Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1803-02-18

Tim, fgncd by youriclf and Others, am
commanaed torranimit you the enclofed
paper, as containing the principles ufon
whichths orders lately given, with ref ett
to the American trade, are to be contina-
ed in full force ard have the honor to be,
fir, your obedien, lsrvant,
G. r. TIME.
Goge,A0Y's Sec.
g The deanitiye treaty OF peace, as "a
titled by the leveral powers OF Europe,
having, for Considerable time pat, been
publiihcd, it was thereby made known,
that the colonies, of Demefara and Eiie-
GUIDO were TO be rcAored to the Gats-
Wan republic +; consequently no doubt
could be entertained but the government
Of that cour try would, among other re.
gulations. put the American trade II thtie
colonies upon fcmc footing, which from
The naturesof things it was natural TO ex-
peef would be different from what II had
been Whit thele colonies were in poiiei-
fioa of his BTitani: majeity's arms.
/" A fate of peace having taken pa'e
to that of war, it is obvious that what
mieht have been deemed expedient in the
former could not be conGdered as binding
in the latter; and the more obvious, as
the acts OF the Britifh covers ment or the
authorities under it are limo manner con-
netteI with tilofe ofthe Batayian govern
uent from the moment that the laws OF
the Batavian republic refuEe their force
in thefe colonies.
I {" Whatever permits then the collectors
of the Britiih cutoms may have given
Whit the Britiih flag was flying, loft all
effect as focn as the Batayian flag was
hoiRed.
" This event has not been fudden or
unforefeen enc it might have happened
many months ago it has been expected
to t.ke place in ,hefc colonies for the three
lat months.
{" 1t became then every prudent trader,
who was not citizen of the Batavian re-
public, to difpoie Of his cargo or make
luch contracts for The fae Of it, as would
eventually fecure him againf any lofes
TO which new order fittings might fub
jet him.
!" A reference to the laws of thofc CO.
lonies on the fubjeet of the American trade,
as they food before the year 1895, and
which are we'll known would have been
fure guide in this bufineis. Had the
prefent government ,thorght fit TO re-
train the American trade 7vitbm what II
was by ,hofe laws, fome plea might have
been made by thoie who thought them
felves juRi6ed by acting contormable TO
them. AS It's now, the laws thar are
again put in force being exactly the fame
as exiaed before the year 1895, ali
approximations upon that ground would
be incorrect, and if any lcas are likely
to be frfained by the American traders
they mutt attribute them to their neglect
10 inveftigate or careleiinets about the
content. of thofe laws.
s. 1t Is then eyldents that the unloItu
rate iituation in which the American ira
ders think themlelyes placedby the change
Of flag, cannot be afcr.bed to the preient
government, but to ,hote alone who plac-
ed themlelves in fuch ftuation; and
every candid mind will fee that the inf
dious oblerya,ion as if the Batavian 60
yernment did not hold facred and inviolate
any contract lawfully entered into, is as
improperly applied as it is unjnf in princi-
pie, Gnce the Batavian government or Its
regents are neither parties to any OF thoie
contracts, nor bound by any principle OF
good faith 10 fan6tion them, inaimuch as
they have been concluded without any
exprefs or tacit APPRECIATION of govern
ment, but on the contrary IN direct con-
travens:on Of tfofe laws, which being
known TO have exifed it was natural TO
IL