The Sun.
London, England, 1827-01-15 00:00:00

DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE.

(From the National Intelligencer.)
OFFICIAL PAPERS OF OUR RELATIONS WITH GREAT
Ducumenta from the Department of State (accompanying the President's
Message.)

MR. VAUGHAN TO MR. CLAY.
Washington, Sept. 2S, 1826.

have the honour to communicate to you the substance
of a dispatch which I have this day received from his Majesty's
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in which I am directed to
announce to you the determination of his Majesty's Government
to allow the provisions of the Act of 1825, which regulates the
commerce with British Colonies, to have their course.

In resorting to this determination, the conduct of his Majesty's
Government is open to the imputation of tardiness, rather than
to that of precipitation.
A hope had been entertained that the late Session of Congress
would not have been suffered to pass by without the adoption of
some measure, on the recommendation of the President, for the
abolition of the discriminating duties, which, for three years past,
have been levied in the ports of the United States, on British ves-
sels trading between the United States and the British Colonies
in North America, and the West Indies.
" A proposition made by his Majesty's Government to the
United States, through the British Plenipotentiaries, in the late
negociations carried on in London—a proposition, having for its
object the reciprocal abolition of all discriminating duties levied
on colonial intercourse—has been since the summer of 1824,
under the consideration of the American Government.
An Act of Parliament, passed in July, 1825, which, while it
offered the liberty of trading with the British Colonies to all na-
tions, limited that liberty " to the ships of those countries which,
having colonial possessions, should grant the like privileges of
trading with those possessions to British ships, or which, not
having colonial possessions, should place the commerce and navi-
gation of this country and of its possessions abroad, upon. the
footing of the most favoured nation."
-the United States have no Colonial' ossesSions, but they might
have placed the trade of his Majesty's Colonies in America, in
British vessels, upon the footing of the most favoured nation in
the ports of the United States, and they have not done so.
It would have been infinitely more agreeable to his Majesty's
Government, that the liberal dispositions manifested by England
towards the United States, should have produced a corresponding
disposition on the part of the American Government.
But finding themselves disappointed in their long-cherished
hope that such would be the course of the Government of the
United States, it remains for them only to let the provisions of
the Act of 1825 take their course. •

I seize this opportunity to renew to you the assurances of my
high consideration.

CHARLES R. VAUGHAN.

MR. CLAY TO MR. VAUGHAN.

Department of State, Washington, Oct. 11, 1826.
SIR-I have received and submitted to the_Presideut of the
United States, the note which you (lid me the honour, on the
28th ult. to address to me, communicating the substance of a de-
spatch which you had received from the British Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, in which you were directed to an-
nounce the determination of his Britannic Majesty's Govern-
ment, to allow the provisions of the Act of Parliament of 1825,
regulating the commerce with the British Colonies, to have their
course.

