The Potowmac guardian, and Berkeley advertiser. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1790-1798, 1796-12-08


even before thee regulations, adopted by the Pre-
iident, had e(tabiihed any rule whatever upon the
prohibition OF afmsments, the tribunal had a'rea-
dy, by order Of the government, assumed The cog
nizance of prizes made by French Vessels. mo ~
One of the predecessors of the underGgued proreft-
ed aeainft This, but 10 vain. The tribunals IT'LL
continued their PROHIBITIONS.
On the sd Of December, 49, the Prehdfnr aiked
Of Congress law confirming The measures contain
ed in the letter from the Secretary of the Ireaury,
above mentioned mo a. This law was Psissd the
9Th June, "a. What was its reiui' In COME
quence Of this law, the greater part OF u French
privateers have been arreted. we'll as their Pri-
yes, not upon formal depoftions, not upon eta
biihed teltimony, not upon necessary body OF
proofs, hut upon the Gmple information OF The con-
iu Of one Of the powers war with the French Re-
public, frequently upon that OF ailors Of the enemy
powers, fomtimes according TO the orders OF the
Governors, but often upon the Demand OF the dill
trct atornies, who ASSERT, upon principles avow-
ed by the gnvernment, No. 81 that thrir coHvIe-
ton was lutcient to authorize them, without COM
plant regular information, to caufe the Priva-
TO be protecuted in virtue of the law above
mentioned. mo. ~
When the miniiters of the Republic have aiked
juftice OF the government for the Vtxstions expert
enced by the privatcers, in contempt of the 18th
article Of the treaty, they have never been able 10
OBJ ain fatisiacion.
Thus, when on the 9TH Fructidor, Cd year, (26th
Anguit, 94,) the predecessor of the underiigns',
Addressed complaint to the government on rhis
futect, the Secretary of State aniwered, the 81
September, "a, bya pirate indicative of delay
Thus, when the fame mnifter the 27th Ven
demair, Sd year, Il til Oct 94 reminded the Ae-
eretary OF State Of the means he had propoied to
him, for putting end to the m~atures adopted
gain French privateers when he csuied him 10 Zee
thar this means, which condfr in r.qnring ieeuriiy
from rhofe who claimed the prizes as illegal. would
prevent the enemies of the republic from initu,ing
70 many iuits, of which they themielves perceived
the injuiice: he Obtained no other aniwcr than
that his proportion relative TO iecprites was mad.
milnble.
When on the 18th Flpreal, sd year, the fame mi
hitter expresed himicf in their terms, in !erter
to the Secretary of State; :" You have aliedged.
fir, that the executive of the United States
interfere in the affairs of which the tribunals have
taken cognizance. In admitting this objection for
all the bulneis now in uit, do not the Iefs think
that your government could, by general meaiurts.
bring back the juridiction of the American rrihu-
mails. concerning prizes made by orr velsels w bin
the limits precribed by treaties, which make
part of the iupreme law of the land. 1t might make
known that the facility with which your courts of
Admiralty admit, without diftincion, all tile Chi
canery which our enemies create again; US, ID the
prsient war, is evidently contrary the fPirir Of
the treaty." The government paid no attention to
theie reflections, and the anwer of the iecreary Of
ftate merely noices the particular fact which had
occafoned the note of Citizen Fauchrt.
What was the under hgued miniiter plenipotenti-
airy able obtain in the affair of The Ca6lus and of
the Vengeance ! Nothing.
The government of the UNIFIED States mutt have
ieen however by the claims which The miniitsrs of
the republic ADDRESSED it, and by the grear num-
Der of facts, Of which il has bad know ledge, how
much the execution of the mealures OF the pr-Gdent
and of the law OF the 5ih June, 1884, contrary
TO the I7th ricle Of the treaty; how much the
gency of the tribunals who ought have my
eognizance of the validity invalidiry OF prizes,
tended to annul the article, and TO deprive the
public of the advantage which it ASSURES her. In
fact. it evident. that when the powers a.
war with the republic had the privilege, in vr,re
of the law Of the 9Th Of June 1894 of cauins be
arreed the Privateers and their prizes Of dGtan-
ing them in the porsof the United ssares, Of ruin
ing them by comfortable colts. by the I've
pennies which they occaiioned them, they drew from
that privilege an immenle advantage, to the detr-
ment of France. Douhles it was Of little mpn.r
10 them that fomrtimes the pr;vsteers ohIatrsd
jaftce in the aIt reort, if they detained the priea
teer for length of time, and if they by That mean
ibeltered from their puriuit the commerce OF II
enemy Of France. The neutrality Of The Unir
States in this cafe alsogerher TO their advs
,sge and the federal government, fleeing r,
itate of things, ihculd out of refpect,n VS. nv
lily and TO treaties, folicit from The Cougrej.