Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-05-22

tor ,he purpose OF the general welfare. Pfesi- |
dent Monroe knew this, AID therefore as MI |
Adsms ststes) q" assented to This measure with
great reluctance" bersuse he foresaw that a" II,
tendencies cannot but be f an irritating chsrar
ter to the iutereats which it will immediately ale
fect."(D
The Ieyerisb excitement produced in the House
of Representatives by their msconception OF the
intent of Lord Casereaeh's propositi n, VIII SUI
ace 20 explain their adoption OF this act oil Aprii
| is, 1878 Blu, nothing can Justify the Pfe-ident
| (who knew that this was mseoncepuon) Tor o
vercomng the 6 great reluctance he ieit IL ar
senting to il, except he confidence he seems
have rennsed in he decided opinion OF the Score
tary of State expre-sed in the memorable letter of
October D, 1916, that the only chance OF hsv
ing the Convention of 1916 renewed, a, the end
OF lis lour years, With additional articles of more
liberality was effective counterac,ng regulations
in respect 10 The commerce with tue British colo
nes in the Wesl Indies," and concurrence o
opinion with him. that this act would be sucn az
" effective count, erac,ing regulation" Such Con
hdencc have no doubt was ielt, and such 40
Iinon enter, aimed by President Monroe; but that
bo,n he aul the Secre,ay OF State, NJ. Adam,
were mistaken, If not alTeady clearly sbewn VIII
be s5uadantly proved, by he issue OF the negota
ton which wa sosu about o commence.
In the apparent expectation, that this act OF
April'lS, 1918 measure " hch AUST pro-
iuSe SAec' hpOh ne DTltsh government, W.T.. IA
danl> ne 2lst of Nay, 1918, enclosed il 20
Mr.. RGsh In his letter he tells him, that - il
meets he Briii-h prohbi,ive colonial system, by
direct and couotervaiii"g prohibition, TO COM
menee from and after the 30tb September next -
! That - although no formal communication of this
law to the British government would be necessary
IT may naturally be expected tina, il will be noticed
tn youI occasional conversations with Lord Castle
relsh"- And bids bin reuiud this minister, of
" the repeated warnings given, that to This result il
mus come, unless some rel~xston OF the Blush
prohibitions should take place" Looking forw srd
TO he expiration OF the Convention OF 1915, whirb
had then little more han one year % remain IN
force, Mr. Rush 10 informed, that, 4" The President
desires you to propose Immediate general nego-
tiation of commercial treaty, to embrace the
continuance for a further tenn of 'hs Conv ention
and also the other SUBJECTS in discussion between
the two governments" And he was told, that
- 1t upon making this proposal, the Blush gov
ernment agree 10 this neso, alton, ne President
proposes that Mr. Gallstin and you -hou!d be au
'horzei jointly, Plenpotentiaries, 10 conclude
the Tfeaiy."(2)
To NJ Gallatin, Chen Minister resident in
Pars) Mr.. Adams also wrnie the next das, IL
The some strain Of confident expectation. telling
| him OF many things hat - strongly end concur-
Tcn'ly indicate. tina, change Is aking place In
the policy OF the British cabinet 'this subject;
aud we nope that now is precisely the favourable
time tor taking advantage ct it."(5)
Now upon what could THE sanguine expecta
ton have been founded? The onli effect Of The
! act of April lS, 1918, as, Gas nave stately e.
stop the direct intercourse between the y States
and the British Yves, Indies. and 10 open
and ciTcl6tOGS intercourse between these coun
tries, through the free ports. Ii injured Amefi-
can agriculture, manufactures and commerce, did
no good TO American navigation; and ii il pro-
duced any effect upon British navigation, such
of .cf mn bsa her b,,Is
ing the voyage, and requiring additional tonha e
to carry ON the trade, in the double process
through which 1t had now TO pass.
In short II was the very measure that Greai
Britain herself would haze desired us to adopt
II =he could have Influenced our councils Il
vas he contamination which her proposition both
IN 1915 and again in 1917 intended to effect
AMI yet 1t seems TO have been regarded a coun-
iervsIl;ng measure, of srea force and efficacy
But politicians like philosophers, sometimes
theories, without reference TO facts; and when
their inventions will nos produce the effect for
which they were designed, the failure will always
be ascribed 10 any other than the true cause.
The B',tlsh government readily agreed TO the
proposal TO open new negotiation for COM
mercial treaty; and appointed two plenipoten-
tIarIss, TO conduct the same on their part. Mr..
Gallatin was Informed OF this by Mr.. Rush; and
came to London, to assist in this negotiation, on
ours. In the progress OF the discussions the par.
ties found no difficulty whatever, In agreeing to
renewal of the Convention of 1915, for further
term of ten years. But when the negotiaors took
up the subject OF the West India trade, new, un.
expected and csuperable obstacles occur ed, which
prevented any adjustment whatever OF this matter
and Trea'y finally signed on the Goth of
October, 1878, which contained no provision
whatever upon this subject Thus terminate ed the
nth attempt t. arrange the colonial trade by ne
soiia'iot. SENEX
90 Sc Mr. Adams's letter 10 Mr. RI b,
dated Department OF State, May 81, 1918, con
tanned in page 90 OF the Presidents Message 20
the House Of Representatives OF February 10
1923
(2.) See The same letter. same page, osths same
Message.
q See Nj. Adams letter to Mr. GalIatin,
dated Department OF State, MAY %, 1918, con
tanned IN page 63 Of the same Me sage.
------s.* <c- Gase % -rzr-
DTe1dfm Explosion The following accoun,
has reached uslTom Lancaster, (Eog) '.About 10
minutes before O'Clock on Friday afternoon.
the inhaoiian's OF this town dresdfully sIar
med by violent tTemor OF the eorth which ex-
tended he