Ottoman Algeria in Western Diplomatic History with ... - Bibliothèque

issue of commerce was of utmost importance. Yet, the British refused
categorically to open their markets for American goods and provide for the
commerce protection clause so dear for the Americans. The classical analysis
imputed that refusal to two major reasons, both closely linked to the prevailing
political conditions in the United States and Great Britain, as expressed by the
negotiators themselves:
Whether the British court meant to avoid a definitive treaty with us
through a vain hope, from the exaggerated accounts of divisions among
our people and want of authority in Congress, that some revolution
might soon happen in their favor, or whether their dilatory conduct was
caused by the strife of two opposite and nearly equal parties in the
cabinet, is hard to decide. 73
The first reason may be found in the internal political strife in Great Britain
itself which was a serious handicap for negotiations. After years of hostilities in
the colonies which culminated in the prospective of loosing them, politicians,
commercial interests, and public opinion split over the question. The Whigs,
supported by public opinion, who were favorable to American independence
wrestled with the Tories and commercial interests who were opposed to it. The
coalition Government, headed by William Pitt, was strongly reflective of those
two antagonist positions and risked defeat at any time should it make too many
concessions to the Americans. 74
A commercial agreement would have exposed
it to a loss of vote, therefore, ousting from government. 75
73 USRDC, 6:688, Adams, Franklin, and Jay to the President of Congress, September 10, 1783.
74 During the single year of 1783, three different governments were formed of which a coalition
government (April 1783-December 1783) in which Tories and Whigs were extremely divided over the
question of commerce with the USA.
75 USRDC, 6:651, Adams to Gerry, August 15, 1783.
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