consequence carries an average of only 8.2 per cent. of exports and imports, — the figures for 1901, yet we have citizens who believe this is national economy.
As the public understands the case, we formerly had an adequate marine of the best character known to the sea; but how we came to lose it, what must be done that it may be rebuilt, appear to be questions so vexed as to be incapable of settlement. What could better elucidate and help to solve these questions than the study of the intelligent discussions of navigation problems by our early Congresses? Feeling this to be the case, the pages of this work contain reports of all the early shipping debates, given in the words of the members themselves. Pertinent extracts from messages of the Presidents are also given.
The change of policy after the peace of 1815, by which we gradually discontinued our original encouragement to Navigation, and committed this interest to its fate from open competition with the directly or indirectly fostered shipping of other nations, will be found fully explained. The change was involuntary, and grew out of our unfortunate relations with Great Britain. A convention entered into with that nation, and similar agreements made with others afterward, practically binding us to do nothing to save our navigation and our commerce from capture and confiscation by rivals, originated our impotency at sea. It is attempted to make this clear and to demonstrate, also, that the true way of restoration is by the means provided in the Constitution not by any system of gifts by Government, but by wise and just regulations of commerce.
The Author hopes that this work may be found useful for its purpose, and conducive to proper action by Congress on the vital subject of an American marine, for the facilitation and increase of our foreign trade.
DENVER, COLORADO, June 1, 1902.