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

considered as most peculiarly favorable Is
the particular interests of the T. States
| ii VIII not escape you, sir, that by this or
der IN Council, thus modified and regulated,
| the direct intercourse of tie United States
with the colonies of the enemy is unrestrain-
ed an indulgence which when it is consi-
dered to be Gas it really isl not only n mi
hgation OF that principle of just reprisal up
on which the order itself is framed, but a
deviation in favor oftKe United States, from
that ancient and established principle of
maritime law, by which the intercourse with
| the colonies of an enemy in time OF war IS IL
nlted to the extent which that enemy was
accustomed in time of peace to prescribe
ior IT. ana which by references to the conduct
VI rance III time of peace, would amount
10 a complete introduction, cannot fail to af-
ford to the American governments proof of
the amicable disposition Of his majesty to-
wards the United States.
You VIII observe, sir, also that the trans
portation of the colonial produce ofthe enc
my from the u. States to Europe. instead
OF neing altogether prohibited (Which would
nave been the natural retaliation for the riA
Sorous and universal prohibition of British
produce and manufactures BY France) Is
Freely permitted to the ports of G. Britain.
with the power OF subsequently, exporting it
to any part OF Europe, under certain regu-
lations o"
Inc object OF these regulations will be the
establishment of such protecting duty. as
shali prevent the enemy from Obtaining the
produce OF his own colonies at cheaper rate
IMAM that OF the oonies of g. Britain. In
tn S duty it is evident that America is no a.
1her"lse concerned than as being to make an
advance to that amount for which 1t in her
own power amply to indemnify herself at the
expence OF the foreign consumer
Another most important relaxation of the
principles upon which MS malestv's orders
proceed, IS that which licenses the imDorta-
zion OF all Hour and meal, and all grains. to-
oacco and other articles, the produce of the
soil OF America with the exception OF cotton.
through the ports of his majesty's dominions
into those of his enemies. without the nav,
ment OF any duty on the transit This IS. T
peg leave to observe, an instance in winch his
majesty hasdeprived his measure gifts most
efhcacious and hurtful operation against the
enemy, through motives of consideration for
tne interests of America. The reason whv
ms najesty could not feel himself at liberty.
cohsis tent with what was necessary for the
execution OF his purpose, in any tolcratlc de-
gree, to allow this relaxation 20 aDplx To cot
ton, is to be found in the great e.:tant to
winch France has pushed the manufacture
OF that article, and the consequent embar-
rassment upon her trade which a heavy inn
post upon cotton, as it passes through Great
britain to France, must eressarilv produce.
cannot refrain from calling the attention
on the government of the u States to the
contrast between the different modes in
Mnlch MS msJesty's orders and those of
rance are Carried into execution r., his
maIesty's, the utmost consideration is mani
tested for the interests of those nations whose
commerce he is reluctantly compelled to i'm
pede, and ample time allowed for their he
coming acquainted with the new regulations
and conforming to them.-Whereas France
without any previous notice, and without a.
ny interval, applies her orders to trade all
ready entered upon in ignorance of any such
orders, and subjects to condemnation ships.
whose voyages, when commenced, were in
strict conformity to all the regulations at thar
time promulgated by France.
Even with these and other notifications.
ms majesty is not unaware that a measure ex
torted from him by the injustice of tire enc
my, must inevitably produce Inconvenience
to the neutral parties who are effected bv it's
operation.
The right of his majesty to resort to retail
ation cannot be questioned. The suffering
occasloned ioneutral pat e. is incidental; and
not OF MS majesty's seeking
In the exercise of this undoubted rieht his
majesty has studiously underworld to avoid
ag9ravat'n8 unnecessarily the inconvenien.
Ces suffered by the neutral. And am COM
inahced D. his majesty; especially, to repre-
sent 20 the government of the United States,
the earnest desire of his majesty, to see the
commerce OF the world restored once more
TO that freedom which is necessary for it's
prosperity; and his readiness to abandon the
system which has been forced upon him when
ever me enemy shall retract the principles
winch have rendered it necessary: but hrs
InaJesty entertains the conviction, upon which
alone ms present measures are founded, THAI
1t would be vain to hope for such retracti-
on until the enemy shall himself have been
made to feel portion of the evils which he
mas endeavored to inflict upon others.
nave the Honor to be, with great consi-
q cration and respect, sir, your most obedient
humble servant.
r, D. M. ERSKINE.
Hon. James Madison, Sec'ry of State.
]fa"Slatisn Of a Gs,ter from Mr.. Cham.
H"S"y' 10 General Arms,rong. dared,
PARIS, Jan. 18th, 1908.