The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
Let every eventual principle be kept untouched, until the two nations
shall have recovered from the animosities of the war. Let them have a
pacific interval, to consider deliberately of their mutual and
combined interests, and of their engagements with other nations. Let
us not, at the outset of a temporary convention, adopt the severe
principle of reducing every transaction between the two countries to
the footing of exact reciprocity alone. Such a principle would cast a
gloom upon conciliatory prospects. America is not restrained from any
conciliation with Great Britain by any treaty with any other power.
The principles of conciliation would be most desirable between Great
Britain and America; and forbearance is the road to conciliation.
After a war of animosities, time should be allowed for recollection.
There are all reasonable appearances of conciliatory dispositions on
all sides, which may be perfected in time. Let us not, therefore, at
such a moment as this, and without the most urgent necessity,
establish a morose principle between us; if it were a decided point
against amity and conciliation, it would be time enough to talk of
partition and strict reciprocity. To presume in favor of conciliation
may help it forward; to presume against it, may destroy that
conciliation, which might otherwise have taken place.
But, in the present case, there is more than reason to presume
conciliation. I think myself happy, that I have it in my power to
assure you, from authority, that it is the fundamental principle of
the British Councils, to establish amity and confidence between Great
Britain and the American States, as a succedaneum for the relation, in
which they formerly stood one to the other. The proof of this
consists, not in words, but in substantial facts. His Britannic
Majesty has been graciously pleased to send orders to his commanders
in North America, for the speedy and complete evacuation of all the
territories of the United States. His Majesty has given orders in
council, on the 14th of the last month, for the admission of American
ships and cargoes into Great Britain; and on the 6th instant, he has
given farther orders, permitting the importation from America of
several articles, which have been usually considered as manufactures.
He has, likewise, provided for the convenience of American merchants,
who may wish to land tobacco in Great Britain for re-exportation. Upon
the same principle, Mr Fox, the Secretary of State, corresponding with
America, has moved for, and received the liberty of the House of
Commons, (_nem. con._) to bring in a bill, that any American
merchants, importing rice into Great Britain, may, upon
re-exportation, draw back the whole duty paid on its first
importation. All these circumstances put together, undoubtedly form
the most indisputable evidence of the disposition, which prevails in
the British Councils to give every facility to the re-establishment of
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