text:  With such vast fields of commercial intercourse open on the one side and the other with the bands of mutual material interests combining so happily to bind two nations together which can have no political causes of distrust and estrangement it is really marvellous that the direct relations should be of so small account and so hampered by jealous adherence to the strict letter of an absurd legislation as in consequence to be diverted from their natural course into other and objectionable channels--as the waters of the river artificially dammed up will overflow its banks and regaining their level speed on by other pathways to the ocean