The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-05-26
WASHINGTON. Nav o..

=.
WASHINGTON, May IS.
This DAY. AT - O'clock, TEE PRESI-
DENT OF THE u. STATES css1MuwIcA-
TED, By Nh. GRAHAM, THE FOLLOW.
ING MESSAGE TIC BorH HOUSES, OF
CONGRESS.
Felloso Citizens ejthf Senase,
ana gffhc Ho,tse Of Ret,resentafiUes.
ON this first occasion of meeting vou, il
affords me much satisfaction, 60 be able to
communicate the commencement of favor
able Change in orr foreign relations the cr;-
teal state of which induced session of Con
sress at this early period.
In consequence of the provisions of the act
intcrtiicting commercial intercourse with G.
Britain and France, our Ministers at LON
don and Paris We're, without delay, instruct
ed to let 1t be understood by the French aud
british governments, that the authority YES
TED III the Executive. to renew commercial
intercourse with their respective nations
would be exercised in the case specified bv
that act.
Soon alter these Instructions were DISPATCH
ed, 1T was found that the British government
anticipating from early proceedings of Con
Sress at their last session, the state of our
laws, which hashad the effect of placing the
two bellgerent powers on a footing of eoual
restrictions, and relying ON the conci!;aiorv
disposition of the United States, had trans.
united to their Legation here, provisional
Instructions, not only to offer satisfaction for
the attack on the frigate Chesapeake, and to
MAKE known th3 determination of his Bfi-
tanhlc Majesty, TO- send All Envoy Extrsor
binary with powers to conclude treaty on
all points between the two Countries: but
moreover, to signify his Willingness, in the
mean time, to withdraw his orders in conn
Gil, IN the persuasion that the intercourse
with Great Britain would be renewed ON the
part ofthe U. states.
These steps ofthe British government led
TO the correspondence and the proclamation
now laid before you; by virtue of which, the
commerce between the two countries will be
renewable alter the tenth day of JUNE next
whist l take pleasure. in doing Justice to
the counsels OF his Br!tanAic Ma;esty. which
no longer adhering tothe policy which made
al abandonment by France of her DEGREES
prerequisite to revocation of the British
orders, nave substituted the amcable course
mnlch mas issued thus happily cannot do
iess tiah REFER to the proposal heretofore
made On the part of the u. States. embracing
like restoration of the suspended com rnerco
as proof of the spirit of accommodated
"hlo.h has ut no time been intermitted. and
10 the result which now calls for our concra
tutaCohs' as corroborating the principles, bv
Which the public councils have been p,,ided
during period of the most trying emba,..
easements.
he discontinuance of the British orders
as they respect the u. States, having been
mus arranged, communication of the event
mas oeen forwarded, in, one of our public yes.
Seis' TO Our minister Plenipotentiary ar Pa
no WIN instructions to avail himself of the
iniPortane addition thereby made, to the Con
81
french government, a revocation of ;ts de
crees, or such modification of them. az that
they shall cease to violate the neutral com
merce of the u. S.
ne revision OF our commercial laws. pro-
per 10 ADAPT them to the arrangement which
mas taken place with Great Britain will
doubtless engage the early attention of Con-
gress. 1t will be worthy, at the same time
OF theIr Just and provdent care. to make
Such further alterations in the laws. as will
more especially protect and foster the seve-
RAJ branches OF manufacture, which have
peen recently institntcd or extended by the
laudable exertions of our citizens.
OndSr the existing aspect of our affairs.
have thought it not Inconsistent ,vi,h H.,
precaution, to have the ean-boats w;th tbs
exception OF those at New Orleans. placed
IN situation, mourning no expcnce beyond
ma. requisite Tor their preservation, and con
Vehlehcy Tor future service, and to have the
crews OF those at New Orleans reduced 70
the number required for their navigation &
nave thought also, that our citizens de-
tached IN quotas ofmiiitia, amounting to one
nsnafed thousand, under the act of March.
ioOo' might not improperly, be relieved from
enc inc state IN which they were held for imme
accordingly directed. ''''
The progress made in raising & organising
the additional military force, for which proviH,
sion was made by the act of April 1908. tope-
thef with the disposition of the troops. will an
pear by report which the Secretary of War
is preparing, & which will be laid before YOU
VI the additional frigates required by an.
act OF the last session, to be fttei for actual