Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-05-11

Then follows the following letter from MIR. Can
ning to Mr. Gal!atin which closes the spondence
Mr. Secretary Canning Albert Galla,in Est.
fo'elSn OUce, January 81, 1927.
The undersigned, sc. has the honour TO aclsnowI.
edge the note addressed to him the 28,h ult by Mr.
Gallatn, &C.; in replying to which, tie undersigned
VIII, as TAR as possible, conform himself the ex.
ample of Mr. Galatin, u putting aside those points
OF the question IN agitation between them which have
been already exhausted in argument and the further
discussion OF which would not tend To any politica adj
vantage.
The parts of Mr.. Gallatin's last note, which appear
10 the undersigned TO require an observation relate
10 matters rather ot Fact than of reasoning.
MIR. Galatin complains that the Act of Parliament
OF 1879 was not officially communicated TO the gov
ernment of the United States
1t is perfectly true that it nor has il been
the habit OF The two governments TO communicate re-
ciProcay to each other Acts of their respective Lee
gislatures.
The letter of Sfr. Galatin recaptulates very dis
uncIy The principal points in the history of the case
states the reasons which the government had for SUD
posing that that of Great Britain would be still will
ing 10 settle the points in dispute by negotiations not
outstanding the of Parliament of JULY 1929 and
dwelis at considerable length the difficulties in the
way OF adjusting the conditions which the trade
should be continued, by independent acts of lcrsla
tion arising from the difficulty of interpreting annual
~ the act OF 1928, and of complying with all The con.
ditions OF IT. The letter concludes with expressions
OF desire on the part of the government OF the u
States 10 cultivate cordial aud lasting friendship with
ed Lone
ton between them on principles Of Justice and reci-
procy. Ii announces tie intention of the President
to lay the correspondence the subject before Com
gress-which body would decide, wheth the colonial
intercourse should be altogether closed, the condi-
tons 10 which they would for retaining it. Mr.
Gallatin well as the British government will prob-
ably learn with some SURPRISE that measure was
adopted by Congress on the subject aud that the in
tercourse would cease consequence of disae rec.
mcnt of the two houses incidental question:
The act of Congress of l82-an act the provisions
OF which specially affected Great Brian--was not Of
ideally communicated, either TO the Kings Minister AT
Washington, to his Maesty's Government bv the
American Minister resident at this Court. So far
from any such communication being made any vol
nn'ary explanation OF the bearing of that act being of
Tered, il Till after repeated and pressing enuui.
ries, that his Hlaestys Minister at Washington succee
ded in obtaining from the American Secretary of State
the true construction of the important clause of
that act, the clause in which the u. States claimed
that their trade to the British West India Colonies
should be put the footing with the trade TO the
same colonies from elsewhere and learnt his great
astonishment, that under that word sclsewhere' was
intended TO be signfed only the other dependen.
cies OF Great Britain but the 'Nother Country ITSELF,
The undersigned, at the same time, begs that i,
may not be supposed that the British Government
withheld from the Government of the United States
communication of the act of Parliament of 1926 from
any notion of rea liation for the omission the Gov
eminent aft the U. States to communicate to that of
his Majesty the act of Congress of 823.
He refers to that instance Of omission on the part of
the american Government only in proof:
FIRST, that the ordinary and natural course between
States, is no; to make diplomatic communications of
the acts of the respective legislatures; and secondly
That no inference could be drawn from such omission
on the one side, any than the other of (what
the undersigned dsclams for his governmentl an in
territorial want of courtesy or respect.
But the act of l325 Ind not relate specially TO the
United States 1t held out TO all nations Of the world
certain benefits Tor what believed by the British
Cover nrnent TO be So on certain conditions.
If communication of the act had been made to one
If houa Iaa.
communication would have been liable to different mis-
representations: some Governments might have consi,
cred IT as solicitation 10 which they bound in
courtesy 10 give some answer, explaining their
Tor declining they did deCline( TO avail themselves of
the provisions of the aci others might peri,ap. have
taken umbrage at it, authoritative prc,enson TO
impose the legislation ofts country upon other ma
| tons
The simplest course 10 allow The provisions of
The act to find their way to general know ledge through
the usual channels Of commercial information
The undersigned has to apprehend that
this has proved less eiectua ON the present than
I on former occasions.
The conditions of the act of 1925 have been accep
ted and carried into effect by Governments: that
oil the U. States has not thought it eXpedent take
advantage Of them But the undersigned cannot but
be still of opinion, that the resolution proposed in the
House Of Representatives, at Washington at the be-
ginning OF the last session OF Congress, for the
purpose of urging the Executive Government ofhe u
States TO come into the terms OF the act of 1926 the
debates which took place upon that propositions and
the final rejection oft by majority of only two votes
show that ii was not for want Of sufficient under
standing of the intent Of the act OF Parliament that
the conditions of it were not accepted by the United
States.
To ono piece OF evidence, which proves the perfect
Outstanding in America, only of purpor prUv
sions of the Act OF Parliament of 1925, but of conh
tons which it would be requisite for the American Ieg
fature to perform in order epe the United States
the benefit of that Act the undersigned might scrupcd
10 refer Gas not being of the ola Diplomatic Docu-
mcnt,) if Mr.. Gala,in had ouragcd bin to bring
forward any document tending throw light matter
in dispute, by citing, in support Of his view of
matter, private letter from NJ Clay, Member Of
Congress.
Early in the Session Of Congress of 1886 petition
from Baltimore presented to both Houses of the Anne
rican legislatures which petition distinctly pointed
out that the British Act of Parliament of Jdy 1926 had
not My manifested the readiness of this country
all discriminating duties, bat also permit ships
to clear out from British Colonies, heretofore
ports Of the United States only, but all parts
world 0he United Kingdom and its Dependencies alone
exccpted)
The petition, with equal disctncss, invited the