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


treaty Il euaan y with Great Britain. BID this
commission apes ws 10 have accomplished nothing
in their attempts to negotiate with that power
They assembled ut Paris IN August, 1876, and were
suocessnl In their negotiations ofeates ofoommerce
with several pswers Of Continental Europe Mr.
Hartley, he Brlih Pkenipctenthry who signed the
definitive treaty, was notified that the American
Commissioners were furnished with powers for en-
tering into treaty Of amity and commerce with
his nation. He wrote 70 Me court Of London for IN
structions, and received letter declaring the
friendly disposition Of the English government TO-
wards the United States and their readiness TO re-
ceive proposals for commercial regulations but Mr.
Hartley was soon after recalled. The Comm's-
ioners then addressed the Duke Of Dorset, the
British Ambasss dor at the court of France, on the
subject The Duke answered that be was authorized
by the British ministers to say that tey would
take into consideration any proposals coming
from the United States for the mutual benefit
Of the two countries but that the British court
proposed, a. previous stipulation, that the United
States should send minister properly authorized,
and vested with the necessary powers, TO London, as
more suitable to the dignity of either power, than
would be the carrying on at any third place negotta-
tons OF 80 great importance. The Commissioners
replied December 9,e17s4, 10 the Duke, that they
had fun power to treat and conclude treaty, and
were willing TO repair TO London for that purpose,
a. they were not limited by their instructions to any
place That they were not authorized TO answer the
proposition for minister to reside at the court
Britain, but that they would send copy OF the
Dukes letter TO Congress, who would determine
upon it according to their wisdom. In subsequent
letter. dated March 2s, 1850, the Duke informed the
Commissioners that he was instructed to learn from
them what was the real nature Of the powers with
which they we're invested whether they were merely
commissioned by Congress, or had received separate
powers from the respective Sta,es. 1.-THE apparent
determination Of the respective States" says the
Duke, to regulate their own separate interests
renders it absolutely necessary towards forming
permanent system of commerce, That my court
should be informed how far the Commissioners be
duly authorized to enter into any engagements with
Great Britain, which it may not be in the power of
any one of the States to render totally intless and
Intellectual" On the 10th Of May, the Commission
ers wrote the Duke that they had delayed acknow
Judgement OF his letter. m expectation of receiving
turther instructions from Congress They now in
formed his Grace that Congress, the Gath Of Feb
ruary, appointed minister plenipotentiary TO reside
at the court Of his Britannia Majesty who proposed
to proceed to London in the course Of two three
months, rendering more particular answer unnec-
cessary This correspondence is curious, showing
the weakness of the old conederacy of States the
eyes OF Europe, and the feelings Of the English
government towards America at that time. Mr..
Adams in letter to Mr. Jay, then United States
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, abiding to the Duke
Of Donet's letter, remarks that from the limitation
in the articles Of confederation with regard to
treaties of commerce would probably arise great
deal Of difficulty. II the British min st1y wish and
seek for delay, Che rnarks) this will be their pre-
text" In another letter, April, 1856, Mr.. Adams re-
minds Mr. Jay that Mr.. Hartley the British Commits
s0ner the negotiation Of the treaty Of peace had
proposed in 1854 to the American Commissioners in
the name of Me King, and his minister, Mr.. Fox,
that ministers should be exchanged Immediately,
between Congress and the British court Mr.. Adams
adds-" You have received before now the
formal proposition transmitted to us through the
Duke of Dorset, to the same effect. The appoint
ment Of Mr.. Temple, as Consul General, is a still
stronger indication Of o real wish m the ministry
that this measure may be pursued, and Of secret
consciousness that they shall be obliged to treat.
make no scruple, no hesitation TO advise that mi
mister may be sent nsr will be inundated from
giving this advice, by any apprehension that shall
be suspected of design or desire OF gong 70 Eng
land myself Whoeun- ee.- VIM neitner md It o lu-
cratrve nor pleasant employment, nor win he be
envied by me- I know that for years, if he does his
duty, he win find no personal pleasure advantage.
But the measure OF sending minister to England
appears to me the corner Of the true American
system of politics in Europe and, if it is not DONE
we shall have cause to repent it FOX a long time
when it viii be too late"
In the Continental Congress, On the 3lst January,
1885, it was resolved, on motion OF Robert r. Livngs
ton that Minister PIenpotentiary be appointed to
represent the United States at the court Of Great
Britain, and that the Secretary for Foreign Affairs
CMr jay report instructions. On the 18th Of
February Congress resolved that commissions Of
ministers to any foreign courts charges dafIaires,
and secretaries should not exceed three years. On
the oath Of February, Congress elected by ballot,
John Adams, as Minister 30 the court of Great
Britain, and on the ID Of March, Colonel William g.
Smith, was appointed Secretary of Legation to the
same court. This gentleman had served in the army
during the Revolutionary war, and was appointed
by the State of Massachusetts, He was successfully,
Aid to General Sullivan, Inspector and Adutant
General under Lafayette, and finally Aid to General
Washington, who at the close Of the war certified
to his great fidelity, bravery, and good conduct in
the several military stations he had held. Colonel
Smith, on his diplomatic appointment, immediately
proceeded to London, where he joined Mr.. Adams,
on the 18th Of May, 1885. They were not previously
acquainted but the intelligence, ZEAL and activity Of
Colonel Smith, commended him to the favor of Mr..
Adams whose daughter he married, while he was at
tached 70 the embassy. The correspondence Of Col.
Smith with Secretary Jay is highly interesting He
visited the various courts Of the continent of Europe
during periods Of leisure, and took great pains to
make himself useful, by communicating valuable in
formation, collected during BIS travels for the bene
fit Of his own government. His example is worthy
Of imitation by some Of the young gentlemen in our
times, of whom seldom hear anything after their