Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-08

leu 10 WuateVer regulations France may
have prescribed for giving effect to her de-
crees, can no longer refrain from having
recourse to such measures as by retortipg
on the enemy the incorveniencies and evils
produced by mis- injustice and violence, may
Afford the only remaining chance ofputting
an end to system, the perseverance, in
which is not more injurious to his majesty's
dominions than to nations not parties TO the
war between Great Britain aud France.
The principle, upon which his majesty
hnds himself compelled to proceed, would
Justify complete and unqualified retalia-
ton on his part of the system announced
and acted upon by France, in respect to his
majesty's dominions: & his majesty might,
therefore, have declared in a state of ri
gorous and unmitigated blockade, all the
coasts and colonies ofFrance and her allies
Such measure, the maritime power OF G.
Britain would have enabled his majesty to
enforce nor would those nations, which
have acquiesced, without effectual remon-
STRANGE, in the French decree of blockade,
have derived any right from the per-
tect execution of correspondngdeterm
ton on the part of his IT ajesty, To complain
or his maJesty's enforcing that measure,
which the enemy has executed imperfect
ly, only from the want of the means oil exc
cution
his majesty however actuated by the
same sentiments OF moderation by which
his maJesty's conduct has been uniformly
governed, has been DESTROYS of alternating,
as much as possible, tho ;nconve niencies
necessarily brought upon. neutral nations
by state Oh things so unfavorable 10 the
commercial intercourse OF the world and
has therefore anxiously considered what
notifications it would be practicable to ap-
ply to this principle upon which he is COM
peiicd to act, which would not, at the same
time that they might afford relief from the
pressure OF that principle upon neutral or
friendly nations, impede or enteeb its o.
peration upon the enemy.
In pursuance Of this desire, the order in
council, which, if it had ended with the
sixth par graph, would have been no more
than strict AID jus,lh.ble retaliation for
the French decree of Nov. 1906, proceeds,
as you VIII observe, sir, to provide many
material exceptions, which are calculated
to qualify the operation OF the order upon
neutral nations in general, but which must
be considered as most peculiarly favored to
the particular interests of the Unite d
States.
1t VIII net escape you, sir, that by this
order In council, thus mod fed and regula-
tea, the direct intercourse OF the u States
with tae colonies ofthe enemy is unrestrain-
ed; an indulgence which, when II is consi-
dercd 70 be (as it really is) rot only mi
legation of that principle oil just reprisal up
on which the order itself is framed, but
deviation in favor of the United States.
IRON that ancient and established principle
OF maTitime law, by witch the intercourse
win the colonies ofan enemy in time cf war
Is limited to the extent which that enemy
was ccustomed IN time of peace to pre-
scribe Tor 1t, and which, by reference to
'he conduct OF France in d time of peace,
would amount to complete introduction,
Cannot fail TO afford to the American govern
ment proof OF the amicable disposition
CT his majesty towards he Unsted States.
You Will observe, SIR, also that the trans
portation of the colonial produce of the en-
ehy from the United States to Europe, in
stead OF being altogether prohibited (which
Wontd nave been the natural retail alton fer
the rigorous and universal prohibition of
British produce and manufactures by
Francs) is freely permitted to the ports OF
u. Britain, with the power of subsequent
re-exportng 1t to any part of Europe, un-
der Certain regulations.
Thr object OF these regulations VII be
the establishment # such protecting duty,
as shall prevent the enemy from obtaining
the p cduce of his own colonies at cheap
er rate than that Of the colonies OF G Bri-
tain. In this duty it is evident that Anne
RIGA IS no otherwise concerned than as be
ing TO make an advance 70 that amount for
which 1t IS in her own power amply 10 in
demrIiy herself at ;he expense of the To-
rein consumer.
Another NJ . important relaxation of the
primo pies upon which his majesty's orders
proceed Is thar which licences the impor-
tat'on 81 all flour aud meal, and all grains,
tobacco and other articles, the produce of
the SOL OF America with the exception OF
cotton, through the ports oS his maiesty's
into those Of his enemies without
The payment Ct any duty on the transit.
L ms is; beg leave 10 observe, an Instance
in which his maiesty has deprived MS mea-
sure OF us most eiiicacious and hurtful o.
peration against the enemy, through mo-
tiYes OF consideration ior e interests Of A.
merlca. The reason why MS majesty could
not feel himself At liberty, Consistent with
what was necessary for the execution of
MS purpose, IN any tolerable degree, to
allow this relaxation to apply 20 cotton, is
70 DC found in the great extent to which
France has pushed the manufacture of that
article, and the consequent embarrassment
upon her trade which heavy impost upon
cotton, as it passes through Great Britain
to France, must necessarily produce.
cannot refrain from calling the attention Of
The government Of the IT, States to the contrast
between the different modes m which his ma
esty's orders and those Of France are carried
INTO execution. By his majesty's. the utmost
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