Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-07-04
r T, p O r T.

Of she Gommittee on foreign Relations.
Mr.. Leio reported from the committee 10
whom was referred the resolution OF the
senate, ''to inquire into the .expedlency 81
providing by law, for the exclusion OF to-
reign armed vessels from the ports and
harbors of the United States"
That in the opinion of the committee,
such an interdiction is within the just and
neutral rights Of the United States, and, un-
der other circumstances, would be highly
expedient and proper. So long as neutral
nation shall conhne itself to strict measures
of impartiality, allowing no beaeht to one
belliserent, not stipulated by treaty, which
it shall refuse to another, no cause whatever
is afforded for exception or complaint
The right to admit an armed force into a
neutral territory belongs exclusively to the
neutral and when not guaranteed by treaty
as is often the case, such admission COM
promits the neutrality of the nation, which
permits to one belligerens alone such an 10
diligence.
As measure of safety as well as Of peace,
it is Incumbent upon the United States to
carry into effect such a provision.
So long as we are without a com.
petent force to protect our jurisdiction from
violation, and our citizens from outrage, and
our flag from insult, SO long ought no assy-
lum TO be given, but in distress, to the arm
ed vessels of any natien. The committee
will not bring into view the many injuries
and insults which the United States have
sustained from the hospltable grant OF their
ports and hasbors, TO belligerents nor the
facility which has thereby been afforded to
them to lay our commerce under contrlbu-
ton. 1t is sufficient to remark, that great
injuries have been sustained, and that I'M
perious duty requires arrangements at our
hands, to guard our country in future, from
similar aggressions.
The United States are, at this moment,
under no obligation to withhold the restraints
within their power, upon the admission of
foreign armed vessels in their ports but
the committee are strongly impressed with
the propriety of avoiding any legislative IN
reference, at this time, which by possibi-
llty, might be construed into desire TO
throw difficulties in the way Of promised and
pending negotiations. They are DESTROYS
that fair experiment be made to adjust orr
differences with the two belligerent nations,
and that no provisions be interviewer in our
laws, which shall furnish a pretext for delay
or arefusal to yield to our just and honora-
ole demands.
Calculating that the overtures which have
been made by Great Britain WILDE executed
in good faith, the committee are willing to
believe, that the stipulated arrangements will
B.. of such character as to guard our flag
from insult, our jurisdiction from aggression
our citizens from violation, and our mer-
Camille properly from spollation. I'm
der these impressions, which the commit
tee have stated as briefly as possible, they
beg leave to submit to the consideration Of
the senate, the following resolution, VIZ.
Resoived, That the further consideration
of the subject, be postponed until the next
session otcongress.
A CURIOUS PHENOMENON.
Fails Township, Bucks County,