Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 3).djvu/192

 a matter of conjecture. If, however, language is of any value in conveying the views or intention of the person who speaks, it may fairly be presumed that the positive expression "little" had reference to the carriage of European produce, indifferently, in either American or British ships to the ports of the United States, and the general produce of the world from American ports in the like manner to ports of Great Britain. The equivalent the Americans could give in return for the comparative "much," presuming this to mean unrestricted trade with British colonies, is difficult to conjecture; seeing that the Americans have no colonies, and, in point of fact, no equivalent whatever to give. As regards the superlative "all, in return for all," it could only have had reference to the coasting trade so jealously guarded at that time by both countries; and, in the sequel, it will be evident how far this magnanimous offer corresponded with the tenacious policy then and to this day adhered to by the United States Government.

Lord Palmerston, entertaining a strong feeling in favour of the repeal of the Navigation Laws, at once perceived what use could be made of the concurrence of the United States Government in a measure of reform. He accordingly requested Mr. Bancroft to put his views in a formal communication, which was done as follows:—

"American Legation, 3rd November, 1847.

The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, has the honour to inquire of Viscount Palmerston, her British Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if her Majesty's Government is inclined to remove existing restrictions on international commerce.