Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-01-18

when all other American trade, but that which
is carried OH with our enemy's ports in def
ancc of blockade authorised by the laws OF
retaliation, is unaffected by it. We complain
that America does not resist the regulations
of the Berlin and Milan DEGREES, and object
to permitting the French to trade with her
during their continuance against the com
merce of England but this IS not exactlng,
as has been represented, that America should
force British manufactures into France-ltl IS
pursuing only just course of retaliation on
our enemy. IF America wishes to tp<de with
France if French commerce is OF import
ance to her; we expect she should exact TO
trade with her as she has a rightto demand It
her quality of Neutral But if she does no
choose to exercise this right, all we ask IS,
that she should abstain from lending her as
sistance to the trade of France, and not allow
her commerce to be medium ofunderminlng
the resources of Great Britain. 80
have thought it necessary thus TO endea-
vor to set these two points IN their true iight'
The repeal of the law was asked as being an
unfriendly measure, partial in It's operation a
gainst Great Britain, and e. prospect OF retail
alton was held out on its commercial opera
ton, if continued. This is no demand on the
United States to admit British manufactures ::
they are at liberty to continue that law, only
as it is of an unfriendly nature, some re-
striction of a similar kind was to be expected
from England and with respect to the al
lodged demand for forcing British goods, the
property of neutrals, into French ports, if the
United States arc willing to acqulesce in the
regulations of the French decrees,- unlawtully
affecting England through them, they cannot
surely be surprized, if we consider ourselves
as at liberty to refuse permission to the French
to profit by that acquleseence.
l will now, sir, take the opportunity OF
stating to you that have received from his
maIesty's secretary of state, the. correspond
ence of which you did me the honor to trans
NIT to me copy, In your letter dated Octo-
berl7. My government have not been able
to see in it satisfactory proof of the repeal OF
the French DEGREES, and doubt whether the
trade carried on by licenses between France
aud America will not be regarded even here
as proof of the continuation OF them IN their
fullest extent; for if they were to any extent
repealed, to that extent at least no license
should be necessary, alcense being given TO
allow what, bu: for that license, would be
prohibited.
The continued absence, hitherto, of any in-
struinent by which the repeal mas been effect
ed, is matter also of surprise tor If there
were any fair dealing in the transaction, no
reason can be given by France for not prodnc-
ing it; it is very desirable that 1t should be
produced, if such an instrument be in exist
ence, in order that we may know to what ex
tent the DEGREES have been repealed, II they
really have been SO IN any respect. Mr.. Rus
sell, however, does not appear TO have been
in possession of it at the date of ills letter OF
last July. 1t is indeed become particularly
interesting that we should see this instrument
since the publication of Mr.. Russell's COR
respondence with his own government by
which it appears that really, and In fact, the
French government did not release any a.
merican ships taken after November |, until
they had become acquainted with the Presi-
dents proclamation, and that vessels have
been taken so late as December 81, in the d.
rect voyage from this country to London for
until copy of such instrument is produced,
it is impossible to know whether any other
tradeis allowed by France than that between
her own dominions and the ports OF the u
nited States.
have the honor to be, sc. sc. &c.
(Signed) AUG, }. FOSTER.
Nh. MONROE 70 Mr.. FOSTER.