The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-11-21


ton best adapted 10 them.
Respecting our relations with Spain, moth
ing explicit can now be communicated. On
the adjournment of Congress in May last, the
Minister plenipoteniiary of The United States,
al Madrid, was instructed to inform The gov.
eminent of Spain that, If bis Catholic Males
iy should hen raiiiy the treaty, this govern
ment would accept the ratification so far as
to submit 10 the decision oi the Senate The
question whether such ratification should be
| received in exchange for that of the United
States, heretofore given By letters from The
Minister OF The United States to The Score
isry OF State, il appears tina, communica
ton, in conformity with his Instructions. bad
been made 20 the government Of Spain, and
that the Cortes had the subject under consid
Grafton. The result of the deliberations. OF
that body, which IS daily expected, Will be
made known TO Congres. IS soon as IL Is re
ceived. The friendly sentiment which was ex.
pressed on The part OF The United States, in
the message of the 9th of Ma. last, ~ sill en-
tertaned for SPAN. Among the cahses Of re.
greet, however, which are inseperable from
The delay attending this transaction. il is
proper TO state, that satisfactory information
has been received that measures have been
recently adopted by designing persons. to
convert CERTAIN parts OF the province OF East
Florida into depofs for the reception OF for
egn goods, from whence to smugge them
into the United States By opening port
within the limits of Florida, Immediately on
our boundary where there was no settlement,
the object could not be Misunderstood. An
early accommodation of differences will, it is
hoped, prevent all such fraudulent and per
n'cions practices, aud place the relations of
The two countries on a very amicable and per-
manent basis.
The Commercial relations between The
United States aud The British Colonies in the
West Indies, and on this continent have I'M
dergone 30 change the British government
still prelerring to leave that commerce under
the restriction heretofore imposed on it, on
each side. II is satisfactory to recolIcn,, tina,
The restraints resoitcd 10 by the United States
were defensive only. intended to prevent
monopoly under British regulations, in favor
ofG. Britain as it likewise is, 10 know that
lie experiment is advancing in spirit Of
amiiy between the parties.
The question depending between the Uni.
ted Sts.es and Great Britain, respecting the
construction of the first article of the treaty of
Client, has been referred, by both govern
msnts, to the decision Of the Emperor Of Rus.
STA, who has accepted the umpirage.
An attempt has been made with the govern
ment OF France. 10 regulate by treaty the
commerce between the two countries, on the
principle of reciprocity and equality. By
the last communication from the Minister
PIeo,potentisry OF the United States at Paris,
10 whom full power had been given. we learn
that the negotiation had been commenced
there, bu, serious difficulties having occurred
| the French government had resolved to trans
| fer it to the United States, for which purpose
the Minister Penipo,eniiary of France had
| been otdered to repair to this city, and whose
arrival might soon be expected. II is hoped
that this important interest may be arranged
on just conditions, and IN manner equally
satisfactory 10 both parties II IS submitted
TO Congress 10 decide, until such arrangement
is made. how far il may be proper. on the
principle of the act OF the last session. which
augmented The tonnage duty on French YES
/ rtis, W itfou.t> tbf
more completely into effect the policy OF that
| act
The act referred TO. which imposed new
tonnage ON French vessels, having been in
force from and after the first day of July ii
| has happened INA, several vessels OF thai ma.
ton, which had been despatched from France
before its existence was known. have entered
The ports of the United States. and been sub
ect to its operation, without that previous no.
lice which the general spirit Of our laws owes
| 10 individuals IN similar cases The objec,
| of that law having been merely 70 coun,ertaIi
the inequalities y hich existed to the disadsan
tage OF the United States, in their commercial
Intercourse with France, il is submitted also
10 The consideration OF Congress, whether 10
the spirit o. arniiy and Cancellation, which il
Is no less the medication than the policy Of the
United States to preserve IN their intercourse
with other powers, il may not be proper 10
extend relief 10 the iudvidoals interested 10
those cases, by e1emp'ing from the operation
of the Law all those vessels which have enter
ed our ports without, having bad The means Of
previously knowing he existence Of the add
'ionsl duty.
The contest between Spain and the Colo.
MES, according TO the most authentic iniorma
ton, is maintained by the latter with mproy.
II A. = 4 :. l.