Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-11-13

tie apparently contradictory. language s.n
both by himself and his ministers.
shall be extremely happy, to receive r.,
YOU, sir, the information that in franz ,,s
unambipuous manner the Chief of the rrt,s
government had revoked his degrees. w,
he should not do so is inexplicable il he me,,,
to revert to the ordinary rules OF war, hi
while he exercises such despotic sway sherr
yer his influence extends, to ruin the rrscu,
ces of England, it cannot be expected ,ls
Great-Britain shall not use the means she Do,
sesses for the purpose OF making him feel IL.
pressure of lis own system. There IS tyen
reason to believe that ere long the effects On
the enemies of Great Britain will be such a,
irresistibly to produce change which win
place commerce on its former basis. In tn.
mean time, sir, hope you will not think i,
extraordinary if l should contend that tn,
seizure of American ships BY France, sine,
November /, and the positive and unqualified
declarations of the French government ar.
stronger proofs of the continued cx'stence Of
the French DEGREES and the bad faith Of Ii.
ruler of France, than the restoration Of Eve /,
six vessels, too palpsbly given up for hl,.
cious purposes or in testimony OF his salts.
faction at the attitude taken by America, is
proof of their revocation, or Of bis return
the principles of justice.
Twill only repeat, sir, in answer to your CD.
servations on the late condemnation OF the
ships taken under his Majes.y's Orders in
Council, what have already had the honor to
state to you, that the delay which took place
in their condemnation was not in consequence
of any doubt existing in his Maiesty's govern.
ment, as to whether the French DEGREES were
revoked, as you seem to imagine, Blu, in cor.
sequence of its being thought that the Anne.
rican government, upon its appearing that they
were deceived by France, would have ceased
their injurious measures against the British
commerce. A considerable time elapsed be.
fore the decision took place on those ships, &
there is no doubt, but that had the United
States government not persisted IN their un.
friendly attitude towards Grent- Britain on dis
covering the i'll faith of France, spirit of con-
citation in his Majesty's government would
have caused their release.
In reply to your observations on the pre-.
tensions of Great Britain relative to the revo.
cation of the French DEGREES, beg to repeat
that the sum of the demand made by England
is that France should follow the established
laws of warfare as practised in former wars
in Europe. Her ruler by his DEGREES of Der:
lin * Milan declared himself no longer bound
by them, he has openly renowned them in his
violent efforts to ruin the resources of Great
British, and has trampled on the rights Of in.
dependent tons to effect his purpose. Il
the French government mike use OF mean
of unprecedented violence to prevent the ID
tercourse of England with unoHending neu.
trails, can it be expected that England Should
tamely suffer the establishment OF such no.
vel system Of war without retaliation, and en-.
desvoring in her turn to prevent the French
from ENJOYING tine advantages Of which she
is unlawtully deprived?
Having explained already the situation in
which the question of the blockade of May
1906 rests according to the views Of his Ma
jesty's government, and the desire of Great
Britain to conduct her system of blockad:
according to the laws of nations, vii. onl,
advert to it on this occasion for the purpose
of taking the liberty of acknowledging to YOU
the very great pleasure received from th'
highly honorable mark of respect which yor
have taken the occasion to express for th'
illustrious statesman from whose counss
that measure emanated.
need not repeat to you, sir. what since
satisfaction it would give me if without'tht
sacrifice of the essential tights and Interests
of Great Britain all the points in discussion
between our two countries could be finally adj
justed.
have the honor to be, with the highest
consideration and respect, sir, your most ODE
dent humble servant,
AUG. J. FOSTER.
To the Hon. James Monroe, &c. sc. fTc.
Documents 10 be continued.