Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-06-14
FROM The sALsM GAZETTE.
Mr.. Pickering's address
To THE
PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES
NO. XII.
FrLLow-CirfzEss,

FELLow-CfrIzEss,
Among the topics which proposed to
discuss, mentioned the Embargo: and
that would prove to you, that il was not
imposed "to keep in safety our vessels, our
seamen and merchandise" as Mr.. Ieffer-
son pretended, when he recommended that
measure to Copgress. TheEmbsrgo law has
indeed been repealed; but as all the laws
since passed by our government, to shackle
our commerce, have grown on, of that dc.
ceitful measure, IT is necessary TO bring il
under review. Besides it will contribute
to the display of Mr.. Jetfsrson's real cha.
ractcr.
THE EMBARGO.
On the 18th Of December, 1907, Presi.
dent Jefferson sent to Congress the follow
ing message:
To the Senate and Honse Of Representatives
Of the United States.
The communications now made, showing
the great and increasing dangers with which
our vessels, our seamsn, and merchandise,
are threatened, on the high seas, and else
where, from the bellIgerent powers of Eu.
rope and it being of the greatest impor-
lance to keep in safety these essential re.
sources. l deem it my duty to recommend
the subject to the consideration of Congress,
who will doubtless perceive all the advan.
tage which may be expected from an inhi.
bition of the departure OF our vessels from
the ports of the United States.
Their wisdom will also see the necessity
ofmaking every preparation for whatever
events may grow out of the present crisis.
ask a return of the letters of Messrs.
Armstrong and Champaign, which it would
be improper to make public.
TIL: JEFFERSON.
December Is, 1907.
The communications accompanying thu
| message consisted OF four papers, which
described, as far as was then permitted. il
my letter of February IS, 1909, to the LAT.
Gov. Sullivan.
/. A proclamation, dated Oct. is, 1907
by the king of G.. Britain, requiring his ma
tuyai born subjects, sea.faring men, serving
On board ships of war or merchant vessels
of any foreign states, to return and aid in
defence of their own. The right to issue
such a proclamation, no well.informed man
will question. 1t is right exercised by the
European nations generally, per haps uni
versaily, when they engage in war ; and 1t
is right of peculiar importance to Great
Britain. at time when her safety is me-
naced and endangered by the most formula
BILE mower which has ever existed in Europe.
Thus far there seems to be nothing in the
proclamation against which any one can take
exception. But it authorizes and directs
the continuation of imprcssments OF british
natural. born subjects frommerchdnf vessels.
What are the rights of Great Britain IN this
case, and what the rights OF neutrais, is a
very important question, which would de-
mand Sc 2arate discussion. 1t is sufhcient
at present to say, that the danger OF I'M
pressments of American seamen was not
increased; on the contrary, the precautions
enioined by the proclamation would lead TO
the conclusion that the danger was dtn'in-
ished. and such believe to have been the
fact.
2. The second paper of the communica-
ton was letter clearing date September
10, 1907 from the French grand judge,
Reenier, to the imperial proeureur Tor at.
torney) general of the emperor's council OF
prizes, containing the emperor's interPreta-
ron Of his Berlin decree of November 81,
1906. concerning which the Council enter
tains d some doubts. To the question, 1,
Can armed vessels under that decree, seize
in neutral vessels. either English property,
or all merchandise proceeding from En-
plish manufactures or territories !-the
grand Judge answers" His majesty mott
6es to me. that since he had not thought
proper to express any exception in his de-
cree, there is no ground to make any in the
execution with respect to any thing whatso-
ever" 2. His Majesty has not decided the
question whether French armed vessels