Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-12-06

| MES. and, with the greater reason, as ~
was known that the supplies which the
cslenies derived from US were OF the hiSh-
est importance to them, their labor beng
| bestowed with so much greater Pront III
the culture Ct other articles, ana BECAUSE
likewise, the articles of which those sup
nile, consisted, forming SO large proper
ton of the exports of the U. States were
never admitted into any of the ports OF
Europe, except in cases OF great emerseh-
| CIV to avert q serious calamity when no
article is admitted which is not required
to supply the wants ofthe party admitting
il. and admitted then, not in favor OF any
particular country, to the disadvantage OF
others, but ON conditions equally applica-
HE to all. it seems Just that the articles
TINS admitted and invited should be carrl-
cd thither in the vessels of the country at
fording such supply, and that the re-
ciprocity should be found in correspon-
ding accommodation on the other Side
By allowing each party to participate IN
the transportation of such supplies, on the
PAYMENT of equal tonnage, strong proof
was afforded of an accommodating spirit.
To abandon to it the transportation OF the
whole would be a sacrifice which ought
not to be expected The demand, In the
present instance, would be the more UNI
reasonable, in consideration of the Inc
quality existing in the trade with the pa
rent country.
Such was the basis of our system, as es-
tablished by the act of 1915, and such its
true character. In the yearin which this
act was passed, treaty was concluded
with Great Britain, in strict conformity
with its principles, in regard to her Euro
pean dominions. To her colonies, how
ever. in the West Indies and on this con-
tinent, it was not extended, the British
government claiming the exclusive sup
Div of those colonies, and from our own
ports. and of the productions OF the colo
MES in return. in her own vessels. 10
this claim the United States could not as
sent, and, in consequence, each party sus-
pended the intercourse, III the vessels OF
the other, by prohibition which still ex-
lists.
The same conditions were offered to
France, but not accepted. Her govern
ment has demanded other conditions,
more fav orable to her navigation, and
which should also give extra erdinay en-
enlargement to her manufactures and
productions. in the ports OF the United
States. To these it was thought impro-
per to accede, and, in consequence, the
restrictive regulations, which had been
adopted on her part, being countervalled
on the part of the United States, the di-
rect commerce, between the two coun-
tries, in the vessels of each party, has
been in great measure suspended. 1t is
much to be regretted, that although ne
gotiation has been long pending, such is
the diversity of views entertained, on the
various points, which have been brought
into discussion, that there does not appear
to be any reasonable prospect Of its early
conclusion.
1t is my duty to state, as cause OF
very great regret, that very serious dll-
ferences have occurred, in this negotla-
ton. respecting the construction OF the
eighth article of theI'reaty of 1908 where
by Louisiana was ceded to the United
States, and likewise respecting the sell
zure of the Apollo, 1920, for violation of
our our revenue laws. The claim OF the
government of France has excited not
less surprise than concern, because there
does not appear to be Just foundation for
it. in either instance. By the eighth ar
ticle of the Treaty referred to, it is stip-
u!ated that, after the expiration Of twelve
wears, during which it was provided. by
the preceding or seventh article that the
vessels of France and Spain should be i'd
mitted into the ports OF the ceded Terri
tory, without paying higher duties on
merchandise, or tonnage on the vessels,
than such as were paid by citizens of the
United States. the ships of France should
forever afterwards be placed on the foot
ing of the most favored nation. BY the
obvious construction of this article, 1t Is
presumed, that it was intended, that Tic
favor should be granted to any power III
those ports, to which France should not
be forthwith entitled; nor should any &C
commodation be allowed, to another
power on conditions, to which she would
not, also, be entitled upon the same con
ditions. URder this construction, no ia
ver or accommodation, could be granted
to any power, to the prejudice of France
BY allowing the equivalent, allowed BY
those powers. she would always stand, II
those ports, on the footing ofth most ia
yored nation But, if this article shoulc
be SO Construed, as that France should
enjoy, of right, and without paying the
equivalent, all the advantages of such