The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-28
Protest or Consul Matthew.
CoLuup,A, Dec. IA. 1850.

COLUMBIA, Dec. IA, 1850.
The undersigned, her Britannia Majesty con
| sui for the States of North and South Carolina
has the honor to intimate to your Excelency tina,
he is instructed to invite the consideration of your
ExcsNency and of the legislature of South Carroll
| ma, now assembled, to the existing law Of the
| State, under which class of her Britannia Ma.
Jesty's subjects entering, on The guarantee Of a
national treaty, the ports ofjSouih Carolina, in
trading vessels, or IN 'dlstress, F" are taken from
the protection Of the British flag and imprisoned
in the common jails until the moment Of their
| ships departure.
The direct mode adopted by II. B. Ms gov
eminent IN this communication, will, the under
| signed hopes, be accepted rs further proof 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
Exceency's official Inauguration into Office.
The State of South Carolina, the undersigned
apprehends, has derived advantages Of moment,
from the present liberal commercial intercourse
with Great Britain, it is evidently the price al
rhich her staple commodities # rice aud cotton can b.
cold, that limits their production and importation
from rarious other countries, nor viii it escape the
recollection of your ExceIlency and of the egisla-
ture, that the punctous adherence of the British
government to the unf tend d bat strict, applica-
tion ofthe wording Of the mutual treaty, enabled
a talented Caronian gentleman to obtain for the
South, under it, further benefit.
To the distinct clause Of that treaty, and 10 the
declaration in the Constitution Of the United
States, s,hat the Constitution, and the laws ofthe
United States, which shall be made in pursuance
thereof, and all the treaties mqde or ,chich shall b.
made under The authorities Of the United States shall
be the supreme la,c Of the land, " the undersigned
begs to call your Excellency's attention, appre.
bending that its nfraction by the act in question
will appear lndubitable.
The substitution of any more protective" basis
Of commercial intercourse for the present treaty.
would, he feels persuaded, be at variance with
the wishes OF III. B. Ms Government, but it is
Just and indispensable to its continuance, that
perfect reciprocity in its advantages should be ad-
mited
II. b. Ms Government seek this reciprocity in
the unrestricted trade Of Fl. B. Ms West'Indian
co lonIes, with all parts Of the United States
These colonies mainly depend on their imports for
corn, -four, cattle, salt, provisions, and lum Der,
and, to their small numerous vessels necessarily
manned by mixed and coored creoles) as the
ports Of North and South Carolina, respectively
are more suitable, and at all seasons accessible.
Your excellency and legislature will, the under
signed cannot doubt, concur with him in the
general international unde standing Of the pocers
port regulations co-erisen ,rth treaties namely
that such permanent regulations should extend to
foreigners the same restrictions they impose on
natives, Of the spot, where they are enforced, of
a similar class and calling, aud no more.
The undersigned INDUCES in the hope that, un-
der these circumstances, the Legislature Of South
Carolina will see fit 10 abrogate or amend such
portion Of the law applies to the subjects OF
foreign allied powers, and will thus sirene then the
existing bonds Of commerce, OF friendship, and OF
mutual good faith, with a kindred nation
(Signed) GEORGE b. MATHEW
To His Excellency, the Governor and Com-in-
chief of South Carolina &c, &C. -