Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 3).djvu/152

 as they were in port wanting freight, the rate was comparatively moderate; but in the interval, being the middle of summer, when most of the western produce arrived for shipment, an inferior class of ships only were at hand, which delivered their cargoes in bad condition, and, at the same time, charged exorbitant rates, according to the quantity of produce for shipment. The rate of freight is said to have fluctuated in Montreal in one and the same season between 3s. 6d. and 7s. 6d. per barrel; and it is stated that the higher rate, from 6s. to 7s. 6d. per barrel, had been paid in Montreal, while freights were offered in foreign ships at New York as low as 1s. and 1s. 6d. per barrel; indeed, at this time, an offer of 1s. 6d. per barrel extra would have brought any number of ships round from the American sea-ports, but the Navigation Laws interposed. It was clearly seen that such fluctuations in the rates of freight, together with the employment of inferior vessels, could not have occurred were the Canadian merchants able to select in the American ports such ships as were seeking freight to Europe.

During the temporary suspension of the Navigation Laws in 1847, twenty-two ships arrived from Bremen at the port of Montreal laden with emigrants intended for the United States, that route being chosen as easier and cheaper. These ships on their return took cargoes for the United Kingdom; and it was evident that, if the same facilities were continued, the great German emigration to the United States would to some extent pass through Canada. This was but one instance of many which, might be reasonably expected, if foreign vessels could resort to the