Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-22

pears more obviously as the motive of the law
than that of favoring the commerce of the U.
nited States. The opening Of the direct trade
between the United States and the British ISL
ands, has, at all events, rendered all the provi-
sions of the Colombian law Of 97th September.
1921, imperative; and assurances have been
given by Or. Gual, that, at the meeting Of the
Congress which was to take place in March
last, measures would be taken for procuring
the immediate repeal Of the discrimination, to
the disadvantage Of The United States, prescrib-
ed by the law Of the 25th September.
The spirit of the Colombian Constitution, is
explicitly that Of entire and unqualified indie.
pendence; and the sentiments expressed by Dr..
Gual to Mr. Todd, have been altogether con-
formable TO 1t. He has declared, that the in
tention OF the Government is to treat all foreign
nations upon the footing Of equal favor and of
perfect reciprocity. This is all that the Unit
ed States will require, and this, SO far as their
interests are concerned, they have right to ex-
act.
II had been, in the first instance, proposed by
Mr.. Torres, that the Treaty Of Commerce and
Navigation should be negotiated here, and he
informed me that Minister would,be appoint
ed, with powers and instructions sufficient for
concluding it at this place. Dr. Gual has ir-
formed Mr.. Todd, that the views Of the Colon.
bian Government have since undergone a
change; and although they have appointed Mr..
Salazar as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary TO the United States, and in
March last he was under instructions 10 proceed
forthwith upon his mission to this country, they
were nevertheless, exceedingly DESTROYS tina, the
Treaty should be negotiated there.
The President deems it Of no material i'm
portance to the United States whether the Trea-
ty shall be negotiated at Washington or at b.
gotta: but the proposal having first been made
for concluding it here, it was natural to INQUIRE
what it was that produced the change in the
wishes Of the Colombian Government with re-
gard to the seat of the negotiation. Dr.. Gaul
ntimated conGdentially TO MIR. Tocd, that it
had proceeded from two causes; one, the de-
sire to establish precedent, which might pre-
vail upon the great European Governments to
negotiate likewise with the Republic at its own
Capital, and thereby hasten them to the recog.
milton of Colombian independence and the
other a jealousy Of their own negotiators in
Europe, who were apt to- become themselves
entangled with European intrigues, and to in
volve the Republic in unsuitable and perpex.
ing engagements. With regard to the second
Of these causes, whatever occasion may have
been given to the distrust of their own agents
which it avows, it could have no application 10
their transaction, with the United States. By
assuming the principles Of independence, equa-
lily, and reciprocity as the foundations of all
our negotiations, we,diseard all the incentives
and all the opportunities for double dealing,
overreaching, and corrupt caballing. We shall
ask nothing which the Colombian Republic can
have any interest to deny. We shall offer no
thing for which she may be unwilling to yield
the fair equivalent. To the other reason, how
ever, the President the more readily accedes,
because perceiving its full force, it gives him
an opportunity of manifesting in action the
friendly disposition of the United States to-
wards the Republic, and their readiness to pro-
mote by all proper means the recognition Of
its independence, by the great European Pow
ers.
In the negotiation of all commercial treaties
there is undoubtedly an advantage, at least Of
convenience, enjoyed by the party which treats
at home; and this advantage acquires greater
importance, when, as is now the case with both
parties, the treaty to become valid mus! obtain
the assent Of legislative assemblies This ad-
vantage, in the ordinary course of things, ac-
crues to the party to whom the proposal Of ne
gotiation is first made. Independent then Of
all questions of precedence, and without resort
ing to the example of the first treaties negotia-
ted by the United States, both Of which consi-
derations have been mentioned by Mr.. Todd to
DR.. Gual, the U. States might insist upon havii
ing the negotiation concluded here, not only as
the first proposal of it was made to them, but
because the proposal itself was tina, it should be
concluded here. The President, however, is
we'll aware that the stimulus which treaty ne
gotiated, and even negotiation known to be
in progress at Bogota, will apply TO the atten-
ton Of European interests, and has no doubt
that it will press them to the recognition more
powerfully than they have been urged by the
example, or are likely to be by the exhortations
of the North American Government. You are
accordingly furnished, by his direction, with
the full power necessary for the conclusion of
the treaty.
Dr.Gual informed Mr.. Todd, that the project
of the Treaty was already prepared, and that
copy Of it would be committed to Mr.. Sala-
Ear, with powers and instructions authorizing
him 10 conclude the negotiation, if this Gov
eminent should insist upon its being compile
ted here. The arrival of Mr. Salazar may be
expected from day to day. In the mean time,
we are yet unacquainted with the particular
objects Of commercial intercourse which the
Colombian Government wishes to regulate
a., L., .,o,ty The onIv object which VIZ