Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-11-26

IGoNTINUED,l
CoPIEs AXE EXTRACTS or LETTERS from
mr.. MADISON TO Mr.. PINkNEY. IS
Extract 81 a letter RON the Secretary + 5tate
to M. Piakney, dated april 50, 1908. &
nv last Yves of the 4th inst. and went
bv British packet from New York. !
now forward a copy oft.
g Congress ended their session on the
night of the a5th inst. The Series OF news
papers, herewith sent, affords view OF their
proceedings subsequent to the conmunica-
lions last made to you. Some other prints
are included, which throw light on the work
;ngs Of public opinion, and the state OF pub
lie affairs.
You viii find that the critical posture
offorsign relations has produced provisions
of different kinds for our greater security !;
ard partiuularly that no pains have been
spared TO stop every leak by which the Ell
feet Of the embargo laws might be diminish
ed. refer You also to the report made to
the Senate, by a committee, on the docu-
ments relating to the affair OF the Chesa-
peake, and en- the. letters of Mr.. ErsAinc !;
and Indicating the spirit which may be ex-
pectcd to influence the future policy oil this
country, iif kept under tue. excitement re-
snlting from Tie system now pursued a
gainss it.
6 You viii observe At the same time, that
whilst determination is sufficiently evinced
against llishonosable acquisscencc in the
sdespotic edicts enforced on the high seas,
the u. States are ready to resume their ex-
port trade, as soon as the aggressions on it
shall cease and that in hoTc that this
might happen during the recess Of Congress
the president is authorised, IN such an e.
vent, to suspend, in whole or inpact, the
several embargo laws.
" The conditions on which the authority
is to be exercised, appeal equally to the
justice and policy OF the two great belli-
cerent powers. which are now enaulatin9
each other in. violation Of both. the pre-
sident counts ON your endeavcrs to give to
this appeal, all the effect possible with the
British government. Gen. Armstrong will
be doing the same with. that of France
The relation IN which revocation Of It's
unjust secrees By either will place the q.
States to the other is obvious, and ought to
be motive 10 the measure, propertioned to
fhe desire which has been manifested by
each TO produce. collision between the u.
States and its adversary, and which must be
equally felt by each, to avoid one with it
self.
ssShould the French government revoke
90 much of its DEGREES as violate our neutral
rights, or give explanations and assurances
having the ike effect, aud entitling it there
fore to a removal Of the embargo, as 1t APP
plies to France, it viii be impossible TO view
! perseverance, Of 6. Britain, IN her retaliats5
ss;;sg orders, in any other light than that of
war, without even the Pretext now assumed
by her.
= In order to entitle the British govern
ment to d;scontinuance OF the embargo, as
1t applies to G. Britain, it is evident that
ell it's eiccrees,s as we'll those of January,
1907, as of November, 1907, ought to be
reseindcd, as they apply to the United
States, and thissis the rather to DE looked
for, from the present administration, as it
has so strenuously contended that the de-
crees of both dates were founded on the
same principles and directed to the same
object.
6 Should the British government take this
course, you may authorize an expectation
that the President will, withna reasonable
time. give, effect to tho authority vested in
him, on the subject Of the embargo laws.
Should the orders be rescinded, in part only,
1t nust be left to his free Judgment to de
eide on the case. In either event you will
lose no time in transmittingthc information
10 this department., and to gen. Armstrong;