What improvement most dramatically increased the speed and lowered the expense of commerce in the first half of the 19th century?

Ithink i know of the assessment that you're taking, and the answer is "freedom to meet peacefully."

Protecting and assisting  u.s. citizens  living or traveling abroad; assisting u.s.  businesses  in the international marketplace; coordinating and providing support for international activities of other u.s. agencies (local, state, or federal government), official visits overseas and at home, and other diplomatic efforts.keeping the public informed about u.s. foreign policy and relations with other countries and providing feedback from the public to administration officials.providing  automobile registration  for non-diplomatic staff vehicles and the vehicles of diplomats of foreign countries having  diplomatic immunity  in the united states