Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-03-24
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SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH "a


ent wise and efIicien, Administration into disre-
pu'e, that which relates to our differences with
Great Britain, in connexon with their Colonial
trade, forms a conspicuous, and an important
subject Upon this unfortunate difference, though
il is not probable that the affair, however 1t ma
terminate. will materially tend TO the disadvan-
tage Of this country, the opposition have seized
with an unusual avidity, and whilst they have
sought 10 cast the whole censure, if any can rea-
sonably grow out Of the facts, upon the admins
traton, they have met with positive discomht-
ure, the most signal and complete.
II has been a favourte theme with the Faction,
20 take hold Of everv thing, and any thing, even
20 straws, that would afford them an opportunity
10 re Jlle the President and his cabinet; and they
have even had the hardihood, TO assume, that the
difficulties, which at this moment exist, between
the two go gernments have originated in the false
policy Of the heads Of the nation, and that whilst
Mr.. Adams, has exertsd himself to preserve am
icible relations with the world, he has by his in
efficiency and want of political foresight, involved
us in a political dilemma, as sincerely to be de-
precated, as i IS injurious TO our commerce.
If any fault can be Justly attached to either
nation in relation to our differences with Great
Britain, that fault is to be attributed to the
giant and non-concatmg department Of Eng
Ian !; and to prove the fact, we shall presently
pr eeed TO give brief and concise narrative
of the facts, which have lead to the unpleasant
tries in question.
The administration of Mr.. Monroe, may claim
the merit, or the fault, of giving rise TO the pres
ent difficulties with England, and although it is
not our intention 10 impute bad, OF incorrect mo-
tves to those who composed the cabinet, under
the then existing administration, it is susceptible
Of proof, that had our commercial relations with
fore; gn po vers, been properly attended to, we
should not al this moment find ourselves involv-
ed in the unplcasantries which at present encum-
Der U.S. This is said with a due regard for the
virtue and stern integrity which marked the
course of that administration and certainly with
ont intending to intimate, that any remssness Of
duty was evinced on the part of the then Secre-
.ary of State now chief Magistrate Of the I'm
ion Whilst the late administration in pow
er, it, as well as England, to use the language Of
an able contemporary, was willing to agree by
convention, that the trade between the United
stttcs and the British Colonies should be limited
and by the laws Of the respective nations it was
limited, to a direct intercourse 'between the
United States and tIose eolonies." Both were
willing to abolish the alien or discriminating du-
ties as they were levied in their respective ports,
Grsa Britain without condition, and the United
States upon the condition that their produce in
tho British West India colonies should not be LA
BILE to pay higher duties than similar produce COM
ing from any other place, including British pos
sessions This the only point which separa-
ted the two Powers. That removed, both were
willing to regulate the trade by treaty. The ne
eotiation, with which Mr.. RUSH was charged,
was suspended in 1924, on that only point. The
parties separated with mutual understanding
that they would again renew the negotiation a
some future day, and endeavour to settle the
terms of the intercourse by treaty.
Such was the state Of the question under the
Administration of Mr.. MONROE. That Admins
tration conceived that the produce of the United
States could not sustain, in the British West In
dia ports, fair competition with Canadian prod
uce, if it were to be burthened with heavy duties,
from which Canadian produce was exempted.
And, if any error be imputablc on this subject to
the last Administration, (Which is far from being
certain) it was that Of contending too much in
behalf Of the interests Of the United States.
The duty of deciding on this point Of difference
between the two Governments, thus left undeter-
mined, devolved on the present Administration.
On full consideration, it appears to have been re-
solved by it, in spirit Of concession and concil-
iation, to yield the point which had prevented Mr..
RUSH from concluding a convention, in 1924,
with the British Government. As late as the 22d
of March, 1920, the British Minister at Washing
ton, in pursuance Of instructions, invited the
American Government TO renew that negotiation,
to which both parties, up to that time, constantly
looked az the means Of settling, by treaty, the
terms of the colonial intercourse. Mr.. GALA
TIN shortly after went to England, author ed
and instructed to conclude convention on the
yery terms which Great Britain had herself pro-
posed to Mr.. RUsH. Upon his arrival, instead of
being met with a corresponding dispostion-in-
stead Of the British Government being ready to