The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-04-27


patch of JAM 2Sd, SO often quoted and referred
80 in our public prints, in relation TO the Or
ders in Council, in which the three Conditi-
ons are laid down.-This Document has been
already published in our paper
LLAID BEFORE PARLIAMENr.1
No. 4.-DespeIch from Mr.. Secretary Canning
20 the hon D. M. Erskine, dated Foreign Of
fee, JANIS 1909.
SIR-In Your Despatch No. ~, among the o.
sh er important suggestions which you state your
self to have received from Mr.. Gallatin, is one,
the purport OF which is, that supposng all the
existing differences between the two countries
20 be done away, the system of their com mercai
intercourse might he better regulated by the
short ana simple agreement. either 10 admit each
others productions on equal and reciprocal duties,
or reciprocally to place each other the footing
ct the most favored nation, than by any more MI
mute and complicated provisions. :
The sentiments on which this suggestion ap
pears to be founded are go m,,ch in unison with
those entertained here, that arm to direct you
IN tho event ofthe subjects mentioned in my des-
patches being put in train Of adjustment, to en-
deavor to obtain from the American govern
ment some more precise and authentic exposi-
ton OF their views upon this subject, to be trans
mitted here for consideration, if possible, at the
same time with their answers upon the subject
OF these other dispatches.
1t will not, however, be desirable that those
answers should be delayed for this psrpose.
But you are authorised to assure the American
government OF the readiness with which we si,a,
be prepared to enter into the smicable discus
sions of the commercial relations of the two
countries. on tho basis Of the latter Of the two
principles proposed by MIR. Gsllatin, whenever
these obstacles, which stood in the way of the
renewal OF their intercourse, shall have been
happily removed.
In this case. as in respect to the subject of nv
other despatc hes, you will see that the sinceri-
ty OF the good disposition protested by the per-
aons composing the new administration is the
point, most important in the view of the British
government.
If such disposition really exists, all difficult
ties will Gas Mr.. Gallatin has expressed himself)
be easily smoothed away.
1t unfortunately this hope should lie disappoin.
ted, Great Britain has only to continue the sys-
tenn OF self defence and retaliation upon her enc.
mics, to which. she has been compelled to have
recourse with the consciousness fhaying eager.
iy seized the first opportunity that appeared ito
be offered to her, of obtaining through an AMIGA.
bic arrangements with America, the object for
which the SYSTEM was established. am &c
.lSigned) GEORGE CANNING.
no. 12-Despatch from the Hon. David M Frs.
kline, to Mr.. Secretary Canning, dated Wash
ington, April 90 1909.
SIR-As the instructions contained in your
dispatches Nos 1 and 2 directed me to regu.
late my conduct IN managing propositions on
eording to the: general disposition which might
be abe wn by them to come 10 complete and cor.
dial un Outstanding with Great Britain, accsr-
dinghy used all my efforts to discover whether
the professions of such disposition which had
been so often repeated to me unofficially and
lately in the most formal manner, were sincere.
The result offurther Communication persuaded
me, that the sentiments of this government had
been truly represented to me, and was confirm
ed in that opinion by the favorable reception of
the reParation rendered by his majesty for the af-
fair Of the Chesapeake; the details Of which
have given in my preceding number.
With this conviction upon my mind, exam
ined, with the greatest attention, the tenor of
your Instructions, contained in your despatch
No. !, and particularly the three conditions up
on which his majesty was willing TO withdraw
ths orders in council of January and November,
1897, as respects the u. States.
The first OF them considered would be of
cfurse officially recognized by the American 60
sernment, since the 18th section of the act of
ongress, usually termed the non intercourse act,
provided for such contingent proposition.
The second condition namsd by you, knew
would be acGuiesced in not only from the de-
olarston which had been made to me by the most
of the members ofthis government, but from the
universal opinion of the members of weight and
influence OF both honses Of congress, that the
principles and object sought to be established
by that rule were equitable and would ever be
insisted upon by 6. Britain.
=. fOresaw, however, that a difficulty must a.
rise in obtaining formal recognition On that
point without any reference to other commercial
arrangements, which would form the basis Of
regular treaty.
!, The third condition, it was obvious, could not
be objected to, because an American owner Of a
vessel captured by British cruizer, on account
of it's destination to France to any other coun.
try with which an intercourse was prohibited by
the laws of tie United States, could not complain
Got c~oy nf ". Oh.
answer would be, that the enterprize being Illegal
he had no claim to redress.
Upon my submitting the three conditions to the
consideration of the Secretary OF State, he made
abe answer to the first which had anticipated
namely, that the President would of course as
sent to it, and in pursuance of the power veated
IN him b. the congress, would issue proclama-
ton for that purpose, to take effect on the same
day that the orders in counsel should cease to O.
perate as respects the u. S.
With regard to the second, he said, although
he was persuaded that no difficulty would arise
An the adjustment of that point, comfortably to
views OF his majestys government, when the va
rious articles of commercial treaty should be
brought under discussion, yet il was impossible
FOR tire American government to give an official
recognition of that principle as previous step,
because there Yves TO commerce Of any kind at
present permitted by laws Of the United States,
to be carried on with France or her dependencies
land that the question therefore must neccssari-
iy belong to another state of things, or remain 10
be adjusted by treaty.
The third condition, Mr.. Smith observed, ap /.
coare1 10, him 4 require recnc-nifion s;ncn;,