The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-26

dations OF a joint board. First Because it
will admit OF a liberal sum, if the British
government should be literally disposed, on
prescriptions not affecting: her maritime
principles. Secondly. Because it win leave
the United States free to apply the gross
sum, in redressing claims according to our
maritime principles. A precedent for such
an exPedient may be found in the conventi-
on OF January, 1855 between Great Britain
and Prussia (; whereby gross sum of 20, 900
pounds, sterling, was paid to the latter as an
eXtinguishment of claims on account of lille
gal captures. without reference to the pre-
else rules by which it was to be applied
The treaty of Pardo, in January, 1883, be-
tween Great-Brtain and Spain, is another
precedent In that treaty the sum of o5 600
pounds, sterling, was stipulated in the like
general manner, TO be paid to Great Britain
by Spain, as a compromise for all reparari-
ons OF maritime injuries.
If the United States succeed in making sa-
tlstactory arrangements on the principal
points OF lmpressment of seamcn, colonial
trade, and still more if provision be also
made tor indemnity for spoiiations, it may
be naturally expected that Great Britain
Wlti require, not only the repeal of the pro-
hibitory act oflast session, but also some Sc
curity that the United States will not by sub
sequent acts of the same nature, place her
on worse footing than other nations. She
may reasonably urge that demand en- the
double plea. OF having yielded on those points
which were the subjects of complaint on the
part OF the United States, and of her being
now Tor want OF a commercial treaty, placed
In that respect at the discretion of the Unit
ed states whilst they are precluded by their
treaties with the enemies OF Great Britain
laoll2nd, France and SPAIN from the power
OF laying pI ohibitions or restrictions parti-
cularly affecting those nations
Inc most natural arrangement IN that res
pect will be, simply to agree that the two
parties shall enjoy in the ports of each other
IN regard to commerce and. navigation, the
privileges OF the most favored nation But
the article should be framed so as to en-
brace lst, every privilege, and particularly
the exemption from higher duties of every
description either on imports or exports, and
including convoy duties, that are paid by the
most favored nation; I'd, all the possessions
.ot Great-Rritain in every part of the world,
which will secure admission at all times in
both the East and West-1ndies, on the same
terms as are now or may in future be en-
Joyed by the most favored nation, whe-
ther it be a friend or an enemy
The same clause of the footing of the most
favored nation, may be extended not only to
navigation and commercial intercourse be-
tween the two nations. but to points which
relate to the rights and duties of bellger-
ents and neutrals; an arrangement which
would secure to Great-Britain the same
rights in relation to the admission of her
armed vessels in our ports, and to the ex-
ciuslon OF her enemies, privateers and of
their prizes, which are now enjoyed by Hol-
land, spain, and other most favored nations
whilst 1t would place the rights of the Uni
ted States, as neutrals, on the same footing
with Russia, or the most favored nation, in
respect to search, conveys, blockades and
contraband.
II it shall be thought eligible to place the
reciprocal commercial privileges of the two
nations on q more definite basis than they
would be placed by the general expression
OF the most favored nation, "a stipulation
which is liable to the difficulty OF ascertainine
the equivalent to be given in cases where a
IS granted by one of the contract
ing parties to another nation, in exchange for
some favor which the other contracting party
cannot specifically give,) it may be done Ell
thcr by abolishing AL alien duties, either on
vessels or cargo, OF on BOTH and reciprocal
iy placing the vessels of the other nation.
on the same footing with national vessels;
coniormably toa provision in which Great
Britain concurred, by an act of parliament, in
IlC year loO| orgy IiHlHS inc maximum OF
alien duty, which each nation shall have the
right to impose on the vessels or cargoes of
the other nation. But should the last
plan be adopted, care must be taken, LIST.
That in fixing the maximum Of the alieI
duty to be levied on vessels, all char
" whatever, and under whatever name known
whether tonnage, lighthouse Money, port
charges, &c. shall be included 2d!y. That
the maximum of the alien duty to be levied
on merchandise imported in the vessels of
the other nation, (beyond the duties levied
on similar articles imported in the national
vesseis) shall be a per centage on the value
Of the merchandise itself, and not Oh the
original duly. 3dly. That the right OF i'm
posing such maximum duties, either on the
Eess' 5 or merchandise, shall never be ex-
used SO as to Contravene the other stipula-
ion of enjoying the privileges OF the most
favored nation. 4thly, That the stipulation
shall not embrace vessels and cargoes COM
ng from, or going to ports, from which the
vessels or cargoes of the United States are
excluded.
Should the expedient of maximum be a.
topted, it must not be overlooked that the
of the United States exported
% Great-Britain, employed far greater
onnage than the exports from Great-Britain
% the United States---that the higher the
maximum, therefore, the more favorable to
-5reat-Britain, who may avail herself ac-
;ording to the degree of it, to secure to her
'essels the carriage Of our bulky productions,
II which her duty ON tobacco imported in
l..