Previous to 1855 our tonnage exceeded that of any nation excepting England. Our shipping interests were composed of two great branchesshipbuilding and shipowningmutually dependent on each other. Although labor in the United States was much dearer than the pauper labor of Europe. yet as ships were built principally of woodthis material being much cheaper in the United States than in Englandit counterbalanced the cheaper labor of that nation and enabled the American shipbuilder to compete successfully with the shipbuilder of England. The American shipowner. with dearer capital and employing dearer labor. found himself when afloat upon the high seas in open competition with the cheaper labor and capital of England. but the laws. however. of the United States! shielded him with a protective clause. and provided a 10 per cent. discriminating duty against all imports into American ports in foreign bottoms. The act of June 7. 1794. laying " duties on goods. wares. and merchandise imported into the United States." contained this clause: That an addition of 10 per cent. shall be made to the several rates of duties above specified and imposed in respect to all goods. wares. and merchandise which after the said last day of June instant shall be imported in ships or vessels not of the United States.
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pauper labor