The treaty of commerce of the 3rd of July, 1815 has been interrupted by absurdly conceived British orders in council, and president's proclamations; but that treaty and other conventions, now in force, are those under which the trading intercourse between both countries is regulated.

Convention of Commerce between Great Britain and the United States. Signed at London, 3rd July, 1815. Renewed by Convention signed at London, 6th of August, 1827.

I. There shall be between all the territories of his Britannic Majesty in Europe, and the territories of the United States, a reciprocal liberty of commerce. The inhabitants of the two countries respectively shall have liberty freely and securely to come with their ships and cargoes to all such places, ports, and rivers in the territories aforesaid, to which other foreigners are permitted to come, to enter into the same, and to remain and reside in any parts of the said territories respectively; also to hire and occupy houses and warehouses for the purposes of their commerce; and generally the merchants and traders of each nation respectively shall enjoy the most complete protection and security for their commerce; but subject always to the laws and statutes of the two countries respectively.

II. No higher or other duties shall be imposed on the importation into the territories of his Britannic Majesty in Europe, of any articles the growth, produce, or manufacture of the United States, and no higher or other duties shall be imposed on the importation into the United States, of any articles the growth, produce, or manufacture of his Britannic Majesty's territories in Europe, than are or shall be payable on the like articles, being the growth, produce, or manufacture of any other foreign country, produce, or manufacture of either country respectively, the amount of the said drawbacks shall be the same whether the said goods shall have been originally imported in a British or American vessel; but when such re-exportation shall take place from the United States in a British vessel, or from the territories of his Britannic Majesty in Europe in an American vessel, to any other foreign nation, the two contracting parties reserve to themselves, respectively, the right of regulating or diminishing, in such case, the amount of the said drawback.

The intercourse between the United States and his Britannic Majesty's possessions in the West Indies, and on the continent of North America, shall not be affected by any of the provisions of this article, but each party shall remain in the complete possession of its rights, with respect to such an intercourse.

III. His Britannic Majesty agrees that the vessels of the United States of America shall be admitted, and hospitably received, at the principal settlements of the British dominions in the East Indies, viz., Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, and Prince of Wales's Island, and that the citizens of the said United States may freely carry on trade between the said principal settlements and the said United States, in all articles of which the importation and exportation, respectively, to and from the said territories, shall not be entirely prohibited: provided only, that it shall not be lawful for them in any time of war between the British government and any state or power whatever, to export from the said territories, without the special permission of the British government, any military stores, or naval stores, or rice. The citizens of the United States shall pay for their vessels, when admitted, no higher or other duty or charge than shall be payable on the vessels of the most favoured European nations, and they shall pay no higher or other duties or charges on the importation or exportation of the cargoes of the said vessels, than shall be payable on the same articles when imported or exported in the vessels of the most favoured European nations.

But it is expressly agreed, that the vessels of the United States shall not carry any articles from the said principal settlements to any port or place, except to some port or place in the United States of America, where the same shall be unladen.

It is also understood, that the permission granted by this article is not to extend to allow the vessels of the United States to carry on any part of the coasting trade of the said British territories, but the vessels of the United States having, in the first instance, proceeded to one of the said principal settlements of the British dominions in the East Indies, and then going with their original cargoes, or any part thereof, from one of the said principal settlements to another, shall not be considered as carrying on the coasting trade. The vessels of the United States may also touch, for refreshment, but not for commerce, in the course of their voyage to or from the British territories in India, or to or from the dominions of the Emperor of China, at the Cape of Good Hope, the island of St. Helena, or such other places as may be in the possession of Great Britain, in the African or Indian seas; it being well understood that in all that regards this article the citizens of the United States shall be subject, in all respects, to the laws and regulations of the British government, from time to time established.

