Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-07

to- compromise, with which both might be salts
fed. With this view, the Government of the
United States had determined to sacrifice some
thing OF that entire reciprocity which i'm all con-
mercial arrangements with Foreign Powers they
are entitled to demand. and to acquiesce in some
inequalities disadvantageous to ourselves, rather
than 10 foreso the benefit of final and perma-
nent adjustment of this interest, To the satisfaction
of Great Britain herself. The negotiation, repeat
eddy suspended by accidental circumstances. was
however, by mutual agreement and express assent
considered as pending, and to e. speedily resumed.
In the mean si;ne, another Act of Parliament, so
doubtful and ambiguous in its import as to have
been misunderstood by the officers in the Colonies
who were to carry II into execution, opens again
certain Colonial ports. upon new conditions and
terms, with threat 10 close them against any Ma
ton which may not accept those terms, as pre-
ocribed by the British Government. This act pass
ed In July, 1925, not communicated to the Gov
eminent OF the United States, not understood by
the British Officers of the Customs in the Colonies
where it was to be enforced, was nevertheless
submitted 10 the consideration of Congress, at
their last session. With the knowledge that ne.
gotiation upon the subjec, had long been in pro-
gress, and pledges given of its resumption at an
early day, 1t was deemed expedent to await the
result OF that negotiation, rather than to subscribe
implicitly to terms the import of which was no;
clear, and which the British authorities them
selves, IN this hemisphere, were not prepared to
explain.
Immediately after the close of the las, Session
OF Congress, one OF our most distinguished ciii
zens was despatched as Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenpotentiary to Great Britain furnish
ed with instructions which we could not doubt
would lead to conclusion of this long contro-
vetted interest, upon terms acceptable to Great
Britain. Upon his arrival, and before hc had de
iivered his letters of credence, he was met by an
tlTde nf he Pri,t all
| alter the first of December now current, the YES
sells OF the United States from all the Colonial
British ports. excepting those Immediately border
ing upon our Territories. In answ er to his expos
tulations upon measure thus unexpected, he is
informed that, according TO the ancient maxim,
| OF policy OF European nations having colonies
| their trade is an exclusive possession of the mo
'her country. That all participation in it by 9th
| er nations Is boon or favor, not forming a SUBJ
ject OF negotiation, but to be regulated bv IN,
Legislative Acts Of the Power owning the colo.
ny. That the British Government, therefore. de
clines negotiating concerning it and that as III,
United States did not forthwith accept purely an,
| simply the terms offered by the Act of Parliament
! OF July, 1915, Great Britain would not now sd
init The vessels OF the United States even upon
the terms on which she has opened Them To- III,
navigation OF other nations.
We have been accustomed to consider IN. ,r.d,
which we have enjoyed with the British Colonies
rainier as an interchange of mutual benefits thar
as mere favor received: that, under every cir
cumstance, we have given an ample equivalent
we have seen every other nation, holding Colo
MES, negotiate with other nations, and grant them
freely, admission 10 the Colonies by Treaty; and
SO lar are the other colonizng nations OF Europ,
now from refusing TO negotiate for trade with the,
Colonies, that we ourselves have secured acces.
to the Colonies of more than one of them bv Urea.
~. The refusal. however, of Greai Britain to ne
goate, leaves to the United States no other alter
native than that of regulating, or interd,c,inc, al
together, the trade their part according a. either
measure may affect the interests of our own conn
Try; and, with tina, exclusive object, / would re-
commend the whole subject to your calm and
candid deliberations.
1t Is hoped that Our unavailing exertons to &C.
complish cordial good understanding on this in
'eIest VIII not have an unpropitious effect upon
tile other great topics of discussion between the
two Gov ernments. Our Northeastern and North
western boundaries are still unadjlsrei The Com
IN ssloners under the 7ih article of the Treaty of
uhent have nearly come 10 the close of their la
oofsi nor can we renounce the expectation en- =
ieroed as II Is, that they may agree upon their re-
port 10 'he satisfaction or acquescence' OF both
parties. The Commission for Iiouidatine the
claims Tor indemnity for slaves carried away ate,
The close OF tue war has been sitting with doubtful
prospects OF success. Propositions of compromi.e
have, however, passed between the two Govern.
men's, the result OF which, we fatter ourselves,
may yet prove satisfactory. Our own dispositions
and purposes towards Great Britain are all friend
iy and concatory; nor can we abandon. bp,
with strong reluctance the belief that they will ul
t.natelY meet return, not of favors, which we
neither ask nor desire, but Of equal reciprocity and
good will.
With The American Governments OF this benis.
Phere' we continue to maintain an iniercouise al
together friendly, and between their nations and
ours that commercial inter change of which mutual
bench. Is the source, and mutual comfort and h,r
mony the result, is in continual STATE of improve.
ment. The war between Spain and them, since
the total expulsion OF the Spanish military force
from their continental territories has been little
more than nominal; and their internal tranouillitv
though occasionally menaced by the agita;ions
which civil wars never fail to leave behind them,
has not been affected by any serious calamity
The Congress OF Ministers from several of those
nations which assembled at Panama, after short
session there, adjourned to meet again, at more
favorable season, in the neishborhood of Mexico.
The decease OF one of our Ministers on his ,yay
to the lsthmus, and the inpediments OF the season
which delayed the departure of the Other deprived
us Of the advantage of being represented at the
first meeting OF the Congress- There is, however.
no to believe that any of the transactions
of the Congress were of a nature to affect jnut.
ousy the interests of the United States, or to re-
quire the interpositIon of Ministers, had thew
been present. Their absence has indeed derived
us of the opportunity OF possessing precise and
authentic information of the treaties which were
concluded at Panama; and the whole result has
confirmed me in the conviction of the expediency
10 the United States of being represented at the
Congress. The surviving member of the Mission
appointed during your last session, has according.
ly proceeded to his destination, and a successor
to bis distinguished and lamented associate will
be nominated TO the Senate. A Treaty of Ami,v