The Government of the United States have ever been anxious
that the trade between them and the British Colonies should be
placed upon a liberal and equitable basis. There has not been a
moment since the adoption of the present Constitution, when
they were not willing to apply to it the principle of fair recipro-
city, and equal competition. There has not been a time during
the same period, when they have understood the British Govern-
ment to be prepared to adopt that principle. When the Conven-
tion, in 1815, was concluded, the American Government was de-
sirous of extending its principles to the British possessions in the
%Vest Indies, and on the Continent of North America ; but, at the
instance of the British Government, those possessions were ex-
pressly excepted from the operation of the Convention. Upon
the agreement of 1818, between the two Powers, to prolong the
operation of that Convention, the British Government had not
made up their mind to extend its principles to those possessions.
It would be as painful as unnecessary to enter into a detail of all
the countervailing acts of legislation which, subsequently to that
period, were resorted to by the parties, in which the struggle on
the side of Great Britain was to maintain her monopoly, and on
that of the United States to secure an equal participation in the
trade and intercourse between them and the British Colonies. In
1824, a negociation was again opened between them, on this and
other. xubjects, through Mr. Rush, and Messrs. Huskisson and
Canning, at London, and a gleam of hope broke out of the recon-
ciliation of the two parties, on that long-contested matter, but as
there were one or two points in relation to it, on which they
could not agree, the negociation was suspended, with an under-
standing that it should he again renewed at some early day, after
the two Governments had fully deliberated on the question which
prevented an agreement. Mr. King was sent to Great Britain
by the United States, as their Plenipotentiary, in the Spring of
1825, and but for the state of his health, which compelled his
return, and rendered necessary the appointment of a successor, he
would have entered upon the negociation. In the meantime, in
July, 1825, the British Parliament passed the Act referred to in
your note ; but no copy of that Act has ever, at London or at
Washington, been officially communicated to the Government of
the United States by the British Government ; nor has there been
communicated to this Government, any expectation of his Britan-
nic Majesty's Government, that the regulation of the intercourse
with the British Colonies should be effected by mutual acts of le-
gislation. The Government of the United States, on the contrary,
has reposed in full confidence, that it was the view and wish of
both parties that, on the resumption of the suspended negotiation,
that subject should be again taken up and provided for, and, ac-
cordingly, Mr. Gallatin has carried with him instructions which
we had every reason to hope and believe would enable him to con-
cur with the British Government in an adjustment of it, on terms
which would be entirely satisfactory to both parties.
Judge, then, Sir, of the surprise and regret which the Presi-
dent must have felt on receiving the information conveyed in
your note. If the British Act of Parliament were intended in
the nature of a proposition to the Congress of the United States,
it should have been officially communicated for their con-
sideration, accompanied by those explanations which the com-
plexity of the British system, and the terms of the Act, ren-
dered necessary—explanations the more necessary to a foreign go-
vernment, since the Act has been differently interpreted by British
authorities at different places, and, it is believed, at the same
place at different times. If the British Government had recol-
lected that the subject of this intercourse was comprehended in
the negociation which both parties expected shortly to resume, it
is difficult to understand on what foundation it should have placed
the hope that Congress, on the recommendation of the President,
would have abolished the discriminating duties. Supposing the Ame-
rican Government prepared to consent to their abolition, two modes
of accomplishing the object presented themselves ; one by treaty, and
the other by acts of separate legislation. The two Governments
had selected the former as the more eligible, by opening a negocia-
tion, of which there was only a temporary suspension. The
terms of the British Act of Parliament are general, applying to
all foreign nations ; and doubts, at one time, were entertained here,
whether it was intended to apply at all to the United States or
not. If, during the three years past, the alien duties have been
levied on British vessels entering the ports of the United States,
during the greater part of the same period duties professed to be
equal and countervailing, but really exceeding them, have been
levied on vessels of the United States in the British Colonial ports.
If they have been discontinued, it has been done voluntarily by
the British Government. The Government of the United States
has not, and would not have complained, during the continuance
of their alien duties, of the imposition of equal duties in the British
ports. - . . . .

It is true, that the proposal by the British Plenipotentiaries to
Mr. Rush, was made about two years ago, and that it has been
under consideration of this Government since it was received.
Mr. Gallatin is now in full possession of the decision of the Pre-
sident ; and the causes which have prevented earlier communica-
tion of it, are well known to the British Government. But
if these causes had not existed, the lapse of time would not
be extraordinary, especially when compared with that which
had passed between the proposal of the American Government
in 1815, and 1824. The Act of Parliament was only passed
in July of the last year. The operation commenced in January.
It made a very great alteration in the British Colonial system.
Iti provisions were numerous and complicated, and it referred
to other acts, also containing numerous provisions, all of which
it was necessary to understand. Under these circumstances, it
'could not be deemed unreasonable, if the American Govern-
ment had required some time to ascertain the nature and effect
of these changes.
If the President finds, in the measure itself, which you have
announced, just occasion for surprise, the moment was selected for
its promulgation in England, is calculated to augment it: The
moment was that of Mr. Gallatin's arrival in England, charged
with full powers and instructions to arrange this affair upon the
most liberal terms, and such as was confidently believed would be
satisfactory to Great Britain. And you have, doubtless, long
since communicated to the British Government the substance of

conversations with me, in which you were informed that he would
take with him instructions, framed in a conciliatory spirit, on
all the points embraced in the negotiation which was commenced
in 1824.

