Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-01
From the Mew FORK Nationa! .Adroeate, Dec. %,
WEST INDIA TRADE.

There appears to, be a good deal Of specula
ton on the course which Congress may take on
the Colonial Trade. Some letter writers at
Washington, say that an effort will be made 10
close the intercourse with the British North A..
merican colonies, which the late order in couD-
Gil still left open; others again insinuate that no
such policy will be sanctioned by Congress
A correspondent of ours who writes US from
Washington, is inclined TO the latter opinion,
and we think ii would be the better policy for
the interest Of the country TO adopt that course.
Because England refuses 10 negotiate on the CO.
lonial trade, under the influence ~ofsecret views,
that is no reason that we should, get in a pet
and refuse an equal intercourse with regard TO
another and distinct portion of her colonies
The best policy is 10 let the English cabinet a.
lone, and in their effort to grasp at too much,
they will dupe themselves.
There is no doubt that all the late strange
conduct OF that government, springs from their
designs upon Cuba, aud their solicitude to Sc
cure the trade OF all South America. They
are willing even 10 sacrifice a portion of their
own interests in the West Indies for that da~
ling object, With regard TO the trade to South
America, the enterprise Of our merchants, the
%coniiguity OF the two countries, and the friend
ship growing up between the citizens Of both,
will always form a sufic lent check 10 British
ascendency in that point. The Spanish mer-
chants Of the interior of Mexico and Colombia
are just getting into the practice of visiting New
York for their yearly supplies. This kind Of
intercourse is rapidly increasing. The tran
guilty which Bolivar appears TO have restored
in Colombia, will give sire myth and rapidity TO
its growth. Still the United States government
must be watchfu,. The great bone Of conten.
ton is now the Island of Cuba, and unless that
point is satisfactorily arranged, we shall never
be without cause of Irritation with England
The leading policy OF our cabinet should be to
get amicable possession of that island. The
next best thing would be 10 place il Beyond the
reach Of every European power. II diplomacy
could accomplish the first point, it would be a
master stroke Of policy even far beyond the ac-
QUESTION Of Florida, and equal 10 that Of Lou
isiana The statesman who could place Cuba
under tine power Of this republic, would occupy
a niche side BY side, with the great Jefferson
Every move Of the American eabine, should
be directed to tina, great end.
With regard 10 the Colonial Trade, we do
not think II is entitled 10 so much excitement
as it appears 10 create. AS much as the direct
trade to the West Indies is diminished, just So
much will the indirect intercourse increase
There are many productions which the West
Indians require, ,ha, no country but the United
States can furnish, or a, least furnish on such
terms Ifthese productions are in,erdicted at
Jamaica and such like ports, they will find their
way to ST. Thomas's and other neutral islands
anu thence to the English islands. The only
difference will be the additional expense Of
loading and reloading, but tina, the c~olonis,s
themselves msst pay Already several vessels
loaded with casgoes of these productions have
departed from this port 10 the Island o. St.