Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-18
VOL. XXIv.:.NO. III.

examination of the subject, to observe more eau
ton and forbearanco than could be expected under
other circumstances. will endeavor TO place them
In their true attitude before the Senate and tho
public.
The terms, bargain and sale, seem particularly
offensive 10 gentlemen. will, therefore, call il
arrangement, alliance coalition. As the COM
mon people, who have never been initiated into the
mysteries OF political management, have not n We
Ty definite idea OF the meaning Of these terms, {
nope they may be INDUCED in their plain planta-
ton talk, of bargain and sale. When they agree
TO give price for thing, exchange one arti-
Gle Tor another, they call il bargain, or bargain
ana sale; but among gentlemen politicians, ex4
changes OF political influence must be dignitied by
more refined and ambiguous terms.
IL order 70 give q just view of the political re-
iatIons OF Messrs. Adams and Clay, il will be pro-
per TO commence with them at Client, in the year
1914, and mark their course down 10 the last pres
dental election. They associated with Messrs
Saiiatn Bayard and Russell, as commissioners TO
negotiate treaty OF peace with Great Britain.
which was concluded at Client on the 9th OF De-
cember In that year. This treaty was Unanimous
ly agreed TO by the commissioners ON both sides
| and ratified. by their respective Governments The
American commissioners were unanimous not on
~ as 10 Inc treaty, but in the propositions made in
the course OF the negotiation although some differ
Ience OF opinion occurred in their private confer
enceS. Iodeprive us of the rights and privileges
! IN the northern fisheries was cardinal point with
tne british commissioners Mr.. Madison and Mr..
monroe, aware oil the value of the fisheries 10 the
United States, and of the Importance attached to
them by Great Britain, instructed our ministers in
no event TO surrender or bring our rights into dis
cusSloD. The British commissioners Indicated by
an official notice, that they would not concede to
Us the fishing rights and liberties hitherto enioy=
| cd, and that they considered them terminated by
the war By the treaty of 1888, by which the
American States were severed from the British en-
pre-, as part of the terms and conditions OF that
separation, it was agreed that the people of these
states should continue 10 enjoy their fishing rights
ana liberties, not only on the banks OF Newfound-
2 I'm ,,f. ,ssls ~
jurisdiction of Great Britain; and that the subjects
oil Great Britain should have the right to navigate
the liver Mississippi from its source TO the ocean
| In The private conferences Of our commissioners,
mere was difference of opinion to the prupre-
y OF Offering 20 renew the spulations in relation
! to the fisheries and Mississippi. Mr. CLAW was in
me hrst instance opposed TO il. Mr.. Adams took
the ground that these articles in the treaty OF l7s
were fundamental and rrevocable, unless by Com
mon consent, and were not, ike stipuations in or
binary treaties abrOgated by the war, and was ,v-
4 ling 10 adopt an article confirming the riglt.of
navigation and the fisheries as secured by that
: treaty, or to omit any article that sabect Al
ter their first conference, instructions were recey
ed from our Government, authorizing our commits
sioners to conclude treaty uponthe basis Of the
Sf0t1tS ante beilln Our commissioners then
unanimously proposed an article confirmi7gto the
people OF the United States, their fishif-. ~
and liberties, and TO Great Britain the navigas
ioi The Mississippi. This rejected by The Pri,
Ish commissioners; they attached hut little irnnost
ance TO the right of navigation. and especialv n.
It was expected that the boundary line when en-
tended from the Lake of the Woods, would leave
them 10 territory on tina. river Il was finally.
agreed 10 ONT any article the subject eayine.
the rights OF both countries TO he asserted or con-
tested according to the principles thew resnectiye
! ~ assumed After the election of Mr. Monroe.
MT; adams was appointed Secretary of State, and
under ms instructions convention was concluded
WIN Great Britain in 1918, by which our fishirr
rights and liberties were substantially secure
without any reservation OF right TO British sub
vernment considered ii of little importance thar
they did not insist it, hut waved the right will
out an equivalent. In all these transactions d,er:
does not seem to be the least ground for the accuse
tons made against Mr.. Adams. If he had not re-
sisted every attempt c. the British commissioners
to impair our rights in the fisheries he would notion
~ nave been uniathfui TO the Government unde=
whose authority he acted but to the rights and in
terests OF his country. Had he been Indifferent 10
the fishing interests he would have been a traitor
to the land of his birth. To excite sectional feel
ngsand preludicesin one part the Union agains.
me people oil another, IS petty game, and unwor-
thy oil statesman who aspires TO figure on the ma
tional theatre. 1t does honor to the public charac
: tiers OF Mr.. Madison and Mr.. Monroe that at a.
2 moment when large portion Of New EDeianos
was IN formidable array against the administration
they, acting upon the liberal enlarged s. elevated
views which distinguish the Virginia character in,
D structed the American mission at 9hent in no e.
I vent 20 surrender the fisheries The enlfohteneef
Statesmen OF Va. have from the foundation of tbis
, Government, extended to the fisheries fostering.
o care. They have justly considered them great
nation al interest, and entitled protection These
fisheries, SIR, are of wealth & strength OF
s more value than the mines of Mexico or Peru It
IS nursery oil the hnest scamen the globe sober
n industrious, hardy, brave and patriotic. We are
destined TO be u great naval power and should not
Il be unmindiul OF them. They have already she'd
: iusre our national characters and iftrcaed witlt
kindness and attention by their country will make
II our power felt and respected in every quarter IL
# the Yorld Yes sir, they will carry the American
eagle to regions where the Roman power was ne
s yer heard Of
G Permit now, sir, 10 revisit these gentlctners
c at Client With regard TO The treaty, and all tho
n American mission was unanimous, although occa~
sonal collision of opinion occurred in their private
J., discussions. When about 10 send the treaty to the
+, American Government for ratfication Mr. Adams
l. prepared a letter 70 The Secretary Of State giving,
an account OF the negotiation and its Results iortte
d signatures OF all the members of the mission In
preparing this letter he had not performed the in
Vidious task OF discrimination by adyerting To their
private conferences. 1t imported unanimity in the
mission, in the execution Of the high trust conided
to them by their Coz n:ry. u were 10 share equay.
J., ly the credit and responsibility Of their act On
II the Goth of Dec, (he day aferthe treaty was con~
cluded) this letter submitted to the mission for
- signature, when MIR Russell altered IL, 70 as 70
l. make II read that tho offer TO confirm the fshnq
c rights and liberties and the navigation Of the Mise
G. vas made determination Ola majority Of the
mission Mr.. Adams informs US n his book that NJ
|. but AZ the instance Of MIR. Clay On TIE eafr,s
o day Eir Russell add cssed letter 70 he 81.
Il cretary OF State, admitting chat he was In
- fbg tuirojfv In that rroro.fss,., M $500.