The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-07-09

:.
From your letter it appears, that the importa-
zion into FIR of cotton and tobacco. The pro
duce of the u. S. is, at this time, special, and
absolutely prohibited.
From the decree OF the 18th of July, il more
over appears, that there can be no importation
into France, but upon terms and conditions ut
terly inadmssible, and that, therefore, there can
be 40 importation at all ofthe following articles,
the produce OF the u. S. namely fish oil, dye
wood. salt fish, cod fish. hides and peltry
As these enumerated articles constitute the
great mass of the exports from the U. S. to
France, the mind is naturally awakened to a sur
vey OF The actual condition ofthe commercial re-
lations between the two countries and to the
consideration Il. at no practical good, worthy OF
notice, has resulted 80 the u. 5. from the revo.
cation ofihe B lin ard N Au decrees, combin
ed, as it unexpectedly has Oten wish ::anee
in the commercial system of France, so momen-
tous 10 The u S. 81
The act of congress of May las, had for its OBJ
ject, not merely tho recognition of speculate We
legitimate principle, but the enjoyment OF "a sub.
stantini benet.. The overture therein presente d,
obviously embraced the idea O; commercial ad-
vantage. II included the reasonable belief tn IT
an abrogstion OF the Berlin and Milan DEGREES
would leave the ports of France =: free for the
introduction OF the produce Of The u S. as they
were previously to the PRONUNCIATION of those
DEGREES
The restrictions of the Berlin and Milsn de-
crees had the effect OF restraining the American
merchants from sending their vessels to France
The interdictions in the system that has been
substituted, against the admission of American
products, will have the effect OF imposing up n
them An equal restraint. If, then, for the reyok-
ed DEGREES, municipal laws, producing the same
c numerical effect, have been substituted, the
mode only, and not the measure, has under
gone an alteration. And however true il MAY.
ia. hn rn 10 pf,,I 60 q. =.
verthe.ess, as true, that it is essentially unfrend
ly. snd that it does not at all comport with the
IDEAS inspired by your letter OF the 9th >ul, IN
which you were pleased TO declare the distinct
ly pronounced intention off his imperial majesty
OF favoriRg the commercial relations between
France and the u S. in all the objects of traffic,
which shall evidently proceed frnm their agri
culture or manufactures"
1t France, by her own acts, has blocked up
her ports against the introduction Of the pro-
ducts OF the U 5, whai motive has this govern
ment, in a discussion with third power, to in
sIst on the privilege OF going to France -
whence the inducement to urge the annulment
OF blockade OF France, when, If annulled, no
American cargoes could obtain market in any
OF her ports In such state of things, bloc
kade of tue coast of France would: be to the ".
, as unlIHportant, would be 6 blockade of
the coast of the Caspian sea.
The British edicts may be viewed as having
double relation; first, 10 the wrong done to the
U. S. (; second, to the wrong done TO France
And it is in the letter relation only, that France
has right to speak. But what wrong, il may
be asked, can France suffer from British orders
which cooperate with her own regulations
However sensible the q. S. may be to the vi
oiation OF their neutral rights under those edcts,
yet, 1T France herself has by her own acts rem
dered it theoretical instead of practical NO
lation. it is for the government to decide on the
degree in which sacrifices of any sort may be re
CURED by considerations which peculiarly and
exclusively relate to the u S. Certain it is, that
the inducements to such sacrifices are weaken.
ed, as far as France weaken them, by hay-
ing converted the right to be maintained, into
naked one, whilst the sacrifices to be made
would be substantial and extensive
hope, however, is INDUCED, that your IN
it,uctions from your Government will soon ena-
BILE you to give some satisfactory explanations of
the measures to which reference has been made,
and that their operation in virtue ofmodifica-
hons, which have not yet TRANSFERRED, will not be
as has been herein represented.
The President has received with great salts
faction the information, that the consuls of
France bave been heretofore in the official and
authorized practice OF furnishing certificates of
origin to American vessels, as we'll to those des-
tined to neutral ports, as to those whose sove-
regns are in alliance with France and that
this practice. sanctioned by the French Govern
'S''', VIZ hot Ccaoc IN any part OF the u. .. De-
fore the 18th oflast month. and then only in con-
sequence OF a despatch from the duke of Galore,
bearing date the 3Gth of August preceding
This satisfaction arises from the hope, that sitni
lar information may have been given 10 the D..
nish government, and from senee of the happy
Influence which such communication Will have
had on the American property, that had been
seized and detained by the privateers of Den
msrk,upoD the suppostien that these cert;h, ates
OF origin were spurious and not authorized nv
the French Government 1t is, nevertheless, t.
be regretted, that the functionaries of France IN
Denmark had not made known to the Danish a,i
TN rites, during the occurrence Of such outra-
ges On the American trade, the error OF de-
nounoing, as illegitmate, authentic documents,
which had been lawfully issued by the accredi-
ted agents of his imperial majestW
have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)
u SMITH