ABSTRACT
The causes of the change in the English sentiment have been suggested; but the most important of them was the fact that the colonists were becoming strong enough to make their influence felt. The continental colonies had benefited greatly by all the incidents of the commercial policy of the war. The act of 1846 has generally been regarded as the close of the period of commercial regulations; and doubtless it was, for practical purposes. But there remained certain restrictions on the commercial freedom of the colonies. The removal of the restrictions was, as has been said, a triumph rather of free trade than of freedom. The several commercial concessions made to the colonies invariably qualified by a clause respecting the treaty obligations of the Empire. A colony, however free and independent, is bound by all Imperial treaties, unless especially exempt from their scope.
