Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-02-23

terms rs similar produce OF the British
American continental possessions; that,
without this equality, our produce could
not maiptain in the British West Indies Il
fair competition with the produce of Can
ada; and that British preference given to
the Canadian produce in the West In
dies would draw from the western part of
Newly ork and the northern part of Ohio
American produce into Canada, aggran-
dizing Montreal, and Quebec, and giving
employment to British shipping, to the
prejudice of the canals of New Y ork the
port of New York, and American ship,
ping.
This was the offence of the American
Government; and we are at this moment
realizing the evils which it foresaw.-I
Our produce is passing into Canada, en-
richng her capitals, and nourishing Brit
ish navigation. Our own wheat is trans
ported from the western part of n. York
into Canada, there manufactured, and
thence transported in British ships in the
form of Canadian flour. We are thus
deprived of the privilege even of manu-
featuring our own grain. And when the
produce of the United States shipped
from the Atlantic ports, arrives at the
British West Indies; it is unable in con-
sequence of the heavy duties with which
most of it is burthened, to sustain COM
petition with British or colonial produce,
freely admitted.
The general rule may be admitted that
every nation has right to favor its own
productions, by protecting duties or other
regulations; but, like all general rules, it
must have its exceptions. And the rela-
ton in which Great Britain stands to her
Continental and West India Colonies,
from which she is separated by vast sea,
and the relations in which the u. States
stand to those Colonies, some Of which
are in juxtapostion with them, constitute
fit case for such an exception.
1t is true that the late Administration
did authorize MIR. Gallatin to treat with
Great Britain upon the basis Of the rule
which has been stated, but it was with
the express understanding that some COM
petent provision should be made in the
treaty to guard against the British mono
poly of the transportation Of our own pro-
duce passing through Canada. MIR. Gal
latin was informed "that the u. States
consent to waire the demand which they
have heretofore made of the admission of
their productions into British Colonies at
the same, and no higher rate of duty, as
similar productions are chargeable with
when imported from one into another Brit
ish Colony, 'cith the exception Of our pro-
duce descending the 81. Laurence and The
.So,rel."
There was no abandonment of our right,
no condemnation of the previous conduct
ofour Government, no humiliating admis-
sion that we had put forth, and too tena-
ciously clung to, unsustalnable preten-
tions, and that Great Britain had all a
long been in the right. We only fore
bore, for the present, to assert, a right,
leaving ourselves at liberty, subsequent
ly, to resume 1t. What MIR. Galatin was
authorized to do, was to make tempo
rary concession, and it was proposed with
this preliminary annunciation. "But,
Notwithstanding, on full consideration
Of the whole subject, the President, anx-
ious to give strong proof to Great Bri-
tain of the desire Of the Government OF
the United States to arrange this long
contested matter of the Colonial inter-
course, in a manner mutually satisiacto-
ry, authorises you, SC. And MIR. Gal
latin was required, "to endeavor to make
a lively impression on the British Gov
ernment, of the concilatory spirit of tina,
of the United States, which. has dictated
the present offer; and Of their expectation
to meet, in the progress of your negotla-
tons, with corresponding friendly dis
position"
Now, sir, keeping in sight Of the OBJ
ject which the late Secretary of State
had in view, the opening of trade with
the British colonies, which was the best
mode to accomplish it? To send our
minister to PROSTATE himself, as a suPpli-
cant, before the British throne, and to
say to the British King-Wc have Of
Tended your majesty: the late American
Administration brought forward pr fen-
tions which we cannot sustain, and they
long and too tenaciously adhered to them
Your majesty was always in the right
But we hope that your majesty will bo
graciously pleased TO recollcct, that i
was not we, who are now in possession o
the American power, but those who have
been expelled from it, that wrongcd YOU
majesty: and that we, when out of pow
er, were on the side of your majesty
And we do humbly pray that your maj
esty, taking all mitigating circumstances
into consideration, will graciously condc
scend to extend to us the privileges OF the
British act of Parliament of 1890, and to
grant us the boon of trade with your
maiesty's West India colonics' Or, to