Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-17

4
: 3. "Such other measures" as the prime
regent pleases.
The first, interdcts all trade from por
to port OF France and of her allies, or q
countries which shall be SO far under thei
control as that British vessels may not trad,
freely thereat.
The second, prohibits altogether all trade
with France and Holland, and the ports oil
Italy, comprehended under the denomina-
ton of the Kingdom of Italy.
| These two orders in council, which the
| prince regent claims the right to restore at
| pleasure, cut us off from all trade except
| with Great Britain and her dominions. Shall
we place ourselves at the mercy of The Brit
| ish! What those "other measures" are
or may be, we know not. Horse, perhaps,
| than the orders.
But, it will be asked, is not the President
comh' lied TO suspend the non-importation
law! will answer the question by another
Can the President, without propositions for
| treaty of peace, supersede the declaration
of war? Ia
independently of the laws introductory of
British ships of war and British commodities,
the act of war itself excludes all English
ships OF war; which, in approaching our
Coasts and harbors are now considered as
| enemies; and another act relative To trade
with enemies, prohibits trade with Great Bri-
tam, and, OF course, in British merchandise,
| unleSsit comes through a channel neutral
| to the United States.
Let no man deceive himself with the OPT
| Mon, that, without proclamation from the
President, the laws will secure him in the
| Importation of British goods; for, the I'd sec
ton Ct the act OF March I'd, 1911, which re-
wives to the President the power of rescin
| ding the non importation law, expressly pro-
vides, that his proclamation shall be ad =
united as evidence, and no other evidence
shall be admitted of such revocation or mo-
! Obligation [of the orders] in any suit or pro-
secution which may be instructed" Our
merchants had, therefore, better look be-
fore they leap. The President will, doubt
less, do every thing he can for the good of
the country; but he will not injure the ma
ton at large for the benefit of few Citizens.
thus tar we have considered the order of
June %, merely with regard 10 what appears
| upon the face fit. Let US now look at its
actual bearing.
In the FIRST place, was this order made
with a view to WARP rwo circumstances
decide that it was. The order itself states
that Mr.. Russell, American charge des at
fares in London, transmitted TO lord Castle
reagh the French decree of the 2Sth dav of
April 1871, (Which is the aledged cause of
| tile revocation OF the orders in council \ ON
the 2lst day of May. 1t the British govern
meAt mad been sincerely disposed to amity
| with the United States, it is obvious tina il
would immediately, that is, in MAJ, have re
voked the orders But we find that the a.
der Of revocation bears date one month aE
ter Mr.. Russell commune tled the French
decree. Amity With America, therefore.
was not the cause or the issuing of the order
OF June %. The order most unoHestiona-
bly,, is bottomed upon considerations of Vi
tai Importance to the British empire. We
mean the sale of British Manufacturers
lnis had become absolutely necessary from
the ayect and torlorn condition of the Eng
liSh people, and from their riOtous conduct
The evidence produced to paruamen,
proved that the American non-impurtation
law was the cause of the cessation OF great
many manufacturing establishments, ant
consequent idleness ofgreat multitudes OF the
lower classes. The riots of these classes
and their frantic joy on the murder of Per.
cival by Bellingham, Convinced the ministr,
that the public feeling was no longer 10 bt
trifed with.
he order of June 80 then, was issue,
from motives OF fear for the safety of the Bri
tlsh monarchy, and of apprehension of tn,
ruin OF British manufacturers.
Had 1t been promulgated with view t,
reconciliation with America, 1t certainl,
would have issued as soon as the alled,,eI
cause of issuing it was communicated I,
lord Castlereagh But there IS another. am
d stronger circumstance, which fully demon
strates that the order contemplated war
That is, the granting Of licensees to protec
from British capture American vessels lader
with English merchandise
Now, it is Clear, that if there were NJ
war, American ships coming from British
ports and laden with British merchandise
would want no protection against Englisl
cruisers; for that kind of trade was neye
interrupted by the orders in council. Til,
granting of licenses, therefore, decidedly
shews that war was expected by sIreat Bri
tain. And here we.come ut the actual in
tenton OF the order OF June %, 1912.
War being contemplated, it was prcsum
E ed by the British ministry, that the non-im
portatlon law would be revoked. And thus
that law being rescinded, and American
vessels being, by license, secure from Eng
lish capture, would have arrived, notzyuh
Standing the 7Oar, without molestation. Ii
that case the following results would hay,
been inevitable:
/. The u. States would have been gorgec
with british merchandise, which. reaLhi' !
not wanted.
@ Our own manufacturers would hay,
been injured.
5. Great Britain would have been relieveC
from the surplus load of her manufactures
, her subjects would have become more calm
and she would have been made stronger Il
combat us.
/ AS !: is, we arc not without apprehension
that if the goods, which we understand hav
been shipped in England, should be Capture,
and brought in by our privatecrs, their sal,
in our markets Will imnair Tho nrnhte q