Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-15


| they, when permitted 10 usde with the colonies,
aud of which we have not shadow OF right TO
complain.
Page 6 of the report" When she asked re-
peal OF our discriminst duties we required a.
fair equivalent, the repeal of their import duty.
Yes, MIR. President, we did so; aud very silly
demand it was So silly that the present admin
istration have wisely reinqnished 1t.
Page IL of the report -" These laws 1926
were framed with siew TO her general trade. IL
was not known 10 be tender Of the fixed laws of Ger
trade IL not thought 10 contain sine qua
non.' - BY whom was il not thoughtf For myself
and others with whom conversed, we considered
those laws " zine qua non." We reasoned
thus: That where attempts to settle the question
by negotiation having failed, the Pa'liamen, had
determined TO Ak irrevocabIy the ground on which
their colonies should be open to the world, aud
no one has doubted their right TO do so. We our
selves have always admitted tina, right. IL cannot
be denied. The terms Offered were liberal. We
all admitted that they were 40; that we were per
! feetly Satisfied with them. And why, then, did
we not accept them? have already answered
that question -becsuse Congress had not time to
| act. II the Committee 20 divide the cen.
sure, it is with them. Do they mean to insinu-
ate that it is necessity to justify the administra-
ton!
4 The Committee justify all by saying, page
IL =" Those laws ihed to us contain
ing the British ultmatums."- | frankly confess,
that did expect, or conceive that negotiation
would be refused; for Great Britain had negotiated
often on the subject; and tina, point Mr.. Can
lining assumed hat whrh incorrect in point OF
fact. thought at the time, and said to my
friends, that figured myself the first interview
between MIR Gallatin and Mr.. Canning. The
subject being opened by MIR. g thought Mr..
G. would say-WelI, Mr. G., there is our law
take it-draft your convention, and we will sign
it. Aud could nohelp plying Mr.. G. for the awk-
! ward situation in which he would be placed I
had no idea that Canning woald alter word OF
| the law.
understand by the Report, tina, it was wished
to connect this subject with others. and with pro-
found diplomacy contend for little while, but
give il up with apparent reluctance. that we
might thereby get another point in controversy
II had before had that idea presented to me, and
igraveiy 'oo--but had no idea tina, such men as
Canning and Husks-on To be taken in bv
such laughable attempt. I am no dipIomatist
hut, Sr, think could have seen through su IN a
amsy veil.
Page 10, IL is said" The subject was brought
before Senate at the last session. and that a ma
ljori'y of the Senate disapprove The bill. be
lieving it better to trust the subject IN pending
negotiation. Is this really the fact, IF so.
Mr. tanning was right, when he said &c i, had
been rejected" however had thought il other
wise. Add think the Senate will concur with
me; TOR we all know that the subject was recon-
mnted, with Instructions to bring in bill. such
as was reported, by an overwhelming majority
and that, all will agree, was the only vote that
tested the opinions of the Senate when at
'empted to call up the bill. failed by majority
OF one or two, and the reason given TO me BY Sc
Verai OF the Senators was, that there was not
time TO act upon it. That majority of the Senate
was In It's favor. do know, and that il would
have passed. If we had had time
Il! no
agree with the Report,) Z" were fair and liberal -
They confirmed precisely what the British gov
eminent had proposed in their law and in the
Instructions we conceded all we had eve r claimed
ana we were perfectly right in so doing.
rage II" All 'hs merchants concur in the
opinion that the trade is profitable, entire
~ concur IN that opinion, and so said at the
iss' session But THIS opinion ought TO be taken
" cum grano sails" II is losing trade To ali the
great merchants. Tie vessels they employ are
too large, and they do not exercise the econornv
necessary to such a trade. The small vessels of
Connecticut Maine, and North Carolina navipa
ted by few hands, and a; small expense, probsbly
content with small profits, trade in assorted car.
goes, proper for the merchants of the West In
d'es' 90 NOT complain But. Mr.. President, those
merchants are nor compelled to carry on losing
business. That argument would lead 10 hi. cor
ciusIon 1t the West India trade he losing bu
sness, AMI the argument be bottomed ON that fact.
thsn we can, by abandoning 10 the British mer-
chants, bring ruin on them. conceive the arau -,
ment TO be one intended to console us for h. ving
lost the trade. II says, most emrhatcslIv. that il
Is no loss TO the merchants, and therefore we NAV
abandon 1t without sigh. But. Mr. President.
cannot perceive that we ought from that cause to
Ceprve the great farming interest of the IJn;,ed
States OF their best customer. | have a great rec
pect Tor The merchants; but have hisber
charge tnan their Immediate interest Ofihas they
require no guardian. All they wan, is that Con-
gress VIII leave them TO their own Judgment and
exet'ions. The trade, as shall show. is deeoIv
interesting to the farmers, and dare not. will not
risk the sacrifice of their interest because i,
not be prof able TO The merchants. of which
respectable body of citizens had been one for
half century.
perceive that The Committee mean TO give II.
great comfort, when they tell US of the depressed
STARE OF me British colonies, thereby nsinua,ing
That they cannot exist without u.s. That arga,
ment, had supposed, was ore that induced sbr
late Order OF Council. The ministry mean, nv
II 10 show that they could do withou, us-and.
possibly, they may. But, Mr.. President. the trade
Is mutually beneficial, and ough, not TO be lost.
Each may do without it; but certainly much better
by having it an open free trade. we can m,poIv
all 'her wants on better terms, and of better quali-
~, than any other nation and their custom will
De mighty advantageous 10 the farming interest of
our country trade so mutually beneficial oueh,
mol TO be lost, II II can be avoided; and feel dis
posed 10 nope that spirit of cancellation on our
part may open the trade. Great Britain ouch, IN
remember that we are her best, her yerv best c,s.
tomerer, with whom she ought TO wish IN be nm
the best terms y"
The Report dwells on our great msp,anini,v
4 throughout all our discussions on this subsc,
The British also talk OF theirs. MsgnanimItv, I