Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-01-17

cocid moi come to an agreement on thos,
topics, wh,ch were probably less difficult t.
be adjusted, leaving the others for lurthe,
consideration, and iurthc- arrangement &
We replied. taat heretofore they had bee.s
blended together by our. government, and
that we INTENDED to bring them all FIR con
sideration that at present. however, we
only presented them for consideration "a
it woald be premature at this time To-
make any of them sine qua non /; and
that whether treaty, omitting some Of
them, would be acceptable, must depend
on its general tennr, and upon, the extent
and Importance OF subjects which might be
Icomprehentled in the arrangement.
They proceeded TO remark, that some of the
subjects had been always found to involve ex-
IRENE difficulty, particularly that of impress
ment that Great Britain was certainly prepared
at al times, to receive and consider any propo-
sition that America might be disposed 10 make
IN relation to it but, one of the gentlemen re-
marked, that from the deep interest which was
felt by G.. Britain init, she must view with great
jealousy, by which he said he meant vigilance,
any such proposition; that the enquiry which
they had lust male rs to our willingness to sepa
rate the two subjects proceeded from wish to
ascertain whether it were likely that any prac.
teal result could be speedily obtained, if the,
entered upon The negotiation at this time
On the subject of discriminating duties men
toned by Lus, they said their government
would receive favorabiy the proposition for
! a mutual abolition ofthem- AS TO the trade with
India, their government was not at all disposed TO
shut us out from it
In regard 10 the trade 10 the West Indies, con.
sidering the difficulties which had heretofore
presented themselves in placing it, by treaty.
4 TlAt +tuf,r 10 both,
feared itwouid not now be practicable to enter
INTO any stipulation respecting it, which should
meet the views or The two countries
The interview terminated by their stating, tina
they would report TO the cabinet the substance OF
what had passed between us, and by their pledg
ing themselves to do all in their power 20 af
ford us early answer
| on the 10th instant, having been again invited
by the vicepresident of the board of trade 10
call athis office, we accordingly attended. and
were received NY the same gentlemen. They
sta; ed that they had reported to the cabinet VIVA,
had passed at the last interview, and were nov
prepared TO give us AN answer on The several to-
PICS to which the conversation elsted In doug
this, they would observe the order which had
beed marked DOT by u.s.
list On the commercial intercourse between
the two countries, they were authorized 10 state;
that their governmentwas ready to treat with us
on the footing of the most favored nation and
weae also wiling to enter into any arrangement
by which all discriminating duties on importati.
ons and tonnage should be mutually done away
They were willing TO admit us TO the enjoy
ment the trade with British Ind a. uncloggrd
by the restriction or the outward yoyare con
tanned IN the unratifed treaty. but must still in.
slst on that contained in the treaty of 1894 on
the return voyage. Considering that we had can
didly stated that we had no equivalent to offer
except WHIT was to be found IN the trade ITSELF
they would expect for this CONCESSION, spirit Of
accommodation on our side, IN other parts of the
commercial arrangement, the fur trade, or some
other.
The trade with the British West Indies. they
stated, had always been subject of great diff
culty, and their government was not prepared TO
make any change in that colonial policy, 10 which
they had so long adhered; but they would hope
that thus would not form any obstacle to the me-
gotiation.
With respect to the trade with their n. Ame
rican possessions, they were ready to receive and
discuss any propositions We might have to offer
With an anxious desire to place it ON a footing
mutually satisfactory.
IDLY, On these subjects which related to state
IN which one of the parties should be at war,
and the other in peace, it was not necessary to
disguise that they had been always attended with
great difficulties Still they were willing, in a
spirit of amity, and with candor, to receive and
discuss any propositions we might offer.
With regard to blockades, they couldnot think
it necessary to enter into any treaty definition of
them, as the questions which might hereafter a.
rise on that subject according to our own state
meht) would relate rather to the fact thsll 10
the principle, on which the two governments
seemed TO agree Indeed, they thought that suci
. definition might tend TO weakOn az implying |
doubt Of the correctness Of tie principle.
In relation to the trade with enemies colonies,
besides the intrinsic difficulty Of the question, as
heretofore experienced in all attempts TO ARRANGE
H. there was another, arising out of their want oil
as 10 WHEELER France had adopted
any, and what, system cf colonial policy. sine
the restoration of her colonies Il might De. tba,
she had opened The trade 20 foreign nations IN
peace as m war, IN which case tie questions thai
had heretofore existed could not be agtated a
gain.
Impressment had, they continued, of all this
class ofsublccts, been found mots difficult 10 ar
range; They were aware how important it was
considered n both countries, and how, IN both.
it touched public sensibility Ashere'oi;1re. they
were now ready to ecelge and congidet any pro
position our government might make respecting
IL And even without any treaty stipulation.
their government was now anxiousy er.,ag
ed IN devsinG means to prevent the abuses
OF which we complain. II the law which we
had mentioned, st lie last interview. should
be eioculal IN its object, IT would doubtless d,
away great motive with them for impressment
still they we're bound to consider, with the most
ySilant attention, any proposition for the aban
dOirnent OF what they must consider right es
sential to Their safety. That law did not, hove.
yer, as they understood, settle the question.
who were TO be considered rs British sul,iects
a question on which The two countries n,sei,t moi
be able 10 CORE tn au tt.,,I ers .,,I;,,o,