The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-01-11 00:00:00

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31

I

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IRMO?. • to that olject, the neutral rights of America were
ite-teetatnieactowlem was referrals* sank et em Ma net:elected by itt ilperatiou•
sage of she President of the VoitediStatesof Os 10 blot. , • . A bele teem. tft • 1
wit lout any infraction
as respects our relations Ilitts foreign Pewees; refers, ilk • .
....„
?Ktt•••••• Pr."' t
After a period of twenty-five years of mpg, sop vessel coming from the pole of his enemy.
basdly interrupted by transient hostilities, awl of And France had undoubtedly dieseling right to ex-
prosperity. unparalleled' in the history of Itnilit.'ll; dude from her dominions every seecies of British
the United States are, for •the first time tiete-thit merchandise which the United States have der-
treaty which terminated the - revolutionary war, cised in forbidding the importation of certain em-
placed is a situation equally sliffieult,eritical, and Mes. Great Britain might be injured by such re-
gulatious : but America had no more eit to com-
datigetous. riot
Those principles, recognised by the civilised world plain of that part of the decree, than Frani e had to
object to the Aniteciut iminitriportatiou act. So
under the name or '• law of titions," which hereto-
fore controaled belligerent power.), regulated are fur indeed as respects the United States, they were
duties of iteutrale, mil pre
saner
their riehts, are placed Lay the mime:ilia' part of thy decree in the
now avowedly disregarded or ti
by Great same situation, in relation to France, in %thick
ilritdi 11 anti France. Each of these two nations they are placed in their intercourse with Great Iln-
captures and condemns all American vessels traeleg ruin by the h
drone forbids ermaneut leeers of that countotry..itnimrt
The
with her enemies or her enemies' allies ; Roil every FrencAmican vessels
British merchendiseinto trance. The British nit-
European power hayine become a party in the con-
test, the whole of our commerce with Euroee mid vigation act forbids American yeeseir to import
either colonie, becomes 11.41)i, to eeli,ore b French merchandise into England. But that broad
either one or thy &her. If there he any on tottttt clause of the Beata decree which iletlartel the
British islands in a state of blockade, thotieli not
exceptioit, it is made nn a condttion of tribute,
. sliest ouly atheiiitsult to the injury. followed by regulations to that effect, still threat-
Tee only plea urged in justcation of thee has- surd an intender! operation on the high seas. This,
tilities, is that of retaliation, - if earned into erect, would be a tete-rata tiolatiun
• ensued actrieseence of the enited States in pre- of the neutral rights of the United States. ;Mil as
•••I‘,US a ,:gressions by the other party. Nee% i"g a such they would be bound to oppose it. Tee eli-
nutter of the Uitited States at Paris immediately up.
disenssion of the correctness of the principle of re-
taliation, a principle doubtful in itself, and alto- plied for explanation on that subject ; and tlei
welter inadmissible to the extent to which it has French ebuister of Marine, on the 34th of De-
tect' c
arried, and whets operatine on the neutral centher, terse, e.veii ea) a before time date of the
,i.eiei,„e.io en die 5,„,...1). it is att.igeili,,,. amine tie/we-meet eel lone of the British Government,
lint the United States hare veer voluntarily aerie& stated in answer, that the decree made uo alterution
mimed it) the unlawfuOugeressieus of either nation ; iii the regulations then observed in France with re-
gard to neutral navigation, or to the commercial
omitted or delayed ate measares calculated to On
Ulu redress; or in ony respeet detested f that convention of the United States with France. That
immirtiality to which they were bowie Ivy their the declaration of the British islands being it) a state
eeutrelity. lintece has :tended to the violatines (If blockade, did not change the existing French
of the notional flag, am! of the sovereignty of the laws coecerning tnaritirue captures, and that A me-
united states. et the ir„r pierce a timult,r. Wean vi;ssels could not be taken at sea for the mere
of the notrage on the Chesapeake, and or the the reason of their being going to, or returieug from,
iernetion of the Impetuous. 'rtiV ineestires taken 844 E 4 t 4.161/ Pllft•
to obtain redress in those cases: rowel public unto- The execution of the decree comported for sr-
to obtain
and it may be adtlethelitia, with tbecxception meal mouths with those explanetions: several res-
of the hut. those aggreseittes on the suvereigtity of stil6 were arrested for having introduced articles of
the United States alli not olfet their neutrelity, Etiglish growth or manufacture, and among them
sad gave no right fii France either of o°l4le:tint or some, which, being actually front ketelauth amid
interference. tiepins: aside irregularities 'elf less Wee with English colonial produee, load entereti
