Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/600

 590 Documents trary be stated to me; and, if the condition be agreed to, I shall ratify the said treaty. 1st alternative. I shall therefore hold myself free to act upon this idea (construction), unless the contrary be stated to me. 2d alternative. I shall therefore proceed upon this idea, unless the contrary be stated to me; and if the condition be agreed to, I shall ratify the said treaty, should no justifying cause oppose such a measure. Qu : if necessary to say any thing about further negotiation. Drajt of an article to he added. Whereas the President and Senate of the U. S. of America have expressed their desire that there be added to the foregoing treaty an article, suspending the operation of so much of the 12th article as respects the trade, which his majesty thereby consents may be carried on between the U. S. and his islands in the West Indies, in the manner and on the terms and conditions therein specified; It is therefore agreed, that the operation of so much of the said article as is now recited be suspended. Message. The resolution of the Senate, by which " they do consent to and advise the President of the U. S. to ratify the treaty of amity, commerce and navigation-, lately concluded between his B. M. and the U. S. of America," on the condition therein expressed, was yesterday notified to me. I infer from hence, that it is not the expectation of the Senate, that the treaty should be returned to them for consideration ; and that as soon as the condition shall be fulfilled in conformity with the in- structions and approbation of the President, he is free to cause the ratification to be exchanged. But as I am desirous, when I deliver my final judgment on the treaty, of being assured, that I have truly understood the sense of the Senate ; I submit to them whether an article, which shall be in substance the same with the draught now forwarded, will fulfill the condition intended by the resolution. Randolph to the President.' Department of State, July 12, 1795. Sir, The two questions, which I had the honor of receiving from you on the 29th ultimo, being preparatory to the measures, which appear to me most advisable to be pursued on the late treaty with Great Britain, I shall take the liberty of connecting the whole subject together. Had the Senate advised and consented to a ratification in an unquali- fied manner, the President would have had nothing but the merits of the treaty, on which to decide. But as the Senate have annexed a ' From a copy at the Department of State, Bureau of Rolls ami Library, Transcripts, XXII. 184-201.