Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-01-02

DESPATCH, NO. I3.-EXTRAcT.
Hh SALLAilN, 10 THE SECRETARY OF STATE
| LONDON, 22d Sept 1896.
~ nave the honor 10 enclose the copy of m. answer
NE. Awnings note, OF the Iih instant, relating TO
tie Order IN Council of the eth Of Jul, instn
/ ME-. GAELATiN TO MR. CANNING
The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minis.
yer fienpocntaIy OF the u. States of America ho,
,e noor TO acknowledge tie receipt of the note of the
II" INST addressed to him By Mr. Canning Ills Ma
lests principal Secretary Of Safe for FOREIGN Affairs
IA answe: TO that OF the undersigned of the och ,
mo- On The subject OF tie Order in Council of The o.
OF July. ~ 80"
ne nn"ersiGned apprehends that the object of his
hoie OF te Goth uitino, tnay not have been aore,er
isooi. Ill was not his intention make on that
occasion in!i eXPcson much less TO argue in supporl
Vi either iia OVID opinions those OF his Government
uioh 'he While matter 10 which the Oric. in <o,,ec;i
re.afes.
.,'s opinion OF ti'c character of the Cooni. trade
~" " s'eF nv" 'ie view he was taking of tie sub
ect lie is NOT aware to have cxpvessc that of his
Government upon other poin, than that of the pre-
'"'e"ce IL gave TO an arrangement hy treaty. ,o reen
!ai,nns respectively enacted lay e..c, ccuntr,
/ nc arguments ascTibcd 10 him 10 he rather
ihiefenceS To which he might not have objected did
he rot feel hound sclairn any intention on his mari
TO have sugs tsed what the Brt:sh Government ought
nave done: an EXPRESSION applicable only tho case
"' an alleged violation Of positive implied obiga.
/ The object the note of the undersigned Was Simply
"pa' u pnrpoted TO be- 10 express his regret thai,
ntider existing circumstances. tie Oder in Council
discover It's U'ntive. Ihis has teen frankly ard
distinctly explained 10 Mr.. Canning And the rrirci-
pal error WHICH pc:vaGcs the note of the Undersigned
H mat lie had supposed that the intercourse between
The w. States ard the Colonies OF Great Britain was
Sill considered beneficial m that he was wholly
unaware that the interdci that intercourse. in Ane
rcan vessels founded considerations OF gene.
ra! nature and connected ,: m ention not To re-
new, nj least for the present, the negotiations on ts
subject.
1t Is trne that tie undersigned had o-erl:akel the
TACT that, slGce the 9Th of January. 26 te indirect
intercourse allowed American, aut! e.: hidden in
British vessels; and to That ex;cut bis assertion of
perfect equality existing he;n ;he vessels of both
nations was cTronsnus; 4ong realty. .c want nf
equality iii that respect may have hrcn Compensated
ny CHER restrictions and charges IMPOSED ,n.rican
vessels.
The undersigned ~, mol in his power to assign ,ic
reasons Why tie provisions OF the c uG Cnsr.so CT
1928 relating that Indirect intercourse have been
continued IN force, after the corresponding re.rict
81 Great Britain had been renewed, far as related Il,
'"re'sn countries Il IS not improbable .c alien.
ZION OF the Government OF tire H. fstcs having been
principally turned {" c general question, whether
vas not most el.e br that ic should he reu,,!a;rb
~ treaty, Or by the respective laws the two cou,-
tries, the fact that !hs particular cs:ic,: i,, been
thus revoked by the OF Pa:iai% 81 % ic, ,,;a,
have escaped its notice.
! The communication made in the latter part Of Mr.
Sann'ngs note OF tie Intentions nj the British Govern
thent would not seem. consierc alone nnsc a,,v
ohcr duty on the Undersigned than 10 transmit 10 !
own Eat il is accompanied by various observations
one of which at least has a tie appearance Of a
charge against the Government Of tie u. States All! il,
may not be Tproperi for the unde signed 10 avail him
sci! OF the opportunity thus afforded once n2ic 10
state the view OF the whole subject WHICH IS entertain.
Cd by the u. States.
Great britain asserts clear, ard un,Iort,;cJ tIc
right to give 10 tie u. States. 10 withhold (rcr linen,
The privilege of trading with her West India Colonies
10 reserve TO herself that trade, and generals, 10 open
tie ports Of those Colonies 10 foreign por IS or keen
them closed as may snit her convenience v!:,.v
al lr H.,
comi'tioGay, on what conditions she pcasts
Ne an abstract and general proposition the rin, is
nf oemeI; bu considered purely matter oi right
dis which is attribute of Sovereignty aapljes to
! all other territories well as to Colonies
Every nation has the abstract ripl, oereronv .rJ
not 10 re'cT cnce 10 her colonies alone 10 close or 10
open her ports TO foreign vessels or merchandise and
to grant the indulgence wholly or Da,t;.IY c,,,,,,
ally uGconditioDalIy. This rIoIr has bee, and e,
iInues TO be- exercised occasopa liz every nation il,
INC shape OF navigation ProihiOrr, ard restrictive
laws, operating uneTually on different nations.
The real distinction between the trade of froi-uct
with colonies, and that with other Territories eooIe y,
consist not ~ greater less COMPLETE RIGHT bu in =
difference in the usage and Practice 1t has long since
been found Dat II commerce With foreign nations was
Advantageous, ii was necessary in order 10 cnov IT, IN
suffer them 10 participate in il.
That an exclusive monopoly the colonial trade was
no. the bcs mode Of preserving conuies or OF promo
! ng their prosperity is discovery But sinrr
Sic late final scpa'a of hc greater par; of the con
uent OF America from tie mother counties and ,,ov,
that more enlightened views prevail as respects tbc
! remaining colonies the former peculiar character of
the colonial trade is anos! lost. The abstract yiclt
being TIE same, and the ancient system Of colonial DO
Icy having been nearly abandoned il is d,ricpIr IN
perceive any striking difference between the trade viii,
color:es and tina; with the mother country.
These are general observations, drawn from tIo nm
dersgncd by the repeated references TO an abstract
right which is not questioned, and by the effort TO COM
siAer still the commerce with colonies as essentially
differing from every otter. But The intercourse be
tween the U. States and The British West Indcs has
10 fact always been considered by both parties Of
peculiar character which distinguished it from every
other species Of colonial trade and the declarations Of
the u. States TO participate in thai commerce, of
much earlier date ihan Mr. Canning seems 10 haze
been e.
As carly IS the year 1783 the Government Of Great
Britain dsvatiDg from that principle Of the colonial
system, according TO which her colonies prohb
tied from trading directly with any other country al
lowed her West Iodia colonies tn trade directly with