Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-06-27
THE HON. LOUIS McLANE,
AND THE BRITISH WEST INDIA TRADE,
NJ u
No. v.


1iay oing cl!ed by sono of its odvocatcs9 dccla
toir erte willingness that should 10 passed into
law; hat thcy aostaincd from excrng any executive
luiucpcc, either fer or against it,
The decision OF tho Senate, witch was not Il party
all AFTER full view Of .he whole grounj, wa,
z ,lust the repeal Of tho dutes.
In the House of Representatives. the Sumo subject
" a. tartri, hut 10 taken upon IL. Il,
At tho socre sssson, thu nomination Of hr. Gaatin,
T. Nix King, made and confirmed. He
lied carly in tho summer for Europe and furnish
al with instructions drawn up hy Mr.. Clay which di-
roc;od him 10 enquire, whether if of Congress
were passed repeating iii tho restrictions, and admitting
the BRITISH. idea OF coasng trude between London
fIa';S. AID ,nAicd, &c, and abolishing all discrim
rltiuE lv'i'a, the British Government would meet such
With corresponding regulations, forms OF
reel Iyocity.
The proposition comprised in this enquiry was, thcro
;Ept the direct trade should DO open tho vessels
of both nations without alien duties either side.
American vcsscls departing from the islands might go
any whore, except Nhcr British ports British
sells departing from the United States 90 any where
except other ports Of the United States. And what
goods might bo carried by British vessels from our
ports 10 the colonial ports, might equally be carried in
American vessels.
This differed from tho former proposition, in leaving
to the British 70 impose whatever of duties they
might think proper their vessels coming into
the colonial ports, from other colonial ports, from
England.
The principle of reciprocity perfectly guarded
and the utmost freedom of commercial intercourse
contemplated, i'll this proposal
1t will be that the position thus for the
nation by Mr. Clay subsequently, and not long ago.
almost unanimously approved by congress but has been
shomcully abandoned by Mr.. McLane, and President
J .ckson.
The refusal of Congress TO repeal the discriminating
duties, g1vo umbrage TO the British Government; or
used at least plea for another change of their
plans.
After the appointment of Mr.. Goll,tn was known
and within few days Of his arrival in England, an
order of council issued, closing the colonial ports
absolutely, against the Of the United States
but keeping them open to all other nations.
The alleged for this strange and almost hostile
nj had nj
the commerce of England and her possessions on tho
footing of the favored nation
The hollowness of this pretext, have already sesn
Mr. Van Bnren's instructions above cited state the
fairly preliminary explanation necessary
was Indispensable aud not offered, when asked for
II was not given Discriminating or alien duties
actually levied American vessels in seme of the
British colonial ports Tho British government had
agreed adopt reciprocity tho basis of an arranpe
ment; it would he expected therefore, that while
their alien duties vessels continued con
grcss would he willing to repeal alien duties on
heir vessels.
1t would have been a most i-timed abandonment of
the principle to which had adhered since 1850
which NO had compelled them to adopt in PRACTICE
to the trade between this country and England-and
in theory, by the admission OF its Justice and propriety
as 10 the colonial trade itself.
As to what the executive department of the govern
nlcnt nj ght have done--t is also plain, that having
called upon the official representative of British 90
TO say whether the with this coun-
try wasto be affected by the British construction of
their recent of Notwithstanding could be
done while congress had the matter before thcm in
bill reported and under discussion 1t is according
the spirit of institutions for the executive con
troll, nullify dictate tho determinations of the
personalities of the people. i'll the national Legislature
1t not until late in May, 1896 whom congress
adjourned without having passed the bill their table
that the executive could with constitutional proprety
take any decisive step in the business; Mr. Gnlatin
was despatched forthwith and furnished with instruc
tionS to make overture of tho most eponable
. .aractor.
Mr.. Canning at Chat time prime minister as well as
secretary for foreign affairs, much puzzled find
good reason for this proceeding of his government
Russia and France being nations with.
out colonies had cqnay 'rih tile United States omit
ted put British commerce, III their ports on the |
footing Of that OF the most favored nation. He sud
5ony reJorted 10 the absolete doctrines OF colonial
rade and told Mr.. Gaatin, that it entirely mis-
AXE 80 suppose that reciprocity had any thing to do
with tho mattcr;that all trade with co{oujcs was a
mere indulgence and Jooh to other naons and there
ore to regulated by the irresponsible VIII Of the
mother country, and by that alone.
Whether Mr.. Canning preserved grave countenance
when he writing that letter. is recorded; GER
ainy the shift somewhat ludlcrous. But two years
previous his government had declared that recjpToc
was the very basis which they desired found an
This of course disavowcd by the new
doctrine; and the nation of cousting trade equally
nuLLifed.
Mr.. Canning had now taken position which even
his fine powers of e!oquencc cold possibly main.
tain. He knew very well; that the logical batteries Of
Mr.. Gallatin and MIR. Clay would him prcos-
flo Dreaded the encounter; and shrinking from the dis
cusson, he announced the determination Of the British
Chat is Of himself not to make this bust
This after Mr.. Arlington and Mr.. UusI,issoa
had been specially appointed to negotiate; after an ex
press understanding: tnt goation shoud he res,lned
and after rcccsity had been conceded as the proper
basis Of arrangement But Mr. Cnnunr had adj
yanced notion Chinese and prepostcrous-that no
left but the logged resolution to cay no
more, and listen 10 more upon the mbicct.
Mr.. Gaatir had other business in had, and remain
ed in London.
When congress met in December 1896, the whole
orreFPondcnce e." os Of course lad teforo them BY
the president.
ny next communication viii bring the narrative
down to the time Tcn The present administration came
INTO offce. X Y:
meeting Of large portion OF tho citizens OF Wytlo
County, nj the court house Thursday the 18Th dcv
Of May, 1891, being general muster day) for the pu
pore OF taking into consideration the subject Of Inter.
aol improvement by the State.
Tire meeting being organized, Andrew 3. Fulton ESQ
called to tho Chair, and John Foster ccq appointed
secretary.
The Hon. Joseph Draper addressed he meeting at
length, with lis usual ability and animation
ftcr which the following resolutions offered by
homas !. Boyd, ESQ. and unanimously adopted:
Rocoircd,-Fh1t this meeting highly improve Of the
resolutions Of Tire citizens of Washington county
dopcd at a meeting held at Abingdon on the day Of
heir last county court the subject of a Rail-Road