The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-07-05


irily have been much injured in the event
OF that law having been carried in 20 effect
in the crude form in which it had been pass
ed. Ut this improyidence, our citizens
might, in fuch case, we'll have complained
against their Representatives, Executive as
we'll as Legislative. but from il. our govern
ment most assurediy could not have deduc
ed a right to alter Of itself, the conditions
of the compact. The other party might,
indeed, from sentiment of compassion for
our artless simplicity. have consented to
| such change but, without such an &C.
quiessence. il could not, upon any principle
of natural or political law, be done.
If, however, the Emperor of the French
did not in fact revoke, as declared by the
Proclamation, the Berlin aud Milan de.
crees, the act of May did not become COM
pact between the U. States and France !;
and. IL that case, his imperial majesty had
go claim against this government, founded
apon that statute. to enforce the nou inter
course against the other belhgerent.
4, What, then, was the evidence which had
induced Congress to consider these DEGREES
repealed, aud which had accordingly ipda-
ced them TO pass the non-intercourse law !.
To the President in this as in every othe r
case touching our foreign relations, the
Legislature must necessarily have locked
for Information and Recommendation. From
him they had in due form received what.
they, imagined, they were officially bound
Ito consider as satisfactory evidence of the
repeal ofthese DEGREES. namely, his Proc6a
marion and his message Containing recon,
j mendanon TO enforce The act OF May, 1910
In respect then to tkis evidence and in pur-
suance of this Recommendation did Congress
pass tho ACT called the non>intercourse law
of the last session.
/ This intercourse law, let it be distinct
ly kept in mind was passed after the arri-
val at Washington of the new French min
lister, viz. on the End day of March, 1911
And ihave, moreover, to entreat my coun-
trymen deliberately and dispassionately to
view it in connexion with my letterss to gen.
eral Armstrong of the 5th Of June and sth
of July, 1910, with my letter to General
Turrear of the 18th December, 1910, and
with tie information hereafter detailed in
the 9th article of this address. And, then
l trust, they will have a clear perception of
the real ground of Mr.. Madison's enmity
to mt with respect to this measure.
Notwithstanding the precise protesta,ion,
solemnly communicated to the French Gov
eminent and openly promulgated to the
whole world, in virtue of the letters from the
Safe Department Of June and July 1910, that
'' a satisfactory provision for restoring the
property, lately surprised and seized by the
order or at the instance of the French Co.
vernment must be combined with a repeal
of the French Edicts 1rifh viery to q non
intercourse with Great Britain" vet, it is
a fact, that before the passing of the non
intercourse law of the last session, viz; on
the 2otn Feb. 1911. the French Government
did officially and formally through their
minister Mr. Surrurier communicate to this
Government their fixed determination not
TO restore the PROPERTY that had been ao;Sei-
| Ind fS,., e.
; which had been received by Mr.. Madison.
prior to tine date of the non intercourse law.
it was, at the time of passing 1t. evident to
my mind. that the Berlin and Milan De-
crees had not been revoked, as had been
declared by the Proclamation.
sth. At the session Of Congress, 1907
10, law was passed making some new re.
gulations, as to ministers and Barbary con-
suls. To this law Mr.. Madison saw strong
obJections-so strong, indeed, that he has
hitherto utterly disregarded its provisions.
Not having deemed it advisable, at the time
this bill was submitted TO him for his appro
baton, to return it with his negative, and
not having considered 1t expedient at the
last session to recommend as the conseitu
ZION requires, its repeal uits modification.
he, at a late period of the session pressed
me much TO prevail upon some member
TO introduce. with that view, a bill into Con
iSress- remarked to him, as respectfully
asI could, thatI had powerful objections to
every kind Of private intermedaling with
the business of members Of the Legislature.
and, especially, to such secret modes of re.
commenting public measures to the consi.
Iteration Of Congress He received nv re-
mark with great perturbation, and was evil
dainty much dispieased.
! Owing to the untoward provisions of this
law and to the unfortunate rules of MIR
Madison's calculating policy, six at least
of our functionaries abroad, not holding
! their appointments as this law directs. are
not entitled to and cannot receive the
| compensation provided by law for their
services.
9th. Sensible asI ever have been, to the
insults aud injuries, which the u. S. have
received. again and again, from G. Britain.
/ have at no time been blind to the reitera-
ted outrsges of France. And whatever
may have been my view of the edicts and
proceedings of either of these powers com
pared with those of the other, /, i'm nv dis
cussions with their respective fgnctionar;es.
have invariably had my eye steadily on the
rights. the interest and the honor of the u.
S. Never have felt disposition to identi-
fly my country with either Of the beilige-
rent nations. Never did abstain from as
serting the rights or from vindcating the no.
nor of the u. S. from an apprehension that
either France or G.. Britain might thereby
be exhibited to the world in an odious point
4 A