importaime aad eqatelly tetereeub eto hetet metions. with forged paper% as if coming from the United
seeli as the Brinell .oftler of Juue, 1803. and the S''''''''' not imaiteration of the first construction
decree nf the French Generel Ferraud ; the prinei- given by the Forsch Governineut took place witil
pal violations by England of the neutral-rights PC the mouth ofeleptember, 1807. The line tfoodetia-
America, prior to the Berlin decree of Novemeer. station, on true principle that the decree subjected
'Mee at el which, if amptirece.l in, mieht have given. , iterated vessel* to capture on the high seas, was
grounds of complaint to France, are ti:..! unpin re of teat of the Horizun, on the 10th of October follow-
Aie„e.,„ veods, laaea with coliiiiiet preeeee. in g. Prior to that time there could have been no
fouteled on a renewal of that pretended penciple acquiescent* iti a decree infringing the neutral
generally called "the rule of 17eti," the impress: -riots of the United States, because till that • time
meat of American stamen. compelled thereby to it was explieued, and, what was more imminent,
become the auxiliaries of Englaml aeaitist France, executed iii each a manuer us not to infriage those
and proelarnetioa or nominal blockades, ',adieu- rights, because until than no such ineactires hail
lade that of the (.4- ist from the river Elbe to Brest, taken place. The Ministers of the United `hate
eretitiel in Mate lean. in Lencion, at the request of the British Minister,
It twill not be in
that the lettited states cottettunicated to him On dill i nib 1111 (Xt.& r, 107,
ever tamely it-eluieseed in either of these twee _ the sreetance of the exelanatious receis ere and of
birms. it will not tine
denied, that with resecet to the meatier in which the decrees WA; executed. Fur
thee eete• at that time, ietioratit of the change
else two first, the meet strenneits efforts were inces-
°le-1' S a t'k'n pl""'
santly mprocure ade tn an wite.ation of the British ",„,
system. it was on the ',An oil neptember, 11,07, that a
It is trne. that to the nominal proclamation nee censtsnetion of the Decree took place, an in-
blockades of Eielatie, the United Seats hat! op- strum !....111 having. on that day, been transmitted to
posefl only spirited arid repeated reinoastiauces, tee Council of Prizes by the Minister of Justice,
and that terse had rut always hien stieerssfole-- by which that Court was informed. that Freuch
Bat the measures which a neutral natioo eeey be armed vessels were authorised, muter that Decree.
Purposed bound to take, against the i<eictions of to seize, witliont exception. in neutral vessels, either
its neutrality, must always Issele-e't certain proper- English property or merchandise of English growth
teen to the extent and eito.use of the injury re_ I or manufacture. An immediate explanation hewing
calved, and to the steam of opeositiote It
to been asked from the French Minister of foreign
slot certaiale ler psetentled that a hasty resort to relations, he coolinned, iii his answer of the 7th
war seorret in every sech instance have become the - of October, 1807, the determination of his Govern-
e
1'
...ey of A m„idif....,,, . o,„ the ineeeigamie, of ment to adopt-that construction. its first appli-
England, io declaritig in• a suttee& bludisede, a cation took place on time loth of the saute month,
(+retain extent of .coast, part of whiee waienot, and in the case of Or Horizon, of which the Minister
the witele of wheal 'enuld not, evett by laerot,
power- of the lettited States was not informed, until the
ful navy, be actriellY. invested and blockaded, be mouth of Novrtither ; and ou the leth of that
pieseled its justifitertihn cif -that define, by which mouth, be presented a spirited remonstrance against
France, eithout an'alliclentileett preteotis to an- that infraction of the neutral rights of the United
nounce time blockade of theedontinions of a power States. He had, in the meanwhile. transmitted to
which has the incontestible eicanmand of the 11Ca. America the instruction to the Council of Prizes
and before no port of which she eau station a Sill. of. the 18th of September. This was received on
gle vessel. the of December ; and a copy of the de-
The Milan Decree of ter; can still less rest for cieou in the case of the Horivm herring at the same
its defence on the supposed acteiteeenve of the• time realest Government, the President, aware of
United States In the British orders ,
u 1 the prem.- the consequences which would follow that new
ding month, since those orders, which have not state of things, emu 1111 l Melded immediately to Con-
certainly been acquiesced ite were not even know greet) the alteration of the French, Decrees, and re-
in A:neriva at the date of the Decree. And it is commended the Embargo, which was accordingly
proper here to add, timid the French have, particu- laid on the sad of December, 1807 ;at which time
I trly by the sequestratiou of certain vessels in their it was "ii understood in this country, that the Be.
