Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-18
CORRESPONDENCE
BcfSpeen Or. Afoaroe and 1Ir Foster on fAe rub
ject eftke
ORDERS IN COUNCIL
(Conciuded)
Departnuen, Of State. Oct. IL, 1911.

ciiss .cns depending hero.
Although an immediate repeal was to have
been expected from your government, on the re.
ceipt of this communication, it the new proof
which it affords of the French repeal was salts
factory, yet it will be very agreeable to learn
rangement that will terminate both the orders
IN Council and the non-nportation act.
+. ). Hearing that you will not be IN town
for several days, this letter, and one bearing
date on the LIST of this month, which had pre-
pared and intended TO deliver to you on my re-
turn here, are forwarded by special messen-
ger.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JAMES MONROE.
Augustus =. Foster, Esq &c. &c. &c.
MR.. Russell TO MR.. 9. S. sMITH,
dated Paris, 5th July, 1911.
SIR,
1 observe by your letter of the 9TH ult. your
solicitude to obtsin evidence of the revocation
of the Berlin and Milan DEGREES.
On the Sth of August last the Duke of Galore
announced to Gen. Armstrong, that these de-
crees were revoked, and that they would cease
to operate on the first November. Since the
first of November these DEGREES have not to M
knowledge, IN any instance, been executed TO the
prejudice of American property arriving since
Green, coming clearly within the penal terms
of those DEGREES, had they continued in force,
was liberated in December last, and her cargo
admitted in April. This vessel had indeed been
taken by the English and retSken from them
bat as this circumstance is not assigned here as
the cause of the Liberation of this property, it
ought not TO be presumed to have operated a
lone as such.
Whatever special reasons may be supposed
for the release ofthe Grsce-Ann-Green that of
the New Orleans Packet must have resulted
from the revocation ofthe French Edicts.
The New Orleans Packet had been boarded
by two English vessels of war, and had been
! some time at an English Port, and thus doubly
transgressed against the DEGREES OF Milan On
arriving at Bordeaux, she was in fact seized by
the Director of the Customs, and these very
transsressions expressly assigned as the cause
of seizure. When was in ormed of this preci-
pitate act ofthe officer At Bordeaux, remonstra-
ted against it on the sole ground that the de-
crees, under which ii was made, had been revo-
ked. This remonstranoe was heard. All fur
Their proceedings against the New-Orleans Pack
ct were arrested, and on the 9th of January, both
the vessel and cargo were ordered to be placed
at the disposition ofthe owners, on giving bond.
This bond has since been cancelled by an order
of the governments and thus the liberation OF the
property perfected. The New-Orleans Packet
has been some, time waiting in the Garonne,
with her return cargo on board, for an opportu-
nifty only of escaping the English orders III
Council.
know Of no other American vessel arrived
voluntarily in the Empire of France or the king
dom OF Italy, since the first of November, TO
which the DEGREES OF Berlin and Milan could be
applied
i am, sir, very respectfully. your obedicn,
servant,
Lsigned]
/. S. Smith, EGG. Charge des .96atres,
London.
Mr.. Russell 70 Mr.. SMITH.
Paris, 14th Juiy. 1911.
SIR.
had the honor to address to you, on the
5th inst "A brief account OF the Grace-Ann-Green
and of the New-Orleans Packet. The proof
which these cases furnish, especially the latter
ought, when unopposed, as II is, by any con-
flicting circumstance, to be considered as con
elusive OF the revocation of the French edicts
to which, If continued in force, these cases
would have been liable In addition however &c
their existence, have now the satisfaction to
communicate to you the liberation Of the Two
Brothers, the Good Intent Il the Star, three Arne
rican vessels captured since the first Of Nov and
brought into this empire or into ports under il,
control. ! should have no doubt been able &c
have announced the release, by one general de
cision, OF every American vessel captured since
that period, if the only enquiry were whether Of
not they had violated the Berlin and Milan de
crees. Unfortunately, however, the practices o.
late years render tie question of property OK
tremely difficult to be satisfactorily decided a
midst false papers and false oaths after the
most minute and tedious investigation, it of
ten remains doubtful whether this property be
longs to neutral OF an enemy. The time EN-
ployed in this investigstion has surely no con
nection with the Berlia and Milan DEGREES, and
cannot be considered as evidence of their con
tinuance.
1t is possible that these deerees may be kcpi
in force in their municipal character, and O.
applied for the conhscstion Of English merchRn
die on the continent--and to prevent their per
forming this function does not appear to be
concern Of the United States, nor can the mea
sure adopted in retaliStion oft, on the part o
England, be justly extended beyond its limits
and made to reach an unofiending neutral pow
er, which the act of her enemy does not at
| feet.
Il is sufficient fer us that the Berln and Mi
| Ian DEGREES have ceased to be executed on tn,
hs~b 49, tf flc .o,- eli go,