Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-14

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dervoriug TO promote the best understanding
possible between the two countries.
have the honor to be, with the highest
consideration, sir, your most cbedient hum
BILE servant,
AUG. J. FOSTER.
TO the Hon. James Monroe, &c. sc.
MR.. FOSTER TO Mr.. MONROE.
Washington, Jaiy 16, 1871
! had the honor TO receive the letter
which you addressed to me under Yesterday S
date requesting an explanation from me, in
consequence of my letters of the Sd and 18th
inst. OF the precise extent in which a repeal
OF the French DEGREES is by his maiesty's go
vernment made a condition of the repeal
of the British Orders, and particularly
whether the condition embraces the sell
zure OF vessels and merchandise entering
French ports in ccntravention OF French re-
gulations, as well as the capture on the high
seas, of neutral vessels and their cargoes, on
the mere allegation that they are bound TO
CT from british pcVts, or that they have on
board British productions or manufactures !,
as also, stating that in your view the French
DEGREES, they comprise regulations essential
violating the neutral rights of the United
States, others operating against Great Bril-
tain without any such violation.
You will permit me, sir, for the purpose Of
answering your questions as clearly and con-
cisely as possible, to bring into view Tic
French DEGREES themselves, together with
the official declarations of the French Min
| lister which accompanied them.
In the body of those DEGREES, and in the
declarations alluded to, you will find, sir, ex-
press avowals that the principles on which
they were founded, and the provisions con-
tanned in them, are wholly new, unprecedeIt-
| ted, and in direct contradiction to all ideas
of justice and the principles and usages of
| all civilised nations.
The French government did not pretend
| to say that any one ofthe regulations contain
| ed IN those DEGREES was a regulation which
France had ever been in the previous prac-
| tice of.
They were consequently to be considered,
and were indeed allowed by France herself
I! to be, all of them, parts of new system of
warfare, unauthorized by the established laws
| of nations.
1t is in this light in which France herself
has placed her DEGREES, that Great Britain
is obliged to consider them.
| The submission of neutrals to any regula-
tons made by France, authorized by the
laws OF nations and practised in former wars,
will never be complained of by Great Bril-
tain; but the regulations Of the Berlin and
| Milan DEGREES do, and are declared To vio-
| late the laws of nations and the rights of neu-
trails, for the purpose of attacking through
them the resources of Great Britain. The
| Ruler OF Frsuce has drawn no distinction be-
tween any of them, nor has he declared the
cessation of any one of them in the speech
| which he so lately addressed to the deputa-
ton from the free imperial Hanse Towns.
which was on the contrary confirmation Of
| them all.
Not until the French DEGREES therefore
shall be efectually repealed, & thereby neu-
| trail commerce be restored to the situation in
which it stood previously to their pronulga-
| ton, can his Royal highness conceive hin
| self justified, consistently with what he owes
| TO the safety and honor of Great Britain, in
| foregoing the just measures Of retaliation
which his majesty in his defence was neces-
STATED to adopt against them.
! trust, sir, that this explanations answer
to yonr enquiries will be considered by you
sufficiently satisfactory; should you require
| any further, and which it may be in my pow
er to give, shall with the greatest cheerful
| ness affordit.
II
delay will be thought necessary BY the Pre-
sident in restoring the relations of amity
| which should ever subsist between America
| and Grcat-Britain, as the decisions attempt
ed by the government Of France have now
been made manifest and the perfdious plans
OF its ruler exposed by which, while he adds
TO and aggrayates his system of violence a.
| galnst neutral trade, he endeavors to throw
all the odiun of his acts upon Great Britain
| with view TO cngender discord between the
neutral countries, and the only power which
stands up as bulwark against his efforts al
universal tyranny and oppression.
Excuse me, sir, if | express my wish as
early as possible to despatch his Majesty.
packet boat with the result Of our communi.
cations, as his Majesty's government will ne
| cessarily be most anxious to hear from me
Any short period Of time, however, which
may appear to you to be reasonable, l viii
not hesitate TO detain her.
have tue honor to be, with the highest
consideration and respect, sir, your most
obcdient humble servant,
AUG. ]. FOSTER.
To the honorable James Monroe, &c. &c. GS'c
MR. MONROE TO MR.. FOSTER.
Deaayfment Of Stare.
Jaiy Esd, 1911.
SIR,
have submitted to the president your Sc
vcrsl letters Of tic Sd aud 10th Of this month
relative TO the British orders in council and
the blockade Of May, 1906, and have now
| the honor to communicate to you his senti-
ments On the view which you have presented
of those measures of your government.