IV. It shall be free for each of the two contracting parties, respectively, to appoint consuls for the protection of trade, to reside in the dominions and territories of the other party; but before any consul shall act as such, he shall in the usual form be approved and admitted by the government to which he is sent; and it is hereby declared, that in case of illegal or improper conduct towards the laws or government of the country to which he is sent, such consul may either be punished according to law, if the laws will will reach the case, or be sent back, the offended government assigning to the other the reasons for the same.

It is hereby declared, that either of the contracting parties may except from the residence of consuls such particular places as such party shall judge fit to be so excepted.

V. This convention, when the same shall have been duly ratified by his Britannic Majesty and by the president of the United States, by and with the advice and consent. of their senate, and the respective ratifications mutually exchanged, shall be binding and obligatory on his Majesty and on the said United States for four years from the date of its signature; and the ratifications shall be exchanged in six months from this time, or sooner if possible.

Convention between Great Britain and the United States. Signed at London, the 20th of October, 1818; renewed by Convention, Signed at London, the 6th of August, 1827.

I. Whereas differences have arisen respecting the liberty claimed by the United States, for the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry, and cure fish, on certain coasts, bays, harbours, and creeks, of his Britannic Majesty's dominions in America, it is agreed between the high contracting parties, that the inhabitants of the said United States shall have, for ever, in common with the subjects of his Britannic Majesty, the liberty to take fish of every kind, on that part of the southern coast of Newfoundland which extends from Cape Ray to the Rameau Islands, on the western and northern coast of Newfoundland, from the said Cape Ray to the Quirpon Islands, on the shores of the Magdalen Islands, and also on the coasts, bays, harbours, and creeks, from Mount Joly, on the southern coast of Labrador, to and through the straits of Belleisle, and thence northwardly indefinitely along the coast, without prejudice, however, to any of the exclusive rights of the Hudson's Bay Company: and that the American fishermen shall also have liberty, for ever, to dry and cure fish in any of the unsettled bays, harbours, and creeks, of the southern part of the coast of Newfoundland hereabove described, and of the coast of Labrador; but so soon as the same, or any portion thereof, shall be settled, it shall not be lawful for the said fishermen to dry or cure fish at such portion so settled, without previous agreement for such purpose, with the inhabitants, proprietors, or possessors of the ground. And the United States hereby renounce for ever any liberty heretofore enjoyed or claimed by the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry, or cure fish, on or within three marine miles of any of the coasts, bays, creeks, or harbours of his Britannic Majesty's dominions in America, not included within the abovementioned limits:

provided, however, that the American fishermen shall be admitted to enter such bays or harbours, for the purpose of shelter and of repairing damages therein, of purchasing wood, and obtaining water, and for no other purpose whatever. But they shall be under such restrictions as may be necessary to prevent their taking, drying, or curing fish therein, or in any other manner whatever abusing the privileges hereby reserved to them.

Act of Congress "concerning the Convention to regulate the Commerce between the Territories of the United States and his Britannic Majesty." Approved the 1st of March, 1816.

Be it enacted and declared by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that so much of any act as imposes a higher duty of tonnage or of impost, on vessels, and articles imported in vessels, of Great Britain, than on vessels, and articles imported in vessels, of the United States, contrary to the provisions of the convention between the United States and his Britannic Majesty, the ratifications whereof were mutually exchanged the 22nd day of December, 1815, be, from and after the date of the ratification of the said convention, and during the continuance thereof, deemed and taken to be of no force or effect.

Act of the British Parliament "to carry into effect a Convention of Commerce concluded between his Majesty and the United States of America, and a Treaty with the Prince Regent of Portugal."

VI. And whereas it is expedient that vessels built in the countries belonging to the United States of America, or any of them, or condemned as prize there, and being owned and navigated as herein-before mentioned, should be allowed to clear out from any part of the United Kingdom for the principal settlements of the British dominions in the East Indies; viz., Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, and Prince of Wales's Island, with any articles which may legally be exported from the United Kingdom to the said settlements in British-built ships; be it therefore further enacted, that all vessels built in the said United States of America, or any of them, or condemned as prize there, and being owned and navigated as herein before mentioned, shall be allowed to clear out from any port of the United Kingdom for the following principal settlements of the British dominions in the East Indies, viz., Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, and Prince of Wales's Island, with any goods, wares, or merchandise which may be legally exported from the United Kingdom to the said settlements in British-built vessels, subject to the like rules and regulations, restrictions, penalties, and forfeitures as are now by law imposed upon the exportation of such goods to the said settlements in British-built ships, any law, custom, or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.

