The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-02
POLITICAL.
DOCUMENTS.

DOCUMENTS.
ACCOMPANYING THE PREsIpENT's messAoE.
(coNcLUpEp)
CORRESPONDENCE
BETWEEN
MR.. MADISON AND Mr. ERSKINE
Copy IF letter from, the hon. David II. Erstine
esrvop extraordinary and minister blenibotenid,y
otMs Brifannic nsajesty, to the Secretary Of State
Of the Unitea STATES, datsg
WAshiNo March II, 1907.
am charged, by his majesty, to express to
the government of the United States, his maies
ty's perfect confidence in their good sense and
frmness, in resisting the unjust pretensions con-
tanned in the decree issued by the French govern
ment, at Berlin, on the 2lst November, which, if
suffered to take effect, must prove destructive
to the commerce o. all neutral nations.
His majesty has learnt, that the measures, an
rounced in this decree, have already, in some in
stances, been carried into execution, BY the pri
vatcers OF the enemy; and there could be no
doubt that his msjesty would have an indisputa-
BILE right to exercise Just retaliation. Neutral
nations cannot, indeed, expect that the King
should suffer the commerce OF his enemies to be
carried on through them, whilst they submit to
the prohibition which France has decrced against
the commerce of his majesty's subjects But
though this right of retaliation would, inquest
onably, accrue to his MAJ cstv, yet his majesty is
unwilling, except in the last extremity, To have
recourse to measures, which must prove dis
tressing to all nations not engaged in the war a
gainst France.
His majesty, therefore, with that forbearance
..cc have AZ all times. distin
gu!shed his conduct, has determined, for the pre-
sent, to coniine himself to the exercise of the
ty, in such manner only, as is authorised by the
acknowledged principles Of the law OF nations,
and has issued an order for preventing all COM
merce, from port to port, of his enemies; com
pretending, in this order, not only the ports of
France, but those of other nations, either in
alliance with France, or subject to her dominion,
have, by measures of active offence, or by the ex
elusion of British ships, taken part in the pre-
sent war.
Ills majesty feels an entire confidence, that the
moderation and justice of this conduct will be du-
Iy appreciated by the United States, and has
charged me to express to their government, in
the strongest terms, the regret he has eXperien-
ced in being thus compelled, in his own defence,
TO act in manner which must prove, in some de-
gree, embarrassing to the comm cree of neutral
nations, and his sincere desire to avoid any stron
ger measures to which, however, 1t the inJus-
tice and aggression of his enemies should not be
resisted by those nations, whose rights and inte-
rests are invaded by so fragrant violation of all
public law, it may be ultimately necessary for the
king to have recourse.
have the honor TO be,
With great respect and consideration,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant
(Signed) ID. M. ERSKINE..
.aE. Madison, Secretary Of State, in reply to the
feregoing
DEPAnrMENT OF STATE,
March 90, 1907
SIR,
l have laid before the President your letter
of the 18th instant, communicating the views of
his Britannia majesty, in relation to the French
decree of November u, 1906, and TO the princ-
plc of retaliation, through the commerce of neu-
trails who may submit 10 the operation of that de-
cree rs, also, the measure actually taken, of
prohibiting all neutral commerce from port to
port his enemies, not only the ports of France
but those of such other nations, as, either in alli
ance with France, or subject to her dominion,
have BY measures of active offence, or by the
exclusion Of British ships, taken part in the
present war
The president cannot be insensible, sir, to the
friendship and confidence towards the IT, States,
which are signfed by his Britannia majesty in
this communication. In making this acknow-
Judgement, however, the President considers it |
not less incumbent on him, to reserve for state
of things which, it is hoped, will never occur, the
right of discussing the legality of any particular
measures, to which resort may be had, on a
ground of retaliation. At this time, it would |
suffice to observe, that it remains to be more full
ly ascertained, in what sense the decree in ques
tongwill be explained, and to what extent it will
be carried into execution and, consequently, |
whether, in any case, the United States can be
5nvolved in questions concerning measures of re- |
faliation, supposed to accrue to one belligerent
from such proceeding by another But, it is
worthy the justice and liberality of the British
government, to recollect, that within the period
of those great events, which continue to agitate
Europe, instances have occurred, in which the
commerce of neutral nations, more especially of
the United States, has experienced the seyerest
distresses from It's own orders and measures, ma
niiesly unauthorized by the law of nations The
respect which the United States owe to their
neutral rights, & the interest they have in main
tanning them, VIII always he sufficient pledges,
that cuipable acqiiescence, on their part, will
render them accessory to the proceedings Of one
belligerent nation, through their rights OF neu-
traiity, against the commerce of its adversary
With regard TO the particular order issued a
gairs the trade Of neutrals, from one port to an
other, of the enemies of Creat-Britain, no fair
objection can lie against it, provided it be ioun-
ded on, and enforced by actual blockades, as au-
thorised by The law of nations. II, on the other
hand, the order has reference, not to such a