The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-12-14


deemed eXpedient 10 await the result OF
that negotiation, rather than to subscribe
implicitly TO terms the import Of which was
not clear, and which the British authoritie.
themselves, in this hemisphere, were no
prepared to explain.
Immediately after the close Of the lss
Session Of Congress, one of our most dis
tnguished citizens was dispatched as En-
voy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo
tentiary To Great Britain, furnished viii
instructions which we could not doub
would lead to conclusion Of this long con
troverted interest, upon terms acceptable
TO Great Britain. Upon his arrival, ana
before he had delivered his letters OF Gre
dence, he was met by an Order OF the Brit
ish Council, excluding from and after the
nrst OF December, now current, the vessels
OF the United States from all the Colonial
BRITISH ports, excepting those Immediately
bordering upon our Territories. In an
swer to his eXpostulations upon a measure
thus unexpected, he is informed that, ac-
corilng TO the ancient maXims of policy of
European nations having colonies, their
trade is an exclusive possession Of the mo-
the country. That al participations IN il
Il
forming subject of negotiation, but to be
regulated by the egislatiye Acts of the
Poker owning the colony. That the Brit
ish Government, therefore, declines nego-
uathg concerning il; aud that, as the u
nitev States did not forthwith accept pure
ly add simply the terms offered by the Act
Of Parlianent, Of July, 1926, Great Britain
would not now admit the vessels Of the u
nited States even upon the terms on which
she has opened them to the navigation Of
ether nations.
We have been accustomed to consider
the trade which we have enjoyed with the
| British Colonies, rather as an interchange
d mutual benefits, than as q mere favour
received; that, under every circumstance,
/ We have given an ample equivalent. We
have seen every other nation, holding Co
lonies, negotiate with other nations, and
grant them, freely, admission to the Colon
les by Treaty; and, so far are the other
colonizng nations Of Europe now from re-
fnsing 10 negotiate for trade, with their
Colonies, that we ourselves have secured
access to the Colonies Of more than one Of
them by Treaty. The refusal, however,
of Great Britain to negotiate, leaves to the
United States no other alternative than
that Of regulating, or interdicting, alto
gether, the trnde on their part, according
MS either measure may affect the interests
Of our own country and, with that exclu-
] sive object, would recommend the whole
subject, TO your calm and candid delibera-
I tions.
1t is hoped that our unavailing exertions
to accomplish a cordial good understand
! ing OH this interest, will not have an IN.
! propitious effect upon the other great to-
| pics OF Discussion between the two govern
mcnts. Our Northeastern and North
western boundaries are still Dadjusted
The Commissioners under the 9Th article
of the Treaty Of Client have nearly come
10 the close of their labors; nor can we
renoUnce the expectation, enfeebled as il
is, that they may agree upon their Report
to the satisfaction or acdulescence of both
parties. The Commission for liquidating
the claims for indemnity for slaves car
ried away after the close ofthe war, has
been sitting, with doubtful prospects of
success. Propositions Of compromise have,
however, passed between the two Govern
ments, the result of which, we fiatter our
selves, may yet prove satisfactory. Our
own dispositions and purposes towards
Great Britain are all friendly and concli-
atory; nor can we abandon, but with
strong reluctance, the belief that they
will, ultimately, meet return, not OF ia
vors, which we neither ask nor desire, but
of equal reciprocity and good will.
- With the American Governments Of
this hemisphere we continue to maintain
an intercourse altogether friendly, and be-
tween their nations and ours that CONNER
cial interchange Of which mutual benefit
is the source, and mutual comfort and
harmony the result, is in a continual state
Of Improvement The war between Spain
and them, since the total expulsion Of the
Spanish military force from their cont
mental territories, has been little more
than nominal; and their internal tranquil
| ity, though occasionally menuced by the
agitations which civil wars never fail to-
leave behind them, has not been affected
by any serious calamity.
The Congress of Ministers from sevetal
Of those nations which assembled at Pa
mama, after short session there, adjourn
cd 90 meet again, at more favorable sea-
son, in the ncighborhood Of Mexico. The
decoase of one Of our Ministers on hls
way 10 the Isthmus, aud tho impedineBts
of the season, which delayed the DEP
turc Of the other, deprived ms OF the
vantage Of being represented at the fir'
meeting Of tie Congross. There -.
however, no reason to believe th1t any Of
the transactions OF the Congress were OF n
nature to affect injuriously the interests
of the United States, or 70 require the IN.
terposition OF our Ministers, had they been
Il tpla.h In