The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-12-04


give notice TO neutral nations when he intends
to institute blockade, it is possible that he
may not act upon his intention at all, or that
lie may execute il insufficienily, or that he
may discontinue his blockade, Of which II is
not customary to give any notice that con-
seuuently, the presence OF the blockading
force is the natural criterion by which the
neutral is enabled TO ascertain the existence
OF the blockade 1T any given period, in like
manner as the actual investment OF beseig-
ed place is the evidence by which we decide
whether the scge, which may be compenc-
ed, raised, recommended and raised again, Is
continued or not that OF course a mere mo-
tifca,ion to neutral minister shall not be- re-
licd upon, as eilecting, with knowledge OF
the actual existence OF blockade, either by
his government or its citizens, that a vessel,
cleared or bound 20 a blockaded port, shall
not be considered as violating in ahy manner
the blockade, unless OH hcrapproach towards
such port she shall have been previously
warned not TO enter it that this view OF the
law, in itself perfectly correct is peculiarly
important 10 nations situated at greater dis
tancc from the beligerent parties, and there
fore incapable of obtaining other than tardy
Information of the actual state OF their ports
that whole coasts and countries SHALL net be
declared (for they never can be more than
declared to be In state oil blockade, and
thus the right Of blockade converted into the
means of cxtinguishng the trade OF neutral
nations and lastly that every blockade shall
be impartial in its operation, or, in other
words, shall not open and shut for the convc-
nience of the party that institutes II, and at
the same time rcpel the commerce oil the
rest of the world, so as 10 become the odious
instrument OF an unjust monopoly, instead oil
a measure of honorable war.
These principles are too moderate and Just
to furnish any motive 10 the British govern
,ncnt for hcsilating to revoke its orders IN
council and those analogous orders oil block
ade which the United States expected To be
recalled. 1t can hardly be doubted that Ia
Britain will ultimately acccde To them IN their
fullest extent bdt il that be sanguinc CAL
culation, Gas trust it is noD 1t is still lncon-
troyertiblc, that a disinciination at this mo-
mcnt to acknowledge them, caii suggest no
rational incuccmcnt for declining to repeal al
once, what every principle disowns, and what
must baJcpealed at last.
WitNEe gard 10 the rules OF blockade which
the French government expects you to aban-
don, do not take upon me TO cccid wheth-
er they are such as your Lordship supposes
them 10 be or not Your view of them may
be correct but it my also be erroneous !;
and it is wholly immateral TO the case be-
tween the United States and Great Britain
wucther il be the one or the other
AS TO such British biockades as the United
States desire you to reinguish, you will nor,
am sure alledge that il is any reason Tor adj
herring 10 them that France expects you TO re-
lnquish Others. Ii our demands are suited
10 the measure Of our own rights, and OF your
obligations as they respect those rights, you
cannot think of founding rejection OF them
upon any imputed oxorbitancc in theories OF
the French government, for which we are
not responsible, and with which we have no
concern IL, when you have done justice 10
the United S,ases, your enery should call
upon you 10 80 farther, what shall prevent
you from reiusiDg Yoar cree agency will
a0 $40 respcc, have been impaired. Your case
Yi.s be better, in truth AND in the opinion Of
mankind, and you viii be, therefore, stronger
ia maintaining il provided that, in doing so,
YOU only resort 10 legitimate means, and do
not once more forget the rights OF others
while you seek to vindicate your own. So
vague speculation as nothing TO do with
your duties to nations az peace, and, II II had,
would annihiliatc them. ltcannot serve your
Interests for il tends TO lessen the number
y Of your friends, without adding 70 your Sc
(. .curity against your enemies You arc re-
a quircd, therefore, 10 do right and to leave
the consequences to the future, and BY doing
righs you have every thing to gain and moth
in9 70 lose.
As ID the Orders ia Council which profess
q ed 70 be reluctant departure from all ordin-
ary rules, and to be Justified only as a system