The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-01-23
NUMBEP....I,
EXAMINATION OF THE BRITISH DOCTRINE
WHICH SUBJECTS TO CAPTURE a NEUTRAL
TRADE, NOT OPEN IN TIME OF PEACE.


TRADE, NOT OPEN IN TIME OF PEACE.
Such IS the title of pamphlet of 2o1 pages,
which hasjuft made its appearance at Wafninc
ton, without the name of the author prehxed !;
without even an imprint to ihow, evb,re it was
printed. 1t is evidently tie production of
fome matter fpirit" of the nation. At Waff,-
ington, report has already afcribei it to the
pen OF MIR. Madifon and the uncommon e..
legance and force of its ftyle, the comprehen.
fon of principle, the extent OF Information,
and the ciofenefs of reafoning which it diiplays,
ftrongiy confirm the opinion. II is clearly in
the manner of the celebrated Framer of the
Virginia report Of '99 and even though it
be not written by him, we may venture to fay
it would not be unworthy of his pen. But
from whoR-foever genius it may have emanated,
whether from the pen of the fecretarv of fate,
or from fome other author fcarcely lefs worthy
OF our admiration, we pronounce him entitled
to the gratitude OF our country and Of all neu-
trail nations, for his complete refutation of
the plundering doctrine of Great Britain.
1t is difficult to give satisfactory iummary
OF pamphlet before us, every page and line
OF which contains important ideas. But il may
not be altogether ufeleis, if we give its general
outlines, contenting ourfelves with referring to
the extract in our laf page, as a fpecmcn of
is filed up. We could indeed have wifl.ed &
had at one time intended, to have tranfplauted
every part of it into our paper: but we foon
recolcGtcd, that the value of the principles
which 1t fuppOrts, the manner in which they are
Imported, and the well-earned reputation of
tsreputed author, would in no long time con-
yey il into almof every mans hand, in the
mott diffant corners of the fate.
The author begins with general rule, that
nation not engaged in the war remaining in
the fame relations Of smity and of commercial
purfuits, with each of the beIligerent nations,
as exifted prior to the war, it would fcem that
| the war could not effect the intercourse between
| the neutral and either Of the belIigerent natl
ons. The fafety of the belIigerents however,
| has introduced a few exceptions to- this gene
raj rule. "Thus all iuRrnnenfJ Of quar-, going
into the ha' of one beIligerent nation, may
be intercepted, on the high feas, by its adver.
| larry. in like manner, neutral trade with A
place actually beEegsdis liable TO be interrupted
| Ivy the br6rgers /. is maintained alto on oss
Gde, though ftr.ncly coDteled ON the other
that the property If N0iio1 at qvdr, in HcR
trHi Nip, may be feiZrd and condemned by the
| enemy of that nation. To thefe exceptions, g
Britain has undertaken to add another as impor.
tant as it is new. She ailerts right to inter.
cept the trade of neutrals with her enemies, in
all cafes where the frade as ii refpe6ts the f1ip
the cargo, or even the individual port Of def
tnation, was not as free 6.tore the war, as it il
made turing the war;"
In applying this doctrine, TIE Btitin government
aud courts have not Us yet, extended beyond IN;
trade Of nquras on the COATS and with the colonies
ofeueries Btu; IL is manifea that this limitation !.
founded in CONTRIBUTIONS Of eSpedierey Only and
that the dnlrine IS neceGsry applicable to every n
Their brauch Of neutral commerce with belligereu
nation, which was not open to the fame nation in
time Of peace. IL might indeed with equal reaior
sv extended farther. Il pishtbe applied ,s the esr,