The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-04-07

Al the close Of the conversation, 1 told kim
should transmit these Instructions 10 you, accom-.
nanied by his reasons in their justification. Lord
Grenville spoke in highterms of appreciation of
the answers to Mr.. Hammond's memorial which
he received BY the packet"
Extr1tt from a report MAKE BY a committee of
fhe Senate on the l8th Of April 1908, on the cub
'ees Of foreiga relations, apituiang the order
q ocHigerem aSSressions on neutral trade.
" 1st. The British ORDER of June, 1905, unlaw.
fully restricting the trade of the United States
with certain portion of the mh. lockasled ports
OF hcreuenies, and condemnins, vessels with in
noceIt cargocs, on return from ports where
they had deposited contraband articles.
=" Cd. The capture and condemnation IL the
British courts of admiralty, of American proper
ty, on pretended principle, declaring neutral
nations from trade with the enemies of Great
Britain interdicted in time Of peace. The iniu.
RES suffered BY the citizens of the United States
on this head, arose not from any public order of
the British council, but from a variation in the
principle upon which the courts of admiralty pro.
nounced their decisions. These decisions have
indeed again varied, without any new orders of
council being issued and in the higher courts of
admiralty some of the decisions which had form
ed the greatest cause for complaint have been re.
versed and the property restored. There still
remains, however, heavy claim ofindcmnity for
coniiscations, which were made during the ne
Rod OF these I'm warrantable decisions, ard for
Which all negotiation has hitherto proved una
vailing.
Sd. B,1ckades notified 70 the minister of the
United States at London, and thence made a
ground OF capture against the trade of the Uni.
ted States, in entire disregard of th law of natl.
ons, and even OF the definition of legal blockades,
laid down by the British government itself. FIX.
,l@ca G 4
found in the notifications of the blockade of Nav
10th, 1906, of the coast from the river E.be, to
Brest. Observation-Disclosures Of 1!ti Nav, 1867.
exPoande.l 18th of June, 1907, of the Elbe, W E.
ser and Ems, and the coast between the same
blockade 11th of May, 1907, of the Dardenelley.
and Smyrna-biockade of the 9Th of J.nuat.y
1903, of Cuthagena, Cadiz and ST. Lucar, and
OF all the intermediate ports between Cartilage
ma and ST. Lucar, comprehending u much great
err extent of coast, than the whole British navy
could blockade, according to the established law
of nations. ....
=" 4th. To these injuries immediately authori.
zed by the British government, might be added
other SPIT: ious blockades by British naval com
manders, particularly that of the island OF Curra.
Goa, which for very considerable period was
made prctext for very extensive spoliations on
the Commerce of the u. States.
p" 5th. The British proclamation of October
last, which makes it the duty Of the British Off
GERS to impress from American merchant vessels,
all such OF their crews as might be taken or mis-.
taken for British subjects--those officers being
the sole and absolute judges in the case.
- For the DEGREES and acts of the French no
vernment, violating THO maritime law of nations
in respect the United States, the committee
refer TO the instances contained in the report of
the Secretary of State, January 25th, 1906, to
the Senate in one of which, viz. decree of the
French general Ferrand. at st. Domingo, are re-
gulations sensibly affecting the neutral and COM
mercial rights of the U. States.
:" The French act next in order of time is, the
decree of November 81, 1806-declarine the
British isles in q state of blockade, and profess
ing TO he retaliation on anteccdent proceedings
| OF Great. Britain, violating the law of nations
Z" This decree was folio wed, first, By the Bri.
fish order of January, 1907, protesting to be a
retaliation % that decree, and subecting To can
ture the trade fthe United States, from the port
OF one belligerent to port of another--and Sc
| condly, by the orders of November last profe So
ing to be further retaliation on the same decree.
aid prohibiting the commerce of neutrals, with
the enemies of Great Britain, as explained in the
aforesaid letter of Mr.. Erskine -
. These last British orders again, have been
followed by the French decree of Dec. I7tb.
purporting to be retaliation on the said orders.
and to be put in force against the commerce of
the United States, as stated in the aforesaid let
ter of Mr.. Champagny.
| ca CCoPYJ
Instructions 10 Tie ms,anders ofom shifts of
tear and PYipdt-e. siven at cur couyt at
Wiaasor, the 1lh day Of prik, in the 4sth year
our reign.
OUR will and pleasure is, that YOU do not
interrupt any neutral vessels laden with i,.,,,6c,
and Provisions, and going TO any of our colonies.
islands or settlements in the West-Indies or
South America, to whomsoever the property NAV
appear to belong, and notwithstanding such oe,,ci
may rat hdve regular liedrances and documents ON
6oard; and in case any vessel shall be met with.
and be her due course to the alledged port Of
her destination, an endorsement shall be made
on one or more of the principal papers of such
vessel, specifying the destination alledred. and
the place where the vessel was so visited. And
III case any vessel so laden shall arrive & delver
the cargo at any ofour colonies, islands or settle
ments aforesaid, such vessel salIbe permitted IN
receive her freight, & depart, either in ballast
or with goods that may be legally exported in
such vessel, and TO proceed to any lubbock AIDED
port, Notwithstanding the present kostlities. or
| any future hostibties which may take place and
apassport for such purpose shall be granted To
the vessel by the governor, or other person. bav
ing the chief civil command in such colony. Is
land or settlement.
G.R.
(e) Can any thing be more important to the
United States, than 10 ascertain with ,lneou;vo.
he trtIo