The Portland gazette., 1818-06-30

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resolutions had special reference to the refusal
of England to enter into IA equal commercial |
treaty with US, and aimed at countervailing her /
exclusive system. Other and more direct reso- /
lntions, bearing on England, we're also proposed |
" other members, and referred TO the inexecu- |
tion Of the treaty of peace. and to the recent |
captures Of American vessels by English cruis- |
ers. in the American seas.
The policy cf these resolutions was DOUBTED I; |
they were therefore strenuously opposed and the |
extraordinary mission Of MIR. Jar to England, |
suspended their further discussion.
The French revolution had BY this time be-
come the object Of universal attention. War
had broken out between France and England
The avowed policy Of our government to avoid
war, and TO adhere TO system of neutrality, |
was much questioned and for time it was
matter of great uncertainty whether the country
would support the neutrality recommended by
the President
The universal dissatisfaction, on account Of
the commercial system of England, the inexecu-
tion Of the articles of peace, the numerous cap
lures by orders Of the English government, OF our
vessels employed in trade strictly neutral,
combined with our friendly recollections Of the
services of France, and our good wishes in favor
OF the effort she professed to be making to es-
tablsh free Constitution, constituted a crisis
most difficult and important.
1t was an these circumstances, that President
WASHINGTON norniL ated Mir. JAY as Envoy to
England. The Senate confirmed the nomina-
tion, and the immediate effect was the suspen-
sion Of the further discussion Of the important
resolutions before the House Of Representa-
tives.
England seems never to have duly aprecia-
ted the true character and Importance ofthis ex-
traordinary measure. France we'll understood
and resented it. Mr.. JAY was received with
civility, and concluded treaty with England on
All the points Of his instructions. When pub
lished, it met with great opposition: The arti-
Gle respecting the West-lndia trade, had been
excluded from the treaty by the Senate, by rea-
son Of the inadmissible condition of proviso that
was coupled with it--with this exception, it
was finally ratified by the President.
Although the treaty did not come up to the
expectation of all, in addition to satisfactory
rangements, concerning English debts, the un-
lawful capture and condemnation of our vessels,
and the delivery of the ports, points o. very great
Importance, it contained articles regulating the
trade, navigation, and maritime rights Of the two
countries. No treaty that could have been made
with England would. in the highly excited tenn
per of the country, have satisfied it. But, to
those whose object IT was TO prevent the country
from taking part in the war between France and
England, and TO prevail upon it to adhere to a
system of impartial neutrality; who moreover,
believed, that the safety and even liberties of
the country were concerned in the adoption Of
this course, the treaty proved welcome auxfl-
iary.
1t suspended the further agitation Of difficult
and angry topics Of controversy with England
il enabled the government to persist in, and to
naintain- the system of neutrality which had
been recommended by the father ofhis country
policy, the correctness and benefits of which,
whatever may have been the disagreement of
opinion among the public men Of those times,
that will now scarcely be doubted by as one.
During the continuance of this treaty, further
though Intellectual attempts were made to estab-
iish a satisfactory intercourse with the English
colonies in the West-Indies, and, likewise, to
place the subject Of impressment on a mutually
safe and equitable footing.
The commercial articles of this treaty expired
in 1868, no proposal having been made to re-
new them. subsequent ne gotiation took place.
but nothing was definitiyely concluded. The
peace Of Amiens was of short duration Anoth-
erwar took place between France and England
no maritime treaty existed between the United
States and England; and the manner in which
England exercised her power on the ocean
the great interruption Of the navigation and
trade of neutral nations the numerous captures
Of their ships and cargoes under the retaliatory
DEGREES and orders of France and England, with
other yexatious occurrences, revived the former
angry feelings towards England, and greatly
contributed to the late war with that nation
This war was closed not long after the conclu-
sion of the general peace in Europe and the
treaty of Ghent followed by meagre COM
mercial convention, made at London, and lifni-
ted, IN its duration, to few years only.
Neither the spirit Of the negotiation, nor the
scope of the articles, afford any evidence that
England is inclined to treat with this country on
the only principle on which commercial treaty
with her can be desirable. Her decision on this
point seems to be beyond question, as our latest
communications inform us, that her ancient sys-
tenn will net be changed; and, in case we are
dissatisfied with its operation, that England,
has no objection to our taking any such measures
concerning the same, as We may deem expedi-
ent-an ntimation that puts an end to further
overtures on our part. Such is the explanation
why the measure proposed has been so long
deferred.
During the confederation, Congress were
without power to adopt it.
The treaty concluded by Mr.. JAY, in 1894,
the relaxation of the navigation and colonial
laws, during the war between France and Eng |
land, and the advantages derived from our neu- |
trail trade while this continued, rendered the
measure inexpedient during this period.
And the expectation since entertained that |
more enlarged and equal treaty of commerce and |
navigation, applicable, in its provisions, to peace
well as war, might be substituted in place of |
the present commercial convention, has hitherto |
suspended the interference of Congress.
This expectation must be given up England /
has apprized Us of her decision TO adhere to her
ancient and exclusive system of trade and na ~ i