Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-11-07
DOCUMENTS
THE PRESIDENTS Mes
SAGE To coSGREss.

IsT4sRs PROM Nh. MONROE 70 Mr..
RUSSELL, CHARGE DIES AFFAIREs ~
CEEA7 BRITAIN.
Extract Of q letter from lHr. Hsnrsr TO
B5r. Russell, dated
JUNE 2stb, 1912.
aTbis Ie,teris committed to Mr., Eos.
ter, who has promised 10 dsliver II to
you in safety.
aOn the 18th OF this month decla-
ration of war agains, Great Britain pass
ed congress. ! send you copy OF the
act. Of the Presidents message, and OF
the report of the committee of foreign
relations. which brought the subject ua-
der consideration.
This measure has been produced by
the continued aggresslons Of the Brush
government on the rights of the United
States, and the presumption arising
from that and other facts, which II Is III.
| necessary to reci;e, that no favorable
change Of policy might be expected
| from il. 1t was impossible for the Unit
| ed States to surrender their rights, by
reiinquishiDg the ground which they
had taken, and i, was equally iscoEnpatl-
bic with their interests and character to
| RELY longer on measures which had fall
ed 10 accomplish their objects. War was
the only remaining alternative, and that
| fAct being clearly ascer;aloed, you VIII
find by the documents transmitted that
II was adopted with decision.
! As war has been reso-ted to from ne
cessity, and Of course with reluctance,
this government looks forward to the
restoration Of peace with much interest,
and sincere desire to promote 1t on
conditions, Just, equal and honorable to
both the parties. Ii is in the power OF
! Great Britain to terminate the war on
such conditions, and it would be very sa-
.isfactory to the President TO meet 1t In
arrangement. to that effect.
Although there are many Just and
weishty causes of complaint against
Great Britain, you will perceive, by the
documents transmitted, that the orders
in council, and other blockades, illegal,
according to the principles lately &C
knowleged, and the impressment OF our
| saamen, are considered to be of the
highest importance. If the orders in
| council are repealed, and no illegal
| blockades are substituted to them, and
orders are given to discontinue the I'M
yrcs.ment Of seamen from our vessels,
! and 10 rest.rc those already impressed,
| there is no reason why hostIlitles should
| not immediately cease. Securing these
| objects, YOU arc authorised to stlpulate
an armistiee, to commence from the
signature Of the instrument providing
fer it, OF a, the end Of 6itv or sixty days,
or other the shortest term that the Fri
,ish government will assent TO. Dshnl-
tive arrange ents viii DC made On these
and every other difference by treaty,
| 70 DC concluded either here or at Lon
| don, though it is much desired that the
subject should be entered on IN this
| city.
AS an inducement to the British &C.
vcrDmeut to discontinue the practice Of
impressment from our vessels. YOU NAV
| give assurance that law will be passed
(ts be rcciprocaD TO prohibit the en-
| ployment of British seamen IN the pub
! lie or commercial service of the United
| States. There GIN be TO doubt that such
an arrangement would prove much
more cfficacious in securing to Grsat
Britain her seamen, than the practice
20 which it is proposed to be suhsti-
,utc, independent OF Ill the other oblec-
ions 10 il.
Indemnity for injuries received under
The order, in council, and other eellcts
violating our rights, seems % be incl
dent to their repeal but the President
IS willing that the consideration OF that
claim should not be pressed at this time,
SO as to interfere with the preliminary
arrangement alluded to, 1t will be pro-
per to tring it into view merely to shew
that 1t is expected tina: provision will be
made for it in the treaty which is to fol-
,uw Every other interest may also bs
! provided for at the same time.
Ii is hoped that the British govern
ment will fad ii consistent with its in
,erest and honor, to terminate the war
by an srmistice in the manner and on
tie conditions proposed. In SO doing,
ii will abandon no right, it viii sacrifice
no interest; it VIII abstain only from
violating our rights, ard, in return, it
will restore peace with the power from
/ whom. in friendly commercial inter
course, SO many advantages will be de-
| rived, not TO mention the injuries which
cannot fail to result from prosecution
Of the war."
MIR. MONROE 10 mr.. RUSSELL.
| Bard Dettor.n,ent Of State,
Juiy 81, 1919.
SRI wrote you on the 2eth Of
Z L. Eyc.ar lattar ha