ports, and by bernine our ships on the high rests, tills Orders of Calmed of November preceding had
gone even hey oad the tenor of their own extraor- issued, although they were not officially coniniti-
dinery edicts. nicated to our Government.
The allegation of' an acquiescence in the Berlin On the 11th of that month those orders did ac-
tually issue, drawing that all the ports of France,
Decree of November, mei, by which alone the
Windt Governinent pretends tojestify the Orders of her allies, and of any other country at war with
of Council, is equally miliontoled. In the Note on England, and all other ports of Enrope,from which,
that stateetit, addressed, on the 31st December, although not at war with England, the British flag
was exeltided, should thenceforth be considered us
I Sete by the British Government. to the American
if the same were actually blockaded ; that all trade
Ministers, after having stated that s. they could led
believe that the enemy would ever seriously at- in articles of the produce or manufactures of the
tempt to enforce such a system," the follo)sing tle- said countries, should be deemed militant! ' and
claratioti is expressly made, e if, however, the rite- that every vessel trading from or to the bait coon-
my should carry these threats eats execution, and tries, together with all goods and merchandive on
if' neutral nutious, contrary to all expertations, board, mid elsa all articles of the produce or menu-
%beide acquiesce in such usurpations, His elejeety I facture of the wed countries, should Le liable to
might, prebobly, lie compelled, however reluctant- capture end ""I"teematieu-
ly. to rct 1110 e sit ln.) i Ilat Ileti'll(*e." The two re- These Orders cahoot be defended on the gromid
q dews necessary, in the (Teem) of ( 'treat Britain, i of their being intended as retaliating on account of
to justify retaliation, are stated to he the execs- the Berlin Decree, es contented and uniformly
tine of the Decree, and the aetnitese, nee es nen_ exemittel from its dote to the huh September, 1807,
tral tritions. Yet, withia eight (bpi. and in the its etetortietam Mitt execution having till then in-
face cf that Declaretiett, without ivaitiorr for pa.. &incl., no neutral meld. For certainly the mon-
. r ertainine either ortho'se facts, the retaleitine essi.. I swots doctrine will net be asserted even by the
tish Order or date 7th, letn. waa issittel, which, British Goverainent, that netitne natiotts are bound
cont.-ley to the acknowledged law of nations, sue_ to !tweet. not only the acts of lwlligeretit powers
jet:tett to ea tore re vessel.; of the Ureter! Steles, rail-,1- which violate their rielits, but also those municipal
ink from the ports of one belligerent tka port of regulations, which, 'however they may injure the
anntiter Isellieersed. •rummy, are 4wfull, and do not onset the legitimate
l'he United States, in the meetswhile,eirte with= righte oftate.ittentral. The only retalietiou to he
out delay, had biken the necessary steps to urn, used in i t•ntlet, must be elicit as will operate on
f;,-,,, tee „e,,, in which the French e;neenede„t
.. the 01MM-et-Without infringing the rights of the
i.areeled to execute their fir o'er. ; , -- i neutral. Ai solely intended as a retaliation on the
That ilearee might be construed merely as a ma- 1 Berlin Dearer, as executed prior to the month of
ski oat law, forbidding the introdnetion of British ! Seetemher, the British Orders or Council shotild
ineseh,,he end the wihrthelem of 'vette'', cqining have beets coldined to forbidding the introduetten
from Euglaul Under that aspect, and if wattled into Great Britain, of French Sr enemy's meicliau-

disc; and the admission into British ports of tam-
trot vessels, coining from a 1' Bench or eueine'sigest.
