Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-03-14

refused TO abide by his agreement, re-
called Mr.. Etskine, and sent a person
whose character WAS obnoxious TO ey-
cry civilized nation, without giving
him the authority even to offer an ex.
planationa to our government for the
breach of faith practised on US.
The second session of the eleventh
congress convened under circumstau.
ces of peculiar difficulty. An official
was made of the rup-
ture ofthe British negotiation, and the
subsequent conduct ofih Britishc BIZ
net and her new minister at Washing.
ton. In the mean. time, France had
become dissatisfied with the law OF con-
gress of March 1909. 2'ha, law plac-
ed the vessels of both b~lligerents on
equal terms Of exclusion from our wa
tiers, although there had not then been
cpmmitteG by France any outrage
within our waters, on the property, the
liberty, or the lives of cur citizens
which rendered such an exclusion APP
plicable TO her, as IL was, for those
causes, to England. Both, however,
were placed under the same rcstricti-
ons, and the vessels and property of
both nations, which should be brought
within orr ports, subjected to seizure
and confiscation.
The effects Of this have been indeed
severely felt by the A NE rican interests.
In every port on the continent of Eu.
rope where the influence of France
predominated, have our vessels and
their cargoes been re;aliated on, and
subjected to seizure and seque ira
ton.
The second session of the eleventh
congress was nearly wasted with dis.
|cussions on the conductof our execu-
tive with the British envoy after,
however, many fruitless propositions
on the subject of our foreign relations,
we passed the law Of The LIST of May
1910, and it came into operation at
the time the non intercourse expired.
By this law, the exclusion was continu-
ed to British and French armed yes
SELL. 1t provided, however, as I stat
ed in ms letter at The Gloss of that ses-
sion, that in case England or France
should revoke their edicts violating
neutral commerce, that fact should he
announced BY the President, and in
three mocths tn reafter, the non-inter-
course should stand revived against the
nation refusing or neglecting to re-
woke.
France has accepted our proposal,
and on the 5th of August, in che most
formal and precise terms, made the
re- uired revocation, by the act of her
prime minister at Paris. The fact of
revocation has sen announced by the
President of the United States, and we
have, accordingly, acted with that good
faith which has ever characterised the
American government.
What may be the course Great Bril-
tain will pursue, it is impossible to
foresee her friends here have, as usu-
al, been active in endeavoripg 10 pro.
duce arupture OF the equitable negoti-
ation with France. They see in an
adh rance to it, either state ofhostiIi,
ty, or the Intimidation of England, if
indeed that. Can DC called humiliation
which may Induce her 20 Weld 70 the
principles ofIostice towards our neu-
trail rights. Neither she, nor her
friends here, are blind to the impor-
lance OF her Intercourse At Ibis moment
with this country ;---shut out froni the
continent Of Europe, the u. Sta,.s are
almost the only quar- er OF he world
left Tor her expectations. She can ON i,
~ By 8 similar evocaiion to that which,
France has made, or b. success, in q.
gain obtaining triumph over our ma
tioual councils, omplish a removal
OF the non.in ercourss as now modif-
ed. 1t is possible she may haz I'd the
later chance, der ~ mcr success may
embolden ner NG Re measure but a
fe% Alays will I1tprm US whether she
hssAuffered ~ terry appointed for her
occlusloD from ourAFurts TO arrive,
without replying 10 the repeated and
earnest solicitations lately made by our
minister at London or the subject.
France may indeed, prove as faith.
less in the execution Of her agreement
as England did; * she do.o tic SANE
power will recur to the executive de-
Partment 70 annul the arrange nisnts
Il