Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-08
Paris, Sehtember is, 1907

On the extent of some of the provisions o.
the imperial decree of November 21st, 1906
which has declared the British islands in a
state of blockade; the following are the in
tentions Of his majesty on the point in ques-
Ition.
1. Can armed vessels, under the imperial
decree or the 21st OF November last, seize
in neutral vessels, either English property,
or merchandise proceeding from the man.
lusactureS Of the English territories
His majesty notified me, that since he had
not thought proper to express any eXcep-
ton in his decree, there is no ground to
make any in the execution, with respect to
| any thing whatever.
| 2. His majesty has rot decided the ques-
| ton whether French armed vessels may pos
sess themselves of reutral vessels going to
or from England, although they have no En-
glish merchandise On board.
3. On the question, whether French ar
med vessels are subject 20 the deduction or
dered by the 9th article of the decree Of
I November 81, his majesty hasdeclared that
the provision OF that article was not suscep-
tible of any restriction that is to say, that
the deduction must take effect on the pro.
ceeds OF all con6scations OF merchandise
and property, which have been. or may be
pronounced in execution of the decree, with
out regard to the place of seizure or char
acter of the captors.
| You will be so good, sir, as to notify these
decisions to the council OF prizes, to have
them entered in the registers, and to ac.
knowledge the receipt Of nv letter.
Accept, SIC. sc. the Grand Judge, Minis
ter Of Justice
(Sigped) REGNIER.
Procureur General Imperial of the Coun-
Gil of Prizes.
Paris, "a September, 1907.
SRI have this moment learned, that a
new and extended constructions, highly in
furious to the commerce OF the u. S. was
! about to be given to the imperial decree of
he slst November last 1t is therefore IN
| cumbent upon me to ask from yoar excel
lency an explanation of his ;najcsty's views
in relation TO :lis subject, and particularly
whether it be his majesty s intention, in any
degree, to infract the obligations of the
treaty now subsisting between the u. States
and the French empire?
Ipray your exoellency, &C &C.
(Siencd) JOHN ARMSTRONG.
His cxcellency the minister Of foreign re-
latioDs.
Foptoinebkeau, Oct. Z. 1907
STR-You did me the honor on the 24th
| Of September, to request me to send you
some explorations as 10 the execution Of the
decree ofbiOckade OF the British islands, as
TO vessels of the u S
The provisions If all the regulations and
treaties relative to state OF blockade, have
appeared applicable 90 the existing circum.
stances, and il results from the expIanati-
ons which have been addressed to me BIZ
the imperial procu eur general of the cou0-
Gil OF prizes, that his majesty has consider
ed every neutral vessel, going from Eng
lish ports, with cargces Of English mer
ehandi2c o. English origin, as lawfully sci
Fable by French armed vessels.
The decree of blockade has been now is
sued eleven months, the principal powers
Of Europe, far from protesting against its
prov sions, have adopted them they have
perceived that its execution must be com
piete, to reHderit more effcctual, and it has
seemed easy to reconcile these measures
with the observance of treaties, especially
at time when the infrac;ions, by England,
of the rights of all maritime powers rem
der their interest common, and tend to u
mite them in support Of the same cause.
Accept, sc. &c.
(Signedj CHAMPAIGN.
II. T.. General frmstrong,
Min. Pien. Of tie u. S.
Paris, Noe. 1907.
SIR--It was not till yesterday that |!
received from MIR Skpwith copy of the
decree Of The council Of prizes, in The cast
IF the II ,rizon. I his is the first unfiiend-
Ily decision of that body under the decree
If the 2lsi OF Nov. 1906. La this case
aud on The petition of the defendant, The
court has recommended the restoration
of the whole cargo. did not however
think proper to join in asking as favor,
what | believed myself entitled TO as a
right. subjon copy Of my note to the
minister of foreign affairs.
Aud am sir, your most obsdicpt hum.
bic servant.
(&gned)
JOHN ARMSTRONG.
Mr.. Madison, tJc.
Paris, November 1871, 1897.
SIR--The document TO which these oh.
seryations are prefxed, will inform Jour
excelleucy that an American ship treding
under the protection Of the laws of nations
end Of particular treaties, and suffering
3hipwreck on the coas, Of France, has re
Gently been seized by bis maIesty's officers,
and ajudged by hiss council of prizes as
fellows, viz.
Our council puts at liberty the Ame
can vessel, the Horizon, shipwrecksd the
5olh Of May last, near Morlsix, and con
sequentiy orders, that the amount of the
safe ler.allv made Of the wreck Of the soic