Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-12-02
I12 1-2 Gents Sihgie.7

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not satisfied with the geaefaj 0icckad.- nv
her orders OF November llth, has superad-
| ded particular blockad e. or ra,hvr I, d.
plomatic notification of an Intended one of
Copenhagen and the okIcr TORS iH the
island of Zealand; that is to saw, strict
and legal blockade of the whole island The
stand cannot be much less than two hum.
| dred miles in its outline, and is descri-
bed as Astounding in inlets. 1t is not pro.
bable, therefore, if it be possible, that a
blockade, within the true definition, should
be Carried into effect. And as all defect
i've blockades, whether so in the dispropor-
ton OF force to the object, or in the mode
OF notification, will authorize fair Claims Of
indemnihcation, it is the more necessary
that guarded answers should be given in
such cases, as heretofore suggested.
" Since the British order of
evidently inviting our citizens to vio-
late the laws of their country, bv pa
tronizing on the high seas their ves-
sells destitute of registers and other
necessary papers, and therefore me-
csssarily smugglers, if not pirates, the
circular letter of Mr.. Huskisson has
made its appearance, in which the u.
States are named as alone within the
Durview of the order. A more extra
ordinary experiment is perhaps not TO
oe found IN the annals of modern
transactions. 1t is levelled moreover a.
gainst nation towards which friend
ship is protested, as well as against
law, the justice and validity of which
is not contested and it sets the obi
Gus example, in the face of the world,
directly In opposition to all the princi-
pies which the British government has
been proclaimiug to it. What be-
comes of the charge against the U.
States for receiving British subjects,
who leave their own country contrary
t. their allegiance? What would be
! ne charge against them, if thew were,
| by proclana ion to ivite British sub
Ijects, those 800 expires " and particu-
'arly prohibited from leaving tn ir
country, to elud The prob bition, or 20
mPt. by interested inducements,
s'n gsling vic tiou or evasion of
laws, on which c. b. POUNDS so mate
rial Fart Other nat;ond policy? In
the midst ofso many more important
topics OF dissatisfaction, this NAV not
be worth formal presentation.
But 1t viii not be amiss to 1t that go
vernment understand the light in
which the proceeding is regarded by
this. have already touched on it to
Nj. Erskine, with an inrima,ion that
should not omit it in my observati-
ons 10 you.
The French decree said to have
been issued at Bayonne has not vet
reached this country. Such decree,
&c such time, has serious aspect on
the relations of the two countries, and
will form heavy item in our demands
of edress. 1t is much to be regret
ted at the same time that any of our
vessels, by neglecting to return home,
and conforming to the arbitrary regu-
lations OF one belligerent, should ex-
! pose themselves to the arbitrary pro-
ceedings of another. SO strong and
general an indignation seems particu-
larly to prevail here against the Ame-
lricans in Europe who are trading I'M
der British licences, and thereby sa-
Icrlhcing, as far as they can, the indie
pendence OF their country, as well as
frustrating the laws which were in
tended to guard American vessels and
mariners from the dangers incident to
foreign commerce, that their continu-
ance IN that career ought to be frown-
ed upon, and their return home pro-
noted in every proper manner. 1t APP
pears by information from our consul
} at Tangiers, that great numbers of our
vessels are engaged in trade between
Great Britain and Spanish ports, un
der licences from the former, and that
the experiment proves as unsuccessful
as it is dishonorable; the greater part
Eof them being either arrested in port,
or by French and Spanish cruisers"
CIo be Continued. }