Indeed the ground of retaliation on account nhateh
culpable acquiescence of neutrals. in decrees, roes
latiee, their rights, is abaisdinsed by die very to or
of the Orders, their operation being extra led to
those countries front which the Utitisti Bag vies ex-
cluded, such as Austria, althotts,li such countries
were neither at war with Great Britain, sir hail
passed any decree in any way affecting or coneetted
with neutral rights.
Nor are the Orders just.fiable nn the pretence of
an nequieseenee, ern the par. of the I initist Stains,
in the French Decree, as creistrned and VhtCUlVii
subsequent to the isth of September. len, when
it became sum evident infra. tion of their rigida,
and such as they were biiiiiiel to owes.% For
their Minister at Paris • stately made the ne-
cessary remonstratices ; and the orders were issued
not only without having ascertained whether the
Uuited Staten would acquiesce in the injurious al-
teration of the French Decree, but more than one
month before that alteration was kilowniti Ainerira.
It may even be asserted, that the alteration was not
known in England when Orders of Council were
issued ; the instruction of the leth•of September,
15417, ninth gave the new end injurious !construc-
tion, not been premulgated.in trance, and
its first puhlicatiott Laving been made in December,
1807, sad by the American Government itself.
The British Orders of Council are, therefore, nn-
justifiable on the principle of retaliation, even
giving to that principle all the latitude which has
ever been avowedly contended for. They are in
open violation of the solemn declaration made by
the British Ministers in December, I ; that re.
taliattion ou the part of Greet Britain would depend
oil the execution of sit 1111111WrIli elecrecoviel on the
acquiescence of neutral nations iu told) infraction
of their rights. And they were also issued, not-
withstandiug the official communication made by
the Ministers of the United States, that the Fre-melt
decree was construed and executed so us not to
iufringe their neutral rights, and without any pre-
tissue notice or intimatiou, denying the correctness
of that statement.
The Berlin decree, as expounded and executed
subsequent to the 18th September, 1807, and the
British Orders of Council of the l Ith November
eissuing, are therefore, as they affect the United
States, cotemporaueoua aggressions of the
gerent powers, equally unprovoked and equally
indefensible on the presumed ground of ACtillieh
These, together with the Milan decree of
December, 180, which filled the measure, would,
on the principle of self defence, have justified im-
mediate hostilities against both nations en the putt
of the Uinta' States. They tiloUfht it more eligi-
ble, in the first instance,• by withdrawing their
ti,scli from the ocean, to :lend war, at least for a
Iptason, and, at the same lime, to snatch their it.-
met se and defenceless commerce from impairing
Zitatructioa.
Another appeal has, iu the mean tiers- blies
made, ander the authority vested in the Presi-
dent for that purpose, to the justice and true in-
ti rest of France and England. The propositions
made by time United Suite., amid the argutneuts
urged Ly their Ministers are before Congress.
By these the very pretext of the illegal edicts
was removed, and it is evident, that a revocation
by either nation, on the ground on which it was
asked, either must have produced, what both
pretended to have in view, a restoration of the
freedom of commerce and of the acknowledged
principles of the law of stations.; or in ruse of re-
fusal by the other belligerent, would lune car-
ried into effect, in the roost efficient manner, the
ostensible object of the edicts, and made the Uni-
ted States a party in the war against hist'. The
effort has been ineffectual. The propositions
have been actually rejected by one of the bellige-
rent powers, and remain unanswered by the other.
In that state of things, what course ought the
United States to pursue ? Your Committee can
perceive lie other alternative, but abject unit de-
grading suhtnisaion ; war with both nations ; or
a continuance and enforcement of the present
sus-
pension of cominerce.
The first cannot require any discussion. But
the pressure of the embargo, so sensibly felt, and
die calamities inseparable from a state of war,
naturally create a wish that some middle course
might be discovered, which should avoid the evils
of both, and not he inconsistent with indiums' ho-
nour atid iutleoendesice. That illusiuu must be
dissipated, ; aid it is necessary that the people
of the United States should fully understaud the
situation iu winch they are placed.
