Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1801-08-19

pcIo6gs, IN relation TO that from the poi
felton, Ct wkici, fuch re-capeurcd vsael was
taken. The degree OF tervicc rendered
the reicusd veGel is precifely the fame as
If it had been rendered by belIiserent
| yet the rights accruing to the ,ecap,or are
| not the fame, becaule no right car accrue
| from an. act in itfelt' unla .vful.
In ofa4sa then to decide on the rishsses
Capt. Taibst, It brconrrs ue.rhary 70 eS-
anime the relative htuation of the United
States and France at the date CT the re-
capture.
The Whole powers OF war being, by the
contribution of the United States, ve!ted
il Congreis, the acts of that body can a
lone be relorted to as onr gnides in this
enquiry. 1t is not denied, nor in the
courfe Of the argument has it been denied,
that Congress may authorize general hofi-
lilies, in which cafe the general laws ct
war apply to our htuation; or partial ho.-
tilities, in which cafe the laws Of war, 70
tar as they actually apply to our ii'aation''
mutt be noticed.
To determine then the rea! iitu2tion OF
America in regard to France, tie acts Of
Congrefs are 10 beinfpetted.
The frtt act on this 4utjeA paIei on
the 18th of May, 1893, ard is entitled
g An act more efcctuaily 20 protect
the commerce ard coats Of the United
States.
This az Authorizes any armed veeel Of
the United States TO capture any armed
veael failing under the authority, OF pre-
tence of authority Of the republic Of
France, which ihall have committed de-
preda,ions on yeGe's belonging to the citi-
zcns of the United States, CT which ihall
be found lowering OH the cea.ts fer the
purpoie of committing fuch depredst!ons.
1t alto authorizes the re-capture OF vei-
!eis belonging to the citizens OF the Ons'ed
States.
On the 18TH of June, 1895, an act was
paned ", 10 authorize the defence Ct the
merchant venels CT the United States a.
gaina French depredations.
This act empowers merchant vefieIs,
owned wholly by citizens of ,he United
States, to defend the,nielves as7in!t any
attack which may be made on >s'aem By
the commander or crew Of any arms vel
fel falling under French colours, or aetsns,
or pretending to act, by or under the au-
thority Of the French republic and 70
capture any fuch veGel.-Ihis act alto az
thorizes the recapture Of merchant veAeis
belonging to tie citizens of the United
States. BY the I'd ieaion, inch arIned
vei1el is to be brought in and condemned
for the ufe of the owners aad captors.
By the fame fiction, recapeured veAeIs
belonging to the citizens OF the United
States, are to be reiioret, they paying tor
favase net lefs than one eighth, ror more
than one half, Of the true value OF iuch
veiel and cargo.
On the 18th of June, an aapaG;d Z" IN
addition to the act more eH-tfually TO pro-
tett the commerce and coats OF the United
States.
This authorizes the condemnation Of
veiiels brought in under the fris act, with
their cargoes, excepting only from fuch
condemnation the goods of any citizen os
perfon reGden, within the United States,
watch ihall have been before taken BY the
crew of fLch captured veiie!.
The fecond lection provides, that when
ever any veael OF goods, the property Of
any citizen of tks United States, or perion
reideus therein, ihall be re-cap'ured, the
fame hall be reaored, he paying ior
ialvage one eighth part of the value, free
from all deductions.
On the 9thof July ano her law was enc
aaed, " further to protect the commerce
| Of tie United States
This att authorizes the public armed
| yrfTel Of the United States 10 take any
armed French veGel found on the high
ias. 1t alto directs iuch armed veael,
with her apparel, guns, SC. and the goods
and e5-tas-tound on board, being French
property, to be condemned as tor.eitsd.