Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1802-07-06
Fran a L0uaou paper ef MAJ s.
DEFINITIYE TkEATlr.

FRAN a Lennon paper of E1dp o.
DEFINITIYE TkEAIT.
After the unequiyocal difpohtion which
the French have ihewn on all occa6ons TO
wref every thing to their own advantage,
and to make the mott unbounded prelen-
fons, i; was particularly incumbent on the
miniiters of this country, in negotiating
the Treaty of Amiens, TO have laid down
very fronsly in j, principles and rules ty
which the relations Of peace and amity TO
ufe hacknied phrale) were to be guid,
ed.
The more of the Treaty Of Amiens is
conidered, the more will the neglect Of
this pIecaution be felt and lamented.
Well may it be iaid that this treaty re-
fembles no pat tranfaeion Of Diplomatic
nature. If we call it by the fame mar 6
of Defuitive Treaty, it is only from the
poverty of language or the inaccuracy of
cur ideas.
In truth, it will be found on careful
examination, and On practical experience,
that the treaty of Amiens, is mere ar
miifice. The parties late in actual con-
Aitt have ceaied TO fight, and have occu-
pied certain petitions. Nothing is lettled
but the mere fate of poGetlion. As to the
mode of exercite Of reflective properties
and claims; as to all the old rights and
uEages of neighborhood, 1.-THE points about
which 70 great part of the psGfive Law
Of Nations muf be converlant,) every
thing is left absolutely unfettled. Nobo-
dy knows what he is to do, what he is TO
poaeis in quiet.
Formerly, when ancient treaties were
renewed and confirmed on the reforation
of peace, the late belligerents knew on
What footing they food. At prefent they
are absolutely ignorant Of the extent of
their own rights, or the pretenGons of
others. Nay, in fact the confufon will
be greater from the inevitable mixture
thar will aFile of claims iet up on pre-
tended natural right, and the practice for
merly exiting by poGtive convention. -
That the French will, as ufual, fet up the
natural rights of nations to contef many
of ancient indubitable pry lodges, every
man of common obfervation is aware
They did lhrewdly in abolihing all the
treaties. They knew that the natural
rights Of independent nations furnifhed an
inexhaufible fund of claims to be fuPport-
ed by general reaioning, while the fair
| and recognized Interpretation Of treaties
would have circumfcribed their ambition.
| 1t is not that we have the imallef doubt
that the claims of the French will, in ma.
| ny cafes, be defitute of equitable foun-
dation. We mutt calculate the extent of
the French claims, not by equity, but
by power. Power is the common weight
| and common meafure of the Republic.
For inftance, We do not fay that the
French will have any juf right to inter
fere with our Indian dominion, in COME
| quence of the abrogation of the convention
of 1857, concluded between Mr.. Eden
| fnow Lord Auckland) and the Count de
| Montmorin. That convention explained
what the French acquired by the 18th ar
| ticle OF the treaty of Veriailles in 1855.
| 1t was favorable to the French, but in
! the abolition of all former treaties the
French have deprived themlelves of the
benefit of the immunities conceded. But
| viii they not bring forward the fame claims
on other grounds in word there is, IN
this and other queaions, matter of infinite
concsrnment, (which may be the fource OF
new wars, and may prefent pretence