The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-11-25

found OH boerd the ships belonging to the CT
items OF ether Of the contracting parties, al
though thewhole lading or any part thereof
should appertain to the enemies of either,
contraband goods being always excepted
| These stpuiations are not more clear in
themselves nor of more indisputable appli-
cation aud authority in the present case, than
The inj1nctions of public law by which they
are enforced, fiz. that local regulations Tex
cepting by virtue of Convention) cannot APP
I, ply to foreign nations on the high seas, with
out violating Inc rights of the one, and the
freedom of the other that blockades can on
ly exist when places are SO invested, that no
serious attempt can be made to approach
them without exposing the parties making
them TO imminent danger; that merchant
vessels may be visited without any degrade
ton to the flag OF the nStion TO which they
belong, &c. &c. But why multiply proofs of
a position which is not denied? Does not the
| official report ofyour enlightened predccess-
or OF the 21st November, 1906, admit the
Iillegitimacy OF the original decree? Does
| 1t not expressly say that the doctrines of
blockade introduced by England, are mon
strous and indefensbc, and that the practice,
like the doctrine, is a mockery of right and
an insult upon reason ? After structures
50 so,ev, ass JUS, ,rae -. a :=:!
ior the policy OF France, which differs in no.
| thing from that of England! Has your
exccllency attempted to defend either
| the theory or tie practice of this policy on
the ground of tais conformity to the princi-
pies of public law ? Or have you done more
at any time, oron any occasion, than to seek
a justification for it OH the bare suggestion
that the u. Sites have acquiesced In the
measures of England? And how has even this
suggestion been maintained! BY an exposi-
! tho ,,,A, cod A
commerce, and which have been notoriously
practised by all the belligerents in turn p
Have not the SHIPS of the u. States been en-
countered by ALP Have they not been turn
| Iron their original destination Have they
rot been dra gged into foreign ports for adju-
dication? Have they not>in several instances
been burnt on the high seasi Is not the ar
gument founded on this state of things equal
ly good Tor either or for all the belligerents ?
And can France derive from it rights which
do not equally accrue to her enemies There
is however another and better answer to
TINS suggestion which your eXcellency has
already seen in the letter had the honour of
writing to you on the 10th February last, viz
that the suggestion, is neither well nor plau-
sibly founded-and that the United States
neither have submitted nor will submit to the
lusurpations of Great Britain, nor to those OF
any other nation.
Accept, sir, &c. &c.
/ JOHN ARMSTRONG.
HIS Ereellencythe Minis
ter Of Foreign Relations.
E-rfract ofa letter from Gen. ARMSTRONG to
Mr. Madison.
PARIs, April 10, 1908.
al have detained Mr.. Lewis till to-day, or
the supposition that my letter of the Cd in
slant would be answered. This was howe
yer mere accommodation to forms, as the alb
sence of the emperor and of the minister OF
foreign relations rendered this suppositior
highly improbable. There being then nc
public reason for Mr.. Lcwis's longer stay in
Paris, and the permission to the Usage tc
prosecute her voyage to England not inclu-
ding one to return to France, / have thought
1t best he should embark with such dipatche:
as were ready, proceed to Falmouth in En-
gland, and thence, after receiving Mr.. Pink
neys orders, return with all possible expe
ditlon to the United States He has accord
ingly been instructed to this effect.'
Extracts Of a letter from Gen. .frmstrons
to tie Secretary Of State, dated,
PARIS, June 25th, 1903.
he ST. Michael arrived at L'Orient OF
the ist instant, and, like the Usage, was i'm
medlately put under sequestration. 1t wa
not TIL the 9Th that Mr.. Baker arrived here
he remonstrance ordered, with respec
to the terms of M. Champagny's letter o
the 18TH OF January, shall be executed the
moment the Prince of Benevento returns from
Valencay * hope in way which, Will,
1t makes the French government sensibl,
OF the oitensivcncss of those terms, will no,
oostruct the road to friendly and respectful
explanations on its part
10 give this chance of finding Mr.. Ii
vingston at bordeaux, ] must close it here ,
With very high respect, sir,
Y our obedient servant.
(Signed) JOHN ARMSTRONG.
JAMES MADIsow, Esq. }
Secretary Of State. 5