Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-23

on the Panama Question.
Extracts of letter from Mr. Adams Secretary ofState
to Mr. Anderson, Minister Plepipotentiary to Colon
bia, dated 9th May, 1928.
Concluded
You will observe that the act Of Sd March.
1919, admitted the vessels of Hamburg and
Bremen to advantages more extensive than those
offered by the act of Sd March, 1915, and
which had already been secured TO them, by
the Procamations OF oath July, and lst Aug.
1917. The same enlargement OF the favors
offered by the act Of Sd March, 1915, is ex-
tended to the vessels of the Netherlands, and
of Prussia. While Norway has the double Sc
CURLY, Of the principle offered in the act Of Sd
March, 1915, by the stipulation in the Treaty
with Sweden, AMI by the Presidents Procla-
nation under the act.
The proclamation with regard TO Norway,
was founded on an act of the Government OF
that Kingdom, not extending, however, to Swe-
den, abolishing all discriminating duties what
soever, in the Norwegian ports, between their
own vessels and vessels Of the United States &
upon their cargJes, of whatsoever origin, and
whencesoever coming. This is the consum-
nation Of the principle OF treating the foreign
err in respect to navigation and foreign COM
merce, upon footing ofequal favor with the
native. The Government Of Norway, in adopt
ing thi. regulation, required that il should be
reciprocally granted to Norwegian vessels and
their cargoes in the ports Of the United States.
This, however, could be granted only by an act
Of Congress: and the Proclamation could only
extend to them under the La,c, that to which
they were already entitled by the Treaty.
The subject was submitted to Congress by a
message from the President, towards the clio Sc
Of the first session of the 18th Congress, Isl
May, 1929 and the general policy OF our COM
mercial system, with particular reference to
the act Of 3rd March, 1915, and the subsequent
measures resulting from it, has been reviewed
In the message Of 5th Dec. 1921, at the COM
mencemcnt Of the same session. The 2rincl-
pie offered by the Norwegian Government could
not, however, then have been accepted, with
out great disadvantage 10 the U. States. Our
direct trade with the British Colonies in Amer
lea, was interdicted by our own and British
laws. That with France was under counter
valing regulations Of both parties, equivalent
to introduction. To have granted then to Nor
wegian vessels, unrestricted admission into our
ports, upon the same terms with our own,
would in fact have granted them privileges,
which our own did not, and could not ENJOY
Our own being under the operation OF restric-
tons and prohibitions, ordained by Britain and
France, from which the Norwegian vessels
would have been exempt
Our direct trade with the British American
Colonies has since been opened, and that with
France, has been restored; both, however,
shacked with countsrvailing restrictions and
regulations, burdensome to those by whom 1t
may be carried on. As the act OF Congress Of
3rd March, 1915, and all the regulations found
ed upon it, will expire on the first of January
next, the -whole subject will again be before
that body at their next session, for reyisal. In
this state Of things, it may be perhaps most
prudent, in the commercial negotiations with
the Republic Of Colombia, TO adhere to the
principle ofequal tauor to The most friendly na-
lion, leaving that OF eqaal taUor ,eih the natire,
for future consideration and concert between
the parties.
To the same extent, however, as we are al
ready bound by treaty with Great Britain, un-
ii. October, 1923; and with Sweden, until Sep
TENDER, 1926, you may safely proceed, taking
the second article. Of each OF those compacts
for model, and forming an article embracing
the stipua,ions Of both. Thus far we may
Safely go with any one, or more foreign nations,
without endangering, by the iiberallty OF our
engagements with them, the interests OF our
own country, to be effected by the restrictive
ordinances of others. An exception must BE-
made with regard to the ports ofSt Augustine
and Pensacola, where, by the 5th article OF the
late treaty with Spain, special privileges are Sc
cured to Spanish vessels, until the 22d OF May,
1853.
Among the usual objects of negotiation in
treaties of commerce and navigation, are the IL
berty Of conscience, and Of religious worship.
Articles TO this effect have been seldom admit
TED in Roman Catholic countries, and are even
interdicted by the present constitution of Spain.
The South American Republics have been too
much under the influence of the same intole-
rant spirit: but the Colombian Constitution is
honorably distinguished by exemption from it.
The 10th and llth articles Of our treaty with
Prussia, or articles to the like effect, may be
proposed for insertion in the projected treaty;
and after setting the first example in South A
merica. of Constitution uasnllied by prohibit
tions Of religious liberty, Colombia will deserve
new bonors in the veneration Of present and flu
ture ages, by giving her positive sanction TO the
freedom of conscience, and by STIMULATING 1t in
her first treaty with these United States. us,
in truth, an essential part Of the system OF A