The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1816-12-11


with Us m commerce, and from the indi-
rect operation of that exclusion.
Previous to the late convention at Lon
don, between the United States and Great
Britain, the relative state Of the naviga-
tion laws of the two countries, growing
cut Of the treaty Of 1894, had given to
the British navigation material advan-
tagc over the American, in the intercourse
between the American ports and British
ports in Europe The convention of
London equalized the laws OF the two
countries, relating to those ports leaving
the intercourse between cur ports and
the ports of the British colonies, subject,
as before, to the respective regulations OF
the parties. The British government,
enforcing, now, regulations which pro-
hibit trade between its colonies and the
United States, in American vessels whilst
they permit trade in British vessels, the
American navigation loses accordingly /;
and the loss is augmented by the advan-
tage which is given to the British compe-
tition over the American, in the naviga-
ton between our ports and British ports
in Europe, by the circuitous voyages,
enjoyed by the one, and not enjoyed by
the other.
The reasonableness of the rule of reci-
procity, applied to one branch of the com
mercial intercourse, has been pressed on
our part, as equally applicable to both
branches but it is ascertained, that the
British Cabinet declines all negotiation
on the subject; with disavowal, howev-
er, of any disposition to view, III an I'm.
friendly light, whatever countervailng
regulations the United States may oppose
to the regulations of which they complain.
The wisdom Of the Legislature will de-
eide on the course, which, under these
circumstances, is prescribed by a joint
regard to the amicabe relations between
the two nations, and to the just interests
of the United States.
have the satisfaction TO state, gcner-
ally, that we remain in amity with foreign
powers.
An occurrence has, indeed, taken place
in the Gu,f OF Mexico, which, if sanction
cd by the Spanish government, may
make an exception as to that power. Ac-
cording to the report OF our naval COM
niander on that station, one of our public
armed vessels was attacked by an over
powcriag force, under Spanish com
mander, and the American nag, with the
officers and crew, insultcd, in manner
calling for prompt reParaion. This has
been demanded. In the mean time. a
trigate and smaller vessel of war have
been ordered into that Cult, for the pro.
lection Of our commerce. II would be
improper to omit, that the representative
OF bis Catholic Majesty, in the United
States, lost no time Ill giving the strong
est assurances, that no hostile order could
have emanatcd from his government, and
that it will be as ready to do, as to expe ct,
whatever the nature OF the two countries,
shall be found to require.
The posture OF our affairs with Algiers,
at he present moment, is not known.
The Dey, drawing pretexts from circum-
stances for which the United States were
not answerable, addressed a letter to this
government, declaring the treaty last con-
ciuded with him, to have been annulled
by our violation of it; and presenting, as
the alternative, war, or renewal OF the
former treaty, which stipulated, among
other things, All annual tribute. The
answer, with an explicit declaration that
the United States preferred war to tribute,
required his recognition and observance
of the treaty last made, which aboIishes
tribute, and the slavery of our captured
| citizens. The result of the answer has
not been received. Should he renew his
| warfare on our commerce, we rely ON the
| protection it will find in our naval force
actually in the Mediterranean.
With the other Barbary states onr af-
fairs have undergone no change.
The Indian tribes within orr limits m.