There is no other alternative, but war with both
nation', or a continuance of the present system.
For war viith one of the belligerents only, would be
submission to the edicts and will of the other ; and
a repeal in whole or in part of the embargo must
secessusily be war or submission.
A general repeal, without arming, would be sub-
mission to both nations.
A general repeal and arming of ano merchant
vessels, would be war with both, and war of the
worst kind, strife, ing the enemies to plunder us
without retaliation upon them.
A ;venial repeal must, from the situation of
Europe. necessarily lie actual submission to one of
the aggressors, and war with the other.
The last position is the only one on which there
can be any doubt ; and it will be most satisfactorily
demonstrated by selecting,aniongst the several mo-
difications which might be suggested, that which
may, cm first view, appear the least exceptionable;
a proposition to repeal the embargo, so far only as
relates to those powers which have not passed, or
de not execute any decrees injurious to the neutral
right: of the United States.
It is said that the adoption of that proposition
would restore our commerce with the native powers
of Asia and Africa, and with Spain, Portugal,
Sweden and Russia. Let this he talon for grant-
eel, although the precise line of conduct now pur-
sued by most of those nations, in relation to the
United States, is not correctly aseertaiued. So far
as relates 'to any advantages which would result front
that isseassre, if confined to its ostensible object, it
will he sufficient to observe, that the imports of ar-
ticles, of the domestic produce of time United
States, daring the year ending time 30th of Sep-
temlmer, int*, amounted to 48,700,000 dollars, soil
that the portion es nerred to the countries abuse
eattatetatcsl, -.1 of seven millions ; au

amount too incotaiderable, alien compared wart
the bulk of our exports, to de-erve uttrnh,su, eye,'
if a question affecting the. independetice of the* pa-
tina was to betireitied• by considereteous of imme-
diate profit.
Bet :he trw effect of the proposition would be,
to open nil is,ouecl thole with Great It:vane
which, threaet: mss. lbetheletie:e anti
Cash r, or tiptteninirgli, wonld rereive, at
reduced be glutted markets, and for want
of coseetitien, all ih,r pro: tsions. ndrill stores,
raw materials ior niaitMacteree, and other tietieles
which she may woo!. W I ether she atuititi be sa-
tisfied well that idrinn Alit state of thing, or whe-
ther, considering that as a pletlk.: tiit f-
lied subinissiou, site would, accerdiog to the tcuor
of her orders, ieterrnitt oar scanty commerce with
Russia, and occasionally, tinder some new pretext,
captare, rather that pastime, the canoes bored-
ed for her own use, is tinnily teem ail' aud
unitu-
portant. Nor can it be doubted that a tneiteare,
which would supply exclusively one of the bellige-
rente, would he Wilt with the other. t'ousidenal
tete( ty . a a question of profit, it entild be much
snore eligible ut once to raise tile euttargo in rthe-
too to l Treat Britain, as we would then, at Imam,
lisle the adranteees of a direct market with the
einisomer. teat tilt! propo-l:ion can only be di-
feuded on the grimed thst Fleece is the onle se-
eressor, anti that bevel.; ho jo,t tea.:ou to compile's
of fenelatl, it is our (Ito:. to submit to her itelsr-.
On teat iniadmisetble supyisi:ion, it would net
only be amore candid, lest H.. 0
as wall as more advantageous course, oposely to join
England, and to make war against Fraece. The
object world be clearly understood, an Ally would
be obtained, and the measures of su hulls ion might
be better palliated.
It appears uunecessary to purnte any ferthee the
examimuiva of propositems. which ..i-
-tuation of the United Stouts could alone hive siog-
geeted, and which will prove more inadmissible, or
ainpraeticable, as the. subject is more thoroughly
investigated. The alternative is ',Ai:jai ; it is be-
tween a continueti suipensioit of coin:sweat Mill war
with both England and Fraece. lint ate choice
meet ultimately be made betty'. en the two; and it
is important that e e 'Mould be prepa:cd :Or either
the one or the other.