If the President does not require a revocation of that part of
the Order in Council which prohibits the admission of vessels of
the United States, after certain specified days, into certain Bri-
tish Colonial Ports, as, a 'preliminary to all negociation on the
subject, it is because, faithful to the desire which he anxiously
entertains, of preserving the harmony and amity between the two
countries, he will not follow the unfriendly example which has
been exhibited by the British Government. He still cherishes
the hope, that the disCMe3iOns between Mr. Gallatin and the
British Government, will terminate in an adjustment of the
Colonial Intercoiirse, which may advance the interests of both
countries.

I request that yoti will accept the assurance of my distin-
guished consideration, HENRY CLAY.
The Right Hon. C. R. Vaughan, Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary from Great Britain.

MR. CLAY TO MR. VAUGHAN.
Department of State, Oct. 19, 1826.
Sir—ln
a conversation which I had the honour 41 holding with
you at the Department of State, a few days ago, I inquired- of
you whether, under the Act of Parliament of July, 1825, Ameri-
can vessels were allowed to export to foreign countries, other than
the dominions Of Great Britain, the produce of the British West
India Islands, in like manner with British vessels, and at that
time you could not inform me. Perhaps the late arrival may
enable you to supply the information. I have, under that hope,
to request that you will inform me whether, according to the
British interpretation of that Act of Parliament, American vessels
may export to, and import from, foreign countries other than
the dominions aforesaid, the produce and manufactures of those
countries and colonies respectively, in like manner with British
vessels; and, also, whether all discriminating duties and charges
imposed, either by the local authorities of the British Colonies,
or by the British Parliament, between vessels of the United
States and British vesseli, have been abolished. The import-
ance of a solution of these inpiiries will readily present itself

to you.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew to you a tender of
my high consideration.

. _
H. CLAY.
To the Right Hon. C. R. Vaughan, Envoy Extraordinary
ar.d Minister Plenipotentiary from Great Britain.

MR. VAUGHAN TO MR. CLAY.

Washington, Oct. eO, 1826.
Sir—l am sorry that it is not in my power to answer satisfac-
torily the inquiry which you make in your note of yesterday
whether, under the Act of Parliament of July, 1825, American
vessels were allowed to export to foreign countries, other than the
dominions of Great Britain, the produce of the British West Indian
Islands, in like manner with British vessels ?
I am not in possession of any documents which can lead me to
put a construction upon the meaning of that act, beyond the im-
port of the words in which its provisions are conveyed.
I can only refer you, therefore, to that Act, from whence you
will be able to draw a just conclusion of the rule which it is in.
tended should govern the commercial intercourse with British
Colonies.

I request that you will accept the renewed assurances of my
distinguished consideration.

CHARLES R. VAUGHAN.
The Hon. H. Clay, Secretary of State.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

FRENCH PAPERS.
(From the Etoile, dated Saturday, Jan. IS.)
aLLIES OF THE DAY.
(The (Jonstitutionnel.)
_

PARIS, JAN. 12.—" The Spanish Government has declared
that in case the Swiss should withdraw, it would require that the
fortresses should be delivered up by the French troops."
(The Constitutionnel again.)
_ .

„
".It seems that England has required of the Cabinet of the
Tuileries categorical explanation, and that such is the object of the
visit of Prince Polignac to Paris.”
(The Courrier Francais.)

A courier set off from Vienna on the 6th of this month, with
orders to the Austrian troops to stop on the frontiers of the king-
dom of Naples, because there is a great fermentation in the Abruzzi
and in the dominions of the Pope."
(The Constitutionnel.)

" The disastrous effort of the project of law on the press is felt
by all classes of society. We hear nothing spoken of in all parts
of Paris but fetes put off, and balls which will not be given for
this season."