VII. And be it further enacted, that nothing in this act contained shall extend, or be construed to extend to repeal or in anywise alter the duties of package, scavage, bailage, or portage, or any other duties payable to the mayor and commonalty, and citizens of the city of London, or to the Lord Mayor of the said city for the time being, or to any other city or town corporate within Great Britain, or any other special privilege or exemption to which any person or persons, bodies politic or corporate, is or are now entitled by law in respect of goods imported and exported, but the same shall be continued as heretofore.

Convention of Commerce, signed at London, August 6, 1827.

ART. I.-All the provisions of the convention concluded between his Majesty the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the United States of America, on the 3rd of July, 1815, and further continued for the term of ten years by the fourth article of the convention of the 20th of October, 1818, with the exception therein contained as to St. Helena, are hereby further indefinitely, and without the said exception, extended and continued in force, from the date of the expiration of the said

ten years, in the same manner as if all the provisions of the said convention of the 3rd of July, 1815, were herein specifically recited.

ART. II. It shall be competent, however, to either of the contracting parties, in case either should think fit, at any time after the expiration of the said ten years—that is, after the 20th of October, 1828-on giving due notice of twelve months to the other contracting party, to annul and abrogate this convention; and it shall, in such case, be accordingly entirely annulled and abrogated, after the expiration of the said term of notice.

Act of Congress of the United States, "to repeal the Tonnage Duties upon Ships and Vessels of the United States, and upon certain Foreign Vessels." 31st May, 1830.

SEC. I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, that, from and after the 1st day of April next, no duties upon tonnage of the ships and vessels of the United States, of which the officers and two-thirds of the crew shall be citizens of the United States, shall be levied for collected; and all acts and parts of acts imposing duties upon the tonnage of ships and vessels of the United States, officered and manned as aforesaid, so far as the same relate to the imposition of such duties, shall, from and after the said first day of April next, be repealed.

SEC. II. And be it further enacted, that, from and after the said 1st day of April next, all acts and parts of acts imposing duties upon the tonnage of the ships and vessels of any foreign nation, so far as the same relate to the imposition of such duties, shall be repealed: provided, that the President of the United States shall be satisfied that the discriminating or countervailing duties of such foreign nation, so far as they operate to the disadvantage of the United States have been abolished.

[Approved 31st of May, 1830.] Proclamation of the President of the United States, opening to British Vessels the Trade between the British Colonial Possessions and the American Ports. 5th October, 1830.

Whereas, by an act of the Congress of the United States, passed on the 29th day of May, 1830, it is provided, that whenever the President of the United States shall receive satisfactory evidence that the government of Great Britain will open the ports in its colonial possessions in the West Indies, on the continent of South America, the Bahama Islands, the Caicos, and the Bermuda or Somer Islands, to the vessels of the United States, for an indefinite or for a limited term; that the vessels of the United States, and their cargoes, on entering the colonial ports aforesaid, shall not be subject to other or higher duties of tonnage or impost, or charges of any other description, than would be imposed on British vessels, or their cargoes, arriving into the said colonial possessions, from the United States; that the vessels of the United States may import into the said colonial possessions, from the United States, any article or articles which could be imported in a British vessel into the said possessions, from the United States; and that the vessels of the United States may export from the British colonies afore-mentioned, to any country whatever, other than the dominions or possessions of Great Britain, any article or articles that can be exported therefrom in a British vessel, to any country other than the British dominions or possessions as aforesaid-leaving the commercial intercourse of the United States, with all other parts of the British dominions or possessions, on a footing not less favourable to the United States than it now is; that then, and in such case, the President of the United States shall be authorised, at any time before the next session of Congress, to issue his proclamation, declaring that he has received such evidence, and that thereupon, and from the date of such proclamation, the ports of the United States shall be opened indefinitely, or for a term fixed, as the case may be, to British vessels coming from the said British colonial possessions, and their cargoes, subject to no other or higher duty of tonnage or impost, or charge of any description whatever, than would be levied on the vessels of the United States, or their cargoes, arriving from the said British possessions; and that it shall be lawful for the said British vessels to import into the United States, and to export therefrom, any article or articles which

