Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-18
From tie National MisiEgcnccr.
TO TIE EDiTORS


H. CLAY presents his respects to Mcssrs. Gales
u Scatom, and, i'll reply to the note of Gen. s.
S'ri, of the 18th list published in their pa per Of
The 'lth INST requests them to state in tho Intci-
gcucCr:
That the point in issue, between Cen Smith
and me is, whether told him that the terms con-
trined in the British of Parliament, OF July
$50, were considered by me to be "all we could
ASA lie alleges that so Informed him; deny il
ana have said and repeat, that could not have so
informed him. The reasons which render it mere
HI'lc that should have expressed such opinion
to Cen Smith, arc stated in my former note, and
remain unanswered.
Instead OF producing any proof to establish his
assertion, lie has presented to the public Il letter
ro"i the hon. MIR. Cam5rceng, which docs not
touch tho point ia SsHc. Mr. Camhrccng SAYS lie
had occasion To call my attention to the fact of the
Comptroller of the Customs at Halifax, in Nova
Scotia, having construed the provisions of the act
OF $50 20 apply To the vessels OF the United States
That is true, and addressed a letter 10 Mr. Cam
brc!cng, under date the 25ih day OF Dec 1905 now
proximity on the files of the Department of State.
III winch stated nay opinion thlt the British act
could not have been intended to he applied TO the
intercourse between the United States and the
Hr!'ISh Colonies because, ''iirs il would be incon
SlStehL WIFI professions made by that government
TO this, and with negotiations contemplated be-
tween the two governments, ifnot yet resumed
secondly no notice has been given at NaslInrto on
or at London of such purpose as that which, for
lhc lrst time, is indicated ut Halifax Thrdly the
BRUSH minister here is unadvsed by his poyern
mcnt OF any intention to close tho colonial ports
n&Aii'at our vessels; and, tourhy no information
has been received here from any British colonial
port, except Halifax, of such intentions And
with respect to that port tho operation of thc act
was suspended in respect to the United States in
consequence OF the ntcrposon of Mr.. VAUGHAN
al my instance.
MIR. Cambrelong further states that lie "una.r.
S'"'"' Mr. Clay as asserting TO the proprieiv and
necessity Of adopting reciprocal measure. and
us expressing desire that Congress would act M
on the subject. That it was necessary TO adoDt n
measure Of some sort, in consequences of the act
Oh armament, Is sufficiently manifest. But that
would have left open the question whether it shoud
nave been measure OF Legislation or negotiations
or both. He adds that hc understood me as OK
pressing desire that Congress would act upon the
SUBJECT. can only say, that Mr.. Cambrelcnr mis-
understood me, which is, however not material
because, according to his own account of the mat
ter the misunderstanding could have bcoa only mo-
'"cht"ry, Tor he says that days afterwards he
rsceIVoda note of mine which had requested Gen
smith To show him, stating, accorfinr to his re-
G"iie@i"n, that when he had conferred with mo I
ma" expressed an opinion in iavor OF LEGISLATION
tntt upon reflection had thought It best to secure
tHlS Trace by HcgOitaiioH; but though frrOying fbe
LGtteF c0W%c, 1t was doubtful question and if
congress should lcgislate, tho Government ought
TO aequcscc.
The statement of Mr.. Cambrclong cvinccs moro
IMAM ever the cNpedcncy of the exhibition of INV LET
Ter to Gen. Smith lie now brings forward what
INC General had omitted TO make the SLIGHTEST A.
fusion TO, tho fact, that had expressed, in that
Icier, preference far ncgo!j0iioH II is 10 he no.
ped that the great distance from this CITY TO
Baltimore, and the want of communication be- |
tween the two places will be overcome and that tho
iet'cr VIII be procured ana published. Or if it bo
on The hlcs of the State Department, al the &C. |
neral appears to have ready access 10 thoin that
copy VIII be procured from the record
ne attempt now TO prove that the i'll JUDGED
and inchcctn'i movement Of Gen. Smith, i'm tho
session lo25-6, 10 provide for the Colonial inter
coarse, by legislation, at lha instance of or
by tho Department of State surely
needs no rctntatUn. For six years past the
charge has been made and reiterated, i'm a thou
sand forms, (aEd by no one moro frequently than
by Gen Smith HIMSELF against The late Admins
ration, that it sought TO accomplish by nerotia
ION what ought to have been attained by lcgrsIa |
ION. The whole correspondence between the two
Governments, on this subjcc, demonstrated that
nc late Administration did expect, and that it had
r'ght 10 expect, from the conduct of The British
Government itself, that the trade would be adjust
"a by negotiation. II the late Administration
lad believed that the question could ha We been set
lie III Io25-G, by the passage of an act of Con !
greSs Contrary TO what Mr. Canning SUBSEQUENT |
y assured Mr.. Gailatin,) sach an act would have
been regularly proposed by the Department Of
state through one of The Committees Of the two
ionscs, and not through Az irGigi5ual member Of
"T ''In'e' H. &.
Warrington, iHesiay crcaiag