Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-11-02

was carried on during The war Without
any question arising respecting it. On
The restoration Of monarchial govern
ment in S;sain, explanations took place
on the subject OF South American trade,
and on the stale Of the Spanish colonies.
The meditation of this country between
the mother country and the colonies was
offered, but no important effect followed
that offer, because Stain Arrays thre7o
obstacles in The vay ct any 8teh on The
fart IF this government. But in all the
communications which had passed be-
tween the governments on this subject,
it was distinctly understood, that the
british tyaae with South america zYas
NOT 10 be interruhted and that in the
case If Shain obtaining .fuH dominica
oper any other colonies, complete hro-
lection shonld sill be given 10 British
commerce, and that the Spanish colonial
system should not be enforced without
previous notice given by the court OF
Madrid. twas therefore necessary that
Spain should acquire de faoto possession
OF those countries over which she claim
ed soy ereignty, before any new practice
injurious to British trade could be adopt
ed by her. With respect to the laws OF
this country, there could be no doubt OF
the perfec, legality ofthe South Amerl-
can trade. Their lordships must be
aware, that, in the course OF the present
year, very material alteration had been
made in our commercial system. For
merly, the trade with South America
was carried on under the general opera
ton OF the navigation laws. But that
trade may now be carried on, not only in
British ships, but in ships belonging to
the South American states themselves.
The commercial intercourse carried on
with these states was therefore not only
lawful, but as lawful as any other trade
in which the merchants oil this country
were engaged, and equally entitled 10
protection.
The laws which had been introduced
this session also legalized the flag of
Old Spain for this trade. This was a
part Of The, prac ical application ofthe
principle of free trade, on which the
measures TO which he had alluded were
founded and he must repeat, that, as
far as regards the counlgies in question,
the trade with them was not only per-
fectlyiiee under the flagsof this country
btl<also under the flags Of the states
themselves. Such was the state OF our
relation with the South American states
with which the benefit OF free trade to
the extent he had stated, and full protec-
ton, was employed by British commerce.
As to the other ques,ion-the recognition
of the independence of the South Anne
rican states-that was snblect7of great
importance, and their lordships must
perceive that it was one on which the
government of the country ought not to
be embraced by any pledge or engage
ment but left free Ia act according to
circumstances. Whatever may be de-
cided on this question; whatever course
it might be thought advisable to adopt,
i, would not become the dignity and ho-
nor Of this country to take any final step
without some previous communication
with the government of Spain. The
question was one which required serious
consideration, and it was also one on
which it was unnecessary to communi-
cate information, except in the case Of,
some positive result.
The Marquis Lausdown was sorry TO
understand, not only that ministers had
not yet determined on the direct and IN
qualified recognition Of the South Ame-
rican states, but that they were not at
least occupied with preliminary pro-
ceedings for that object. The time
would soon arrive when that recognition
must take place, and every principle Of
policy and justice required that it should
now be made. He was however ready
to admit, that what the noble earl had
stated ON the subject Of the trade with
South America, yras highly satisfactory.
What he gathers from the noble earl's
explanation was, that, whether carried on
in English or other vessels, that trade
was under the Same protection as any
other in which the merchanta of this
country were engaged. This he was
exceedingly glad 10 hear. He would
now ask, whether there was any objec-
lion to laying on the table copies Of
such communications as had taken
place between the government of this
country and that Of Spain, on the subject
Of the condemnation Of the Lord Colling-s
wood
The Earl Of Liverhool said, a strong
remonstrance and demand ofredrcss had
been made, but as yet no answer had
been received. The production Of pa
ptrs in the present imperfect state Of
the negotiation, would therefore be i'm
proper. In what he had stated respect
fhO Crao dam and If irnds,