The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-10-16

and Dcnmark.-England was receiving large
supplies OF naval stores provisions, sc. &c.
from all these counties, while every thiag
destined for France was intercepted. France,
Il this time, permitted all ncu,rals to pass
cnmolested to the ports OF England many
.hamefuy abused this priyicgc--for, after
carrying cargo to London, they there pur-
chased false clearsnccs, and entered the ports
OF France with cagoes Of British products.
The discovery Of this practice was the cause
of all vessels being interdicted from the ports
of France, which had entered British port.
Xet this decree was relaxed in many instan-
ces, especially with regard to America,
when il was proved that our vessels had been
captured and constrained TO enter British
ports this indulgence, shown to some OF
our vessels, was soon discovered in England,
and advantage taken OF it---and vessels under
the American llag, came into ports Of France
with cargoes received at the ports Of Lon
don, certified 10 have been loaded in the u.
Stales--a discovery Of this cheat, caused the
rigid enforcement Of the decree forbidding
any vessel to enter France, that had touched
at Il British port, and to conhscatc the cargo
The war with Prussia and the possession of
Its scaports, and the discovery Of the snug
Cling trade carried on, led to the decree from
Berlin, but which was not enforced against
us till France conceived we had admitted TO
England the right to intcrdict by proclama-
tion all our commerce from the river Elbe to
Brest, both inclusive, and which could at
pleasure Gas bas since becn) be extended to
all the ports of France or its allies. In this
statement do not mean to justify France in
issuing her dccrccs injurious to the COM
mcrcc of the United States, but TO shcw that
the Proclamation or paper blockades preccd-
ed the Berlin decree, and in part gave rise
GO i.---that we demonstrated against this de-
cree is in proof before the publick the ear
ly application OF Gen. Armstrong, and the
letters Of The Secretary of State, are undeni-
able proof; add to this, that the trade be-
tween the United States and England was as
great or greater after the issuing Of the Bcr-
jim decree as ever it was previous. England
suffered no injury as respected her commerce
with the United States from that decree, sine
therefore cannot be justified in extending her
Orders in Council as to ps. We were using
our cxertons, by reAson and remonstrance,
with France. 60 have that decree anuulleG,
and mc,s than this she could not in reason
1rqurc till the results should be known, more
especially as she continued 10 maintain her
eystem of paper blockudes.
Those who endeayour TO iustify England,
,carefully keep these circumstances out OF
view, as well as the almost daily capture of
our property under frivolous pretences, and |
sending it'into port for adjudication, subject
ing us 10 ruinous delay and cxpenccs, prior I
70 any decree of France which affected our |
commercc-.-to remind our merchants how \
much they suffered by such captures and de- /
Sensions is not necessary.
30 lar can see no prediction in favour |
of France or disposition to acquescs in her
think perceive dread
OF offending England, knowing her colossal
power at sea, and her disposition to monopo-
lise all the commerce of the world. We
however, venturcd TO demonstrate, and sent
an Envoy Extraordinary to London with
hope of accommodating matters, things were
N this situation when Information reached
Washington of the intention of England 10 |
iorec all our trade into its ports to pay cer-
tain duties, and lake licences to proceed TO
tbs ports of their destination. This most in
famous and most arbitrary OF all measu.cs
ever attempted by any nation to be exercised
over another no, in a state of vassalagc, was
actually carried into effect; though it was
known not q vessel that had been SO forced
into England and taken liscnse TO proceed, ,
could escape conGscation on entering Hol- |
land, France or Spain, by the municipal law
OF those countries. Our late worthy Presi- |
dent, wisely foreseeing that unless care was
taken TO guard against it, much property
must be captured by England and France,
wisely recommended to the Congress, then
An session, to lay general embargo, until |
such time as some arrangement could be
made with one or both the beigerents.
Congress followed his Recommendation,
but the cupidity of some merchants repdered
il useless in great measure the fortunate
voyages Of certain breakers of the embargo |
induced others to attempt the same, till a
whole section Of the Union seemed ready TO
revolt, which led to repeal at the moment
when the effec: began to be felt, and when