The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-15

on tne INFERIOR tribunals, OF enabling the Su-
pcrior tribunal where a faulty reason appears
on the lace OF the sentence, to correct the
wrong without delay or expense, and of be-
ing check moreover on the decision of the
superior tribunal itself AS prize causes al
so arc tried by courts not of a third party,
but OF one or the parties interested, it is
but reasonable that the ground should be
known to the other, on which judgment has
passed against its citizens or subjects, in or
der, II deemed proper, that negotiation NAV
be employed for redressing past or guarding
against future injustice.
On drticie ri. The fictitious blockades
proclaimed by Great-Rritain and made the
PreteXt tor violating the commerce of neu-
tral nations, has been one of the greatest a
onSes ever committed on the high seas
During the late war they were carried tn
an extravaganza which would have been re-
dlcu Gus, II In their effects they had not in
hcted such serious and extensive injuries ON
neutral nations. Ports were proclaimed in 4
state OF blockade previous to the arrival of
any force at them, were considered in that
state without regard to internissions i'm the
presence or the blockading force, and the
presentations left in operation after it's f.
nal departure; the British cruizers durine,
the whole time sczing every vessel bound
TO such ports, at whatever distance from
them, and the British prize courts, pro.
nouncing concentrations whenever know
ledge OF the proclamation at the time of sail
ing could be presumed, although it MIGHT
afterwards be known that no real blockade
existed. The whole scene was a perfect
mockery, in which fact was sacrificed 10
form, and right to power and plumber. The
y. STATES were amongst the greatest suffer-
ers and would have been still more so. if
redress Tor some OF the spoliations proceed
To- .D,l IA I, Il
the provisions of an article in the treaty of
1894.
From the effects of this and other arbitra
ry practices OF Great-Britain, OH the temper
and policy OF neutral nations towards her.
from the spirit OF her treaty made near the
close OF the late war with Russia from the
general disposition manifested at the ber;n
ninS OF the present towards the United states
and the comparative moderation observed in
Europe with respect to blockades IF in
deed the two cases of the Weser and FIbe
are not TO be eXcePted) it was hoped that
the mockeries and miSChiefS practised under
the name of blociIades would no where h.
repeated. 1t is found, however, that tbs
West-indies are again the theatre of them
| me three entire and extensive islands of
Martinique, Guadaioupe and ST. DOMINGO
have been published as in a state ofblockade
altho the whole naval force applied to the
| purpose IS inconsiderabie although it an
! pears that part of this inconsiderable force
| is occasionally seen at the distance of many
leagues al sea although it does not appear
WAT more than one or two ports at most,
have at any time been actually blockaded
and although complaints are heard that the
/ bftIsh ships of war Go not protect their own
trade against The numerous cruizers from the
islands under Chis pretended blockade
| lachased herewith are three letters oil this
sub ect two from me, the first to Mr..
horuton, the second to Mr.. Merry, and
| the Sd from MIR " to me. YouIwill observe
that lie does n2t pretend to justify the mea-
sures pursued IN the West 'pdies I; but on the
contrary wishes them to be regarded as pro-
| ceeding from an officer who does not pursue
the intentions of his government. Still such
measures prove that no general regulations or
| orders have been yet issued by that govern
ment against the evil, as might reasonably
have been expected, and that stipulated
security against it, is an object as inn ortant
as it is just.
| In the two letters to Mr.. Thornton & Mr..
Merry, the ground is marked out on which
you will be able to combat the false block
AIDES, and to maintain the definition of a re-
al one, contained in the proposed article
which is a literal copy from the 4th article
OF the Russian treaty above cited. In addi-
ton to these letters you find nclosed let
ter OF the of to Mr.. pink
ney, in which some views are taken of the
subject, which may also be of use in your
discussions with the British government
| On .drHcie VIL-This article is due, if
not to all neutrals at least to the u. States
who are distinguished by the distance of their
situation. Decisions of the British court of
admiralty, have so far respected this peculi-
arity as to admit want of information as
a plea for going to blockaded port, where
such plea would be refused to less remote
countries. But more than this NAV fairly be
claimed. A vessel, knowing that a particu-
lar blockade existed two months before, may
well conjecture that before her arrival at
the port, which will require two months
more, the blockade will have ceased and
may accordingly clear and steer for such
port with an honest intention, in case of fin
ding on her approach, the fact otherwise not
to attempt an unlawful entrance. To con-
denim vessels under such circumstances would
| be manitestly unjust ard to restrain them
from distant voyage TO port once in
state OF blockade, until information of a
change shall have travelled like distance,
must produce delay and uncertainty little
short of an absolute prohibition of the com
merce. TO require them even to go out of
their Course. to seek at other ports informa-
ton on the subject, would be all unreasona-
bic imposition. The British government can
| have little objection to this article, after de-
lining blockades as is agreed with Russia,
l and as is here PROMISED since our distance