The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-08-08


House. and would perhaps soon pass into
~, seemed to hiln'to remove two very inn
rant grounds Of difference with G.. Britain,
w. non-importation act, IS appiicao'e TO
'iz. fn> and the Presidents Proclamation,
her aionr', MS of q. Britain were exclud-
whereby the si.. nf the u. States while
ed from tne ror's 'mitted to enter, but
those Of France were re-, ". both oowers
now, by the non-intcrcoursc s> 80 d;a M,
were placed OH the same footing 60 ta-
pretend to say that this measure had See'.
ken from any motives Of concession to treat
Britain but as in fact those consequences
followed he conceived they might be consia-
cred as removing tie two great obstacles 70 d
cancellation. This ne wished might be the
case, as he ntinated to me that such steps
we're about to be taken by Congress upon a.
mother very important subject OF the diiteren-
Cos between the two countries, as might have
a furt!,cr effect In leading to.a favourable ad-
justmcnt Of them. lie Informed me, that a
law was about 10 be proposed to Congress,and
which he believed would pass, to intcrdict all
American vessels from receiving on board
!, any foreign seaiDen under heavy penalties or
forfeitures, and that already the ships of war
Of the ". States had been ordered not to re-
ceive any, and TO discharge such as were at
that time OH board. This subject is. also al
luded to by Mr.. Giles, the Senator, in his
Speech, vino is high in the confidence Of the
Government, and il is said is to be Mr.. Madi-
sons Secretary of State. MIR. GaIlatin also
said, that,he knew that it was intended by the
Unsed States to abandon the attempt to carry
ON a trade with the colonies Of belligerents in
time Of war which was not allowed in time OF
peace, and TO trust to the being permitted by
the the French TO carry on such trade in.
peace SO as to enitlc them to continuance
Of X in time OF war.
Intnis manner he observed all tho points
of differences between Great Britain and the
United States might be smoothed away (wasI
his expression) and that the ". States would
be wiling to put the intercourse with Great
Britain upon perfect footing of reciprocity,
and would either consent to the arrangement
that the ships OF both nations should pay the
same duties reciprocally, or place each other
simply upon the footing the most favoured
nation.
l have no doubt that these communications
were lnalc with a sincere desire that they
might produce the effect of conciiiation, be-
cause it is well known that Mr.. Gallatin has
'~-e thought that the restrictive and jealous
system of non-inportation laws, extra duties,
snu other modes oil checking free trade with
IS Injurious To the interests or america he
informed me, distinctly, that he had always
entertained ths opinion, and that he had uni
toriniy cndeayoured to persuade the President
10 place the conduct Of G. Britain and France
towards the y, States IN fair light before
the plbck He seemed to check himself
at the moment he was speaking upon tha:
subject, and could not get him to express
himseIf more; distinctly, but could clearly
collect tron MS manner, and from some
slight insinuations, that he thought the Presi-
dent had acted partially towards France For
he turned the conversation Immediately upon
the character of Mr.. Madison, and said that
he could not be accused of having such bias
towards France and remarked that Mr.. NJ.
was known to be admircr Of the British
constitution, to be generally well disposed to-
wards the Aaton and to be entirely free from
an ennity to ITS general prosperity. lie APP
pealed To me,w'e her had not observed that
he frequently spoke with appreciation of its
institutions, its energy and spirit, and that he
was thoroughly well vcrsed in its history, lit
cra.urc and arts.
These observations he made at the same
lime for the purpose Of contrasting the scnii-
,nents OF Mr.. NJ .iison with those OF the Pre-
sidcnt, as he knew that must have observed
that Mr. Jefferson never spoke with approt.-
lion Of any thing C,n WAS British and always
took up French t5picks in his conversation,
md. always praised The people and country of
c'rance, and nevcrlo~t an opportunity OF shew-
ing his dislike to Great Britain.
At the close of my interview with Mr.. G..
ne said ina similar way, "You sec, Sir, VIC
;ouid settle treaty in my private room, in
: hours, which mis hit perhaps be found to be
= lasting as il it was bound up in all the for
"a lities oil regular system and might be
tprnd as rcciprocally useful as ,te,ty con-
st'ing of tweny-four articles in wnich the
Intricate points of intercourse might be in
ii attempted to be reconciled to The oppo-