CHAPTER V. GREAT BRITAIN REJECTS FURTHER 
NEGOTIATIONS 
The British order in council of July 27, 1826, was much 
more sweeping in character than the colonial regulations 
which had been in effect prior to the act of Parliament of 
1822.^ It excluded American vessels not only from the Brit- 
ish West Indies but from British colonies thruout the world 
with two exceptions. Trade with the British East India 
Company's ports, being regulated by treaty, was unaffected; 
and trade with the British provinces in North America was 
still left open.^ The order likewise declared that the dis- 
criminating tonnage and import duties should continue to be 
levied upon American vessels and cargoes until the interdict 
actually went into effect. This provision was to countervail 
the duties levied on British vessels from British colonies by 
the American act of March 1, 1823.^ 
In strict compliance with the British act of July 5, 1825, 
according to Canning, this order should have been promul- 
gated in January, 1826. It was postponed because the United 
States Congress was in session at that time and the British 
Government thought that it might, before it adjourned, place 
Great Britain on the footing of the most favored nation and, 
in consequence, the United States within the provisions of 
the said act of Parliament. When Congress adjourned with- 
out taking any such action, however, the British Government 
had no alternative but to carry the act into effect.^ The first 
of January, 1827, had been at first thought of as the time for 
the interdict to go into operation, but the first of December 
was finally chosen. Canning said, 'Tor fear" that the order 
"should have the appearance of an intention to compel Con- 
gress to comply within one month, with the requisites of the 
act of Parliament".® 
The direct and final cause, then, for the order in council 
was, according to British diplomats, the failure or refusal of 
the United States to take any action to meet the conditions 
laid down by the act of Parliament of July 5, 1825.® But they 
^ See above, p. 88. 
2 Am. State Papers, For. Rel., VI, 333, 334, 
Uhid., VI, 334, 335. 
* Senate Docs., 22 Cong., 1 Sess., Ill, No. 132, p. 3. 
5 Ibid., 4. 
^Am. State Papers, For. Rel., VI, 253, 257. 
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