Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-11-19

ences discountenanced BY the language OF its
minister, but would have told you so IN expll-
cit terms. What have to request OF your
lordship, therefore, is, that you will take our
views and principles from our own mouths,
and that neither the Berlin decree, nor any
other act Of any foreign state, may be made to
speak for US what we have not spoken tor our
selves.
The principles of blockade which the Anne
rican government processes, and upon the
foundation of whichit has repeatedly protest
ed against the order of May 1906, & the other
kindred innovations of these extraordinary
times, have already been so clearly explained
to your lordship, in my letter fof the 2lst OF
September, that it is hardly possible to read
that letter and misunderstood them. Recon-
mended by the plainest considerations OF uni
versal equity. you will find them supported
with strength of rgument, and weight
of authority, Of vain they scarcely stand IN
need, in the papers, which will accompany
this letter, or were transmitted in that OF Sep
TENDER. Twill not recapitulate what cannot
improve ; but must avail myselfof this OPP
portunity to call your lordship's attention
secoud time, in particular manner, to one
Of the papers to which my letter of September
refers allude to the copy ofan official note,
of the 18th ofApri! 1904, from Mr.. Merry to
Mr.. Madison, respecting pretended block
ade of Martinique and Guadaloupe. No com
ment can add to the value of that manly and
perspicuous exposition OF the law of blockade,
as made BY England herseh, in maintenance
of rules, which have been respected and up
held, in all seassA and on all occasions, by
the government of the United States. | VIII
leave it, therefore, to your lordsilip's consi-
Iteration, with only this remark, tnat, while
that paper exists, it will be superhuous to
seek in any French document for the opinions
of the American government on the matter of
it.
the United States TO its opinions on that in:e-
resting SUBJECT is known 20 every body. The
same principles, whichare sonad III the letter
OF Mr.. Madison TO Mr.. Thoru.on Of the 27th
OF October 1905, already before yoB, were as
serted in 1899 by the American minister at
this court, in his correspondence with lord
Grenyile, respecting the blockade Of some Of
the ports of Holland !; were sanctioned, in
letter of the Goth of September 1900, IRON
the Secretary Of State of the United States to
MIR. King. Of which an extract IS enclosed
were insisted upon in repeated instructions to
Mr. Monroe, and the special mission OF 1906;
have been maintained by the United States a
eainst others. as well as against England, as
will appear b. the enclosed copy OF instruc-
tons, dated the DIST of October 1901, from
Mr.. Secretary Madison to Mr.. Charles Pink
ney, then American minister al = adfid and
finally were adhered to by the United States
when belligeren,, in the case o. the blockade
OF I.ripoii.
4 few words win give a summary Of those
and when recalled to your remem-
brance, am not withou: tapes that The strong
grounds OF law and r:gh: OH which t..ey stand
VIII be as apparent 10 your lordship as they
are TO me.
It's By 10 means clear that it may Tot fairly
be con.ended, On principle and carly usage,
that maritime blockade is incomplete with
regard to states at peace, unless the place I:
which It would affect IS invested By land as
well as by sea. The United States. however,
have called for the recognition Of 70 such
rule. They appear te have contented them
selves with urging in substance, that ports
rot actually blockaded By present. adequate,
sISl-CLAIf EOiCef ciilp So " ltC iO"Oi "i.-Si
attacks them, shall not be considered Is shut
to neutral trade in articles not contra5and OF
war, that tho it is usual for a beliiserent to
give notice to.neutrzl nations when be intends
to institute blockade, il is possible thar he
NAV not act upon his intention al al, or that
re NAV execute it issuficientl,, or that he
NAV discontinue bis blockade, of which it is
&c, customary to give any notice that conse-
aGently. the presence Of the blockaG;ng force
is the natural criterion b. which The neutral is
enabled to ascertain the existence ofrhc block
ade at any given period, IN ike manner as
the actual Investment Of besieged place is
the evidence by which We decide whe-
Their the siege, which may be commenc-
ed. raised, recommended and raised d
gain, i. continued Or not; that CT course
mere notification TO neutral minister shall
not lie relied upon. IS affecting. with know
led-e OF the actual existence os q blockade,
either his government or is citizens, thar
vessel, cleared or bound to ablockaded port,