The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-12-11

brace every part of the French DEGREES,
which violate the neutral rights guaranteed
to us by The law of nations. Whasever part
OF the DEGREES may not have this effect, as
we nave no right, as neutral nation, to
demand recall of them. &. Britain eau
nave no preiext, as bellgerent nation. to
urge the demand. 1t there be parts of the
decrees liable to objections of another kind,
1t lies with the United States alone to de.
eide on the mode of proceeding with res
peat to them.
In explaining the extent of the repeal,
which. on the British side, is required, YOU
will be guided by the same principle. You
will. accordingly. let it be distinctly under.
stood, that it must necessarily. includ. an
annulment of the blockade ofMay. 1906.
which has been avpwed TO be comprehendsd
IN, and identified with, the orders in coun
Gil. and which is palpably at variance with
the law ofnations. This is the explanation
which will be given to the French govern
ment, on this point. by our minister at Pa
| ris. IN case it should there be required
But there are plain and powerful reasons.
why the British government ought to revoke
| every other blockade, resting on proclamae
tons or diplomatic notifications, and not OF,
| the actual application ola naval force, ade-
quate to a real blockade.
1. L his comprehensive redress is equally
due from the British government to its pro,
fessed respect for the laws of nations, and
tn the jus. claims of friendly power.
| 2 Without this enlightened precanticn,.
| 1t is probable, and may indeed be Inferred
from the letter of the duke OF Galore to
Gen. Armstrong. that tho French govern
ment will draw G. Britain and the United
states to issue. on the Legality of such bloc.c
| AIDES, by acceding TO the act of Congress.
| with condition, that a repeal of the bIock
AIDES shall accompany repeal of the orders
In council, alsdging. that the orders and
oiockades, differing little. fiat all, other
wise tnan IN name, arepeal of the former,
leaving IN operation the latter, would be
| a mere illusion
5. II 1t were even to happen, that mutual
repeal OF the orders and DEGREES could be.
Drought about, without involving the subject
OF olockades, and with a Continuance of the
oiockades in operation, how could the u. s.
De eXpect ed to tofbear an Immediate call for
| their annulment, or how long would it pro-
oaoly be before an appeal by France to the
neutral law Of impartiality would bring IN
the same question between the u. S. and
". Britain and from whatever circumstan.
ces the issue on 1t may arise, the impossi-
oility or maintaining the British side. with
even Color OF right or consistency, NAV be
seen IN the view, taken of the subject, in
the correspondence with Mr. Thornton and
MI Merry, already in your hands.
| III the British government should acccde
| TO the overture contained in the act of Con-.
Sress by repeating or so modifying its ed,cls,
as that they will cease to violate our neutral
rights you will transmit the repeal. pro-
perry authenticated, To General Armstrong.
and, 1t necessary by special messengers
and you will hasten TO transmit it also to this
department.
With great respect. SSc
[Sisned) r SMITH
IPiiliam Pinkney. Esq. sc