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


part, as to render necessary or justihable
the perseverance in an edict, which when
not necessary or iustifiable, assumes a cha
racter Of aggression and whether, on the
result OF these considerations, the present
negotiation can be resumed on the part of
his majesty, with a due regard for his own
honor, or with prospect of more sue
cesstul termination.
i have the honor to be,
With the highest consideration,
Sir,
Your most obedient, and
Most humble servant,
(SignedD G. II. ROSE.
PAPERS RELA4IyE 10 FRENCH M
FAIRS
Extract from letter 10 Mr.. Monroe E-ons
Genera ARMSTRONG.
PARIS, TN July, 1907.
ISIR,
"The accounts you have had of recent
captures made by French privateers of A.
merlcan vessels under cover of the decree
OF November last, are not correct. Atleast
If such captures have been made, know
nothing OF them The only captures have
at any time heard q, were those made from
Porto Fefrajo. They are by 20 means of
recent date, and have all q belieye) been
refiressed by the council of prizes. Two of
these cases, to which attended personal
ly, received decisions equally favorable aud
prompt Interest and damages were given
20 the plaintiffs, and knew not why dec;s-
ons, equally favorable, shoaid not have been
gwen IN the other cases. | have within
week been informed by Mr.. Ewing, that
h had reason to believe that a French pri-
vateer, then in port of Spain, had plum
dered American ships, either going to or
coming from England, OF dry goods, to the
amount Of 500 dollars. Before any thing
could be done IN Spain for tine recovery Of
hese goods, the ship went 20 sea, and pro-
iessediy for the purpose Of returning 20 the
port OF her armament. Believing her to-
ave arrived there, put all the evidence
possessed before NJ. DEGREES, who closes
mis- answer with the following assurance
''Your eXceileucy may be ass ured that az
F,rr as it depends on me, the captains OF
these vessels, or their owners, shall oh am,
If there is ground for it, prompt and full
reparaticn. quote this to shewyo that
there IS no disposition in the ministers Of
this government 20 sanction, or protect hose
enterprises upon our commFCce From the
uses you may be able to make Of the facts,
and their relation to your qua tion general,
SrruCtion now given to the November de
cree. 1t was, YOU know, admitted by both
ministerial and judicial authorities, that
this decree aid not iHfract the provisions Of
the treaty OF 1900. between the u. States
and France. Still it was contended that
vessels (of the u. s. coming from any port
OF Great Britain since the date Of the edict,
could No: be admitted 70 entry in the ports
OK France. This rule, without some quail
locations, was likely TO become mischievous,
and accordingly obtained the following
notifications of 1t, and hope to obtain far
net modification, which VIII render it per.
.ectly harmless These changes took place
rs circumstances rose TO produce, for tho
the necessity for them was both foreseen
and represented, it was only upon real, not
Upon hypothetical cases that the ministers
ofhis majesty were willing to act.
Vessels leaving ports OF the U. States
before Il knowledge OF tho arret had been
promulgated there, are not subject to the
rule.
.. Vessels not coming ,Hrccfiy froma Bril-
fish to French port, are not subject to the
| rule.
8 The cargoes Of vessels coming direct
~ from British to 4 French port and Of
sered for entry, on proof that the touching
4
| ~, are pui in depot or sequestratiou, until
ais majesty shall have decided on the suffi-
cheney Of the proof offered or they are at
once given up 20 the coasignees OH their gil
wing security TO abide the decision which
shall be ultimately taken by he emperor IN
their respective cases. The vessels can go
out freely, aud without impeachment Of any
| kind. The former rule of which this is an
amelioration was, that siihs as we'll as car
goes, coming under the description, should
be sequestered, &c. The further alterati-
On which have asked is, the establishment
Of some principle which shall regulate the
kind and degree OF proof required with res
pect to the alleged application Of force
majeure, and my own opinion is, that this
may best be found in the greater or less cor
Irespondcuce which shall exist between the
cargo VIXEN shipped IN America, and when
lrrived here. If the correspondence be
complete, the evidence ought to be consid-
| ered as complete also, that ihey 7vere not
IN Great Britain for thc hHrhoses oTcom
nerce, and not being there for these pur-
posos the inference - fair, that their 60
| ing there at all was involuntary. This is
! a rule the ministers will consent to, whether
us majesty will do 50 also, will be known
n a few days. lie is expected here about
he beginning Of August"