Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-20
FOR THE ENC UIRER.
BRITISH ORDER IN COUNCIL.

Bhi 1911 OnbcIt IN SOONClI
The recent Order in Council, imposing res,rc-
tons upon our trade with the British Colonial pos
ssssious is subject of deep interest this country
aid il becomes necessary 10 show the part which the
Administration has acted in regard to this matter,
tina, their conduct may he duly appreciated by the A
meiican people. That it failed, during the last session
Of Congress, 10 do all in its power, TO bring about
an adjustment of the difficulties that have so long
existed, and 10 place the commerce of the two ma
tons upon the most reasonable grounds in this
particular, is manifest from the proceedings which
took place in the Senate upon this subject. The
merchants, shp-owners and manufacturers of Bal
tinore, in their memorial 10 Congress, set forth,
Z" that Great Britain having lately opened the trade
OF her North American and West Indian Colonies,
insonuch, that not only are almost all articles
ADMITTEDLY but the trade of these colonies j. accessi
bic to all parts of the orld. on far more favora>
bic terms than those now enjoyed by merchants of
the United Staies:" they, therefore, submit, the
propri.ty of aboshing the discriminating duties
of rs cents per ton, Bril-h colonial vessels
and OF ten per cent additional the duties on
their cargoes, and OF admitting British vessels
tom whatever ports, on the same terms as the es-
sels OF The most favonred naiions.''
The Committee Of Commerce, on the 3lst
March, made long report on the subject, more OF
an afSumentstve character 10 Justify the United
Safes IN persi-tng in error, than TO meet the Ibe-
lii views held out By the British government, in
extending equal advantages to this couatry, with
other nations, in her Wesl India trade which CON
cales in the most remarkable manner, as fellows
+ I" From all these views, which might be extended,
ana from the Committee having reason T., believe
that an adjustment of the commercial intercourse
beiween the United States, and the British Colo
MA possessions, forms of the svecia and prom
iaent objects which have been committed T. ,,s
Minister of the United States at the Curt NJ on-
den; that corresponding des. "a arrsnse il nm !.
~,actsfy footing r.rears to exist on the part of
h' ofilsh 'zovefnmeni; and that the negotiations
nspecting II are expected 10 come 10 a defni,iye
issue, before the next session of Congress; the
Committee, although fully agreeing with the me-
noTiasis in the wish TO cultivate aud extend the
rsde in question, which they trust may be done to
The mutual advantage of the parties concerned in
H. are still unanimously of opinion that il is not
sxpeIient at this time, to egi-laie on the subject
and, therefore, ask 10 be discharged from the fur
iher consideration Of the memorisl.''
That the Committee, after admitting the Justice
N Of the memorial, and corresponding dispositi ion
on the part of the British Government, 10 plare
The trade OF her colonial possessions and the II
States. upon grounds OF mutual advantage should
arive at sucha result, is most extraordinary That
hcould have emanated from no other feeling than
dat Of hostility TO the British Government, or
tEnd devotion to the will of the Administration
rsardess of the true interests of the country must
ourselves, as the Report was in contradiction 10
lie good sense OF majority OF the Senate, and
SnoDS them, one OF the best informed merchants
4 Of the country, Gen Samuel Smith. His views
upon the subject should be given 10 the public that
lie right of the between the two parties
Sould be properly understood by the people, that
epeople OF Norfolk, in particular, should en-
g4ire and know, how their Representative stood
& lfected towards the question Whether, as Chair
4 nan OF the Committee of Commerce in the H. oil
II Representatives, he used any exerton to counter
e vail the Report oil the COMMITTEES of the Senate
or, chose rather by his silence, to submit to the
pleasure OF the administration, and his own mis-
guided judgment. This was not the case with the
Senator iIon that Borough. By his exertions S, the
Senator from Maryland, the Committee wer c driven
from their reasoning and their Report, and comnel
led TO BRING in a bill repeating all discriminating
duties, and suheciing the colonial trade in British
vessels, TO the same duties of tonnage and impost
were laid upon American vessels. Ii was well
known that the Administration was opposed 10
til measure, and their friends in the Senate acted
in conformity with their views in throwing their
weight against it, Their first efforts to defeat il
proved unsuccessful, as believe the bill progress
ed TO third reading, and the Chairman of the
Committee OF Commerce understood as yield.
ING MS opposition, finding 1t would pass, to save,
suppose, the Administration from merited re-
proach. AS is too often the case in legislation
Particularly when the strength Of parties is Pretty
equally divided, the majority confident Of their
superiority, is TOO apt 10 underrate the strength Of
the minority. Accordingly, when the bill came
upon Its passage by the absence of those in its IA.
vor, or eeiacalion in the ranks, the Administra
ton party, constant to their purpose, succeeded II
iiSng IT upon the table, at period OF the session
when they knew it would be difficult to call il ul
again; and thus by management carried their pur-
pose This | think will be found to be subsisn.
tIAl account Of the proceedings which took plac.
IN the Senate, during the last winter, upon tht
subject.
How, after this, when disposition has beer
'nswn by the Administration, to keep thes,
odIous restrictions, or rather not 10 avail itself
the nrst opportunity TO get rid of them, when Of
iered by the British Government, the Commercial
part oil the community should be found in its sup
port, Is matter truly astonishing. What is NOR,
so' mat the Citizens of Norfolk, who live by Thu
trade, with whom the rest of Virginia have sympa
,nlsed in their disresses, and deplored the msera
Die condition TO which they have been reduced b,
we shackles OF commerce, should be found tn
most faithful among the faiihess. But why shout,
we longer mourn over their calamity, or interes
ourselves in their behalf, when they quietly an
suomissively bow the neck to the yoke Of despo.
itsm9
& The administration can find no sufficient apollo
81 IN the course they have so pertnscously ad
hered TO in this matter. WHAT il! 1t il admitted
mat the British act Of 9th Of June, and the tw,
acts oil the 9th July, 1925, place the trade between
nsr Colonial possessions and the u. States upo
,ne most favorable footing that can be expecte
rom that Government The terms are such q
NE administration profess a willingness TO acced
by treaty, but not by an act Of the legislature
Why this caviling about the manner, if the thin
Os right in itself? Folly and confusion seem 4
attend every step Of this iil-fated administration