PARIS, JAN. 12.—We have spoken, on a former occasion, of
an article of the Journal des Debats, in favour of England, which
the English Journals had refused, as being too adulatory to the
British Ministry. It seems that the Anglo-French correspondent
has engaged to publish a certain number of articles against
France, and even to get them published in Paris, if he cannot pro-
duce them elsewhere; for that of this day is evidently by the same
hand, and inspired by the same intentions as that which caused
such general indignation. We congratulate the Journal des De-
bats on the progress it makes, but we still more congratulate the
Anti-French writer, for he certainly would not have found an-
other paper to receive his abuse of his own country, and his apo-
logies for foreigners. The Constitutionnel itself would certainly
have refused to insert the phrases which the Journal des Debats
contains to-day.
The Constitutionnel and the Quotidienne announce, that on
the motion of M. Lacretelle, the Academy will meet on Tuesday
next, to address a petition to the King, against the projet of law
on the press.
The German Journals had spread a report that peace had been
concluded between Russia and Persia, by the mediation of Eng-
land. The movement of troops, which are announced in all
parts of southern Russia, give ground to think, on the contrary,
that Russia will prosecute the war with vigour, as soon as the sea-
son will permit.
VALLADOLID, DEC. 31.—You must have heard how the Por-
tuguese of the two parties entered Spain in pursuit of each other,
but without passing the night there. This manoeuvre gave the
Portuguese Royalists the advantage of re-passing the Tagus, to
join those under Silveira. As soon as this violation of our terri-
tory was committed, the Captain-General, San Juan, took ener-
getic measures to oppose every new attempt of the kind. This
General frequently receives Cabinet Messengers.
ST. SEBASTIAN, JAN. 3.—People begin to entertain doubts of
the success of the Portuguese Royalists, since they have not en-
tered Lisbon before the English, and as they have made but little
progress since the middle of last month. The arrival of a large
English force has greatly cooled the ardour of the troops, who
might have declared against the Constitution, but for this event.
This lukewarmness is farther kept up by the want of news from
the Infant Don Miguel, who was to take the command of the
Royalist forces, as they were at first made to believe.
The Province of Guipuncoa has not yet proceeded to the election
of the Municipalities, though this operation has taken place in the
other two Biscayan Provinces, the example of which, the first has
not chosen to follow.

[These two articles from Spain are quoted by the Etoile from
the Memorial Bartlelois.]
(From tbeQuoticlienne ofFriday.)

PARIS, JAN. 11.—The Marquis de Clermont Tonnerre,
Minister of War, and the Baron de Damns, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, had, yesterday evening, an extraordinary audience of his
Majesty, for the despatch of business.
We have received the Madrid Gazette, and letters from that
capital to the 2d of January. The last news from Lisbon, which
arrived at Paris by way of London, comes down to the 29th ult.
The letters from Madrid state, that the Spanish Government,
without being alarmed at the threats of England, is actively pre-
paring the means of defence, in order that, if the British Cabinet
should proceed to acts of aggression, Spain may not he taken un-
provided. The troops continue their march towards the frontiers
of Portugal, and several parks of artillery have taken the same
direction.

The details of the surrender of the fort of Almeida have been re-
ceived at Madrid. It was effected without bloodshed, the whole
of the garrison having declared for King Miguel, to whom they
took the oath, on the 20th December. The garrison forms at
this moment a part of the division commanded by Brigadier Ma-
gessi. The Court of Madrid, not content with sending forces to-
wards Portugal, has also dispatched some to the Camp of San
Roque to watch Gibraltar. The 2d regiment of the Guards has
taken that direction, and it is asserted that they will be followed
by the Horse Grenadiers of the same corps.
Every arrangement has been made for the departure of the two
Swiss regiments that are at Madrid. Many persons, however, be-
lieve, that these demonstrations are merely got up for a pretence.
Mr. Lamb had not quitted Madrid on the 2d of January. We
can conceive the reason for such a delay. Should England de-
clare war against Spain, the latter would march an army into
Portugal ; and the five or six thousand soldiers of Gen. Clinton,
would, in that case, have to combat, in addition to 40,000 Por-
tuguese, who will very soon be under the walls of Lisbon, 20,000
Spanish troops. Mr. Lamb has felt that such a struggle would
be by 11.0 means an equal one.
Although M. de Casa Flores, the Spanish Ambassador at

Lisbon, has been received by the Regent, the departure of M.
de Villa Real for Madrid has been suspended.
(From the Journal de; Debate of Friday.)
(PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.) ,

MADRID, JAN. 1.-M. Calomarde was not received by the
King either to-day or yesterday. •It appears, however, that the
displeasure of his Majesty •towards that Minister does not proceed
from his conduct in his department, but that his disgrace ema-
nates from the circumstance of a great number of the original or-
ders which were sent to ilie 7 Captains-General commanding the
Provinces on4he frontiers of Portugal, as well as memoranda of
the remainder having fallen into the hands of Mr. Lamb. One
thing is certain—by whatever hand they have been furnished to
him, that Minister is loaded with authentic documents to prove,
if need require, the conduct of our Ministry, and there is no
doubt that suspicion attaches to the employer in the department
of Grace and Justice, for the whole of the subaltern officers of
that Department have been dismissed, and the Secretaries them-
selves are obliged to perform the whole of the duty ; and, as an
additional security, they are placed in such a way that they can-
not communicate with each other, that they may be kept iu ig-
norance of one another's labours.

