Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-01


intercourse with them. She has the right to open
or close her ports. So have also. She may
grant or refuse the indulgence Of trade with
her Colonies to foreign Powers; so may we, like
wise, grant refuse the indulgence oil trade from
the Colonies of any foreign Power, to our ports.
But no nation gain any thing by the assertion
of such principles. Nations are mutually Deepen
dent on each other: claim any peculiar
rights or exemptions, or any exclusive benefits or
privileges. We are all equal. Commerce when |
carried on between different nations. mus, depend
on compacts. and they must result from the mus |
tually beneficial terms on which they are supula- |
ted and this in every leads to the inquiry |
d" what are the equal and reciprocal conditions"
under which commerce may be carried on, and
these conditions require the Of both parties,
| each of whom owes to the other 10 be governed
by what is just.
If, therefore, Great Britain has for years
! monopoized the trade between her Colonies and
this country without compact, that al eas, is in
trusiue, if without equivalent, il is MUST, and
if " it'll permission, il is a boon IL because this
state OF things cannot be longer tolerated, she
, cannot have this trade upon her own terms, she
iaterdicts commerce with her Colonies, it
would seem TO require law to forbid her in,ru
sion into potts, but the delicacy which he law
of the case would impose. Blu, it that is not ade
quate, nation could, with proper sense OF its
rights and dignity hesitate to apply the proper law
| to the case.
III she finds in ports ample market fer
her productions, and cheap supply for the wants
of her colonies, upon what principle Of justice can
! she ask appropriate 10 herself without equiva-
| lent, all the advantages of The intercourse, and
| upon what principle of self-respect, could we
permit it to nation, who in her own peculiar but
emphatic language. 4" has applied the in,eIdict to
u.s."
The principle Of equal competition, founded on
just reciprocity. resulting, Gf possible, in he
nature OF things, in fair participation, is the ba-
sis OF all our laws and negotiations. We ak no
advantage but what may result from peculiar
position and the character of people.
| We offer TO all nations the u,mos, freedom of
! commercial intercourse, fou.ded principles of
equality. we proceed step by step with every
nation, in adapting our laws ofs,rsde 10 their pc
culiar systems, either enlarging restraining the
liberty of commerce, AMI graduating it By an exac,
scale OF reciprocity, and from this rule we cannot
| with safety depart.
When, therefore, Great Britain, moved by hat
ever cause OF interest, necessity, enience,
desires an intercourse between her colonies and
this country, she must consult with the equal
fair and mutually beneficial conditions ON which
both parties may engage IN il. " and should any
nation, Gin the language of Mr.. Jetferson,)
trary TO our wishes, SUPP il may better Ind its
advantages; by continuing lis system of prohib
tions, duties, and regulations, 9behooves US to
protect our citizens, their commerce and nayiga-
ton, by coun er-prohibtIons, duties, and regula-
tions, also. Free commerce and navigation are
not 10 be given in exchange for restrictions and
Yexati ms, they likely % produce Teiaxa-
tion of them"
/ The attempt by mere acts of legislation TO adj
just the principle OF this intercourse, upon terms
satisfactory to both, had proved sbor,Ive and ne
EQUATIONS were, by mutual arrangements, opened
In London in 1924 and, after full discussion, the
conferences were closed to give time for reference
OF the subject in order 10 prepare for the rene al
OF it al convenient time.
/ The ins,Tuc ions coniormed TO the principle OF
our laws, the removal OF The alien duty on vessels,
and the repeal Of the duty of Importation. This
principle had been maintained uniformly by he
acts II Congress. If there had been Opposition
here 10 abandon the ground, or to vary The
principle, il might have been done b. legislation
There was no motive then, if tie Executive had
ieii authorized TO change our position in the first
instance But IN the hope that some conc ession or
compromise might be effected, and other valuable
rights secured, the navigation of the ST. La renee
was connected with 1t; right which naturally
pertains TO the Colonial trade. The fixed policy
OF Great Britain, f4voring and fostering her North
American possessions, rendered her tenacious of
the ground she had taken; and hope was ndulg
ed, that this right, invaluable TO portion OF ur
country, and which turned lucrative trade with.
In the sphere OF her commerce, would be made
the basis OF an accommodation But she declined
to consider them together.
| The first ohjec, of the ne2otiaiion was TO ex
plain aud discuss the subject; TO compare opinions
and, VI no agreement was made, to obtain their
views and propositions, to be referred heie for ex
animation, and, finally. to conclude a convention
embracing all points arising out OF the Colonial
question.
The British Ministers presented their proposition
in the paper l., and their remarks ard ex papaiions
IN the paper marked w. The Minister not BEING
auth rsed 10 accept hem. took them for reference
to this Government, and which necessarily sus-
pended the negotiation.
Various causes, perfectly well known 10 the
British Government, and sufficient 10 evince tina,
no intentional neglect insensibiy to the subject
but causes under The cont oil of events unfor- cen
and uncomfortable, had delayed the renewal of the
! negotiations
The British Gnvernmen, in their proposals, had
| varied the ground on which the question before
| stood, and had now rendered a modification on the
principle Of compromise which was conceived
ard communicated IN the most aGIicable sentiments
and the most sincere desire bring this matter 10
d conclusion.
| Ii presented new question, II was the refu
sal to treat on our terms; and their uimatum ac
comranied, however, with pledges, that if The terms
proposed operated injuriousy one party and adj
vsntageousy 10 the other, that such additional
laws and regulations should be adopted as the case
required; and with assurances that they would al
ways place us on the footing of the most fsyoured
nation, and gradually conforming as circumstances
would permit to the law Of 1915.
| 1t involved either the abandonment OF our pro.
position, or the interruption of the negotiations;
( he acceptance of the contingent proposition or
the tender OF propositions, and the consjdera.
| ton oil what hose should be.
The responsibility of the officer charged with
the diplomatic relations, in concluding an arrange
rnent affecting so many interests, required grea,