Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-28
Vol. III.-No. Is.

Colombian people
pean nations II maneslly injurious to the United
States, IFS astce any manner compensated
by the provisions of another law of the Congress of
Goth September, 1891, allowing draw back of duties
upon expectations their reSSeIs of provisions
imported from the United States II is alleged by Dr.
Gua that the object of this latter law favor the
United States by facilitating the Indirect trade between
them and the British Colonies in the West Indies, the
direct trade being then interdCtcd by the laws of tho
United States and of Great Britain. But this trade
was carried on more advantageousy to the United
States by the way of the Swedish, Danish and Dutch
Islands, than could be by that of the Colombian ports
and the object of iavorng their Shipping appears
more obviously the motive of the law than that of
favoring the commerce Of the United States. The
opening OF the direct trade between the United Sates
and the British Islands, has, at all events rendered ali
the provisions U the Colombian law OF eth Scpember
1921 inoperave and assurances have been given by
Dr. Gual, that, at the meeting of the Congress which
was to take place in March last, would be to-
Ken Tor procuring the immediate repeal of the
nation TO the disadvantage of the United States pre-.
scribed by the law Of the 25th September.
The spirit of the Colombian CONSTITUTIONS is expJi-
city that of entire and unqualified independence; and
the sentiments expressed by DIR. Gual to MIR. Todd,
have been altogether confomabe to it, lie has dccla-
red that the intention of the Government is treat all
o'stsn nations upon the footing of equal favor and Of
perfect reciprocity. This is all that the United States
Will require, and this, far their interests con
cerned they have right 10 exact
1t had been in the first instance proposed by Mr.
Torres, that the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation
Minister would be appointed, with powers and instruc-
tons sufficient for concluding it at this place DIR.
Gua has informed Mr. Todd that the views of the Co
lombian Government have since undergone change,
and although they have appointed MIR. Salazar En-
voy Extraordinary and Minister Penipotentary to the
United States, and in March last he under nsuc-
ions 10 proceed forthwith upon his mission to his
try, they never tbeess exceedingly DESTROYS that
the Irentv should be negotiated there.
The President deems it of no material importance
TO the United States whether the Treaty shall be nego-
tiated at Washington at Bogota: but the proposal
having tIrs been made for concluding it here,
natural to inquire hat that produced the change
IN The wishes of the Colombian Government with re-
gard TO the seat of the negotiation. Dr. Gaul intma-
ted contienally to Mr. Todd, that it had proceeded
from two causes; the desire 10 establish precedent
which might prevail upon the great European Govern
menis TO negotiate likewise with the Republic at lis
own Capital, and thereby hasten them TO the recogni-
tion OF Colombian Independence; aud the other lea
lousy of their own negotiators in Europe, who we're
apt 10 become themselves entanglcd with European ia
trlgucs and TO involve the Republic in liable and
perpleXing engagements. With regard to the second
OF these causes, whatever occasion have been CIV
en- TO the dstrust of their agcns which ii ayows 1t
could have no application TO their transact ions with the
United States. by assuming the principles of indie.
pendenCc, equality, and reciprocity the foundations
OF all our negotiations, discard all the incentives
and all the opportunities for double DEALING Oyerreach-
ing, and corrupt caballing. We shall ask nothing
which the Colombian Republic have any interest
10 deny. We shall offer nothing for which she may be
unwilling 10 yield the fair equivalent. To the other
reason, however, the President the readily ac-
cedes' because Perceving IFS full force, it gives him
opportunity of manitesng in action the friendly dispo
sition OF the United States towards the Republic and
their readiness TO promote by all proper means the re-
cognon OF lis Independence, by the great European
Powers
In the negotiation Of all commercial treaties there
is undoubtedly an advantage, at least of enience
enjoyed by tie party which treats home and this ad-
vantage acquires greater importance, when is nnw
The case with both parties the treaty 20 become valid
must obtain the assent OF legislative assemblies This
advantage, III tie ordinary OF things,
the party TO whom the proposal of negotiation first
made. Independent then of all questions of prece-
dence, and without resoTng 10 the example of the first
treaties negotiated by the United States both of which
considerations have been mentioned by Mr. Todd to
Dr. Gual the u States might insist upon having the
negotiation concluded here not only the first propo
sal of IT was made TO them, but because the proposal it.
self that il should be concluded here. The Presi
dent, however, is well that the stimulus which
treaty negotiated, and a negotiation known 10 be
in progress at Bogoa, will apply 10 the attention of
European interests, and has doubt that it will press
them To the recognition more powerfully than they
have been urged By the example likely TO be by
the cXhortations Of The North American Government.
You accordingly furnished, by his direction, with
the full power necessary for the conclusion of the
treaty.
! DIR. Gual informed MIR. Todd that The project of the
| Treaty already prepared, and that a copy of it
would be committed TO Mr.. Salazar. with powers and
instructions authorizing bin to- conclude the negotia
pleted here. The arrival Of Dir. SaIazar may be ex
Pected from day to day In the time, are YET
unacquaned with the particular objects of commercial
intercourse which the Colombian Government wishes
gulatc with us by treaty The only object which shall
have much at heart III the negotiation, will be the
by solemn compact of the broad and liberal principles
tndeptldcnce, eqttdl aUOrS, and reciprocity. With this
view recommend to your particular attention the pream-
ble and first four articles of the first Treaty Of amy and
commerce between the United States France comcud-
ed on the 6th of Feb 1878. The preamble believed
be the first instance the Diplomatic Record of Nations,
upon which the true principles Of all fair commercial
collation. between Independent States laid down and
proclaimed to the world. That preamble the ouos
dation of our commercial intercourse with the of maD
kind what the Declaration Of Independence that Of
internal Government. The instruments parts
of aud the system, natured by long and anxious
dcbeaon ot the founders Of this Union in the
moablc Congress Of 1916 and the Declaration Of Ins
dependence the fountain Of all municipal ntu-
tons, the preamble the treaty with France laid the
for all subsequen transactions Of intercourse
with foreign nations. It's principles should be therefore
deeply impressed upon the mind Of every statesman and
tf3g .,Jt Tho NJ III