Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-14
From the United States Ga.ette.

From the United States Ga.etts
THE HON. LOUIS McI.ANE AND TIVE
BRITISH WEST INDIA TKADE-No TX.
The provisions of the act of Congress. of Nav
30, 1889, require particular attention; and sb,H
then approach tho closing scene of Mr. McJ,n,,.
negotiation
But desire first to notice suggestion rocont,x
made in cHtcnuation of his conduct, by tho oditor
OF respectable journal.
Ii has been said, that the instructions under which
MIR. Nc Lane acted, bound him to the undignified
course that he pursued; and, therefore, the rcspon
sioih'y rests IN much less degroo upon him. than
upon MIR. Van Buren,
Certainly the instructions orc extremely illsui,
ca LOT the occason and the envoy, in that part of
MS conduct which we have examined conformed
TO thelr spirit and tone with sufficient exactncss
Let the apology have its full weight; but it must
nevertheless be observed, that Mr. M'Iane v,r
entirely at liberty to decline acting under instruc
tons involving any sacrifice of propriety When
public minister, resident abroad, receives irstrue
ton from his government, requiring him to act in
opposition to the dictates of his own conscientious
judgment, the alternative is a difficult one either
to obey, or by refusal, to cause delay and embar
basement in the business with which he is charged
But MIR. MLane received and read his instruc-
hons before leaving nome; he has, therefore, no
such excuse.
He might have declined, absolutely, to hold an
appointment on conditions inconsistent with patri-
etism and honor. - -
But without the REIMBURSEMENT of office-whicb.
perhaps to him would have been an impossible of.
fort of self-dcnial-surcly he might have obtained
a modification of the instructions, by remonstra-
ting with his friend, the secretary of state against
their undignihed and unpatriotic character.
At least he might have tried. Mr. Van Buren,
was at his elbow, and might have been reminded by
Mr.. MIane, that
dom of thought and action, imposing no unneces.
sary restraints and calling into exercise tho high
est energies OF the mind occasional differences Of
opinion are not only to be expected but to be de.
ctrQh Rffff ot<f ot,z
ned to subjects which concern ourselves In tho
collisions which may arise between the United
States and foreign power, it is duty present
an unbrohen 'front.' Domestic differences, if they
tend to give encouragement to unjust pretensions
should be extinguished deferred and the
cause OF our government must be considered the
cause of our countrY."
Mr.. Van Buren, could not have gainsayed these
sentiments for they his o,rn; or were at least
uttered by him In the senate his own.
MIR. McLane might have said also, 1.-The humili.
ating spectacle of foreign government specula-
ting for the advantage which it may derive from
our dissentions; will, trust, never again be tho
reproach of the American people"
Mr.. Van Buren, could not choose but respond to
this patriotic hope, foI it was his public, and
published aspirations.
Nor could Mr.. Van Buren, deny the application
of these uery words the immediate subject of the
INSTRUMENTATION they were spoken by him in d.
rect reference to this same question of British CO.
ionlal trade, in speech delivered by him in tho
senate on the Oath of February, 1927
And, as the alleged ground of censure, IN the in
sructions, was, that the late administration had
not at once adopted Mr.. Canning's view of the
subject, Mr.. McLane might also have cited another
passage from the same speech, where Mr.. Van Blu
| rem declared
''lf we direct attention to the ground which
Mr. Canning has assumed, there can be, on this
side of the Atlantic, difference of opinion. It
Is ndefensible in its principle, and unjust to its ap
| plication."
Iii difficult to believe, that if Mr.. Van Buren,
had been reminded ofthese just views, and elevat-
ed sentiments, recently uttered by himself no
could have persevered in framing letter of in
structlons irreconcileably variant, deplora.
bly, the reverse, in tone, spirit, sentiment and
character.
In leaving this part of the subject, 1 cannot
suppress the reflection, that if the Secreta ~
of State had merely transferred the above
cited passages from his published speech into
the letter of instructions he would have spared his
friend from degradation tina. will be hard to re-
trieve and saved his own fame from the stain of
one indeib!e reproach.
But Mr.. McLane seems not to have been con-
ten even with reluctant and dutful fulflnent of
his orders; catching their spirit he with cheerful
alacrity' went much farther.
The act of congress, called sometimes Mr.. CAM
brclengs act, provided-that when the president
ing particulars, viz.
l. That tho British government viii open the
colonial ports;
2. That American vessels and their cargoes en-
discriminating duties;
3. That American vessels may import into those
colonial ports from the United States any article
or articles which could be imported in British
vessel from the United States into those colonial
ports;
| 4. That American vessels may export from the
British colonial ports, any article that can be
ported therefrom in British vessel, and to any
other country than the British dOminions or pos
sessions;
5. That the commercial intercourse of the Uni,
ted States with all other parts of the British do
mnons, is left footing not less favorable to the
United States than before.
Then all this being ascertained, the president ia
authorised TO issue his proclamation, declaring that
he has received such evidence, and thereuPon-
| l. The ports of the u. States will DO opened to
to British vessels, coming from the colonial ports,
and their cargoes,
2. No discriminating or alien duties to be char
ged upon these vessels and cargoes.
3. British vessels to DO allowed to import into,
and export from, the United States, any articles
which American uesseLs may.
4. Tho acts of 1913, 1870, and 1929 are repeal
ed or suspended accordingly.
5. And by separate section, British YES
from the British North American possessions, are to
DO admitted to entry in ports.
Mr.. McLane communicated this act Of congress
to lord Aberdeen, describing it voluntary aud
leading step in the conciliatory policy of the two
nations taken in disdain of the restraints of FORM
&c.
Hc also recopmendcd it as concedlng the right
to the British of regulating their iatsr-coionial
trade. But have alrea " remarked the style and
manner of his communications. Certainly the Bel
gian commissioners could not have been orc ban
N