The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-04

suc Ouise0 ouose8 06L Whenever tney SHALL iuini WIG
treaty On their para J. my part, will falfil it IN vi
iss particulars. am sure wish you safe and
pleasant voyage, and much comfort with your family
and freR1s.n ~ -
The Continental Congress declined appointing
successor - Mr.. Adams at the British court, and
thus matters stood until after the organization Of
the government under The constitution, in 1889.
President Washington authorized Gouverneur Morris,
who was then 70 Europe, on his own private bust
ness, to act as government agent for the purpose of
ascertainiog whether, If another minister were ap-
pointed, the British government would reciprocate
the compliment, and also what their views might be
TO carrying into full execution the treaty Of peace
and entering into commercial arrangements. A
premise 10 reciprocate the appointment Of minister
was readily made, but ON the other points Mr. Nor.
rs could obtain little satisfaction and his pride was
touched 1T the indifference with which American
affairs seemed 10 be regarded in England.
TIE strength and dignity added to the American
government, under the constitution, had its effect on
foreign nations. Great Britain at last condescendei to
appoint min lister the United States
in the person of George Hammond, Esq. who arrived
in this country, and presented his credentials IN
August 1901. Soon after his arrival correspondence
was opened between him and Mr.. Jefferson, Score.
tary OF State, the subjects in controversy between
authority 10 conclude commercial treaty, the con-
eiderstion Of these subjects was postponed. The
limited powers Of Mr.. Hammond was matter OF just
complaint in the United States against the British
government Negotiation on this side OF the At
lanic was, however, attended with better success
than on the other. In 1892 Thomas Pnckney, Of
South Carolina, was appointed by President Wash
iDgton and the Senate, Minister Plenipotentary to
Great Britain This period is rendered exceedingly
important in the diplomatic history of the country
by the extraordinary condition of Europe. 1t was
the beginning Of system of blOckades aud oppres-
sive ac,s committed by the begerents, that, toge-
ther with inCalculabe mischief TO the trade OF the
United States, inflicted serious wound upon the
prosperity Of the country, and in the end led, after
an interval Of nearly twenty years Improbable ne
gOtiati,n to war with Great Britain
In the spring of 1853 France declared war against
England and Holland The United States had trea
ties Of amy with these powers, and with France q
treaty Of alliance made in l778 Soon after the state
OF war in Europe was knowa in the United States,
the President issued . proclamation e.joinng a
strict neutrality on all the citizens Washington
was resolved not only to maintain a neutral position
for this country, but the hope of concluding com
mercial arrangement with one Of the great bege
rents was not entirely abandoned. The dispatches
received from England indicated wish not to drive
this country into war; at any rate, it was desirable
10 ascertain beyond doubt the disposition OF the
British ministry and either to remove the causes OF
quarrel or to obtain satisfactory evidence that Great
Britain was Indifferent TO their existence. The Pre-
message to the Senate stating the Importance of
srecial mission, notwithstanding his undmlnished
confidence in Mr. Pipckney the accredited Minister
to London, and he therefore nominated John Jay Us
envoy extraordinary to his Britannia Majesty.
This has been considered one of the boldest and
most decided measures adopted by Gen. Wash
ington during his admins tration. 1t is one
that i5 often referred to IN our political
history, as having awakened at the moment
the utmost reproach and censllre; but there are
fhnsn nf Opr nxxyf,f ifnal
diced by the politics OF former days, who doubt whe-
Their any measure proposed by the iustrous first
President has been in the end, accompanied with
more good consequences to the nation. ut confirmed
at the time, Gays Lyman) the neutrality OF the
country; and consequently extended to trade and
commerce all the confidence and security the GER
tanty Of that fact could bestow. No one feared that
the United States would take part with England.
disturbed in that direction And, when an envoy ex-
traordinary was omnated to his Britannia Majesty,
the nation was satisfied that the Executive ut least,
determined not to take part with France. This no
mnation (of Mr. JAY settled the question of peutra-
lily for many years. The oppressive acts OF the bel
igerents were then in Their infancy. America had,
comparatively, suffered Titles and though not stl-
puaton in favor of neutral rights made III jays
treaty Of 1874, Great Britain appeared to rest Tor
moment, from the unjust increase of her vast power
on the ocean. America escaped war at TINS time,
and she escaped evil infinite in its consequences
The wasting of the French revolution we're just
then beginning; and if this country had at that early
period with all the heat and excitement of the moment
upon her rushed into the fray one could have meted
out the degree of honor or dishonOr that would
have attend ed her course, or have foretold the
natchless institutions. The progress Of events at
last drove her into war with one OF the great bcl-
gcre0ts; but this toward the close of scene of
which she had been for twenty years spectator.
The distance Of America from Europe, the youth and
peculiarly Of her government, the narrowness of
her resources the entire absence of every species Of
military armament, powerfully combined to point out
the course she should adopt. This was most extra
ordinary period, not only from the remarkable cir
cumstance that France had now become professedly
a republic, and was threatened with humiliation by
European coalition, at the head of which was Eng
land, but more extraordinary still, from the moral
phenomenon that the minds Of men, in all civilized
countries Of the world were infinitely excited by
universal and overwhelming political infatuation
The government of the United States, depending
solely on opinion, had to contend with this spirit
And that opinion, to which it looked for support and
defence, was Of itself exceedingly infected and be-
wildercd.'
The conduct Of the British government at the
time had greatly embarrassed Washingt0n's admin.
stratiOn. The western forts on the lakes were still
occupied by the British, contrary to the treaty Of
1888. American vessels were seized on their way to
French ports, and American seamen were impressed
into the British navy. The President, after many
circumstances with the British government, was
sensible that crisis was approaching which would
unless the calamity could be averted by negotiation.
John Jay, who was then Chief Justice of the United
States Supreme Court having been confirmed by the
Senate, arrived in London in June, 1894. Colonel
John Trumbull, the artist, accompanied Mr.. Jay, as
Secretary. Gen. Thomas Pinckney, then minister Of
the United States at the Court OF St. James received
the special minister with courtesy, and the greatest
cordially prevailed between Mr.. Jay and him
throughout the negotiation. The reception OF MIR.
Jay BY the British government was calm and decor
ous and his own conduc. was quiet and conciiatory.
The younger Pitt was prime minister, with tory
cabinet and parliament in power. Lord Grenvlle,
then Secretary of State, appointed to meet Mr..
Jay with full powers to confer aud conclude treaty
The negotiation was difficult and complicated in the
extreme To facilitate the discussion of matters
in dispute, it was proposed by Mr.. Jay, and agreed
to by Lord Grenyie, to dispense with the usual
form of diplomatic notes, and to meet and discuss in
convention the points in controversy. No notes
taken of these conversations, the two ministers
only being present at the meetings. without secreta
RES Atlength, after long and tedious negotiation,
the work was brought to an amicabe termination,
by the terms agreed upon Tor treaty, and then
retares and copyists had ample occupation. The
treaty was signed on the 18th November, 1874.