Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-03-02

his views" that +" the DEGREES c! Berlin
and Milan were revoked, and should cease
TO operate on the first of November. -
This declaration soothed the pride aud gra'
tilted the feeling of GU. ADMINISTRATION
They were SO simple as to believe his pro-
tessons, and to Eatter themselves that they
had hit upon the true course Of policy
at last, and in order 70 shew our iul con-
fdence in his promise, the president, With
out waiting for official and une qnlvocal IN
formation that the DEGREES were SO revoked
as to cease to violate our neutral commerce,
as the law under which he acted required,
stepped beyond the line Of his duty, and
declared that the DEGREES were so revoked
as TO cease to violate our neutral commerce.
This act OF the President luled the unsu..
pscting merchants into security, and in.
duced many to trust their property once
more within the grasp Of the universal
plunderer. Lest the sensibility Of Con-
gross should be excited, and their tempers
ruled by the Rambouille. robbery, the
President touched the subject very gently,
grave'y telling as that the procedure arose
from misconcep,ion of our laws. and
misapplication Of the law Of reprisa!s, i'm
plying thereby, that upon suitable aPplica-
ton the p, operty would be restored.
Thus were We gliding gently on, prepar'
ing to go beyond our promise in the act Of
the first Of May, by enactiog additional and
severe restrictions in aid OF the non inter-
course act, when our course was arrested
by the communications from Mr.. Russell,
our charge dos stfaires, Informing Us, th,t
the DEGREES were continued in force after
the frs. OF November, thus giving the lie
to Napoleon's assurance, and TO the pro-
clama'icn of the president consequent upon
it. The administration aud their friends
were at first as:onaded. They found them
selves caught in the trap which had been
bsitcd for them, and knsw not how 20 sc,
out. The dreadful idea of acknowledging
an error and Of a retrogaGe movement, APP
palled the ~. After taking some time 70
collect their scattered and bew,idered sen.
ses it was recollctted that the proclamation
had not reached Paris when Mr.. Russcl's
dispatch came away. This great discove-
ry tended much 70 relieve their panic. 1t
was conceived that this verlhca,lon of the
pledge of III. f: 81 of May-this spontane-
Gus proof of confidence in the promise Of
The great emperor, would SO soon as made
known to him, ins pire him with equal con.
6dence in US, and induce an immediate
suspension of the DEGREES and delivery Of
our properly to its righ,.ul owners Blu.
net so The hawk does not release his
prey when once enclosed within his lalous
His ma estv understood his business better.
Determined to keep the plumber, and yet
make it subservient to his further views up
on US, he tells the council Of prizes to sus.
pend further proceedings upon ali seizures
under the DEGREES, dating from the first of
Nov. and directs the property 10 be held
only in state Of 81 gu. sration until the Sc
coud of February, WHEN tie Am'ricass
having fulfilled their pledge streSis.ing the
British orders and 6lockades, the property
is not to be condemned but given up to its
righttu; owners. That is, the law of the
first OF May and the presidents proclama-
ton, are mere pledges of something fur.
N!e', dha tuouSu NV decrecS are not Ie-
voked yet l wilt hold you to your promise
OF resistance against England and keep the
property as pledge for its performance.
This to be sure looks very suspicious, and
our administration and their friends are a.
gain in check.
Whilst breeding owe, the awkwarelnesss
OF their situation, and Sc, king for some
means OF exulcatng themselves from their
die NINA news is brought that new French
minister has arrived at Norfolk ard is on
his way to this city. A sign Of ov was at
once visible upon the countenances, so late.
iy oversPread with gloom. A ray of hore
once more beams upon the b~nieh,ed ina.
slnauons OF the Corsican's dupes. Thew
Halter themselves he comes empowered to
heal the wounds and cement the fricndship
OF lhe two countries. And doubtless h.
does. Tic WILL scar the wounds with a hot
iron, and Cement our friendship by placing
US under the f's'ering care of his roval
master, only requiring Of US in return. to