Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-21
Mr.. Clay to Mr.. Paughan.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

Washington, oct. IL, Io26
SIR: | have received and submitted 10 the Pre-
| sdent OF the United States the note which Won
did lac the honor, the 2Sh ult. 10 addres, To-
me, communicating the substance OF despatch
which you had received from he British Secretary of
Stale Tor Foreign Aff,irs, in which YOU were d-
rected to announce the determination OF His Britain
NC Majesty's Government TO allow the proys.
ions OF the act OF Parliament of 1925, regulating
The Commerce with British colonies, TO have tkeir
course.
The Government CT the United States have ever
been anxious that the trade between them and the
British colonies should be placed upon a liberal
and equitable basis. There has not been mo-
ment since the adoption of tie presen, Constiiu-
ton, when they were not wiling to apply to it
Tie principle Oh iair reciprocity and equal comue-
lition. here has not beer time, during the
same period, when they have understood the
British Government 10 I've prepared to adopt ,ha,
principle. When the Convention, in 1915, was
concluded, the American Government, was DESTROYS
OF extending lis principles 10 the British posses
sions In the West Indies, and the continent of
North America; but, at The instance of the British
Government, those possessions were expressly
excepted from the operation of the Conyen-
| ton. Upon the agreement Of 1918, be,w cen
the two Powers, to proong the operation of that
| Cow eniiom, the British Government had not made
their mind 10 extend its principles 10 those DOS
enter into detail Of all the counteryaIne acts Of
legislation, which, subsequent TO that period, were
resorted 10 by The parties In which the struggle On
the side OF Crest Brlain was to maintain her mo-
nopoly, and on that OF the United States 10 Sc
cure an equal participation in the trade and inter-
course between them and the British Colonies. In
1924, negotiation was again opened betwe
them, on this and other subjects, through MIR.
Rush, and Messi-. Huskisson and CANNING. Al,
London, and CLEAN of hope broke out OF the
reconciliation OF The two parties, on that long con-
tested mater; but, IS there one or Two uonts
IN relation 10 u, on which they could not agree
the negotiation was suspended, with an unders
standing that it should be again renewed at some
I ea'ly day, after the two Governments had fully
deiIoeTated on the questions which prevented an
agreement. Mr.. King sent TO Great Britain.
by the United States, as their plenirStentiary. in
the Spring OF 1925, and but for the state of his
health, which compelled his return, and rendered
necessary the appointment OF successor, would
have entered upon the negotiation. In the mean
time in July, 1928, the British Parliament passed
The act referred to in your note; out no copy of
that act has eyet, at London or at Washington,
been officially communicated 10 the Government OF
The United States by The British Government; nor
has there been communicated TO this Government,
any expectation OF ms Brtsna.c Msiesty's Gov
eminent, that the regulation OF the intercourse with
The British colonies, should he effected by mutual
acts of legislation. The Gov eminent OF the u
States, on the contrary has reposed in full conf
dence, that 1t was the view and wish of both par
ties that, on the resumption Of the suspended ne
goiiation, that subject should be again taken 20.
ana provided for; and. accordingly, MIR. Gsllalin
has carried with him Instructions which we had
every reason 10 hope and believe, would enable him
20 concur with The British Gov N an ed,
jusimeni OF 1t, on terms which would be entirely
Satisfactory to both parties
Judge then, sir, OF the surprise and regret which
the President must have felt on receiving The infor-
nation conveyed 10 your note If the Bfitisb act
OF Parliament were intended in the nature OF a
proposition TO the Congress OF the United States,
u should have been officially communicated for
their consideration, accompanied by those explsns.
lions which the completely OF the Blush ystem,
and the terms Of the act, rendered necesssry-ez-
pIsastions the more necessary TO foreign Govern-
ment, since the act has been differently Interpreted
~ BJ.ish ss.horil.ss At dilsIest rlsees, sa5, {.