Benns: British West India Carrying-Trade 145 
were open by treaty agreement, and with the exception of 
those in the British provinces in North America, were closed 
against American vessels; all American ports were closed 
against British vessels coming by sea from any British colony 
in the Western Hemisphere. 
The great majority of newspapers received the President’s 
proclamation either in silence or with expressed approbation, 
believing apparently that the failure of Congress to legislate 
on the subject had left only this course open to the Adminis- 
tration.^^^ But the two incorrigibles of the Opposition con- 
tinued to remain consistently hostile to the Administration and 
anything it might do. The Neiv York Evening Post felt 
bound to 
deprecate the issuing of a proclamation at this moment, reviving the acts 
of 1818 and 1820, as eminently calculated to interpose further obstacles 
to the unfortunate difference existing between this country and Great 
Britain on the subject of the Colonial Trade; and for which misunder- 
standing we must insist, and do insist the Administration are exclu- 
sively at fault.”- 
The Richmond Enquirer took practically the same view. 
The President’s Proclamation is at length issued. The direct trade 
to the British colonies is lopt off . . . Thanks to the Diplomacy of 
the Administration. Gen. Smith asserts that they duped him into a be- 
lief that they wished to regulate the matter by law. — Mr. Lloyd, the Chr. 
of the Committee, declares that they assured him of their desire to effect 
it by negotiation.^” 
The most caustic adjectives were employed by the editor of 
the latter paper in describing 'The clumsy and mischievous 
manner, in which the benefits of the Colonial Trade” had "been 
lost by the Administration”. He accused them of having 
"wretchedly sported with” the whole question, of having made 
"extravagant” claims, of having employed "finesse”, of having 
neglected the interests of the United States. 
But both in Administration and Opposition papers the hope 
was expressed that the difficulty might yet be adjusted or at 
least an attempt be made to adjust it thru diplomacy. Niles 
Boston Daily Advertiser, March 22, 1827. Netv York American (for the country), 
March 9, 1827. New York Daily Advertiser, March 20, 1827, in Coymecticut Courant, 
March 26, 1827. National Gazette (Phila.), March 19, 1827. Niles’ Register, XXXII, 
39. Daily Natioyial Intelligencer, March 17, 1827. Phoenix Gazette (Alexandria), March 
19, 1827. Norfolk Herald in Providence Patriot, March 31, 1827. 
Quoted in National Journal, March 20, 1827. 
Richmond Enquirer, March 20, 1827. 
Richmond Enquirer March 13, 27, 30, 1827. 
10—23811 
