Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-10-24
AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE,
ox THE CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCES or A
T.4R NTH GPE.AT-BRIT.AIN.
(CoNrINUEn.l

the question strict jatris, without resorting to
: the argument, which is by itself conclusive,
arising from the character of the enemy, and
the peculiar conduct of the war: the necessi-
ties which these impose, and the measures
@hich.they justify.
1t was about this time, that the administra-
ton took what was then called its dignifed
stand DisdaiIing 70 count the numbers of
their enemies, orto make any determinations
Of character, the government melted them all
down into one mass, anu proposed to maintain
what was then dcpominateat The neutral posi-
ton OF the country by a species OF armed neu-
trahty. All this ended in some abstract reso-
lutions, and non-intercourse law against
Great-Britain and France in place of the en-
barge, which suffering people would no
longer indure. This measure did not succeed
In convincing the nation that the policy of the
administration was either dignihed or Impair
tiaI, and was soon followed by the deceitful
arrangement with Nj. Erskine.
Great Britain refused to ratify this adjust
ment chiefly in consequence of the insult to
the British government inserted in the cor
respondence by Mr.. Madison himself. This
important fact has recently been disclosed
and would of itself have insured the rejection
Of the treaty, independently of its having been
concluded by Nj. Erskine, OF only without
authority, but III violation OF his Instructions
By this time twas discovered that Great
Britain had been the first aggressor upon our
rights; and the eyideace Of this was found In
the rule Of the war of lT5S. This was declar-
ed by Mr.. Adams, then senator OF the u
Iited Suites, to be the '1root". of all the In
Engagements OF our neutral rights. In the pro-
gcess OF this discussion, however, it was made
to appear, that, even admitting the rule Of the
war of 1856 to be indcfcnsiblc upon the strict
principles ofpublic law, which do not, France,
as early rs tie year 1904, and l744, BY various
ordinances. had adopted principles of great ex-
tent and rigor, and more injurious to the
rights Of neutrals. Itappesred also that Hol-
land had adopted the same course of policy,
and that al maritime states, whenever the ia
terests of wa should render 1t necessary,
would adopt similar principles.
This topic has been abandUned, and the O.
rieinal aggression has been found liz the ia
nroas British order OF May, 1906. AS this
had become the last resort of the adlninistra-
ton and lis supporters, had proposed to en-
ter into minute examination of its origin and
effects: ard am deferred only BY an intima-
ton in tine cabinet paper, that this order IS 70
longer IN obstacle. to accommodation; though
I have no doubt other obstacles viii be found,
70 prevent i'll cannot quit this topic, how
ever, taqughit is now dead, piihouta remark
upoD he Gse- which the administration have
made OF it.
This order was intended. and did In FACT re-
move the ground of complaint urged BY the
The rtllta NV
Great Britain in relation 20 the colonial trade.
II was IN substance a relaxation of the rule in
orr favor, permitting ali but the direct trade
with the enemies colonies an indirect mode
resortcd 10 BY Mr.. Fox, TO avoid formal "a
abandonment of the principle, and yet to give
10 the United States all the advantages OF such
q concession. Mr. Monroe declares III bis
correspondence that he understood 1t IT this
light. and that Mr. Fox admitted, that such
would be It's operation, though he was unwii- !
Tnp 20 admit that this was Its particular OBJ
ipcf The administration were satisfied with
33bis mode of quoting their claims, and our CT
-;zens for some time enjoyed its benefits
Nyr Madison continued TO entertain the same
oninion of this order so late as the spring of
] 8o9, when he made his treacherous arrange
nent With Mr.. Erskine. He then required
the repeal of the British orders of 1907, as the
only orders violating our neutral rights. His
authority, derived from the law of Congress,
required this with this he was satisfied, and
IN his proclamation declared that all the or
.le-s il, council, violating the rights of neutral
commerce, wereabeogated. Mark well! In
enc rear after, this order of 1906, which
had sa,isiied altour complaints on the subject
os,be colonial trade, which had been past over
n siIence in the negotiation with Mr. Frs
kline, was suddenly brought to life: and from
tb.t time forward made a conspicuous figure
!, Ill tfe discussions OF our foreign relations.
Il was represented as an infringement of ma
,;onal Law, of SO rnaiignanta nature as almost
% Justify a crusade against Great-Britain, by
~ civilized portion ofibe world. TWAS de-
ej,rrd d bean upexampled violation OF neu-
TIA. RIBS, the first In the series OF agsFes-
5: 5lss, tE.e origin of the Berlin ana Milan oe-