Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-08-22

; raese yesai;rs 1yese- erdcrsd6y The PreceAss
4 administration, and at a fourth that the
Berceau was considered, aud repaired
as an American vessel. These several
| nacdes of defence require shert exaHsina.
ton.
In the convention with France was pro.
vision, that the ships of both nations taken
after the time ofthe ratification ofit, should
be mutually restored. Allowing then :
cons,ruction Of this convention, requiring
the restoration of the Berceau in the state
in which IT was in at the commencemetr,
of the battle with the Boston, whence was
derived tae powerto place it in a better
condition than 1t that period?@ Neither
this treaty nor any law passed On thc sub
iect, gave sucha power. Yet an agen. OF
government expressly Informs, that her
state of repair on delivery was better, than
Immediately anteriorto the sitne Of capture
Her cabin was Elled with the furniture
of luxury. Her stores were such a. are
eeen only onta,c splendid table. The best
workmea and the best materials were aionc
fit, 70 strengthen and decorate skip be.
longing to a nation CT pirates. fhe ad.
ministrntion were not only laying open the
breasts Of The country, but directing the
dagger with WHICH an enemy desired to
pierce it. The words OF the treaty howe.
yer do not adEait Of such a construction. Il
void be eliminating ourselves. If admitted
defensive war carried or TO save our sea-
men from captivity, and Cur property from
destruction, must be pronounced unjustiha-
BILE. 1t is, even misfortune to take the
ships of an enemy, because if VIC conquer
, we must make compensation if conquered
we must be compensated. An equality Of
RICH, however demanded the PREPARATION Of
the Boston by France, if itreQuired that of
the Berceau by america. The truth is Boz
naparte could claim nothing more by the
treaty, than the restoration of the vessel,
shattered as it was when it first came into
Our possession. The thirty two thousand
dollars which were expended on il, can on
ly DC placed to the account Of the paftiality
and overaowing affection for France,
which have ever characterized Mr.. eFcr-
son.
When 3 chief magistrate condesccn1s to
explain any measure Of his adnin:strati on,
the possession of complete information
gives a nation right TO expect satisiac-
tory defence. SO far from referring 70 the
treaty, or law, authorizing an expenditure
OF money on the Bercean, the president,
with more sincerity than his supporters,
and with less distrust Of his party, justi-
fes the transaction on principles Of reason
and policy. In n,essag:, in April 1902,
toehe House of Representative request
ing information concerning this vessel, he
says: (" row trans NIT the papers, desired
in your resolution of the sixth instant
Those respecting the Berceau will suffici.
emily explain themselves. The oaicer cIlarg-
ed with her repairs, states in his letter re-
ceived August 81, 1901, tina. he had been
led by circumstances, which ne explains,
to 20 considerably beyond h;s orders. II
questions between nations, who hive 70
common umpire bet reason, something
must often be yielded OF mutual opinioe 20
enable them to meet In COMMON point"
fad we not before arrived in THAR common
point, in which France could meet us -
Must large SUM be expended on the Byr
ceau in addition 10 dirty Hllians Of dol
lars, to strengthen the ,ies Of friendship,
and produce mutual sentiment Of harmo-
ny? What equivalent have we received
from the 'nag7,animsas yepk5Ac for all these
marks of affection, more grateful than sim.
pie cendescension? She has not even re !
paired the Boston. She has only ins,iitec
our pesitions for redress. A sabordinal.
officer, confding in the inclination of the
executive tor justification, could go cors-
derabk, beyond has orders, in adding to
the power of aa inYeterate foe. Though
Mr.. Jcfepon May feel willing to be a vice