The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1819-12-15


noSe more so than the Uuited States. A
virtuous people may and will conh0e them
selves within the limits OF stric, neutrality;
lat il is not IN their power TO behold a con-
Hict so viialy important TO their neighbors,
without the seu,biliry and sympathy which
naturally belong to sucn Case. IL has been
The steady purpose Of ,his government, TO
preveo, that fesiiog leading 10 excess ; and
Dnd j; is very gratifying 10 have IL in my
power 10 state, that so strong has been the
sense, throughout the whole community, OF
what was due 10 the character and obligations
ct the nation, that few examples of Scon,ra.
" kind have occurred.
The distance of the colonies from the pa
rent country, aud the great extent oil their
population and resosrces, gave them advan.
tages which, II was snucipned, Of very car
ly psriod, i, would DC ditfeal, Tor Spain To
surmouot. The steadiness, consistency and
success, with which they have por,ued their
objcci, as eSinced moe particularly by the
radi.tutbed sovereignty which Baenos ossAy'es
hn SO long enjyyed, evidently e,ve them a
strong cilim 10 me favorable consideration oi
other nations. These sentiments on The part
ef the United States, have not been withheld
IRON olner powers, wi'h whom Il Is desirable
10 act IN concert. Should i, become manifest,
To the world, that the Efforts of Spain to sob
duo those provinces, will be fru:ilcss, II may
be presumed that the Spanish government it,
self will give up lie coo,eS. In producing
such determination, II cannot be doubted
that the opioion vi friendly powers, who have
taken no part III ,be controversy, will have
their marited inauence.
II is of the highest importance to our ma
tionai character, and Indispensable 10 live mo.
ra,iy Of our citizens, that oil violatinns OF our
neutrality should be prevented. No door
shooid be left open Tor the evasion OF our saws;
no opportunity be afforded 10 any who may be
disposed 10 take advantage OF II, to comrfo-
init the interest or honor Of tho nation. II is
submitted therefore to the consideration oi
Congress, whe,hef il may not be advisable TO
revise the laws, with u view TO this desirable
result.
I, is submitted. also, whether il IN " not be
advisable TO designate, by law, tho several
ports or p!as,s alapg the coast at which, eniy'
foreign ships of var and privste-rs may be
ddmitted The difficulty Of sustsiniug the
regulations OF our commerce, and OF other
imp ortant interests from abuse, withors such
designation, furnishes strong motive ior TINS
measure.
Al the time Of the negotiation for tho re-
ncwal Of the comwcrciai conyention between
the United Safes and Great Britain, hope
had been eDtertaiped that an Article might
have been agreed upon. mutually Satisfactory
10 both countries, rcgula,ins, upon principles
of Justice and reciprocity, the com merciai IN
tercouiss bct ween the United Sta,es snd The
Bri,is'. possessions, AS well in the West Tn
dies a. upon the. continent O! North America.
The pienioosenr4afics OF therwo governments,
no, having been ahfc TO CONS TO ap ag'eemcnt
on this Important interest, those Of the U. ,.
reserved for the considcra'io, OF this goverD,
mcnt the proposals which had been preserved
20 them as the ultimate offer on the par, OF
The q i,ish government and which they we're
not authorised to sccept. On their transmis-
Aion here; they we're examined Ui'h due de-
Nbesa,ion, the resul, OF which was, new ct.
fot TO meet the siews Of the British govern.
ment. The minister of the U. STATES was IN
rructed TO make further proposal, which
has no, been accepted: II wss, however, de-
caiHed in an smicablc manner. recommend
20 the considers aSion Of Congress whether FUR
sher prohibtory provisions, in tho laws relot-
ing 10 this intercourse, mey not be exped!ent
IL is seen With iaterea, that although IL has
not been practicable, ss yet, 10 agree In any
arrangement Of this inhportan, branch of their
co.'s -ce, suth is the disposition OF the par
ties,, ach will view any regulations, which
the o,hs. may make respecting it, IN tho must
friendly light
By the slh article Of the convention con,
c,uled On vke 2oth Oct. 1878, il was stipalat-
ed that the differences which had arisen be-
tween the Two govefnmsuts, with regard 70
the true intent and meaning Of the s,h article
Of the treaty Of Ghent in relation TO tlfe car
ryiug away, by British officers, OF slaves from
the United States, sfer the exchange OF the
ra,issc atiou. Of the treaty Of peace, should be
referred to the decision of some friendly soy.
ereign or stale, to be named for that purpose.
The minister 1.-The United States has been
Instructed to name 10 the British government
foreign sovereign. the common friend 20
both parties, kr the decision Of this question.
Tue answer ofthat government to the propo.
sal, when received, win indiose the further
measures TO be psrsssd on the part o. the
N1EJni,ed States. -.
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