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
On the 7th instant we received your Excellency's letter of the 16th of
June last, covering a resolution of Congress of the 1st of May,
directing a commission to us for making a treaty of commerce, &c. with
Great Britain. This intelligence arrived very opportunely to prevent
the anti-American party in England from ascribing any delays, on our
part, to motives of resentment to that country. Great Britain will
send a Minister to Congress, as soon as Congress shall send a Minister
to Britain, and we think much good might result from that measure.
The information of M. Dumas, that we encouraged the idea of entering
into engagements with the Dutch, to defend the freedom of trade, was
not well founded. Our sentiments on that subject exactly correspond
with those of Congress; nor did we even think or pretend, that we had
authority to adopt any such measures.
We have reason to think that the Emperor, and Russia, and other
commercial nations, are ready to make treaties of commerce with the
United States. Perhaps it might not be improper for Congress to
direct, that their disposition on the subject be communicated to those
Courts, and thereby prepare the way for such treaties.
The Emperor of Morocco has manifested a very friendly disposition
towards us. He expects, and is ready to receive a Minister from us;
and as he may either change his mind, or may be succeeded by a prince
differently disposed, a treaty with him may be of importance. Our
trade to the Mediterranean will not be inconsiderable, and the
friendship of Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli may become very
interesting, in case the Russians should succeed in their endeavors to
navigate freely into it by Constantinople.
Much, we think, will depend on the success of our negotiations with
England. If she should be prevailed upon to agree to a liberal system
of commerce, France, and perhaps some other nations, will follow her
example; but if she should prefer an exclusive, monopolizing plan, it
is probable that her neighbors will continue to adhere to their
favorite restrictions.
Were it certain that the United States could be brought to act as a
nation, and would jointly and fairly conduct their commerce on
principles of exact reciprocity with all nations, we think it probable
that Britain would make extensive concessions. But, on the contrary,
while the prospect of disunion in our councils, or want of power and
energy in our executive departments exist, they will not be
apprehensive of retaliation, and consequently lose their principal
motive to liberty. Unless, with respect to all foreign nations and
transactions, we uniformly act as an entire united nation, faithfully
executing and obeying the constitutional acts of Congress on those
subjects, we shall soon find ourselves in the situation in which all
Europe wishes to see us, viz. as unimportant consumers of her
manufactures and productions, and as useful laborers to furnish her
with raw materials.
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