Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/605

 Edmicnd Randolph on the British Treaty 595 1. All our differences are closed. This is a most valuable quality; altho' we have made some sacrifices. 2. The adjustments as to the Mississippi and St. Croix are unex- ceptionable.' 3. The mode of deciding on the captures' is agreeable to usuage in one respect, and more favorable than usual in another. I wish, that the stipulation against illegal and irregular captures may be found broad enough for full satisfaction to our citizens. 4. The European trade stands upon the footing of reciprocity ; not very important in any way. The prohibition of additional tonnage and additional duties deprives the U. S. of the power of discriminating be- tween the british and other nations, is not unreasonable, while we mean to keep peace with Great Britain." 5. The prohibition' to make treaties, in derogation of the 24 and 25. articles cannot be important to us, as it is to last only during our amity with Great Britain; and while we are her friends, we surely cannot wish to assist her enemies. It cannot be important to France, because her treaty secures this point; and in any new negotiation, so much of the old treaty may be reserved. Other articles are too small to require a comment. Here then I return to the question, whether the President ought to ratify, as the Senate have advised, or reject? Advantages and disadvantages, depending upon moral reasoning, can- not, like pounds, shillings and pence, be weighed in opposite scales. For want of a standard of certainty, let us bring them together in the follow- ing contrast. I. Advantages. 2. Disadvantages 1. Old bickerings settled; ex- i. Loss of negros. cept as to impressments and pro- 2. Assumption of debts due to visions. british creditors in certain cases. 2. Indian wars at an end; at 3. The lands which may be least those countenanced by G. taken from the U. S. by the in- Britain. dulgence to the british settlers. 3. New opportunities for ex- 4. the situation of provisions. tending trade in Canada. 3. Doubtful. 4. Posts surrendered. i. East India trade. 5. Captures compensated. 2. The European trade cannot 6. Gr: Britain interested in be properly called doubtful; but it securing t* us the Mississippi. has no peculiar advantage on our side. Independent of these pros and cons, arising from the face of the treaty, there are some other considerations, entitled to attention; wch. recommend ratification and dissuade rejection. 'Arts. IV. and V. = Art. VII. = Arts. XIV. and XV. AM. HIST. REV., VOL. XII. — 39.
 * In Art. XXV.