The Arkansas advocate., 1832-03-07


 l tcrs of the U. States. If, in a delibe-
 rate and formal letter of instructions.
 admonitions and directions are given to minister, and repeated, once andi a. gain to urge these mere party considc-
 ratons on the foreign government, to what extent, is it probable, the writer himself will be disposed to urge them, Ein his one thousand opportunities of in- formal intercourse with the agents of tbat Government.
 l propose, sir. to refer to some par ticular parts of these instructions; but before do that, allow me 10 state. very generally, the posture of that subject, to which these particulars relate. That subject was thesstate of our trade with ithe British West india colonies. do
 not deem it necessary HOW 10 go minute l ly into all the history of that trade.-- 1.-The occasion docs not cali for 1t. fiji know. that by the Convention of 1915,
 T reciprocity Of intercourse was estab- lished between us and Great Britain. The ships of both countries were allow ed to pass, to and from each other res peotiyely, with the same cargoes, and subject to the same duties. But this arrangement did not extend 10 the Bri- tish West Indies. There, our inter- Icourse was cut off. Various discrimi- hating and retaliatory acts were passed. by England ard the United States Eventually, in the summer of 1895, the .English Parliament passed an act, of fering reciprocity, so for as.the mere car r.ying tYade was roaccrnei, 10 all nations, who might choose, within one year, to accept that offer.
 NIT. Adams Administration did not accept that offer, first, because it was never officially communicated to 1t; se- copdly, because, only few months be- fore, a negotiation on the very same subject had been suspended, with an understanding, that it might be resumed; and thirdly, because ii was very desirable te arrange the whole matter, if possible by Trea- Ity, in order 10 secure if we could tbe cd. mission of our products into the Brtish
 islands for consumption, as well as the admission of our vessels. This object had been earnestly pursued ever since l the peace of 1915. IL was insisted on as every body knows, through tue whole of Mir. Monroess Administration. He would not treat at all without treating of this object. He thought the exis- ting state of things, better than any ar engagement, which, while it admitted ressels into West India Ports, still left our p7odatctions subject to such duties there that they could not be carried.
 Now, sir. Mr. Adams Administra- ton was not the first to take this ground. It only occupied the same position which its predecessor had taken. It saw no important objects to be gained by changing the state of things, unless that change was to admit our products into the British West Indies, directly from our ports, and not burdened with excessive duties. The direct trade, by English enactments and American Aen~ actments, had become closed. No Bri- tish ship came here from the British West Indies. No American ship went from us to those places. A circuitous trade took place. through the Islands of third Powers; and that circuitous trade
 was, Tn many respects, not aavanta- geous 10 us.
 In this state of things, sir, Mr. Me
 Lane was sent 10 England; and he re- ceived his instructions from the Secre- tary of State: In these instructions. and in relation to this subject of the Colonial Trade,are foundthc sentiments of which l complain. What are they? Let Us examine. and see.
 Mir. Van Ruren tells Mir. McLane. 1.-The opportunities zrhich.you haze dervved from c participation if our public cou,s- cils, as suel os other sources of iaafornaa- ton, ari1 enadle yos, to speoh with eonf- dence (as you mog deem st proper and use- taslso to dol Of fhe aaspeetiDe .paa;fs tahe,a 6y tlose to zrhons tue Administration ot his Gopernaeat $ nozs committed. aa re- lahon 10 hs course heretotore pursued up on the subject of Me Colonial Trade 5
 Now, this is neither more norless than saying, "you will be abie to tell the British Minister, whenever you think proper, that you, and l, and the leading personsin this Administration, have op- posed the course heretofore pursued by the Government and country. on the subject of the Colonial Trade. Be sure