Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-09
RECIPROCITY WITH GREAT BRITAIN.


In SESATE-MARcH S, 1885,
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the fol-
lowing Executive communication:
WAsuIssroS, MARcH 4, 1850.
To the Senate Of the United States
herewith transmit Congress copies of recent CORE
spondence between the Department of State and the British
Minister Washington, relating subjects which seem to
require the consideration Of the Legislative rather than the
Executive branch Of the Government.
'eS1'''e ',N''e' e. TAYLOR.
The Secretary read the correspondence referred fol-
lows:
BRIrIsH LEGATION,
WASHINGTON, JANUARY /, 1850.
SIR Her Majeys Government saw, with great satsfac-
on the Decree published by the President OF the United
Saes concedng British vessels in American ports the same
privileges and advantages which granted to American ves
sells in British ports by the modification Of the British
navigation laws; and happy to you that the
vessels of the United States would not be excluded by
order in council from the full benefit of that change OF system
which Great Britain has adopted.
There are, however, three matters to which must
call your attention. believing that the real object and spirit Of
your standing regulations confer the vessels Of for
egn Powers those advantages which such foreign Powers
confer upon the vessels Of the United States.
As the coasng trade Of the United Kingdom is still strict
reserved to British vessels would of propose
to the United States Government that British vessels should
be admitted to trade and fro between the several ports
the eastern coast Of the United States because such trade
being strictly coastng trade is it may be presumed conn
ed United States vessels But the trade between the ports
the and those the west coast of the United States
involving does the necessity Of passing through seas
and along far beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the
United States resembles in its and character the
trade carried between the United Kingdom and the
marine possessions Of the British crown, into which trade the
authorizes the admission Of the vessels of all countries
which may be disposed TO the concessions of Great B
tain in spirit Of fair reciprocity and her Maestys Govern
ment conceive that If the United States be ad
itted this privilege the United States Government may
be fairly expected return admit British vessels trade
between the Atlantic and Pacific ports Of the United States
Moreover you will be that American vessels, be-
coming the property Of British Subjects admissible
the advantages of British registers and therefore deem
no than reasonable and fair expect that
will be adopted by the United States Government for maxi
ing British vessels, becoming the property Of American cili
zens admissible to the advantages Of American register
1t will give much pleasure to be able to satisfy her
Majes,ys Government promptly on these particulars
avail myself of this occasion you the
RANGES of my highest consideration.
Hon. J. M. CLAYTON, &c. &c. &c.
a..'4~ BRITISH LEGATION, .a."
WAsHrNeroS, JANUARY 3, 1850.
SIR II having been represented her Maesys Govern
that there is idea the part Of the Government
Of the United States increase the duties upon British iron
imported into the United States Lhave been instructed by her
Majesys Government to express the United States Gov
the hope of her Maesty Government that addi
ton will be made the duties imposed by the present ta if
Of the United States which already weigh heavily British
productions and cannot but observe, for my part that
augmentation of the duties British produce manuac
tues made at moment when the British Government has,
by series Of measures, been facilitating the be-
the countries, would produce very dsagreeabe
effect public opinion in England.
avail myself Of this opportunity to to you the
surance Of my most distinguished consideration.
HENRY L. BULWER.
Hon. JOHN NJ. CLAYTON, &c.
y .... DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsH1SGTos, JANUARY IA, 1850.
SIR was honored by the receipt Of your note Of the let
instant assuring that the vessels of the United States
would be excluded by any order in council from the full
benefit Of that change of system which Great Britain has
adopted by the modification of her navigation laws
and expressing the great satisfaction of her Maestys Gov
with the decision Of the President of the United
States concedng to British vessels in American ports the
privileges and advantages which granted to
American vessels in British ports
The questions whether British vessels shall be admitted to
trade you PROPOSE between the Atlantic and Pacific ports
of the United States and whether vessels Of British build
shall be admitted the advantages of American register
considered by the President the proper subjects for egs
ave consideration, and will be submitted the judgment
Of Congress.
avail myself of this occasion to to you the
rance of my distinguished consideration. -
JOHN M CLAYTON.
Rt. Hon. Sir H. L. BuLwER, &c. &c. &c.
Mr. KING. move to refer the message and accompany
ing documents to the Committee Commerce.
MI. UNDERWOOD. l wish to divide that motion It
that the first letter, in reference to the existing
tariff might 60 10 the Committee Commerce but the
cond letter. which relates to the duties iron, appears to
me- should go the Committee of Ways and Means, per-
haps the Committee Of Finance understand that both
letters been here because they have been presented
the State Department by the British Minister, calling the
attention Of the Government to probable action in refer
classes Of interests think would be proper to divide
the reference. wish here remark that the whole proceed
ing strikes something
But If the British Minister be tolerated TO make sug
gesons the passage of laws which may affect the feel
ngs and interests of the English people, hope the commit
tee will be kind enough direct their attention TO
mode of suggesting modification Of the British tariff espe
caly in relation the article of tobacco, and two
other articles which the British duties enormously
high. Sir if arrangement could be made by which
they would recprocaeths feeling, arrangement could
be made that would terminate in the mutual advantage OF the
producers Of both countries, it would be to OF
great qualification. that the first Of these letters be
referred to the Committee Of Ways and Means and the
cond to the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. DAVIS, of Massachusetts. The first motion seems to
me to be the one lay the message the table not
NTH v;eu that should remain there Int that we should