The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1821-12-12


It is huchno be regi cited, yhsi, ,ah hoUgb . ne.
| gocia,ion has been ong penciDg, such - the
diversiry OF vie WE entertained, on The various
poiSts, which have been brought into discus.
sioa, that there does not appear TO be any res
soDsbie prospect Of IL esiiy conclusion.
II 10 my duty to s'ste, ass cause Of very
great regiet, that very serious differences
have occurred m this negotiation, respecting
The construction of the 6tb article o! the Trea-
" Of 1908, whereby Louisiana was ceded to
the Unncd States, and hktw respecting
the seizure Of the Apollo, in 1920 Tor viola
tioD OF our TeyeDse laws. The Claim OF the
Government Of France has excited not less
81 prise than concern, because there does not
appear to be just foundation for !, in either
ibstsnce. BY the eth erticle Of the Treaty
feiered TO IL 4. stipulated that, after the ex-
pirsiion CI twelve years, during which II was
provided, by the preceding I7th article, that
the vessels Of Frsncs and Spain should be
adniiisd into the ports oi The ceced Territory
without paying higher dulles on merchandise,
or Tonnage on the vessels, Than such as were
paid by citizens Of the Unired States, the ships
of France should forever afterwards be placed
an the footing of The most favored nation. by
tho obvious construction oi this article, IL Is
Presumed that il ass intended, that no favor
should be grained to any power, in those ports,
10 which France should not be forthwith en-
Itied nor should any accommC dation be al
lowed, 10 any other powei, on conditions, 10
which she would not also, be entitled upon
The same conditions. Under this construc-
ZION, no favor, or accommodation, could DO
grained, TO any power, 10 tho prejudice Of
france. BY allowing the equivalent, allowed
by those powers, she would always s,snd, IN
those ports, on the footing of,he most favor.
ed nation. But if this article should be SO
construed, as that France shOuld enjoy, Of
rig and without paying tho equivalent, all
the advantages OF such conditions, a. might
be allowed to other powers, in return for i'm
portant concessions made by them, then tho
whole character OF the stipulation would be
changed. She would not be placed on the
footing Of the most favored nation, but on
footing held by no other nation. She would
enjoy oil the advantages allowed to them, ia
consider alton Of like advantages allowed 10
Us, hee from every, and any condition what
ever.
As little cause has ths government of
France TO complain Of the seiznle of The kp.
oilo, and the removal Of other vessels, from
the waters Of the St. Mays. II will not be
denied, that every nation haas figh. 10 regu-
late its commo'cis system, ss It thinks 1t,
aDd to iniorco the collection Of its revenue,
provided 1t be done, without an invasion oi
the rights Of other powers. The violation oi
its revenue laws is an offence, which oil ma.
tions ppoish--ibe punishment Of which gives
no just cause Of con plant TO the power 10
uhich the Offenders belong, provided II be ey-
tended 10 all equally. In this case, every cir-
cumstancc which occurred, indicated a fixed
puI pose to violate onr revenue laws Had The
parry intended TO have pur sued lair trade,
he would have entered our POI 70 and paid the
duties or had he intended 70 have carried or
o legitimate circuitous commerce with the y.
States, he would have entercd the port Of
some other power, landed his goods ut the
costom. house, according TO law, and reship.
ped and scot them 10 the vessel OF such pow
or, or Of some other power which might Law
fully bring the IL, free e. ON such duties, 10 q
port Of the United States. But the conduct
Of the party in this case was altogether differ.
eni. Ife entered the river ST. Mays, the
boundary between the Y. States and Florida,
and took his position on the Spanish side, or
which Con the whole exten, Of the 'iver,)
there wa. no town, no port, or custom house,
and scarcely any settlement His purpose,
tho. efore, was no, to sell his goods to tho in.
hsbt,ants OF Florida, but TO citizens oi tho U.
States, 10 exchange for their productions,
which could not be dono without direc, and
paIpable breach Of our laws. 1t 10 known tina,
a regular syste matte plan bad been formed by
cetts,n other persons for the violation of our
reve nue. system, which made it The mote ne.
ees.ary to check the proceeding in IT'S COM
menceme0t
Ia kaok If vs1
msse from the Spanish garIisons and populs.
ton could give no protection 10 an! parry, IN
such practice, is believed to be in s,iict &c.
cord with the law Of nations. II woald-not
have eomported with friendly policy IN
Spain herself, to have established custom
house there, since It could have subserved no
other purpose, than TO elude our revenue
laws. But the government Of Spain did not
~. ~ IL