The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-08


much injury and indignity towards friend
iy power; but no mention was made of the
causes of such measures being resorted to, or
even of the fact of their having been adopt
ed. In addition to the encouragement ari-
sing from these circumstances, and the in
sufhcienCy of the explanations subsequently
given to Mr.. Canning the introduction of a
subject foreign to that of the complaint, be-
cause the main impeachment to the success
of the discussion which took place in Lon
don. When had the honor to open the ne
Sociation with yon, sir, as / had learnt that
the Presidents Proclamation was still in
force, it became my duty conformably to my
instructions, to require its recall, as preli-
minary to farther discussion had it not been
In force, / was not ordered to have taken it
into consideration in the adjustment of repa-
ration and it was considered as hardly pos
sibie, that it should not have been recalled,
immediately upon the knowledge of his ma
jesty's disavowal Of the attack upon the Che
sapeake, as an Unauthorized act.-But his
majesty could not suffer the negotiation to be
carried on. on his behalf, under an interdict,
which, even if justifable in the first moment
of irritation, cannot be continued after the
declaration of his majesty's sentiments up
on the transactions, except in spirit of hos
tility. =
1t might have been fairly commended, that
in the first instance, the exercise of such an
act of power, before PREPARATION was refused
or unduly protracted, was incompatible
with the purposes and essence of pacific ne
gociation, and with demand of redress
through that channel; but such have been
his majesty's conciliatory views, that this
argument has not been insisted on, although
1t might now be the more forcibly urged, as
It appears that the government of the u. S.
was from the first Sensible that even had
hostility been meditated by the British GO
vernment, it would not have commenced it
IN such a manner, But the exception taken,
is to the enforcement continued up to the
present time, of measures highly unfriendly
in their tendency, persisted in, not only af-
ter the disavowal in question, the promise
OF the proffer of suitable PREPARATION, and
the renewed assurances of his majesty's a.
micable dispositions, but, after security has
been given in public instrument bearing
date the 10th of October, 1907, that the claim
to the seizure of the deserters from the ma
tional ships of either powers, cannot again be
brought forward by ms majesty 5 naval Off III
GERS, it is unnecessary to dwell upon the in
jury. and indignity to which his majesty's
service is exposed, both as touching the free
dom and security of correspondence of his
agents, and accredited ministers in the w.
States, or as resulting from measure,
u
his navy from all their ports which ports
are completely open to the fleets of his enc
mics. 1t will be sufficient to observe, that e.
ven where exemptions from it are granted,
they are made subject to such conditions,
that of the three last British ships of war,
which have entered these ports upon public
business, two of them, his majesty's ship Sta
tira, having on board minister sent out for
the adjustment, of the present differences,
and schooner bearing dispatches, in conse-
quence of their inability to procure pilots,
we're obliged to enter their waters without
such assistance, and were exposed to cons-
derable danger. Great-Britain, by the forms
established, could repair the wrongs commit
ted, even to the satisfaction Of the United
States, no otherwise than by the channel of
negotiation yet she avowed distinctly, that
wrong was committed, and that she was
ready to make PREPARATION for it; it cannot
therefore be commended, thai the unavoida-
BILE delay of actual PREPARATION, subjected her
to the imputation of persisting in an aggres-
sion, which was disclaimed from the first if
this is true, however much she will regret any
impeachment in the adjustment of difference,
in which the feelings of this nation are SO
materially interested, can she consistently
with due care of her own honor and inte-
rests, allow it to be concluded on her part I'M
der an adherence to conduct, which has a
decided character of enmity in the proceed
iDgs held towards her by the other party.
know not in what view the perseverance
In the Presidents proclamation, up to this
moment, can be considered, but in that of a
measure of retaliation or Of self assn
med reparation (; or a measure intended to
compel reparation unless it be that which,
If rightly understand, you define it to be,
measure of precaution. 81 90. o..
IT when a wrong is committed, retaliation is
instantly resorted to by the injured party, the
door to pacific adjustment is closed, and the
means OF Cancellation are precluded. The
right TO demand PREPARATION is incompatible
with the assumption of it. When parties are
in state of mutual hostility, they are so
far on footing, and as such they may treat ::
But party disclaiming every unfriendly in
tention, and giving uncquivocal proofs of an
anlcable disposition, cannot be expected to
treat with another whose conduct towards it
has the direct effects Of actual hostility. IF
then, the enforcement Of the Presidents bro
clamauon, up TO the present moment, is
measure OF self assumed reparation, it is di-
rectly repugnant to the spirit and fact of A.
micablc negotiation if it is measure to
compel reparation, it is equally so and by
the perseverance in it, Great Britain is dis
pensed with the duty Of proffering redress
But ifit is measure Of precaution, in order
to secure reparation, or in order to compel it.
1t tails under the objections ] have Just sta
ted: 1t 1t is precaution adopted as guard
against acts of violence apprehended on the
part OF his malestV'S naval cfEcaro a .,,ro