The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-06-02

Case due notice would have been given of il
to the American merchants, who would Ell
Their have avoided her ports, or gone
there at their own hazard. But to suffer
them to enter her ports. under such Cir
cumstances, and to detain them there,
under any pretext whatever, cannot be JUS
tilted. 1t is not known to what extent the
injuries resulting from these delays have
been carried. Ii is evident, however, that
Tor every injury thus sustained, the ipar-
ties are entitled to PREPARATION.
Al the ports OF France and her allies are
not opened to the commerce of the United
States, on liberal scale and on fair condi-
tons, OF what avail to them, it may be asked,
Will be the revocation of the British orders
IN council In contending for the revoca-
ton eft those orders, so far as it was an OBJ
Ject of interest, the u. States had in view a
trade with the continent. 1t was a fair and
legitimate object and worth contending for,
while France encouraged it. But if she
shuts her ports ON our commerce, or burdens
1T with heavy duties, that motive is at an
end.
That France has right to impose such
re straints is admitted but she ought to he
aware of the consequences to which they
necessarily lead. The least that ought to
be expected to follow, would be such coun-
tervailing restrictions on the French COM
merce as must destroy tile value of the in
tercourse between the two countries, and
leave to the u. States no motive of interest
TO MAINTAIN their RICH; to that intercourse,
by socrifce of any other branch of their
commerce; adequate motives to such sa-
crlhce could only be found in considerations
distinct from any reasonable pretensions on
the part of France.
10 the admission of every article, tho
produce OF the u. S. no objection is antici-
pated nor does there appears to be lust
cause tor any to the admission of colonial
produce. A supply of that produce will be
annually wanted in France and other coun-
tries connected with her, and the US. a.
lone can furnish II dnrng the war. 1t will
doubtless be the interest of France and her
allies to avail themselves of the industry
and capital of the American merchants, it
furnishing those articles by which the wants
OF their people be :supylied and their reve-
nue. increased Several of the colonies be-
ionged to France, and may again belong to
her. Great Britain, by securing to her own
colonies the monolopy of her home market
lessons the vulue of the produce of the con-
quered colonies. France cannot be indif-
ferent to the distress of her late colonies,
nor ought she to abandon because she eau
not protect them. In pressing this impor-
eant object on the government of France, it
Will not escape your attention, that several
important articles in the list of colonial pro-
auctions are raised in Louisiana, and will
OF course be comprised among those of the
U. States.a,i& IN & -,
= I on will see the injustice, and endeayor
TO prevent the necessity of bring in return
Tor american cargoes sold in France an e.
quail amount in the produce or manufac-
lures OF that country. No such obligation is
imposed on French merchants trading tn the
>. They enjoy the liberty of selling
their cargoes for cash, and taking back
what they please from this country in re-
turn, and the right ought TO be reciprocal.
1t is indispensable that the trade be free
that all American citizens engaged in II he
placed on the same footing and, with this
view, that the system of carrying it on by L.
cences granted by French agents be imme
diately annulled. You must make il dis
tinctly understood by the French govern
mcnt, that the United States cannot submit
TO that system, as 1t tends to sacrifice our
part OF the community to another, ed TO
give corrupt influence to the agents of
Ioreign power III our towns, which is, in G.
very view, incompatible with the princi-
pies OF our government. It was presumed
that this system had been abandoned some
lme since, as letter from the duke of Ca
dore, of tn Mr. Russ.u go,
surance of it. Should it however. he sfilI
maintained, you will not fail to bring the
SUBJECT without delay, before the French
government, and to urge it immediate aban
donment. The President having long since
expressed his, strongest disapprobation of it,
and requested that the consuls would dis.
continue it, it is probable, if they still disre
gard ms Injunction, that he may find it ne
cessary TO revoke their exequators. II
mention this, that you may be able to ex-
pam the motive to such measure should
It take place, which, without such explana-
ton, might probably be viewed in mista-
Ken light by the French government.
1t is important, that the rate of duties
imposed on our commerce, in every article
should be made as low as possible. If they
are not, they may produce the effect of a
prohlbltation they will be sure to depress
the article and discourage the trade.
You Will be able to ascertain the various
other. claims which the U. S. have on
france, tor injuries done to their citizens,
under DEGREES of a subsequent date to those
OF Berlin and Milan, and you will likewise
use your best eXertions to obtain an igem-
nlty for them. 1t is presumed, that the
French government will be disposed to do
justice for all these injuries. In looking to
the future, the. past ought to be fairly and
hono:ably adjusted. If that is not done
much dissatisfaction will remain here
which cannot fail to produce a very unfa-
verable effect on the relations which are
to subsist i'll future between the two coun-
tries.
The first Of these latter DEGREES bears
date at Bayonne, on the 18th March. 1908