Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-11-12

property excepted, if commerce even in
those articles would not otherwise have been
permitted under the reservation? No order
was necessary to subject them to seizure
Taey were liable TO it by the law of nations.
Why then did the British government IN
s.itute blockade which with respect to neu-
trails was not rigorous as 10 the greater part
OF the coast comprised in it ! If you will look
10 the stat. ofthin2s which then existed be-
tween the United States and Great Britain,
you will find the answer A controversy had
taken place between our governments on a dit
f-rent topic, which was still depending. The
British government had mterfered with the
trade between France and her allies in the
produce of their colonies The just claim OF
the United States WIS then subject OF nego-
tiat!on and your government protesting Its
Willingness TO make satisfactory arrangement
OFT, issued tue order which allowed the trade
without making any concession as to the prin-
cipie, reserving that for adjustment by treaty
1t was in this light that viewed, and in this
seIsesthat represented that order TO my 81
vegnment and in no other did | make any
comment on It.
'
ing the trade of neutrals, In COLONIAL produc-
tins, to all toat por'ioa OF the coast which
w2s not vigorously b!ockaded, afforded 10 the
United States an accommodation IN principal
point then at issue between our governments,
aud OF which their citizens extensively avail
cd themselves that That trade and the question
of biGcSat.e, and every other question iii which
the United States and Great-Brtsain were M
terested, wsre then in 4 train OF aInlcable ne
gotiation, you viii, think, see the cause why
the m,niserwho then represented the u States
with the British government did not MAKE
formal complaint as Ainst it. You have appealed
to NE, who happened to be tn. minister, and
urgedmy silence rs an evidence of my approoa-
ton of, or at least acquescence III the block
ade. An explanation oi the cause Oh that sup
posed silence Is not less due to myself, than
10 the true character Of the transaction with
the minister with whom had the honor to
treat. NAV add, that an Official formal conf
plant was not likely to be resortedto, because
friendly communications were invited and pve
ferred. The want of such document is no
proof that the measure was approved BY me,
or that no complaint was made. In recalling
to my mind as this incident naturally does, the
manly ciiaracte" of that distinguished and IL
lustrious statesman, and the confidence with
which he inspired all those with whom he had
to treat, shall be permitted to express, as
slight tribute of respect to his memory tho
very high consideration In which | have al
ways held his great talents and virtues.
The United States have not nor can they
approve the blockade of an extensive coast.
Nothing certainly Can be inferred from any
thing that has passed relative to the block
AIDE OF May, 1906, to countenanCe sucn an
inference.
1t is seen with satisfaction that YOU still az
init that the application of an adequate force
is necessary to give blockade legal cha-
rActer, and that it will lose that character
whenever that adequate force ceases TO be
applied. As 1t cannot be alleged that the
application OF any such adeqnutc force hos
been Continued, and actually exists in tne
Csc OF the blockade OF My, 1895, it would
seem to be tair inference that the repeal
OF the orders in council Will leave 10 insu-
perabie difficulty with respect to It, To sup
pose the contrary would De to suppose that
the orders In council, said to include that
blockade restiGg themselves on principle
OF retaliation only, and not sustained BIZ the
application OF on adequate force, would have
the effect of sustaining II blockade admitted
to acquire the application of an adequate
force, until such adequate force should &C.
tna,iy t.ke the place OF the orders in coun-
Gil. Whenever any blockade is instituted,
it viii be a subject Tor consideration, and if
the blockade be IN conformity to the law of
nations, there viii be no disposition in this
gOYeFnment to contest 1t.
L have the honor to he, &c.
Sisaed) JAMES MONROE.
Dug. J. Foster, Esq. &c. sc. sc.
Documents 10 be Continued.