The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-06-17

dict the commercial intercourse between the
United States and Great Britain and France
and their dependencies, was declared to be
in force against Great Britain, her colonies
and dependencies, with a provision in favor
of such vessel or merchandise as might be
seized before il was known that Great Britain
had revoked or modified her edicts, within
the time and in the manner required by the
said act, il such should be the case and
with provision, also, in favor OF any ships
or csrgoes owned wholly by citizens OF the
United States, which had cleared out Tor the
Cape Of Good Hope, or for any other port
beyond the same, prior TO the I'd day OF No
vember, 1910. Both of these provisions
we're, in strict Justice and good faith, due TO
the parties TO be affected by the law ; they
were also coniormable to the spirit OF the ar
rangement, TO execute which the law was
passed. AS Great Britain did not revoke or
modify her edicts, in the manner proposed,
the first provision had no effect.
| will now inquire whether France has per-
formed her part OF this arrangement.
Ii is understood that the blockade OF the
British isles is revoked. The revocation
having been officially declared, and no vessel
trading to them having been condemned, or
taken on the high seas that we know of, IT is
fair to conclude that the measure is relin-
quished. 1t appears, too, that no American
vessel has been condemned in France for
having been visited at sea by an English ship,
or for having been searched or carried into
England or subjected TO impositions there
On the sea, therefore, France is understood
to have changed her system.
Although such is the light in which the con-
e ~ trt tl1n
tral commerce ofthe United States, since the
lst of November last, il will nevertheless, be
proper for you 10 investigate fully the whole
subject, and 20 see that nothing has been or
shall be omitted on her part in future, which
the United States have right to claim.
Your early and particular attention will be
drawn to the great subject of the commercial
relations which is to subsis, in future be-
tween the United States and France. The
Pfesidep, expects that the commerce OF the
United States will be placed in tho ports of
France on such footing as TO afford to II
fair market, and to the industry and enter
prise of their people d reasonable encourage
mcDt. An arrangement to this effect was
looked for Immediately after the revocation
OF tie DEGREES but It appears from the doc
uments in this department. that that was not
the case on the contrary, that our COM
merce has been subjected to the greatest dis-
courage cment, or rather 10 the most oppres-
sive restraints; that the vessels which carried
coffee, sugar, sc. though sailing directly
from the United States 10 French port,werc
held in state Of scqucstrdtion or the princi-
pic that the trade was prohibited, and that
the importation of those articles was not only
unlawful, but criminal that even the vessels
which carried tie unQucstloAable productions
of the United States were exposed 10 great
and expensive delays, 10 tedious Investigations
and unusual forms, and TO eXorbt.n. duties.
In shor,, thai, tho ordinary usages of COM
merce between friendly nations were aban-
doncG.
When it was announced that the DEGREES
of Berlin and Milan were revoked, the revo-
cation TO take effect ON the hrst November
last, il was natural for our merchants 20 rush
into the ports Of France to take advantage oi
q market TO which they thought they were IN
vilcd. All these restraints, therefore, have
hcen unjust in regard TO the parties who snt-
fered by them nor can they be econClled;o
the respect which was due 10 this govern
ment. Ii France had wished TO exclude the
American commerce from her ports, she
ought to have declared il 10 this government,
in explicit terms, in which Cas-, due notice
would be given of it 10 the American mer-
chants, who would either have avoided her
ports, or gone there at their own hazard.
But to suffer them to enter her ports, under
such circumstances, and to detan them there,
under any p,etext whatever, cannot be Justi-
fed. 1t is not known to what extent the in
jurics resulting from these delays have been
carried 1t is evident, however, that for ev-
cry injury thus sustained, the parties are en-
titled to reparaion
If the ports of France and her allies are not
opened to the commerce orthe United States
on liberal scale and ON fair conditions. of
what avail to them it may DC asked, will be the
revocation of the British orders in council
In contending tor the revocation. OF those
.,rLura I,r IL n nhicci of inters Il.