Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-12-08

ernment; and reduction OF duties on
our Cotton and their Wines has been IL
greed on, as consideration for the re-
nunciation Of an important claim for COM
mercial privileges, under the construc-
ton they gave to the Treaty for the ses-
sion of Louisiana.
Should this Treaty receive the proper
sanction, source of irritation will be
stopped, that has for so many years, in
some degree alienated from each other,
two nations, who from interest, ,as well as
the remembrance Of early associations
ought to cherish the most friendly rela-
tions-an encouragement will be given
for perseverance in the demands Of JUS
tice, by this new proof, that, if steadily
pursued, they will be listened to-and
admontion will be offered to those Pow
ers, if any, which may be inclined to E.
wade them, that they will never be aban-
doned. Above all, n just confidence
will be inspired in our fellow-citizens, that
their Government will exert all the pow
ers with which they have invested it in
support of their just claims upon Foreign
nations; at the same time that the franl,
acknowledgement and provision for the
payment of those which were addressed
to our equity, although unsupported by
legal proof, affords practical illustra-
ton Of our submission to the divine rule
of doing to others what we desire they
should do unto us.
Sweden and Denmark having made
compensation for the Irregularities COM
mitted by their vessels, or in their ports, to
the perfect satisfaction of the parties con-
cerned; and having renewed the Treaties
Of Commerce entered into with them, our
political and commercial relations with
those Powers continue to be on the most
friendly footing.
With Spain, our differences, up to the
22d of February, 1919, were settled by
the Treaty of Washington, Of that date
but, at subsequent period, our com.
merce with the states, formerly colonies
Of Spain, on the continent Of America,
was annoyed and frequently interrupted
by her public and private armed ships
They captured many of our vessels pros
ecuting lawful commerce, and sold
them and their cargOes; and, at one time,
to our demands for restoration, and in
dcmnity opposed the allegation, that they
were taken in the violation offs blockade
Of all the ports of those states. This
blockade was declaratory only, and the
made quacy of the force to maintain it,
was so manifest, that this allegation was
varied to charge of trade in contraband
of war. This, in its turn, was also found
untenable; and the minister whom l
sent with instructions to press for the rep
aration that was due to our injured fellow
citizens, has transmitted an answer to his
demand, by which the captures are de-
clnred to have been legal, and are justi-
fed, because the independence of the
States of America never having been
acknowledged by Spain, she had right
to prohibit trade with them under her old
colonial laws. This ground of defence
was contradictory mot only to those which
had been formerly alleged, but to the un-
form practice and established laws Of
nations; & had been abandoned by Spain
herself in the convention which granted
indemnity to British subjects for captures,
made at the time, under the same circum-
stances, and for the same allegations with
those Of which we complain.
l however indulge the hope that fur
ther reflection will lead to other views,
and feel confident that when His Catho-
lie Majesty shall be convinced of the
justice Of the claim, his desire to preserve
friendly relations between the two coun-
tries, which it is my earnest endeavor to
maintain, will induce him to accede to
our demand. l have therefore Dispatch
ed a special messenger with instructions
to our Minister to bring the case once
more to his consideration; to the end that
if, which l cannot bring myself to be-
lieve, the same decision, that cannot but
be deemed an unfriendly denial ofjustice,
should be persisted in, the matter may,
before your adjournment, be laid before
You, the constitutional judges of what is
proper to be done when negotiation for
redress of injury fails.
The conclusion of Treaty for in
demnity with France seemed to present
n favorable opportunity to renew our
claims Ofa similar nature on other pow
ers; and particularly in the case ofthose
upon Naples, more especially as in the
course of former negotiations with that
power our failure to induce France to
render us justice was used rs an argu-
ment against us, The desires of the
merchants who were the principal suffer-
ers have therefore been acccdcd 20, and
mission has been instituted for the
special purpose Of obtaining for them n
already too long delayed.
This measure having been resolved on,
t was put in execution without waiting