The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-15

but he might be particularly assured. that
the directions given, would be consistent
with the usages due to public ships, s. with
the respect entertained for nations in amity
with the United States. He asked whether.
in transmitting the act to his government, as
his duty would require, he might add the
explanation and assurances he had heard
from me- j answered, that without having
received any particular authority for that
purpose, from the President, could safely
undertake that what / had stated was confor-
mable to his sentiments.
enclosed is another act of Congress, res
training and regulating the arming of pri-
vate vessels by American citizens. This act
was occasioncd by the abuse made of such
ornaments in forcing trade, even in con-
traband OF war, with the island OF St Do
mingo, and by the representations made on
the subject of that trade, by the French
charge DIES affaires and minister here, and by
the British minister, with respect to abuses
which had resulted or might result from such
armaments in cases injurious to Great Bri-
tain. A report of these Representations, as
made to the president, is herewith enclosed
The act, in substituting a security against
the unlawful use OF the armaments in place
of an absolute prohibition of them, is not only
consistent with the obligations of a neutral
nation. but conformable to the lawss and or
dinances Of Great-Brtain and France them
selves, and is consequently free from obiec-
tons by either. The intcrposition of the 90
vernmeut, though claimed in behalf both of
Great-Brtain and of France, was most pres
scd in behalf of the latter. Yet the measure.
particularly as it relates to the shipment of
contraband articles for the West-Indics. is
Nkeiy 70 operate much more conveniently for
Creat-BrirGin shan for France who cannot.
like Great Britain, otherwise insure a sun
ply OF these articles for the defence of their
colonies
&C In the project which you have offered to
the British government, observe YOU have
su5Joiprd clause for securing respect to
certificates Of citizenship The effect of this
clause, taken as it ought to De, and as was
doubtless intended, in context with the prece-
ding clause. j. limited to the case provided
for in that clause. Stillit may be well, in or
derto guard against the possibility of its be-
ing turned into pretext for requiring such
certificates in other cases, that a proyiso for
the purpose be added, on that words of eoui
valent restriction be inserted.
Another subject requiring your attention is
pointed thy the resolutions or the senate
moved by general Smith, on the subject of a
British tax on exports under the name of a
convoy duty. A copy Of the resolution is in
closed A duty under that name was first
laid in the year 1898. 1t then amounted to
halt ofone per cent. on exports 10 Europe, and
one per cent. on exports to other places.
and consequently to the United States The
discrimination being evidently contrary to
the treaty then m force, became subject of
discussion between NIr. King and the British
ministry His letters to the secretary of state
oeto lord Grenvillc, explain the objections ur-
Sed BY him, & the preteXts IN support of the
measure ailedged by them The subject was
- f<.t4. Al. 4
MIR. King, with copy of which you have
been already furnished. It was received bv
MIR. Gore, during the absence O. Mr.. King
on the continent and if any occasion was
found proper by either for repeating the re-
montranCe against the duty, Il appears to
have been without effect Whilst the trea-
ty was In force, the discrimination was I'M
questonably violation OF its faith. When
the war ceased, it lost the preteXt that it
was the price OF the convoy, which giving a
longer protection 90 The American rhan to
the European trade, justified a higher price
for the former than for the latter. Even du
ring wharf.-the exports are generally made as
american property and in American vessels.
and therefore wlth a few exceptions only, a
convoy which would subject them TO condeh-
nation, from which they would otherwise be
free, would not be a benefit bat an iniurv.-
Since the expiration OF the treaty, the dis
elimination as we'll as he duty itself can be
conbated by no other argunents than those,
which in the document referred to are drawn
from justice, friendship, and sound policy :;
including the tendency of the measure to pro-
duCca discontinuance of the liberal but una
vailing example given to Great Britain bv
the regulations OF commerce on our side, and
q recurrence TO such countcracting measures
as are probably contemplated by the never
of the resolutions Of the senate. Al these
arguments gain strength in proportion TO the
augmentations which the evil has iatterly re-
Ceived it being now stated that The duty "a
mounts to four per cent on the exports TO
the u. States These, according to Cookies
answer to S'.eEt i'd, amounted in the wear
1901, to about seven and half millions ster-
ling, and therefore levy q tax on the United
States, Of about 800, 600 dollars From this
is indeed TO be deducted a sum proportioned
to the amount Of the expectations from
the y. States. But on the other hand, is to
be added the increase of the exports since
the year 1901, which probably exceed the
Interpretations
With the aid Of these communications and
remarks, you will he at no loss for the views
OF the subject most proper to be presented
to the British government, in order to pro
mote the object Of the resolutions and the
resolutions Themselves ought powerfully to Sc
cond your efforts, if the British government
feels the same desire as actuates the United
States. to confirm the friendship and conf
dence on both sides by a greater conformity
or that SIDE to the spirit the commercial
regulations on this.