Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-22

British tribunals been in operation for
longer term than three, four or FIVE
years, whilst in no others has it ever
made its appearance but to receive a
decision protesting against it.
Such is the antiquity and such the
authority ola principle, the deviations
from which are held out rs SO many
favors consoling the United States for
the wide spread destruction of their
legitimate commerce.
What must be said as to the other
exceptions, which seem to have been
viewed as claims on the gratitude of
the United States? Is it an indul-
gence to them in CARRYING on their
trade with the whole continent of Eu-
rope, to be laid under the necessity Of
going first to a British port, to accep,
British licence and to pay tribute
to the British exchequer, as if we had
been reduced to the colonial situation
which once imposed these monopoliz :
| ing restraints?
What again must be said as TO other
features which we see blended on the
face ofthese regulations? IF the pol
ICY OF them be TO subject an enemy TO
Privatlons why are channels opened for
British trade with them which are
shut TO neutral trade If in other
cases the real object be to admit neu-
trail trade with the enemy, why is it
required that neutral vessels shall per-
form the ceremony of passing through
British port, when it can have no i'm
aginabls effect but the known and inev-
liable one of prohibiting the admission
OF the traea: into the port of destina-
ton
wllinot ask why primary article
oh our productions and exports. cotton
wool, is it TO b.. distinguished, in its
transit, by heavy impost not imposed
on other articles, because it is frankly
avowed, in your explanation of the or
ders, to be intended as an encourage
'nent 70 British manufactures, and a
| Geek TO the rival ones of France! I
suppr'ss also, though without the same
reason for it, the enquiry, why less
rigorous restrictions are applied to the
trade OF the Barbary powers than arc
enforced against that OF nation, such
rs the u. s. and in relations such as
have existed between them and Great
J Britains
| Ii cannot however pass without notice
the very uowarrsn'able inocya,ion con.
famed 10 the two last cf The orders. II
one OF them a certificate, of the local O
r'giD OF cargo, although permitted in
the port OF destination, By regulation.
purely domestic in both. and strictly ana
|, lagous in principle TO the regulations IL
he commercial code of Great Britain, i.
made cause of capture on the high seas
and of Condemnation in her maritime
courts. In the other, the sale of a mer.
chant ship by beIligeren, owner to 9
neutral, although transaction as Iega
when fair, as dealing in any other article
IS condemned by general rule, wilhcu
an atom of proof or of presumption. tn,
he transfer in the particular case is fraudu
lent and the property therefore left in 81
6 enemy.
IL fine, sir, the President sees in the
edicts communicated by your iaels assam
ed, VIII Oh did no exist, principles asserted
which never can be admitted and, under
: the name Of retaliation, measures trans
= cending the limits reconciIeahle with III,
: facts and The principles if both were a.
correct as hey are unfounded. He see,
, moreover in the notifications Of this sys
, tenn, regulations violating equally our neu
'ral rights and our neural sovereignty -
He persuades himself therefore that YOU
government will see in the Justice of III,
observations now made in addition 10 ihos
bad the honor verbally to state to yor
in the first instance, that the y. S. ar,
: we'll warranted in looking for speed
f, revocation ofa system which is every da,
: augmen,ing the mass OF injury for whicl
{ he Y. S. have the best Of claims TO re
dress.
have the honor 20 he. Sc. SEC.
r JAMES MADISON.
The hon. Depid III Erskiae, Esq.
, &c. t5e &c.
> Mn. MADIsoN's LETTER 70 Cen
> ARMSTRONG.