may be imported or exported in vessels of the United States; and that the act, entitled, "An Act concerning navigation," passed on the 18th day of April, 1818, an act supplementary thereto, passed the 15th day of May, 1820, and an act, entitled, "An Act to regulate the commercial intercourse between the United States and certain British ports," passed on the 1st day of March, 1823, shall, in such case, be suspended or absolutely repealed, as the case may require:

And whereas, by the said act, it is further provided, that whenever the ports of the United States shall have been opened under the authority thereby given, British vessels and their cargoes shall be admitted to an entry in the ports of the United States, from the islands, provinces, or colonies of Great Britain, on or near the North American continent, and north or east of the United States.

And whereas satisfactory evidence has been received by the President of the United States, that, whenever he shall give effect to the provisions of the act aforesaid, the government of Great Britain will open, for an indefinite period, the ports in its colonial possessions in the West Indies, on the continent of South America, the Bahama Islands, the Caicos, and the Bermuda or Somer Islands, to the vessels of the United States, and their cargoes, upon the terms, and according to the requisitions of the aforesaid act of Congress :

Now, therefore, I, Andrew Jackson, President of the United States of America, do hereby declare and proclaim, that such evidence has been received by me; and that by the operation of the act of Congress, passed on the 29th day of May, 1830, the ports of the United States are, from the date of this proclamation, open to British vessels coming from the said British possessions, and their cargoes, upon the terms set forth in the said act; the act entitled, "An Act concerning navigation," passed on the 18th day of April, 1818, the act supplementary thereto, passed the 15th day of May, 1820, and the act, entitled, "An Act to regulate the commercial intercourse between the United States and certain British ports," passed the 1st day of March, 1823, are absolutely repealed; and British vessels and their cargoes, are admitted to an entry in the ports of the United States, from the islands, provinces, and colonies of Great Britain, on or near the North American continent, and north or east of the United States.

Given under my hand, at the city of Washington, the 5th day of October, in the year of our Lord 1830y and the 55th of the independence of the United States.

By the President:

ANDREW JACKSON.
M. VAN BUREN,

Secretary of State.

British Order in Council, for regulating the Commercial Intercourse between the United States and the British Colonial Possessions. 5th November, 1830. At the Court of St. James's, the 5th day of November, 1830. Present, the King's most excellent Majesty in Council.

Whereas by a certain act of parliament, passed in the sixth year of the reign of his late majesty, King George the IVth [cap. 114.], entitled, "An Act to regulate the Trade of the British Possessions Abroad," after reciting that, "by the law of navigation, foreign ships are permitted to import into any of the British possessions abroad, from the countries to which they belong, goods, the produce of those countries, and to export goods from such possessions, to be carried to any foreign country whatever, and that it is expedient that such permission should be subject to certain conditions;" it is, therefore, enacted, "that the privileges thereby granted to foreign ships shall be limited to the ships of those countries which, having colonial possessions, shall grant the like privileges of trading with those possessions to British ships, or which, not having colonial possessions, shall place the commerce and navigation of this country, and of its possessions abroad, upon the footing of the most favoured nation, unless his majesty, by his order in council, shall, in any case, deem it expedient to grant the whole, or any of such privileges, to the ships of any foreign country, although the conditions aforesaid shall not in all respects be fulfilled by such foreign country."