The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-11-27

informed oi this preeipilate act Of the cfsetr
Of Bordeaux, demonstrated against il on the
sole ground that the DEGREES, under whichit
was made, had been revoked. This remon-
STRANGE was heard. All-iurther proceedings
against the New-Orleans Packet were arres-
ted, and on the 9th Of January, both the ves-
sci and the cargo were ordered TO be placed
al the disposition of the owners, on giving
bond.--This bond has since been cancelled
by an order of the government, and thus the
liberation Of the property perfected. The N.
Orleans Packet has been some time waiting
in the Garonne, with her return cargo on
board, for an opportunity only Of escaping
the English Orders in Council.
know of no other American vessel arriv-
ed voluntarily in the Empire OF France or
the kingdom Of Italy, since The first Of Nov
embcr, to which the dccrces of Berlin and
Milan could be applied.
am, sir, very respectfully, yotr ohcdient
seffSut, (Signed) JONA. RUSSELL,
J. s. Smith, Charged AIfaircs, London.
MR. RUSSELL TO Mn. SMITH.
Paris, i4th july 1911. 2
SIR,
had the honour TO address 10 you, on
the 5sh inst. brief account of the Grace-Ann
Green, and Of the New-Orleans Packet.
The proof which these cases furnish, especi-
ally the latter, ought, when unopposed, as 1t
is, by any conflicting circumstance, TO be con-
sidered as conclusive Of the revocation of the
French cdicts, to which, il continued in forc,,
those cases would have been liable. In addi-
ton, however, 10 their existence, have now
sb~ eseca ~ ,I,o
Liberation of the Two Brothers, the Good In
tent and the Star, three American vessels
captured since the first of November and
brought into this Empire or ports under its
control. should have no doubt been able
TO have announced its release BY one general
decision, of every American vessel captured
since that period, it the only enquiry We're
whether or not they had violated the Berlin
and Milan DEGREES. Unfortunately, however,
the practices of late years render the ques-
tion Of property .extremely difficult to be sat-
isfactoriy decided, amidst false papers and
false oatbs after the most minute and tedi-
Gus investigation, it often remains doubtful
whethcr this property belongs 10 a neu,rai or
an enemy. The time employed ip this In
vestigation mas surely no connection with the
Berlin and Milan DEGREES, and cannot be con-
sidcred as evidence OF their continuance.
1t is possible that these DEGREES may be
kept iii force In their municipal character,
and be applied for. their confscation Of Eng
lish merchandise on the continent--and to
prevent their performing this function does
not appear TO be a concern Of the y. States,
nor Can the measure adopted in retaliation Of
it, on the part OF England, be justly extend
cd beyond its limits, AID made to reach an
ApqssnaaA9g SssiTS! s 9SwsssT, which the act OF
& II is sufficient for us that the Berlin and
Milan DEGREES have ceased TO be executed ON
the high seas, and if the orders in council
still continue To operate there, they surely are
not supported by any principle Of the law Of
rctaliaton, but must he considered as SIM
pie and unqualified violation of our neutral
and national rights.
The Proot now before you Of the rcvoca-
ion OF the Berlin and Milan DEGREES consists
II the precise and formal declarations of this
government, in its discon,inuance to execute
hem 10 our prejudice in single instance, in
IS having exempted from their operation ev-
.ry vessel arriving spontaneously since the
'rst OF November, to which they could be ap-
lied, and every vessel forcibly brought in
ince that time on which there has been de-
sion. Aftsr such evidence, to pretend 10
loubt OF their revocation with regard to us,
would seem to be the result OF something
more than mere incredu'ity.
With much respect, SC.
JONA RUSSELL