CHAPTER VI. THE RECIPROCITY OF 1830 
It has already been pointed out that the loss of the direct 
trade to the British West Indies played a prominent part in 
paving the way for President Adams’ defeat for re-election 
in 1828. From comments appearing in various newspapers 
in different parts of the country, it is evident that Jackson’s 
supporters, if not Jackson himself, gave certain “promises” 
or “pledges” or “assurances” that Jackson’s election would 
mean the recovery of the British West India trade for Ameri- 
can merchants. His election, therefore, was followed by the 
expectation that an attempt would be made to redeem this 
pledge/ Jackson himself argued that the acknowledged im- 
portance of this branch of trade, the influence it was believed 
to have had in his elevation to the presidency, and the gen- 
eral expectation on the part of the people that renewed efforts 
might be successfully made to recover it, imposed upon him 
the duty of undertaking the task.^ He therefore determined 
upon a quiet attempt thru diplomacy to regain the trade, and 
chose as his agent in the negotiation Mr. Louis McLane of 
Delaware. 
With the appointment of Mr. McLane as minister to Eng- 
land the Opposition newspapers^ quickly spread the rumor 
that the negotiation of a commercial treaty with Great Britain 
was contemplated. This “rumor of the day” declared that 
Jackson intended to make a “deal” with the British Govern- 
ment in which, by way of exchange for the liberty of trade 
with the British colonies, the United States would surrender 
a portion of its duties on British woolen or other manufac- 
tures. It was thought possible that even the American coast- 
ing trade might “be swapped” for this privilege. The report 
that there was to be an important conference between some 
of the Administration leaders at Wilmington, Delaware, prior 
to Mr. McLane’s departure for England further strengthened 
this belief that there was “something in the wind”. Rumor 
'^National Joui'nal, Sept. 11, 1827. Portland Advertiser, June 8 and Sept. 7, 1830. 
Eastport Sentinel in Portland Advertiser, Aug. 17, 1830. Daily Advertiser (Providence), 
Sept. 23, 1830. 
2 Letter from Jackson to Kepublican members of the New York legislature, in 
Niles’ Register, XLII, 39. 
® With the change of Administration in 1829, automatically and almost unanimously 
the papers which had formerly been Administration papers became Opposition prints, 
and vice versa. 
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