Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-05-25
sELGoTxoMs 5.
From the Norfolk Herald J
THE COLONIAL TRADE,

No. Ai.
Il did not require ;he sasacity of a very pro-
found politician, to toIesee hat would be the re-
sldt OF the negotiation OF 1918, relative to the
colonial trade. The report oil the Committee of the
II. OF Representatives of Feb. 9, 1915 had lauded
he three first articles of Lord Castereaghs pro-
poaItion IN very stroag ERIN; and had rested heir
appreciation OF ;he REJECTION OF these ARTICLES, sole
~ upon their IL sconcepiion of the intention OF
me fourth. This report was promulgated to the
world; and in the possession of the BRUSH
cabinet, before this negotiation commenced. Ii
Yves o be expected, therefore, that any PROPOSE
ton Great Britain might think proper TO offer,
upon this subject, would be shaped TO suit the O.
p!nions expressed in ulst report. That while she
would stuiiou-ly avoIi the erroneous objection
taken to the last article, she would present the
three Others with such '' practicable modiica-
iIogs,' as would accord with the views disclosed
Ia this report; and 20 propose Ia place the trade
upon as favourable grounds could be pected,'
according 10 the aYowed opinions OF this commit
tee. 1t uiust have been very obvious, however, TO
he American Statesman, that the Executive OF
the y. Saie+ enterts!ned different view of this
proportion; aud the Instructions of The nego
uators would, OF course, correspond with The ideas
ot the cabinet, rather than with those of the com
ni'tee, II was easy to foresee that the proposition
Of neither party would be accepted by the other
Such will very generally be the effect OF the public
disclosure OF propositions, pending any negotiation
especially when the opinion of those w no may he
>aed 10 nc, upon them thereafter, is pfemature!y
anno"nced. 9" They manage these matters better
IN France"
~ the commencement Of tie negotiation relative
10 the Colonial Trade, the American plenl otenlja
res proposed " basis OF perfect reciprocity and
fgnaliiy,' which they explained - 10 einb ace the
following objects" VIZ;
British vessels to he permitted TO import
from tie Blush West Indies INTO TIE u. States,
and 10 export from the u. States to the British
West indies, only such articles of the produce of
The said West Indies, aud Of the T.. States res
PscivelJ, A. American vessels should tie permitted
60 export .0n. and to import into, the Britsh w.
indies"
" =. The duties on the vessels and on the car
goes, 10 be reciprocity he same, Whether the YES
sells were American or British -
g 9. The duties the importation Of American
produce, into the British YES, Indies, not to be
higher whed the produce imported directly
from tie u. > than when imported IN p ciTcmOus
m'naer; With reciprocal condition for the iu,-
portstion Of West India produce INTO the United
States"
~. The intercourse in British vessels 20 be a.
lowed only with such West India ports as would
be opened to American vessels"
",5<The British vessels, allowed to caly on that
iyade to be only Of the same description with the
American vessels admitted ia the British West
l6lies. "(I)
TO this basis, as thus stated, The ETii4h pleni-
9oenliaries accelel; and an impartial observer Of
he discussions, wOnid then, OF course, have been
induced believe that no difficulty could arise in
adjgs'ns the details Of arrangement, which it
was agreed on both sides, correspond with
such liberal and admitted principles. Such an OBJ
server would have adopted this opinion with the
more confidence 100, If he bore in mnd the cry
explicit declaration Of Mr. Adams, in his letter to
t.ord CasileFesgh, Of the I7ih OF September, 1916
wherein be says that 80 II IS not asked, that Great
Britain should Tsnounce The right Of prohibiting the
Importation into her colonies from the IT, States
20 whatever articles she may think ht but that
Ire commerce which for sheir and her own adyan-
vantage Great Britain allows between them and
We IT, States, should be placed on the same ioo,-
ing Of reciprocity, the direct trade between g.
Britain and The u States was intended TO be piar-
sd, By the Convention OF July 8. 15f5."(2)
But such an impartial observer would have been
mistaken IN this opinion. The parties were never
more distant from an agreement than they were
aler settling this basis Of perfect Reciprocity end
equality"
IL would occupy more space than is allotted 10
ne Tor tjs number, and would probably fatigue the
reader too mach, was 1 to give a minute compara-
i've analysis Of the different propositions for The
afTnngeineni Of the Colonial Trade, made By The
Inherent pienipoieutiafiss daring This negotiation
must, therefore, content myself By referring TO
tHem'lJ) and BY stating generally their substance
ana effect The British rieupotenuaries would
not oier any proposition, ~ relation to The inter-
course oy lena or Inland Communications between
ne Z States end Canada. Nor would thsy accent
my proposition upon this subject, which differed
Substantially, iTOm ne true purpose OF mat con
aimed in he last Of Lord Cas.leresgh's four ar,i
les that have been rejected.
With respec, 10 tie trade Jy sc0 with Tic other
American colonies Of Great Britain, The British
nekonstors, founding their proposition upon The
1q's agreed upon, proposed:
!. To opea 70 vessels Of the y. States, Of any
Kind, every Brush port 10 which caHom bou-e
was established, either in New Brunswicl;, Nova
Scotia, BERMUDA, Tic West ladies or on the CONT