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


imyosed in the United States, that is, to Is
a. 20 per cent. 1t is enough to be under
this-inequality, as it relates to the existing
stipulation. To extend it as proposed is more
than can be fairly expected. The bargain
would DC still far worse GA our side, if the
British proposals Contemplate free access.
to the waters westward of the Mississippi,
with goods free of duty tor the Indians OF
louisiana
Having already transmitted to Mr.. Mon
roc sundry documents. throwing light On our
relations with the Indians in the north west
quarter, add a few others, not a little Gu
,rious, as well as not uninteresting
Sd. Access sbv land or inland navigation
from the British territories, through the ter
ritory Of the u S. to the river Mississippi, is
not to DC allowed to British subjects, with
their goods ar effects, unless such articles
Shall have paid all the duties, and be within
all the custom-house regulations, applica-
BILE to goods and effects OF citizens of the u
nited States. An access through the terri
tory Of the United States, to the waters run
ming into the Western side of the Misssis-
ssippi, is under no modification whatever to
be stipulated to British subjects.
There can be no good reason with Great
Britain for wishing an access to the Missis-
sippi for goods free of duty, because the RI
yer can never be a high way toauy othermar
kct than the consumption OF our citizens, and
as this cannot be attained without previous
payment of the usual duties, it must be
the same thing whether the duties, be paid
on, or after catering the limits OF the Uni
ted States; or rather the only difference
would be In the greater facility of evading
the duties in the latter than in the former
case ia facility which cannot DE supposed to
be approved by Great Britain, or adInissi-
bic by the United States.
4th. 1t may be agreed that the ad valo-
rem duty now payable on goods impor-
ted into the United States from the neigh
boring territories of Great Britain, shall be
regulated according to the value thereof,
estimated In the same manner. if directly
Imported from beyond sea, and that Ecen-
ses to Indian traders, and passes for their
canoes and carriages, shall be freely gran
ted, bnt that the British traders shall in all
respects be subject to the restrictions and
precautions with respect to the articles to
be supplied to the Indians, as are imposed
on citizens of the United States engaged in
the same trade.
! have only to express the presidents APP
probation of the idea of keeping open for flu
ture decision, our right to the island of Grand
Menan. and to suggest as a desirable additi-
on to the 9Th article, clause providing,
''that in the mean time British vessels shall
not be restrained from carrying plaster, &c
to any ports of the United States. 1T APP
pears that disposition exists to compel
the British vessels to trade to the more dis
tant ports of the United States, instead of re-
sorting TO the nearer ones, WHENCE the plais-
ter, &c. is now conveyedby vessels of the u.
S. For the spirit and outrages which prevail
In that quarter, / refer to the communicate
ons from the collector of Passamaquoddy,
hero with enclosed Afidavits of the facts
stated by the collector. have also been trans
mitted by him.
have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) JAMES MADISON.