Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-06-27
i rom tho United States, Gazette.
THE HON. LOUIS McLANE,
And THE pHrrIcu ,.,rer ISM. 1r,.nv


AND rHE DRtcIsH WEST TRADE,
Ne. ".
IN my last communication brought my view OF this
1929. S''' "a
Inc ehecs or this measure tested. Tho
British government finding that acts OF parliament wore
not onnpotenti and that they could not regulate our
trade ethout our Consent, resored sgain renewed
experiment of diplomacy
AIr Uas>issen and Mr.. Stafford Canning wore an
pointed specially to conduct negotiation with US on
this subject
stfetions prepared for him By AIr. Adams Secretary
OF teo' together with the corresponds of Mr. RuOh
with the BRITISH s5io,lars; and also with his
government among The best spari,os Of enlirht.
ed statesma1sip and acute logic that the hiatory
our country aifUrds
1t nc?d scarcely DO remarked in passing that tbs dig,
nifty and perfect equality cether country nsro wac lost
sight Of, In this negotiation.
One great point was gained. The British Commits
soners brought to admit tho corroctuess of tho
American principle, and declare the readiness OF
iia government TO make all arrangement tho basis
of just reciprocity.
But it found difficult to settle which 10 iue,
reciprocity 1t has been among ourselves determine
what is ant by judicious tariff.
Some of the British notions of reciprocity were rs.
theT oddi and upon one point perhaps, tho American
government insisted too much
The act OF Congress, of 1923 REQUIRED of the British
TO admit American vessels into their colonial ports on
payment of other higher duties British YES
sells from the United Statas OR ELSEWHERE
I+iis word c!se1rhere very comprehensive and
included England, Nova Scotia and all other British,
possessions. The British commissioners objected to
England and her colonies between any two colonies
was to be considered coastng trade; and therefore
British vessels ought to be allowed to 20 Us free from
London or Halifax to jamaica, (for example as Amer
lean vessels could sail between Now York and Pladol
phia.
This novel dco--and Nir Monroe who ,ros
thcn president did agree that Mr. Rush should admit i,s
correctness. Inc negotiation was suspended, with an
agreement to il after both governments. sbod
| have had time for further consideration.
In tls posture the affair rested when Mr. Aians he
GANG President. w.
Ityyoe 81, .,otI ,,,
| 4 coasing trade extending all round the g!obo-the
| principle OF reciprocity need be affected The aS
nison OF British vessels from British ports into Br
'!sh ports without duty, would require by any re-
cproclty t:e imposition Of discriminating duties npo,
those vessels in ports.
But The value Of the trade you'd be serousIv ,fao+
CT II British vessels might carry from Nova Scott, 20
the West India Islauds free OF duty similar caTroea ~
w import VI ii'S'
The now secretary OF state, Mr. Clay wrote c;rcpl,,
letters letters to many practical merchunts,-West Indra
Traders and others,askng their opinions and in Cor
NATION on the subject of this trade.
Mr. King, who went to England a few weeks ,ffa,
the commencement Of Mr.. Adams administration wac
instructed 20 ascertain tho disposition of the British
statesmen towards adjustment Of the difference
ne anS'yere OF the merchants to Mr.. CIay's inqu.
res are understood TO have presented conficpp opin
ions. Ot-'
Meantime and before Mr.. Kings arrival in England
the British parliament had enacted law which cb,n
| ca their whole system of colonial trade
This act dated July 5, 1925, opened for the five, t
INC i'fsn west India Islands to the commerce of eli
| hI tad.
hanpered with various restrictions and fetered oIso
with discrimination in favor of British shipping
hndt was to extend only to such nations as having
colonies, admitted British commerce to their colonos:
! or to nations, not having colonies who should Mac
the commerce of Great Britain, and of all her forogn
POSSESSIONS III their ports upon the footing of the mot
favored nations. - w 'o''
This act consisted Of nncty-six sections. and il y,
MODEL OF comPieHity and ohscurty, and was accom-
panied by simultaneous passed expressly for tho
encouragement of British navigation;
on the same subject, and equally difficult to understand
The custonhousc officers at different ports in The
bfsn colonies gave these laws dioront constructions:
and Mr.. Vaughan, the British minister at Waabinno
9eing ohciay called upon by Mr. Clay, say whether
discriminating duties would, would not be evcd on
american vessels, under these acts delivered in ,pgs
that mo could not tell.
! There another difficulty This country vv.s ~
CURED as preliminary condition to the intended omen
ing OF the ports TO commerce. to place the
Of Great Britain and all her possessions ON the foon
/ OF the most favored nation
But we had treaties and commercial a-rar,or,o..
win several nations by which discriminating duties
we're aboshcd md treaties were in progress
IN when SUI greater freedom of intercourse was to he
Wptu0Hy allowed To admit British vessels to s,,ch
advantages without any mutually would have been
/ Mr.. Van Buren,, in his Instructions 10 Mr. Mo1a,.
has given perfectly fair view of this Of The bni
ness: Mr.; Clay Ind done it forcbIy, (so is his
habTl but MI Van Buren, is quite intelliriblo
If" says he, at is meant by this condifion that -,
commerce sc OF Great Britain shall be cratuitouev
ana generally placed the footing with those Of
e mos favored nation by CrIRting them privileges
which allow other nations for
IT would he wholly inndmissi5Le.p
r Van NUren illustrates this position az so,e len 9TH,
buitis sufficiently plain; ws ibe nccess;tv Of Srn
imnly explorations this head proceeding from the
brtsh government. w
Tlli; view of the rubjec not new, but unoues.
tIonabIy correct. 4
i T: CIsJ as VIC avo econ, endeavored 10 obtain ouch
preliminary llnation" from the Official representa-
Two OF tho Brtlsh government who wac however mot
empowered 70 afford it, Mr. King was equally unable
TO Obtain any explanation in England for Mr. CANNING.
~hq vas both Prime Minister and Secretary OF STATE
LOT foiGgn Affairs, was i'll during the summer; and Mr.
Mtg oec1ho also disabled by disease and returned
home 20 cioe9 his honorable and useful life
ADAM. n2s tsion OF Congreee' in he period Of Mr.
ticD. ~ irSA' ConiInunlcs
Henry Rate a candidate 70. cong,a.. N Trdi,,s
~ II hardly necessary TO coy that lie IL jackson man
Hls name IL proof enough Of that
Louisville J5drnsl.
ugllloy = Grosvehor Eco. lately appointed Pet
as,9F al oneYa, is the editor of the Geneva sze4te
rfrr