The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-12-13

The pacific and wise policy of our Gov
eminent kept US in state of neutrality
during the wars that have, at different Pc
RODS since our political existence, been
carried on by other powers: but this poll
icy, while it gave activity and extent to
our commerce, exposed it in the same
proportion to injuries from the bellgerent
nations Hence have arisen Claims Of
indemnity for those injuries. England,
France, Spain, Holland, Sweden, Den
mark, Naples, and lately Portugal, had
all, in greater or less degree, infringed
our neutral rights. Demands for repa-
ration were made upon all They have
had in all, and continue to have in some
cases, a leading influence on the nature
of our relations with the powers on whom
they were made.
OF the claims upon England it is un-
necessary to speak, further than to say,
that the state of things to which their
prosecution and denial gave rise has
been succeeded by arrangements pro-
ductive of mutual good feeling and ami
tries, which it is hoped will not be inter-
rupted. One Of these arrangements is
that relating TO the colonial trade, which
was communicated to Congress at the
last session; and although the short peri
od during which it has been in force will
not enable me to form an accurate judg-
ment of its operation, there is every rea-
son to believe that it will prove highly
beneficial The trade thereby authoriz-
aI boz .b O.h
last, upwards of 80, 900 tons ofAmerican,
and $4,000 tons of foreign shipping in
the outward voyages; and, in the inward,
nearly an equal amount of American, land
10000 only of foreign tonnage. Ad-
vantages, too, have resulted to our agri-
cultural interests from the state Of the
trade between Canada and our Terrific
ries and States bordering on the ST. Law
renee and the Lakes, which may prove
more than equivalent to the loss sustain
ed by the discrimination made to favor
the trade of the northern colonies with the
West Indies.
After our transition from the state of
colonies to that Of an independent nation,
settled between US and Great Brrtain.-
Among them was the demarkation OF
boundaries, not described with sufficient
precision in the Treaty of Peace. Some
of the lines that divide the States and
Territories Of the United States from the
British Provinces, have been definitlve-
ly fixed. That, however, which sepa-
rates us from the Provinces of Canada
and New Brunswick to the North and
the East, was still in dispute when l
came into office. But found arrange
ments made for its settlement, over which
| had no control The commissioners
who had been appointed under the pro-
visions of the Treaty of Ghent, having
been unable to agree, convention was
made with Great Britain by my immedi-
ate predecessor in Office, with the advice
and consent of the Senate, by which 1t
was agreed '.that the points of difference
which have arisen in the settlement OF
the boundary line between the American
and British dominions, as described IN
the 5th Article Of the Treaty of Ghent,
shall be referred as therein provided, to
some friendly sovereign or State, who
shall be invited to investigate, and make
decision upon such points OF differ
ence;" and the King of the Netherlands
having, by the late President and his
Britannia Majesty, been designated as
such friendly sovereign, it became my
duty to carry, with good faith, the agree
ment so made into full effect. TO this
end | caused all the measures to be taxi
en- which we're necessary to a full EXPOSE
ton Of our case to the Sovereign Arbiter;
and nominated as Minister Plenipotenti-
ary to his court, distinguished citizen
of the State most interested in the ques-
ton, and who had been one of the agents
previously employed for settling the con-
troversy. On the 10th day of January
last, His Majesty the King ofthe Meth
erlands delivered to the Plenipotentiaries
of the United States, and Of Great Brit
ain, his written opinion on the case refer
red to him. The papers in relation to the
subject will be communicat ated, by spec
ial Message. to the proper branch Of the
Government, with the perfect confidence
that its wisdom will adopt such measures
as will secure an amicable settlement of
the controversy, without infringing any
constitutional right Of the States immedi-
ately interested. s.
II affords me satisfaction to inform you
that suggestions, made by my direction,
to the Charge d'Affaires ofhis Britannia
Majesty, to this Government, have had
their desired effect in producing the re-
lease of certain American citizens, who
were imprisoned for setting up the au-
thority Of the state Of Name, at place
in the disputed Territory under the actu-
al jurisdiction of his Britannia Majesty.
From this, and the assurances / have re-