Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-12-27

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j .kebsepiag shs ssaaslef sf tbs Executive
8 - relation sostbs rsasal q recsiVe any
further nicatisa rem Sranci' as.
Yaeksor. 81
In eomminee ofthe whole Mr.. BAssET
in;the chair
Mr.. DAMN "A solemn Legislative de.
risisn i proposed byishe resolution now be-
lore us from the senate. Z
AZ Il regards public minister accredit-
( ed from one of the great belligerent powers
SF EGrcpe, cur relations with that power
may be cousidered as sEiahin,the fair range
OF discussion.
This country has claimed the privileges
of neutral power, one ofwhose eminent
duties is conduct strictly and truly Impair,
tial between the two parties engaged in war.
s Of course, the purpott Of this resolution
snayb compared with the tenor of our con-
aacsrespectine the great rival bclligerent,
and our relations with, this power may be
properly taken into consideration. The
question therefore 10 open 70 a discussion
OF our affairs with Great Britain and
France.
The resolution roposcs teedeclare de.
termination to employ the full; force ofthe
nation IN ascertain event. To execute this
declaration may require various means, and
means highly interesting to our: country.
4 When therefore we are considering the pro-
rriety of making 4 declaration so sefiouS,we
may enquire respecting our, naval and mill
tary means TO enforce II. We may eRqure
what augmentation of our naval and mill
/ taYv forces would be necessary is
sconssns plated, and what are our pecuniary
resources for meeting the extraordinary ex-
penditurc whiehnlsybe requisite.
The resolution has reference to apablic
y nihistsr Of the hig,estotder ever sent from
this country. We have in our statutes pro-
yided for sending abroad no minister of a
higher grade than that, of minister plenipo-
tenfiary or envoy extraordinary. As it re-
spects the intercourse with the foreign
! world and the rules established by the max
sinas of public law and the general usage OF
civilized nations, this IS not a question
which concerns only the United States and
which wc can determine byour aePerate
vote. II is question to which the whole
civilized world is party, because irl leating
principles which it has sanctioned and IN
cur proceedings upon tive should not act
In a manner which would make us blush It
the whole ciyilizedworld were present to
witness our deliberations.
These general conside ations are connect
ed With the resolution, IN addition TO ano-
. thef interesting enquiry, whether the terms
i az the resolution are warranted 10 point OF
fact by the transactions which have taken
place, as they appear in evidence before
us. -.
Before ] pasticularly examine the resolu-
fion, / request permission 70 state certain
pcsit;ens in which I agree, so that gentle-
5 men may know where We, agree aud where
eve differ because. Ia this'cases as In others.
j woald disminish the grounds OF consro-
vSrsy.
Without Roing back 70 the full extent OF
our wrongs from Great Britain and France,
! Ireeut % sdecrees affecting neural COM
merge. which have been issued by the die.
sator az continental Europe, and 60 orders
Issued BY the British king in council
4 Omi,sinr particular discussion OF them,
wish to be dissinctIy understood as avowing
tkas 1 do not approve either the one or the
either and from the most deliberate judg.
nssens which I have been able TO form, ON
! such examination as Ihave given them, !
express my disapprobation cfboth. Icon-
alder them both as neither consistent with
q she rights of the United States, nor
santcd by the principles of public law. And
\ i utterly diselaim the whole doctrine of bel.
1ircrent blockade without q blockading
force. The principles On which these OPT.