Richmond semi-weekly times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 184?-1853, 1851-01-31
CORRESPONDENCE
Bct1een The British Consul at Charleston and the
Governor Of South Carolina
PROTEST OF Consul MATHEW

Bet10een The British Consul at Charleston and The
Governor Of South Carolina
PROTEST. OF Consul MATHEW.
COLUMBIA, Dec. IA 1850.
The undersigned, her Britannia majestys consul for
the States OF ort and South Carolina has the honor
to intimate to your eXceency that he is Instructed to
invite the consideration OF excellency and ofthe
Legislature OF South Carolina, assembled, 10 the
existing law OF the State, under which class of her
Britannia malesys sub ecs entering, on the guarantee
OF national treaty. the ports OF South Carolina in
trading vessels or in distress are taken from the pro.
lection OF the British flag and imprisoned in the common
Jails until the moment of their ships departure
The direct mode adopted by IL. B. NJ government
in this communication will, the undersigned hopes be
accepted as further proot OF consideration and good
will toward the State OF South Carolina.
Aware OF the constitutional change impending upon
his ARRIVAL he has purposely awaited your exceeucy's
official inauguration into office.
The State OF South Carolina the UNDERSIGNED on,re-
bends, has derived advantages of moment from the
present liberal com mercia intercourse with Great Bri-
taln as 1t ls evidently the price at which her STABLE
commodities OF rice and cotton be sold, that limits
their production and importation from various other
countries; nor VIII it escape the recollection of your
excelency and of the Legislature that the punctous
adherence OF the Brit sh government the unintended
but strict application OF the wording OF the mutual tea-
y, enabled talented Carolinian gentleman to obtain
for the South, under it, further benefit
10 the distinct clause OF that treaty, and to the de-
cIarat!on IN the Constitution of the United States chat
the Constitution and the laws of the United States
which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all the
treaties made or which shall be made under the author
tiles OF the United States, shall be the supreme law of
the land the undersigned hees to call your exceencys
attention. experimenting that s lnractipn by the act in
question will appear ndubitabe.
The substitution OF any more ''protectice" basis of
commercial intercourse for the present treaty would,
he feels persuaded be at variance with the wishes of
H. g. MS government, but It is just and Indispensable
to It's continuance, that perfect reciprocity in its adj
vantages should be admitted.
ii. b. Ms government seek this reciprocity in the
unrestricted trade OF Fl B. Ms. West Indian colonies
with all parts OF the United States These colonies
mainly depend on their imports for corn -four cattle
salt, provisions and lumber, and, to their small
GUS vessels, necessarily manned by mixed and coored
creoles,) as the ports OF North and South Carolina
respectively suitable and ut all seasons acces-
stle.
Your excellency and the Legislature will the under.
signed cannot doubt, concur with him in the general ill.,
ternatona understanding OF the p0UerS or port regua
tons coer1sent 10Th treaties, name ythat such per-
manen regulations should extend foreigners the same
restrictions they impose natives of the spot, where
they enforced OF similar class and calling, and no
more.
The undersigned INDUCES in the hope that under these
circumstances, the Legislature of South Carolina will
see tit to abrogae or amend such portion OF the law
applies 10 the subjects OF Foreign allied powers and
will thus strengthen the existing bonds OF commerce. of
friendship, and OF mutual good faith, with kindred
nation.
(Signed) GEORGE B. MATHEW.
10 bis exceency the Governor and Comander~in~Chef
OF S. Caro- ina, &C. &cj