Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-07-17

neral law of nations by plea ofretaaton 10 the 1s
tive position and proportion of strength Of the States to
either llgeren there appeared little probability thar
we could compel the the other, by hostile opera
tons, TO abandon this plea.
And the field Of commercial enterprise otter alox;n
DEGREES and orders their full practical effect is SUI
rich and extensive there seemed little wisdom as ob
CATION yield solid and realities for unattainab
preenson The right of retaliation existing IN eit
beligerent, it impossible, for the United States con
s,en with either its duty or interest, to admit Yet ueb
the state of the DEGREES and orders of the respective
beigerent, in relation the right of neutras that wb
onthe hand, itformed Justification either 50 !.
the other concurrent circumstances, ormeda complete iu
tifcaton to the United States in maintaining notwb
standing these entertainments provided it best compore5
with their interests that system of impartial neutrality
which is desirable to their peace and prosperity For Is
it should be admitted which of argument can
maintain that the Berlin decree which on the
2lst of November 1906 justified by the antecedent or
ders of the British admiralty respecting the colonial trade
and by the order of blockade of May preceding
yet this account there resulted right of retaliation
to france it respected the United States They had ex
pressed auiescence either British interference
with the colonial trade In any extension of the rncn
of blockade Besides had there been neglect ON
the part the United States warranted the French EN-
peror in adopting his principle OF retaliation yet in the m
ercise of that pretended right he past the bounds both
public law and decency and in the very extravaganza Of
that exercise lost the advantage of whatever the B
fish had afforded to his pretence Not with adopt
ing principle of retaliation, limited and appro
pirate the inary Of which he complained he declared
all the British islands, ina state of blockade prohibited
all and espondcnce with them all trade in
chandite belonging to England coming from its ma
nufactories colonies The violence of these encrocb
equaled only by the nsidousness of the terms
and manner, III which they were promulgated The scope
of expressions Of the Berlin decree general that
it embraced within its sphere the whole commerce of men
trails England Yet Decres Minister the Marine Of
France by formal note, of the Gath December 1906 as
sured minister Plenipoenary that the imperial de-
cree Of the 2lst November 1906, effect oar
commerce. rhjc aooG still 6 gouerned By che rules Of
" the treaty established beceen tie tro Countries Not
withstandng this assurance however, 18th sepe
Der following Regular Grand Minister Of justice declared
that the Intentions of tire Emperor that 5v vrtc
ofthat decree French armed ucsScIs might seize In
neutral SETS either English property or sasyehan
die proceeding from the Egtish manufactures and
that he had reserved for future decision the question
they might not possess themselves ofmeural psssls go.
ing to, from England, although they had no En-
|" gtish manufactures on board" Pretenioas, obv
ouy exceeding measure ofrcalaton that if the pre-
ceden acts of the British government had aordedto such
resort any colour right it lost in the violence
and extravaganza of these assured principles.
To the Berlin succeed the British orders coun
Gil of the 7th of January 1907 which merged in tho
orders of the 18th of November following These declared
all ports and places belonging France, and its allies
from which the British flag was excluded ALL in the colo
MES ofh Britannia majesty's enemies, in state Of block
ade prohibiting all trade, in the produce and manufac
lures of the said countries colonies and making all
vessels trading them and all merchandise on
board subject to capture and condemnation, with
cepton only in favour Of the direct trade between
neutral countries and the colonies of his majey5
+" mics"
These exravagant prctensions the part of G. Britain
Immediately succeeded by others still extrava-
CANT on the part of France Without waiting for any
knowledge of the the American would
take in relation to the British orders council the French
Emperor issued, the 18th of December following, his
Milan decree. by which every slip of whatever nation
which shall have submitted to search, by English ship
or to voyage to England, paid any tax TO that 60
vernment declared denaonali1ed and lawful prize
The British Islands declared in Of blockade
by and land, and every ship of whatever nation,
whatsoever the nature of its be- that sails from
England those of the English colonies, of countries
U Ip y lsn and dino tn
land or the English colonies, countries occupied
by the English to be good prize The nature and eS.
tent of those INJURIES thus accumulated by mutual efforts OF
both beligeents teach the American
tins important lesson attach the of his country
to one the other but by systematic and solid provisions
for coast and maritime defence place its interests
far as ITS situation and resources permit beyond the reach
ofthe rapacty ambition of any European power Hap
Ply would it have been for country policy
iAr1Ion Il -.