The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-02

----.-----------. s.s--.--.--P
;blc for giving effect to- those stipulations o.
the tletinit,c treaty. the execution of which
has hitherto been delayed, as well by the
government OF this country as by that of G..
Britain"
.ln answer to your question. OH the sub
ject of the commerce of g. Britain and the
+, United States, l can also inform you, sir,
that the king sincerely disposed to pro.
mote and facilitate the commercial inter
course between the two countries, and that
] am authorized TO communicate to this go
vernment his majcsty's readiness to enter
into hegociatiou for establishing that in.
tercourse upon principles of reciprocal be-
neht."
--"And trust, may be permitted to
add, that it would be the highest object Of
my ambition to be the humble instrument of
contributing, in any manner, to fix upon
permanent basis the future system of har-
mony and good understanding between the
two countries"
Such is the language of the British minis.
ter plenipotentiary, Mr.. Hammond. He
does not seem to have suspected any SEM
blance of indecorum in the official enquiry
for he returned an official answer. such as
] have jus. mentioned on the subjects of the
correspondence, and in the same letter
mentioned his sense of obliging expressions
of personal regard. The next letter which
appears in. the published correspondence now
before me-, is also from MIR. Hammond
The letter is so short, and in point of prin-
ciple it has sonear relation to the present
subject, that the whole will now be stated
as it appears in the printed collection.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 9th, 1871.
Mr. Hammond, Minister PienihotentiGry
Of Great Britain, to Mr.. jefferson, Sc
crctary Of State.
SIR--As am extremely solicitous to
avoid any misappreheusion of my letter Of
the 3Oth nit. ] have now the honor of stating
to you, in explanation of that part of it TO
which yo,, have advcrted in yours Of yester
day, that although (ssI formerly mentioned in
my first conversations with you after my arri-
val in this conntry,) lam not asyet empow
cred to conclude any dehnitive arrangement
with respect to the commercial intercourse
between the two countries, l still meant it
tobe understood, that ] am fully authoriz-
ed to enter into negotiation for that pur-
pose, and into the discussion of such princi
Piles as may appear best calculated to pro-
mote that object Oh a basis of reciprocal
advantage.
am further authorized to receive any
propositions which this government may be
pleased to make to me upon this subject
have the honor to be,
With every sentiment OF respect and
esteem,
Sir,
Your most obd't and most humble
servant.
GEO: HAMMOND.
In this letter. the distinction is marked
between concluding an arrangement and
= entering into negociation for that purpose
According to his own statement, although
fully authorized to enter into negotiation,
the minister was not empowered to conclude
an arrangement respecting the commercial
L..s. 81 A.
to the idea of concluding any defnitive com
mercial arrangement, therefore, there could
be no further question under the existing Cir
cumstances. The minister pienpotentiary
had not the competent powers; and nothing
ought to be done: And of course, under
the administration of the hrstPresdent of the
u. s. nothing was done. Bat the British
minister plenipotentiary undoubtedly be-
lieved himself fully authorized to enter in
to ne gsciation; such was his statement as
distinctly made in an official letter to the
Secretary of state What was the conse
Guencee The Secretary of State address
sed letter the next week to the British mi
mister plenipotentiary. The letter was short
but very ineligible. Gentlemen are re.
auested to attend to the whole,
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. Is, 1871.
"1lE-. jefferson, Secretary ef State. to MIR
Rammond, Minister Parliamentary q
"SIR-I have laid before the President of
the United States the letters of Nov. 5Oth
and December. 9th, with which You honor
ed me and in consee uence thereof, and
particularly of that part of your letter nj
Dec. 9th, where you say, that you are fully
authorized to enter into negotiation for
the purpose Of arrans ng the commercial
intercourse between the two countries, have
the honor to inform you, that am ready to
receive a communication of your full pow
ers for that purpose, at any time you shall
think proper, and to proceed Immediately
TO their object.
l have, &c
9TH: JEFFERSOE.''
Such was the principle and such the style
of diplomatic propriety under the admins
.tration of President Washington. The Bri
fish Minister plenipotentiary returned an
answer the following day. l will read eve
ry part of it as / find it. that gentlemen may
judge On fair view of the whole.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec II, 1871
"Mr. Hdmm0nd, Minister Pkenihoteni
ary Of Great Britain, TO Mr.. jefferson,
Secretary IF Stare.
"SIR-ln answer TO your letter Of yester
. day, ! can only repeat what I have before
stated in my first conversations with You at
tgriny arrival. and subse quently in ny let
ter Of the 9Th Of this month, viz that
have no special commission empowering me
to conclude any defnffiz'e arrangement up
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