For instance, it was given in evidence that Spanish vessels were chartered in English ports to Manilla at 3l. or 4l. per ton, while the British vessel could not obtain 30s. per ton. From the Mauritius to Europe a French ship, enjoying the option of both the British and French markets, obtained a freight for sugar of 3l. 10s. per ton at a time when English ships were obliged to accept 10s. per ton. Thus, in all our colonies and possessions, French, Spanish, and Portuguese vessels[1] could generally procure a freight greatly in excess of that obtained by British ships, as the foreign national flag secured for them, on arrival at a port of call in England, the advantage of our markets, with the option of sending on the cargo to the respective countries of Europe to which the national flag belonged, but from which markets such produce was excluded by heavy differential duties, if conveyed thither in British ships.
The Committee naturally felt that a sense of justice
- [Footnote: Lord) Hammond, there can be no doubt that it is very ineffective in
its dealings with foreign nations on nearly all commercial matters. Perhaps, this would be remedied if the Diplomatic and Consular Service were amalgamated, or even if it was permitted for gentlemen in the Consular to rise to the Diplomatic Service. I was strongly impressed with this idea when serving as a member on the Consular Committee of 1856-57; but my colleagues on that Committee were generally of a different opinion. Unquestionably our diplomatists are gentlemen in every sense of that word, and, as a rule, distinguished scholars, but they lack that description of knowledge which is expected from the representatives of by far the greatest commercial and maritime nation in the world. The time is fast approaching when this may prove a serious obstacle to our further progress. As times now go, we are a workshop or we are nothing. I respect rank and envy learning; but these will not feed the rising and increasing generations, who are to fill our vacant places.]
- ↑ That Portugal gained nothing by her restrictive policy those of my readers who care to know may see by referring to a letter which I addressed by request of its President to the Commercial Association of Lisbon, when there in 1863. See Appendix No. 6, p. 596.
