To James Madison from James Maury, 24 June 1822
From James Maury
Liverpool 24th June 1822
My dear Sir,
This is merely for the pleasure of inclosing a News paper, in which you will find that the bill for opening intercourse with the United States & the British Colonies has been passed in the Upper House also.1 How many things have we lived to see come to pass, which, in this country have for ages been considered next to impossible! And this one of them. I rejoice with you on this thing being in a train of so soon terminating as (I have been told) you anticipated.
I do indeed Sir, beg pardon for so short a letter but it so happens that, at this juncture, I can only add my best respects & wishes to you & the ladies. Your old obliged friend
J. Maury
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. Great Britain’s West Indian and American Trade Act, which became law on 24 July 1822, “permitted the importation of certain enumerated articles into certain enumerated ports in the British colonies in North America and the West Indies” (Benns, “Study No. 56: The American Struggle for the British West India Carrying-Trade,” Indiana University Studies 10 [1923]: 83). For all the provisions of the act and reaction to its passage in the United States, see ibid., 83–86.