THE COLONIAL MAGAZINE AND COMMERCIAL-MARITIME JOURNAL. EDITED BY ROBERT MONTGOMERY MARTIN, ESQ. AUTHOR OF "THE HISTORY OF THE BRITISH COLONIES," &c. MAY-AUGUST, 1840. VOL. II. "FAR AS THE BREEZE CAN BEAR THE BILLOW'S FOAM, FISHER, SON, & CO. NEWGATE-STREET, LONDON; HUNTER-STREET, LIVERPOOL; PREFACE. THERE is a heartfelt gratification in the performance of a duty, and that gratification is somewhat enhanced when it meets with the approbation of the good. In submitting a second volume of the COLONIAL MAGAZINE to the notice of the public, we are enabled to say, that our efforts for the welfare of this vast Empire, have been cheeringly encouraged by communications from every part of the globe. As yet, however, the "Colonial Magazine and Commercial Maritime Journal" presents but a faint indication of the wide field of utility opening before us, and which, if Providence spare us in life and health, we trust we may be enabled successfully to till. Various Colonies and divers interests have not yet been touched on; questions heretofore considered trivial, are daily assuming more and more importance: our commerce with foreign nations—our maritime rights—our mercantile alliances and reciprocity treaties, are all topics of vast national interest, which are almost entirely neglected or misunderstood. The settlement of domestic political questions, which has now to a great extent happily taken place, will leave the public mind more free to examine the basis of our manufacturing and commercial power, and statesmen of both parties will be compelled to prepare and inform themselves for parliamentary strife on the battleplain of "ships, colonies, and commerce." At such a period it is obviously of the first moment, that there should be in existence a journal, totally free from the influence of either party in the state, and seeking only its support by the protection which it affords to national interests: a journal unidentified with personal feelings or private rights; not seeking to advance cne colony at the expense of another, or balancing the West against the East, but fairly and impartially advocating justice to all. We have no personal or private interest to serve. We desire that every colony and dependency of the British empire be placed on a fair and equal footing in its relations with the mother-country, that no undue advantage, which it is in the power of the legislature to remedy, be tolerated; but that, knit in a common bond of union and freedom, the Colonists of every part of this vast oceanic kingdom may consider themselves as the children of a common parent, each entitled to an equal division of the affection and care of the ruling state. As our successive numbers proceed, the means for obtaining this desired union will be developed; and in its attainment we look to the welfare of each Colony as inseparably identified with the prosperity of England. While, on the one hand, we seek justice for the East Indies, on the other we advocate the most perfect freedom for the West Indies, whose day of prosperity is only now dawning, and who, in the advancing progress of South America, will find an immense mart for their trade, and a valuable site for the developement of their skill and capital. So also with regard to Australasia. We wish to see a generous rivalry between British North America and our more distant settlements in the Southern Pacific; let each strive to win the favour of intending emigrants, by just laws, by peace, and by a mercantile spirit, which shall enable the poor emigrant to become a rich settler. Again, let the founders of new colonies run the fair race of competition with their elder brethren ; and as each succeeding year pours forth its annual swarms from the hive of Old England, let the localities of such settlements be sufficiently attractive to induce the wealth and intelligence of Britain to send forth its colonizing missions on the great and righteous duty of peopling the wastes of the earth. Of the government (we speak of neither party) we have nothing to say: Instead of fostering the energy of the people, instead of encouraging them to spread themselves over our colonies, and acquiring possessions, instead of affording every facility for the investment of surplus capital within our own reach, and not in foreign lands, every possible obstacle is thrown in the way of British spirit and enterprise; until the government and the crown are treated with a degree of indifference which it is painful to contemplate. A wise government and patriotic sovereign would take a pride and pleasure in fostering the colonizing spirit of Englishmen ; they would be foremost in directing the efforts of our meritorious fellow-citizens, they would lead, instead of being driven into the only course which, under Providence, can save England from the fate of all old and insulated communities. But a new era is dawning on England; our unceasing efforts for years are now beginning to produce some effect, and each succeeding month will witness the progress of our loved idea, the extension of the power of Christian England throughout the world. To the accomplishment of this great purpose, our best energies have been devoted, and although unsustained by any human being, we have had the merciful aid of a gracious Providence in furtherance of our efforts. To that benign and allsufficient Protector we commit our labours, with a full conviction that the good they may contain will be made manifest, and that another unit will be added to the sum of human happiness. LONDON, August 1, 1840. |