It has been ascertained b...
IL has been ascertained by the last arrivals from Havan. nah, to the great surprise of our merchants who trade with Cuba, that some very important privileges have been con- ceded to the French shipping entering the ports of that island. The duties on such vessels have been receatly the same as the EngLish-that is, about 2s per cent; but have latterly been reduced to about 6 per cent., while ours re- main unaltered. The quesdon, which in itself seems to be entirely of a commercial nature, derives some additional in- terest from the suspicion excited, that this is one mode by which the French, having lost all hope of any other kind of payment, are aeeking to indemnify themselves for the charge of the Spanish campaign. To the English traders the dis- advantages are very great of this relaxation in favour of France, which may ultimately exclude thera from a very beneficialmarket, unless, by the interference of our Govcrn- ment, similar privileges are obtained from them.