The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-09-30

The econd doctrine advanced BY yetir s.,iniilry dr.
ring the late and pfefent war is the right TO declare
a whole country in Rate Of blockade, and this whe-
Their there be hps conanty before the ports of that
country not :fhis fort of blockade by proslan,a-
tion founded upon the perverion Of very reafou-
able doctrine of the law OF nations. that when town
or cattle is actually Unveiled, that is to fay, 70 furronr-
ded that its inhabitants have no OF getting out,
and while there is hope Of reducing the town or
Eortrefs, it fall not be lawful for neutral enter
into the be6eged boekaded port, TO carry in
ny provifions TO their afianee. IL referved to
Great Britain dcover tina, under this very rational
and limited do2rine comprized the right to de-
clare all the ports of enemy iii tste of blockade,
whether actually inveGed not, and where there
was neither hope nor an intention of reducing the
port Of tbe country. Now thete is another equally
clear principle III the law Of nations and that is that
neutral nations may lawfully carry their trade
with either ofthc hellissfeut nations without inter.
ruption One ofthefe two principles nun then fall,
for they eont together. IF belligerent ma
ton has the right TO declare whole country in 4
tate of blockade whether actually blockaded not,
or whether there be hopes of reducing the place
then the right of neutrals is entirely nugatory, and
may be expuuged from the code of nations.
But j. may be faid that Great Britain keeps fleet
OF the ports Of her enemies which fhe declares bloc
kaded. This cray be partly true, but this blockade
is merely nominal; t neverhas interrupted the in
az tutie ports ports oi the
fame country; nor is il done with the hope or inten.i-
on of reducing the place by famine, whchs the ef-
fence of the principle and upon which alone the right
to exclude neurrals is founded. Thi. leads to
eonfder the wckednefs ard innfice Of thefe prnci-
pies as practfed by your government. Thefe inter
ruptions neutrals are no, done permitted with
view of inuripg the enemies, 70 much with the
dehgn of aiding the commerce OF Great Britain OF
checking the growth Of neutral nations of whole prof
Nor ;s &c
beeaufe yntr government permits the free iportati-
on of the fame goods to her enemies from her own
ports that me prevents neutras from carrying Il is
a fa9 we'll known that American vefiels bound to
,he Spanih colonies have been condemned in the Ba-
hamas, their cargoes purchsfed by Bri,ih fubjeSas
and hipped for thofe very Spanilh colonies under
lcence from council with the kings own ign ma
nuel ,'>-
This not merely confined to that trade, but in
Great Britain i,fe, the in the produce OF
colonies pern;ttedfron the ports Of England direct
! ly to the ports of the enemy.
Ii is therefore iniure their enemy lit not to
of supplies, that this vexaoryswarfare is
ried agsinlt neutral commerce; i, iimpy to az
rogate herfelf to n.onopoize the advantages of
lucrative trade, and check the rapid growth oil
Il ration wiror rrop-rity me III eatis.
This baie ic.fih, and aboninable principle is ex-
p!citly avowed in the panphiet which has lately
beer rubliihed, and which iaa examine in another
| nanlber.
AN AMERICAN.
ITO be eoveiaded ia cur newt