcical: describes the tippling that ensues, the fightings and the dancings; nor closes, till the bonefires are extinguished, and all the boys are fleyd awa'!" Let us hear the poet : Aff to the Craigs, the hale forenoon, O! happy they wha, up twa story, Ye couldna see your thoomb before ye Where the lang train of armour gleams, Bright Phoebus shone in glitt'ring beams: Parch'd up wi' heat, nae caller streams To weet their hasses, The squadrons grien'd for ale that reams * 19 A' this, and maire they seem'd to say, The readiness of Scotland to perceive, and to meet, the duty of the brave, deBerves every justice: our poet thus records it, and we insert his testimony with pleasure. Then, ere our king could gi'e command, Fit, in ae phalanx, to withstand Nor was this fervour only here; Tho' aft inthrall'd, At hame, afield, or far awa', For liberty, her king, and law, And native shore ! That some of these heroes were not men of straw, is proved by the spirit of "one of the companies, herdsmen from Eskdale Moor, which offered in case of invasion to march to Edinburgh, upwards of seventy miles distant, in one day:" but the condition which they annexed to this offer may induce some of their southern neighbours to doubt whether they were properly flesh and blood; it was—“ provided they were allowed to put off their shoes and stockings." The muse is But vain is a' the poet's art To paint this banquet o' the heart→→ On sic a day! notes, which are amusing enough, is a Among other things contained in the speech addressed to James VI. when he visited Dumfries, in 1617.-We submit as a question, whether the modern flights of fancy among our Gallic neighbours, may not have derived some assistance from the North. A specimen may contribute to determine this doubt. "Who wold essey to speake worthelie of your worthie, rare, royall, and heroicall vertues should have eloquence for his tongue; and let any speake what hee can, what can hee speake but that which everie man doeth know? for there is no corner of the earth which hath not heard of your majestie, that yee are not onlie a mirour, but a master of kings; not onely a patterne to their lyfe, but also a patrone of their cause," &c. &c. &c. Histoire Grecque de Thucidide, &c. The the labour it appears to have cost its author, |