Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-19

| oetweeD Crest Britain and France
! The reputation is found. in the bes rea.
sons. 1st. 1t is sufficient for the neutral
that he acqu:esces III the interruption of his
voyage, and the trouble of TIL examination,
imposed by the belligerent commander. TIC
require positive and active cooperation
on his part in behalf of the latter, is more
tnan can be justified on any principle. &c
Inc beiiSerent party can always send more
conveniently TO the neutral vessel, than this
can send TO the belligerent vessel, havin.
neither such TIT boats for the purpose. espe-
ciaily IN rough sea, nor being so abundant
~ manned Sd, This last consideration is
enforced by the numerous and cruel abuses
committed IN the practice of requiring tine
neutral vessel TO send to the boiligerent.
AS an example you will find in the docu.
Iuents now transmitted, case where nci
tner the smallness and ieakino.s of the boat,
nor the boisterous state of the weather., nor
tue pathetic remonstrances of the neutral
commander. had amy effect on the imperi-
GUS 'nIuncticns ofthe beiigerent, and where
the task vas performed at the manifest Pc
III % me ooat, The papers, and the lives f
.hS people. The limitation of the number
20 De sent on board the neutral vessel is
reasonable and usual precaution az inst the
uanger OF insults ard pillage.
On .IrTickP IT This enumeration of con-
traband articles is copied from the treaty
on 1871 between Great Britain and RUSSIA.
IL Is sufficiently limited, and that treaty is
an authority more likely than any other &c
De respected by the British government.
L he sequel of the article, which protects
the productions of hostile colony CONVEX
tea M o neutral property, is taken from the
same model, with the addition of the terms
w any Case or on any pretext' This
iddItion IS meant TO embrace more eXDli-
city our right 70 trade freely with the
coion'es at war with Great Britain, AMI
between them and all parts of the world
C"ionia. productions, being at the time
iot enemy s, but neutral property a trade
qually legitimate in Itself with that be-
'"eTnHeutra' countries directly, and in .he;r
respective vessels and such colonies, which
'er regu atiDns do not contest.
AZ support OF this right, in opposition r.
ne brtisii doctrine, that trade not allow
"a oy a nati"n In time Of peace, cannot he
'Pensd To neutrsis in time of war, it NAV
'e urged, that All nations are in the prac
e o. varying more or less in time OF war
fhelr commercial laws, from the state q
"ese iaws IN time of peace; YraCtice
5reeaOie to reason as well as favorable
neutral nations {; that the change may b.
made IN time of war, on considerations nor
'nC'uSht 10 q state of war, but on such as
are known to have the same effect IN time
OF peace; that Great Britain herseIf is in
the regular practice of changing her navi-
gatIon and commercial laws, in times of war.
particularly IN relation to neutral inter-
coarse with her colonies; that at this time
she admits trade between neutral coun-
tries ana the Colonies of ner enemies, when
carried on directly between them, or he
tween the former and herself, interruDtingl
chiy direct trade between such coloDiee
and their parent state, and between them
ana countries IN Europe, other than those
10 which the neutral trade may resDectivelv
Pelohg that as she DOGS not contest the right
o. neutr"is to trade with hostile colonies
within these limitations, the trade can be.
ana actually Is Carried on directly between
auch coionIes and all countries, even those
to which the colonies belong: and. conee.
quentiy, chat the effect OF her doctrine and
her practice, IS not to deprive her enemy
OF their colonial trade, bot mereIv IN lessee
The value of IT III proportion to the charge.
incident To the circuitOus course into winch
1t rs forced, an advantage to her which i'll
Just I'D itself, would not be sufficient to ba
lance the impolitic yexations accrujng 10
neutral and friendly nations.
Ihese views of the subject have entered
INTO my conversations witlLMr. Merry. He
expresses, notwithstanding, belief that G.
Britain will turn an unfavorable ear 10 any
proposition calculated to give her enemies
the resources of their colonial trade, beyond
the degree in which her present REGULATE
ons permit. This IS doubtless be aDpre-
hended, but Considering the proposition 49,
an article which may find a balance in the
general bargain, IL may not be inadmissi
bic or II inadnnissible in the extent promo
sed, a middle ground may perhaps be ac-
'cepted. The colonial trade IN question con-
sisis OF FOUR branches; FIRST, between the
colonies ana Great Britain herself second
", between the colonies and the neutral
countries carrying on the trade thirdly.
between the colonies and neutral countries
not themselves carrying OH the trade
ltourthly, between the colonies and the coun.
tries TO which they belong, OF which are
parties TO the war with G.. Britain.
The first and second branches are those
with which hero regulations accord. The
last rs that to which her aversion will of
course be the strongest. Should this aver
sion be unconqueTabie, let 1t be tried then,
and then only, whether on our yielSing, OF.
rather emitting that point, she will not
\ yield 20 us w return, the direct trade be-.
tween hostile colonies and neutral coun..
tries generally You will be careful, how
ever, so to modify the compromise as vii!
/ mark As little as may he. positive reiip-
Loo rel. n ~. IL