Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-11-14

the doctrine that he has right to compei tns
whole continent to break off all intercourse
with us, and to seize upon vessels belonging
to neutral nations upon the sole plea OF their
having visited an English port, or OF their oe-
ing laden with articles of British or Colonial
produce in whatsoever manner acquired.
This prctension, however, IS but part OF
that system the whole of which, under our
construction of the letter of M. Chalnpagny OF
August S, 1910, corroborated by many subse-
uuent declarations of the French government
aud moi inyalidated by amy unequi'ocai decia-
ration of a contrary tenor, must be CONSIDERED
as still in full force
In the communication which you lately
transmitted to me, am sorry to repeat that
was unable to discover any facts which salts
factorily proved that the DEGREES had been ac-
tually repealed. and have already repeatedly
stated the reasons which too probably led to
the restoration of few of the American ships
taken in pursuance of the Berlin and Milan
DEGREES after Nov /. Mr.. Russell does not
seem to deny that the DEGREES may still DC
kept in force, only he thinks they have assun-
ed a municipal character; but In NJ. CHAM
pagny's declaration, ambiguous as /; was, there
is no such division of them into too different
characters, for if the contingency required by
the French minister took place, the Berlin s
Milan DEGREES were to cease according to his
expression without any qualification. ltthere-
fore part Of them remain or be revived a.
gain, as seems to be allowed even here, why
may not the whole be equally so! Where
proof can be obtained of their existence, We
have it, namely, in the ports OF France, III
which vessels have been avowcdly seized I'M
der their operation since November /. OF
their maritime existence we cannot so easily
obtain evidence, because of the few French
ships of war which venture to leave their har-
bors. VINO can doubt, however, but that had
the Ruler of France a navy at his command
equal TO the enforcing of his violent DEGREES,
he would soon shew that part OF them to be
10 dead letter. The principle is not the less
obnoxious because it is from necessity almost
dormant for the moment, nor ought It there
fore TO be less an object to be strenuously re-
sisted.
Allow me, sir, here to express my sincere
regret that have not as yet been able to con-
vince you, BY what cannot but consider the
strongest evidence, Of the continued existence
Of the French DEGREES, and consequently OF
the uniriendly policy of your government in
enforcing the non-importation against US and
opening the trade with our enemies. His
Royal Highness viii, am convinced, learn
with unf9igned sorrow, that such continues to
be still, the determination OF America, and
whatever restrictions on the commerce ENJOY
ed BY America in his Malesty's dominions
may ensue on the part of Great Britain, as re-
taliatory on the refusal By your government
to admit the productions of Great-Britain
while they open their harbors 10 those of his
Maicsty's enemies, they will, am persuaded,
be adopted with sincere pain, and with plea
sure relinqushcd whenever this country shall
resume her neutral position and impartial al
titude between the two belligerents.
l have the honor to be. with the greatest
consideration and respect, sir, ysur most ODE
dent humble servant.
AUG. J. FOSTER.
To The Hon James Monroe, &c. &c, sc.