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

to your excellency nay letter Of the7esh
of December, 1906, claiming from the mi
mister an official Interpretation OF the de-
cree in question, and his answer of the 24.h
of the same month, giving to me the inter-
probation demanded.
To your excellency who as late as the
21st OF August last, considered the minister
of marine as the natural organ of his ma
jesty's will, in whatever regarded the de-
cree aforesaid. and who actually applied
to him for information relating to it-this
allegation of,he council of prizes, and the
reasoning founded upon it cannot but appear
very extraordinary, and will justify me in
requesting that his majesty may be moved
to set aside the decision in question. beg,
&c. sc. sc.
His Exeellency
The Minister of Foreign Relations.
Paris, August 9th, 1907,
SIR,
Your excelency is not unapprised that
soon alter the PRONUNCIATION of the Imperi-
al decree OF the 21st of November last, one
OF similar character, an injunction was
issued bv the Prince of Peace, in behalf of
H. &. M. Under this order sundry YES
sells belonging TO the citizens Of the United
States have been captured on the high seas,
brought into the ports of Spain, and are
now fore the court of admiralty for ex-
animation To this brief statement SUBJ
! join an extract frcm \ letter of the 27tl
nit. from the Charge de Affaires Of the u
States at Madrid, which will shew your ex
cellency that the fate of these vessels will
depend not on the construction which might
, be given TO the Spanish decree by the
Spanish tribunals but on the practice
which shall have been est sblished by France
under her decree of November last, and
that Prince Masscrano has accordingly
been directed TO ask from your exceilency
| such exposition of that decree, and of tn"
practice under il, as shall regulate, or this
head, the conduct cf Spanish courts and
cruisers towards neutral commerce in gem
eral. Assured as | feel myself, that this
exposition whenever given, will not De less
friendly and liberal than that already found
IN the decisions Of his Imperial mhjesty's
council or prizes and correspondence OF his
minister OF marine, viz. that the provisions
of the decree in question do not infract a :
NY of the rights IF commerce stipulated by
treaty between France and the u States,
1t Is incumbent on me to pray your excel
'ency that it he exposition requ.red) be
given as expeditiously as possible, to the
| nd that the legitimate commerce OF the IT..
Staes, be relieved from all further annoy
| ance growing out OF the doubtful meaning
and operation OF the Spanish decree afore-
said.
Your eXcellency will permit me to avail
myself OF this occasion, to recall to your at
ten;ion the subject of my letter of the Goth
OF June last. learn from Antwerp that he
cargoes mentioned in that ietter arc vet
under sequestration, and that considerable
loss, as well by diminution of price in the
articles, as by accumulation of interest and
charges, has been already incurred
Your excellency will 10 me the honor to
accept the assurances Of my profound res
pect.
(Signed) JOHN Armstrong.
HIS exceliency
The Prince of Beuevento.
Letter frnm the minister of Foreign Rela-
lions, of the 21st of Aug. 1907, referred
10 in the preceding page.
SIR,
have received the letter which YOU
did me the honor of addressing me on the 9,h
OF this month, relative to American YES
sells Carried into ports Of Spain, in conse-
quehCe OF Inc measures taken by that pow
er against the English commerce in imita-
ton OF France
AS the execution Of the maratime mea-
sures Indicated by The Imperial decree of
the 21st OF Nov. 1906 res naturally with
MS exceilency the Minister Of Marine,
and that moreover lie has already had
the honor of addressing you some first
observations OF the application of that de-
4 - fs.et,t .se Il
ter, & asked from him the new exD,1rc,i-
ons which you might desire. Wneo they
shall have been forwarded to me, viii
have the honor OF informing you OF them.
Accept the assurances OF my nigh con-
siderat. ON.
(Signed) CHAMPAGNE.
II. T. Gen Armstrong
Lhere. /ofiozgs tie BAian Dceree1
From Washington, Ihri3 4.
1 NJ p O II ri ~ r. T. n III III IT ~ 2