Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-01-31
NEUTRAL RIGHTS.

dated ScptcmDer gym. lSO5.
This country isAleprcda,ing upon our com
merce to EN- unsxamrisd length. and 20 suppose
that any man will find favor in the courts OF
vice adrisalty. or with the grosdy plunderers OF
our comne'ce, is ab surd. 10 destroy our COM
n'crce with view 70 give opening for the
pl0yTren. OF ;heir own vessels at the close of the
war, is one object (; aud aao.her is, TO give en-.
comragenen, 10 the navy. particularly TO the
higher ofirers oF il, whose small pay without
eboogy, will nor r!ford them an adequate susport,
there having been no alteration in it for upwards
OF hundccd years These considerations have
great influence IN inducing the conduit, which
Is pursued towards our vessels especially as
the com -rce of France, Spain and Holland af
tords no boosy, and except that carried on by
hcItra's, is ~ manner destroyed II is Curl
ous fact which ought TO BE- known in the United
SAFES, that sir IYm Scott, who is the Judge Of
vie admiralty. and determines the law of natl.
oa3 respecting reutras, as up by this NATION,
is \ member OF the privy council and from time
10 time receives directions fssm the board TO mo.
dify his deci.iTis accorain. 10 circumstances
Whereby ,'c law, whica oash. to he hxsd and
settled, upon just principles. is perpetuay vary
log. aud is wavetins and unseIh.d ; and IL is
also to be observed. that the decisions of the
judge produce all the e,ctl os new orders to ;he
saipsof war AMI p.ivaeess, by their agents ri
wing notice al every new principle Change
dorted by III: jugs. l. is b. this mans cement
Tia, our vessels have bsen lately brought in and
Condemned. whilst 1t has becn openy declared
that no new orders have been issued. Morning
cancxcc=d the management with which this go
vsrnncat proceeds towards our vessels and
commerce.
Il Is high time that we had national charac-
ter. AID HAT we FELIX for the national interest,
tina. w!icn either were attacked we should be
ready to avcnse the iajury, let it come from
what quarter it might. Without this, il is vain
to hope for the security of our commerce. or the
adoption OF proper ineasurc3 lor Ihat purpose
Me Monroe has presented long note to lord
Malgrsve upon the suhjsa of the late captures
Ii IS well written. arSumcntative and spirited,
although tempered with moderation and respect
to this government.
The principle of free ships making free goods
is considered here to be abandoned by the Uni
ted States and there is no doubt bur that our
conccssicn Of it 10 this government produced an
important inaIsnce inducing the modification or
rather abandonment of theprincip.e. By Russia,
and the other northern powers in June. 1901. -
In the Ofober following, four months after the
treaty between Russia ard Great Britain had
been signsd. the parties made declaration
plana,orJ OF rhs second section of the Sd article,
~ wnfcr 'tney desiAis (In case however an
which Russia h-d no In,eyest) q thar the free
don Of navigation and comnerce, granted b.
the SAID etticie 10 the Subjects ot i ucusra pow
eTI does noI authoiiSe them a. carry IN tiaie Of
war the produce trcrcnantize of the colonies
osths bchgercn: power dnett - the continental
possessions, nor VICE VERA from the moler
country the enemj S Colonies but thai the
said cu.ijstis are. however. to enjoy inc same
advantages and facilities in this commerce as
are enjoyed By the most favored nations and
especially by ,he Usited STATES OF ATne,ica"
IL is IN this way aha, III. interests o. neutral
nations have b:en played eli against each ohe.
10 the asiyas,taSs Of t,is nasiou ard che uii-
s.rl 80 -.
own rights and in.s ests as neutrAs.
In the present conjuacture Of aGairs, it an
pears 10 me .:dvi5e@bie, that our merchants
shou,1 meet and discuss the subject of neural
rights, and taking the Russian treaty with G..
Britain for their guide as it stood unex plainsd
IN Jupei 1901, when it was m ade, should pass
resolutions consonamt thereto, and enforce them
with petition to the government of the United
States. TO adopt the ready me ans To oarry
lnto'sSecuuon such measures as il might deem
Necessary 20 give HE most eilsclual pros etlioa 10
our navigation and commerce. A measure of
THIS Kind, nave no douby, would De attended
w'ththe happeSt eheotc. Il would show that
the merchants were united amens them selves
ami were disposed pace their neutral rights
Upon an equitable ground, whilst rhcir claim,
would be moderate, and grounded upon the old
law CT nationt, as laid down by the best wri
tiers. No party views distortions ouSh; to
enter iato i'iis measure: all should JON and
make Common oanse in it & in this case such
weight would DE given to the representations OF
our ministers in Europe. tnat L have no doubt,
that our neutIal rights would be Respected BY
this and other bs'ligeIent nations have had
no motive IN sugge.;ing The foregoing advice,
bur for tbs bcneT protection of our Navigation
an5 commerce. Ii arose out of the uujust con.
der aaion OF Mr. SIS property, connected with
suol, fatts. and the bast view OF things, which
my present situation has enabled me 10 obtain
Before conclade ought mention TO you
new case which has occurred and which /
heard OF since writing the foregoing. l. shs9 S
10 what icngththis government means to carry
Its restrittions upon our commerce. whilst il e..
qually paints ont the necessity for decisive msa
t'rss from our government. The case to which
aude refers to American vessel bound
trer China to Amstcrdau, which was con.
demned few DAYS snee oy Sir VIM Scott, blu
restored 10 the owner day two after wards
b. the agent ofthe pTva,eer, al the instance of
Sir John Nichols, tAe advocate general. who.
it is SAID, observed 10 the agent, thaS il vat an
uniavoraols time to enforce the principle
a Z a a A a