The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-05-06

much greater on our side than on the other
In this view the stipulation is very equal
The liberal spirit Of it is, at the same time
highly commcpdable.t 1t were only TO be
wished that the readiness on enc side tc
make sacrifices of this sort, to spirit which
ought to pervade every part of treaty be-
tween the parties, had been less met by al
apparent disposition on the other side. ra-
Their to eXtort from, than to emulate it.
! ARRIcLE 21.-Not agreeable, but not to
be an insuperable obstacle.
| ARTICLE %, is altogether proper.
| ARTICLE 23.-This article, granting the
privileges of the most favored nation, seems
to require explanation, if not alteration
The terms ''shall continue to be on the foot
| ing of the most favored nation" implies that
the parties are now on the same footing, To
look no further, the discrimination between
exports from Great Britain to Europe and
| to the United States, Is 4 proof that the fact
! is otherwise.
! But may not the expression be construed
| into barrier against laws on the part OF
the United States, establishing ieciprocity
with the British navigation act, and West
India regulations 1t might be impolitic to
extend such laws to all other nations, as it
would be unjust to extend them to such as
had not adopted the restrictive system of
Great-Britain. And yet a discrimination
Britain on the same footing with other natl
| ons.
| The object fthis article, so far as it is q IL
| Ultimate one, would be sufficiently provi-
ded for by mutual stipulation of the priv
| leges in trade ard navigation, enjoyed by the
most favored nation; and such stpulations
moreover, ought injustice, to import or imply
that where privileges are granted TO third
nation, in consideration ofprivileges received,
| the privileges cannot be claimed under the
stipulation, without return of the same or
of equivalent privileges. The condition is
certainly not without difficulties in the ex-
ecution, but it avoins greater evil. Should
Spain or France open her colonies to our
ships and productions, on our granting. GER
tain privileges to her trade, these could not
be claimed or expected by the most friendly
nation who would not pay the price of them.
ARTICLES "a and IS, are entirely proper.
l. ARTICLE 26-It is particularly desira-
bic that the durationof the treaty should be
abridged to the term limited in the instruc-
tons of the 5th Jan. 1904.
| Having taken this view of the subject with
reference to a formal treaty undernew mo-
difications, it is necessary to recollect that
| you were authorised by my letter of Febru-
airy 5, to enter into informal arrangements,
and that before the receipt of ny letter Of
March 1S, plan of that sort may have been
dehnitively settled. In such a state of things
1T is impossible to do better than to leave YOUR
own judgments, aided by knowledge Of cir
Icumstances unknown here, and by the sen
timents of the president now communicated,
! to decide how far it may be eligible, or o.
therwise, TO attempt to supercede that in
formal arrangement, by opening the nego-
citation herein contemplated.
|, Should, on another hand the negotiation
be found in the state authorised by my let
ter, of March 18TH that is to say, matured
professionally only, and consequently leaving
the door open for the experiment now pro-
vided for, it must equally remain with your
own judgments, guided by a comparison of
the terms OF the provisional arrangement,
with the present instructions, to decide how
far it may be best to close the former, or to
pursue the objects OF the latter, with a view,
In case of failure, to return TO, and close the
former.
Whatever may be the course recommend
ed by the actual state OF things, you will
teel the propriety of smoothing the way for
1t, by the explanations which will best salts
fy the British government, that the several
steps taken on the part of the United States,
have proceeded from their solicitudc to find
some ground on which the difficulties and diff
ferenceS existing between the two Countries,
might be amicably and permanently termi-
mated. You will be equally aware of the
Importance of transmitting hither, as carly
and as circumstantial information of YOUR
proceedings and prospects, as opportunities
will permit; and will particularly keep in
mind, the earnest desire of the president, to
possess, in due time, every material, pre-
paratory to the communications relating to
our affairs with reat-Britain, which will
be so anxiously expected, on the meeting
Of congress, the first Monday in December.
Such are the instructions and explanations
under which the task is assigned to you, OF
renewing the discussions with the British eo-
vernment. The president is we'll assured,
that 1T will be executed with all the atlvan-
tage which talents and patriotism can con-
tribute /; and he is unwilling to believe that
that government will finally prefer to the
reasonable terms proposed, the serious state
OF things which will be left, by 81 miscarri-
age OF this ulterior appeal to the motives
which ought to govern just and friendly
nation. AS 1t is possible, however, that thi5
favorable calculation may not be verified, 6,
1t will necessarily remain to be decided
whethcrsuch state ofthiAgs can be obvia-
ted by any additional proposition. not be-
You'd the justhable limits of concession -
the president has taken the case into his Sc
rious deliberation, and has concluded to au-
thorisc you, i'll the event of a rejection of
every arrangement already Authorised, but
IN that event only, TO admit an article TO the
following effect;
- 1t is agreed that after the tenn of