The two Swiss regiments are to leave Madrid about the 10th,
or perhaps before.

Exclusive of the troops that have already set out for the Fron-
tier, from Alcantara, under the orders of Major-General Rodil,
the 2d Regiment of Infantry of the Guard, and another Regiment
of Provisional Grenadiers, are about to set out in the direction of
Badajoz.

Two companies of Artillery have left Seville for the same quar-
ter, and other corps that are scattered up and down that part of
Andalusia, have received, it is said, orders to march thither also.
According to public report, the command in chief will be com-
mitted to Lieutenant-General Sarsfield, one of the hest officers in
the Spanish army.
(From the Constitutionite/ of Friday.)
(PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.)

MADRID, JAN. 1.-The departure of the two Swiss regiments
is positive, and those troops, whose preparations for their march
are complete, will set out about the 21st instant. It is worthy of
observation, that upon the arrival of a French Cabinet Courier,
who came here on the 29th ult., a report spread abroad that our
Government and yours, were agreed upon certain points, which
would prevent the departure of the Swiss. This report, however,
which originated amongst the persons who visit General D'Arbaud
Jouques, and the Military Intendant of the Brigade, is utterly
without foundation, and has been circulated with a design ; for
those who know the conditions upon which alone the Swiss can
remain at Madrid, also know well that our Government will
never agree to them, and of consequence any lengthened sojourn of
these troops is quite impossible.
The garrison of Pampeluna, we hear, is also to be withdrawn,
but the departure of the Swiss will apparently give rise to a ques-
tion altogether new ; for it is affirmed that our Government
when it was threatened with the withdrawal of the Swiss, re-
plied, that" in the event of these two corps leaving Spain, the
French Government must, of necessity, also withdraw its garri-
sons from the fortresses. While waiting the solution of this ques-
tion, which every day becomes more complicated, our Govern-
went has thrown itself upon the royalist volunteers, and as all its
hopes rest upon that force, they have been enrolled for general
service, like troops of the line.. This measure, however, is very
ill liked, and the volunteers of Madrid, although the most ultra
in the kingdom, wilt not, any more than the rest, sign an agree-
ment, which would convert them into real soldiers ; for in as-
suming arms, they had, in general, no other object but to clothe
themselves with a uniform, which might permit them to gratify
their hatred, and their revenge, reserving always to themselves
the power of throwing it off whenever fatigue or danger should
be the consequence of wearing it. The result of this disposition
of mind has been that, when the volunteers were summoned to
the house of Mr. Villamil to enrol their names, a great many re-
fused, and renounced a uniform which circumstances in future
Might make it dangerous to wear.
The whole of the disposable troops, both of the guard and of the
line, have been ordered to •the frontiers of Portugal, but the deser-
tion in these corps is frightful, and especially in those of the
guard, some of which, on the very second day of their march,
had already lost a third part of their effective strength. A great
many people affirm, that these pretended deserters join the Mar-
quis of Chaves, and that means have been contrived, by this trick,
to send him prompt and efficacious succour, without the possibility
of objection being made by England or Portugal. It was in, this
way that the squadron of cavalry that left Campo Mayor, con-
trived to join him.
M. Calomarde has twice presented himself at the palace, and
been twice denied access.* The King appears to be exceedingly
displeased with this Minister, on account of some original docu-
ments that have found their way out of his off►ce into the hands of
Mr. Lamb. It is affirmed that that diplomatist has expended
enormous sums to enable him, if necessary, to prove, by the actual
production of the documents, the conduct of our Government, in
respect of the invasion of Portugal. Various attempts, but with
as little success as the first, have been made to prevail on M.
D'Ofalia to accept of the Embassy to London.

4' It may be seen, that the abdication of Ferdinand, which was
announced by letters from Bayonne, and by the Journal de Tou-
louse, as having taken place on the 29th December, was utterly
false.—Note of the French Editor.