"My Lord,--In the debate last night on the Navigation Laws, your Lordship said,--
'The noble and learned Lord opposite has spoken contemptuously of statistics. Let me remind that noble and learned Lord that if any statement founded on statistics remains unshaken, it is the statement that under reciprocity treaties now existing, by which this country enjoys no protection, she, nevertheless, monopolises the greater part of the commerce of the north of Europe.'
As an impartial statist, as well as a statesman, your Lordship will perhaps permit me to invite your attention to the following abstract from Parliamentary returns, respectfully trusting that, if the facts it discloses should be found irreconcilable with the opinions you have expressed, a sense of justice will induce your Lordship to correct the error:--
The reciprocity treaty with the United States was concluded in 1815.
The British inward entries from that country were--
Tons. In 1816 45,140 In 1824, reciprocity having been eight years in operation 44,994 -------- British tonnage having in } that period decreased } 146
The inward entries of American tonnage were--
Tons. In 1816 91,914 In 1824 153,475 -------- American tonnage having in } that period increased } 61,561
During that period no reciprocity existed with the Baltic Powers; and
Tons. In 1815 the British entries from Prussia, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway were 78,533 In 1824 129,895 -------- British tonnage having increased 51,362
In 1815 those Baltic entries were 319,181 In 1824 350,624 -------- Baltic tonnage having increased 31,443
Thus, from the peace in 1815 to 1824, when the "Reciprocity of Duties Act" passed, in the trade of the only country in the world with which great Britain was in reciprocity, her tonnage declined 146 tons, and that of the foreign nation advanced 61,561 tons; while in the trade with the Baltic powers, with which no reciprocity existed, British tonnage advanced on its competitors in the proportion of 51,362 to 31,443 tons.
From 1824 the reciprocity principle was applied to the Baltic powers; and--
Tons. In 1824, the British entries being 129,895 In 1846 they had declined to 88,894 -------- Having diminished during } the period } 41,001