The aggress mis of England zed Fracce eollec-
tively, affecting almost the whole of our cowmen 0,
and persisted in, notwithstanding repeated mulct:-
strances, explanations, and propoeitioee the met
candid and unexceptionable, are, to all intetate and
purposes, a ,maritime war tvieeed by both nettone
meattert the United States.. It cannot be dented
float the ultimate and only efrectual mode of r: •:s;-
ing that warfare, it' persisted in, is war. A pertll4-
neat suspension of commerce, utter repeated and
unavailiug efforts to obtain peace, would not et
petty he resistance: it would be Withdrawing from
the contest, and abandoning our indisputable right
freely to navigate the ocean. The pteeent uneet-
tled state of the world, the extraordinary situ:thou
in which the United States are 'Avocet!, and the ne-
cessity, if war be resorted to, of tanking it at the
some time tigeiust both natioes, and these the ten
most powerful of the world, are the princial e 1141%.,
of litteitation. There would be none in resorting tit
that remedy, however calaiiiitotta, if a selection
could be made on any principle of justice, or
without a sacrifice of national indeptauleilee.
• On a question of such difficulty, 'involving the
most important interests or the Union, and• which
has not perhaps, until lately, been sufficiently coo-
sidered, your Cummittee think the House alone
competent to pronounce a (let islet opinion ; and
they have,. in this Report, cotifined themselves to au
exposition of the subject, and to such introductory
resolutions, as will be equally applicable to either
alternative. The first of these, being more docle-
ratory of a determination not to submit to ftweign
:usgrrtr'stisiiioniums., teorwheavitesr,.,ait.etaie
vfirste,tview.y
th,llllti
ta-ar.
unfree, that a pledge by the Repretentatives of the
nation, that they will nut Omelet' its teseettal
rights, will not at this critical moment be
ceptable. The misapprelsensions which stem to
have e'isted, and the inisrepreeentations whit
have been circulated, respCeting the state of titer
foreign relations, render also such declaretion ex-
pedimit. Amid it may not be useless that teteor
foreign station should understand, that its aggres-
sions never will be justified or eneouregen by
any description of American citizens. lor the
question for every citizen now is, whether i.e sill
rally round the government of his choice, or a illet
under foreign banners ? Whether he will be be
his country, or against his country ?
The Committee respectfully submit the follt.wies
Rceolutiens--
I Resolved, That the United Stairs eatenOt, witb,r3t
sari :face of their rights, homer, and itpitveDdeuce, Is
the late edicts of Great Britain and Fs lace.
it Resolved, That it is expedient to prohibit. by Li., 140
admission Tutu the ports of the I.:Lined Flaws of all ,Aibie
tr
private. armed or unarmed ships or vessels belonging to
Great Britain or France, oh to any otter of the iel solvent
posers, having in forcemeat. or Seeress velOotesg the lairre'
cvittawrce and ueetibi rights of the Veiled fitiovs ; mid •
the iinpottatiun of' ant goods, were, or IScrtignadule,
grwctb, protlace, or tuantificture, tie duantiloas of say
to the said power% or imported from soy place in the pts-
stowiwo of either
X. Resolved, That measures might to be inicasdianay
taken fur placing the ministry in • Inollcomplete stint of tie
fence.
SF.W-TORK, DEC•
Our Readers will perceise that CooKre,v, ./il
Thursday, came to a decision relative to the Rem.-
lutions proposed by the Committee on Voreigit it -
lotions. The majority is honourable, both as it
respects numbers and talents; and we bore that
only one sentiment relative to th measures about
to be adopted will animate the breast of evety ti.'
:mud independent Amneemuin.
New-vont:, Dec. 13.
Our destiny is fixed—:be Eanbargo Is' to 14
continued—and the runt of the country tone
',tetra! if any one doubt these assertions. let his
read Mr. Galletioa'y letter in this day's Gazelle, at
which letter Mr. Giles has foulard a Mlle on-
bracing a!I the Secretary's priltrildes ; tthth lid',
we have no doubt, has already pamed tutu a kine-e
What is to become of us!
• • out. lt•
From accounts from the llevnonalt, jot-
the yntli of Not-ruttier, Ly tliteeltio. tuvr Zrie,
appears that the late &cues, 4setreivam
there claimd his uffice on the ISM of dot Awn' •

1