Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-06-23

CluSlOn OF ner armed VESSELS
Mr.. Lose. i am of opinion with the gen
tleman just sat down, if the amendment
could be viewed as submission to France
we should reject it !; but / think it is but
justice to France and England in our pre-
sent state Of foreign affairs. When we e.
nacted the measure of exclusion, it was not
considered an act of hostility to either ma
ton, but an act Of impartial restriction and
Justice towards ourselves. 1t was urged
as precursor to negotiation by G. Britain,
not that we should act hostilely to France,
but that we should place both nations on an
equality, and we did SO: now apply the
principle at the present session to France.
The gentleman contended that the interdict
should be continued against France and
discontinued with England, but this might
lead to war with the former power
would now ask what act has France
done to merit this severity from US? But
we are not in the same relation with France
that we were last session 1t is intimated
that ameliorations are about to take place in
her DEGREES we have knowledge OF SUM-
dry vessels being liberated in her ports and
a proclamation of the king of Holland, a de-
pendent upon France, shews return of re-
gard for neutral rights We should not wi
den the breach: Besides, we are not sure
thateven the British government will fulfill
its engagements to the extent we were given
to expect. have no doubt but the offers
made here were sincere, but when we con-
slider they were predicated upon occurrence
es in Europe, may not other occurrences
produce change in the quality of her
overturcs. 1t has been said the interdict OF
last session was intended to operate on
all nations alike. I wish it had: but it on
ly respected the two great belligerents,
and wish to see our differences settled be-
fore this Introduction is removed, but if re-
moved at all, towards both belligerents a.
like. Indeed, I am assured that France will
rescind her orders; they were enacted to
iniure the commerce Of Britain; and their
perseverance in now would but assist her,
Nay, think the DEGREES say, that they shall
cease whenever Great Britain abandons her
unjust principles, and return: to sense OF
respect TOR neutral rights.
MR.. Livermoye. The proposed amend
ment is matter Of considerable dellcacy !:
here is negotiation snire on with Etg-
land, when we were supposed to Ee on the
eve of war, and when this measure is sup
posed to rest with the executive, we should
not interfere with to change the nature OF it
by our legislation. At the late session OF
CONGRESS- it was said if we submit to illegal
ha nj n q.
tional honor What were we to do Have
resort to war, no yet something must be
done; and non-intercourse law was pro-
duced-its speaks for itself-it was consider
ed hostile measure against both France
and England but it authorised the Presi-
dent, if either of those nations should resclnd
their DEGREES or orders, this hostile measure
would be revoked as regarded them but
would it be contended that when one did SO,
this revocation applied as related to both. |
wish gentlemen to consider whether there
are not two parties to this, Great Britain and
the United States. This restriction was
viewed as HOSTILE MEASURE, acting
against BOTH THE COUNTRIES IN cues
ton, to cease on the resembling of either OF
their unlawful acts, as related to them. The
President informs us G. B. has annulled
hers, and that it must cease as relates to her,
this is the fact-then as G. Britain made
this stipulation on the faith of our law, would
she not, as part of her bargain, insist that our
interdict should continue against FRANCE, as
such introduction would be advantageous to
her, un1l France, according to the law,
should fescind her DEGREES. The gentleman
who spoke last, was afraid to offend our Sis
ter Fran ce-and indeed, believe this was
ameasure meant to sooth her. The gen
tleman asks what has France done? The
decree of Berlin itself, was sufficient JUS
t;6cation. ifnot of war, of the int rdict In