The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-06-05
minister pienipotensiary Of the U. States Of
America, addressed to him OH the 10th of

asst month.
= If since the revocation of the DEGREES, of
Berlin and Milan, the commerce between
France and the u. States has had but little
activity, the cause must be sought for in the
eoutrages which the British government has
exercised against the flag Of the u. States
and against the Frenth flag, and in the cruis-
IS (croSsirees which it has established ON
the ocean andin the Mediterranean, on the
coasts OF France and OH those of America.
,r The undersigned has in his bureau a me-
morandum of a great number of American
vessels taken at the entrance of the rivers
OF France, and the English papers every
day mention that these vessels are con-
demned and delivered up to the captors for
having violated the block ade of 1906, or o.
Their Orders of the British Council.
Those American vessels which have es-
capped the enemy, and have entered the
ports of France, have sold their merchan-
disc to advantage, have taken return car
goesa & realised a profit them, notwith-
standing the enormous insurance they have
been obliged to pay on account of the risk
they run from British cruisers.
1t the flag of the U. States was respected,
1t it enjoyed the rights guaranteed To the
navigation of neutral s by the law which has
existed from time immemorial ON this sub
Ject, and OF which the. treaty of Utrecht
has especially recognized the principles,
the commerce between the two countries
would have its full developement, and the
relations OF the citizens Of the u. States with
the empirewould open to sthcir activity
sources of considerable profit
In fact, the tariff of the ssh August estab
iished duties which are paid b. the Consul
mers, and which Can have no othcr iniu-
ence than on the price of the articles. The
duties of 200 or 500 per cent. laid in Eng
land on wines, on teas, and en- many other
articles, for long time. past, are, in like
manner, nothing more than duties of CON
sumption, which have no other effect than
to raise the price, without in any manner in
Juring the commerce in them. ,,
The merchants Of the u. S. are not sub
Jected in France to any duties, or to any
obligations that are not equally imposed on
French commerce OF which they moreover
partake all the advantages. And whilst. i'm
the U. States cargoes imported i'll French
vessels pay 10 per cent. more than if they
had been imported in American vessels, the
Gag of the U. S. is treated in France as the
imperial flag. .
s Nevertheless treaty OF commerce, bot
somed on the principle, of perfect recip
rocity, could not fail to be entirely advanta-
geous to both countries. The undersigned
IS authorised to negotiate, conclude, and
sign, such treaty. 1t is with lively sat
isfaction, that he makes known to the min
lister plenipotentiary of the u S. the inten-
tons OF his majesty on this important object
The U. S. will be entirely satisfied on the
pending questions questions actueNes, } &
there will beno obstacle to their obtaining
the advantages they have in view if they
succeed in making their flag safe.
The undersigned has the honor to renew
10 MIR. Barlow, minister plenipotentiary of
the u. ). the assurances of his high consid-
GRAFTON.
fS;n,aJ> T,Jr, MITE cc.>,o
Enclosed in No. s
The minister plenipotentiary Of the U S.
and the undersigned minister of foreign re-
lations, being respectively authorised and
now ready TO negotiate and conclude trea-
~ of commerce between the two countries
and as several months must elapse before
such treaty can be completed and ratifi-
ed, during which time their commercial in :
terest may suffer loss from the uncertainty
now existing in the U. S. relative to GER
tain points that are intended to enter into
that treaty. the undersigned declares it to
be the empcror's pleasure that in this inter
val the commerce of the u. S. in their own
produce, and that of the French colonies.
shall be free in his ports That is to say,
the formalties necessary to prove the pro-
perty and origin of the goods shall be as
simple and expeditions as the nature OF the
cases viii permit
I L d.
ture or detention Of an American vessel at
sea, or her seizure in French port, or in
any other port. by French authority, but
well grounded suspicion of forgery in her
papers.
No other papers shall be required but the
Passport & clearance by the American au-
thorties, and certificate of origin by a
French consul and the French consuls in
the u. s. are ordered to give such certif-
Gates.
His majesty will cause the liberation of
all the remaining ships and cargoes now in
his ports belonging to American citizens, as
last as the necessary enquiries now going on
shall prove them to be such.
Enclosed in No. S.
Translation ofa Lererfrom tie Dixie Of
BcsSano to Mr.. Baylo7v, iated
PARIS, 81 Dec.
Sir---I have the honor 70 announce to You
shat his Majesty the emperor by a decision
of the 18th of this month, has ordered to be
placed at the disposition of their govern
ment % Americans, whom the town of
Dantzic had by mistake comprised in le-
Wy of sailors It had to furnish to France -
These sailors had been sent to Antwerp,
and afterwards to Rochefort and these sue
cessive removals having rendered impracti-
tablethe immediate proof of their citizenship
every decision on that subject was necessa-
rlly deferred. The usage is to deliver 70
the nearest consul those who are claimed by
his government. Therefore, the % American
4 l.