Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-05-21
FEIrow CITIZENS,

rnerce, and the consequent distress to all per-
sons depending on those extensive employ
ments, were too sensibly felt to be forgotten.
The wickedness of that transaction Is certain
5 w not generally understood, or he would have
received the execlation of every honest man
In America. / will give you history OF 1t as
concisely as possible. For if convinced by
this OF his falsehood and treachery, then as you
ought, you will discredit all his other deceit
full professions ofregard for the welfare OF the
nation.
You must all remember the fourlshIng
state of our agriculture, commerce, nsherles
and manufacturers, and the full employment
four mechanics, to near the close OF the year
1907. The French epperor's Berlin decree
had been published for more than year. 1t
wantonly, but absurdly, declared all the Brl-
fish Islands in a state of blockade; when his
own principal ports were blocked up BY Bril-
fish, fleets Of ships. Hence this decree, oHt-
raceoas as it was, created no alarm. Our
merchants could send their vessels to every
port of the British deminions, with little fear
of capture BY. French cruisers, It the emperor
had attemptedits immediate execution IN re-
gard to the u. States. Our minister IN Paris
asked an xplanationoEth the Berlin decree from
the French minister of marine. he answered
In effect that it was not to operate against the
vessels of the u. States: bot advised our NIL
mister to apply to Mr.. Talleyrand, the French
minister of foreign affairs, for correct and
de6nitye answer. This correct and dehnl-
tive answer never was obtained.--However, |
do not reeoIlect any captures under that de-
cree until the spring of 8o7, when, as Mr.
Madison stated, some had been made IN the
West Indies. The first instance of violence
under it in Europe was IN the case OF the A.
rnerican ship Horizon, which, on the 3oth OF
NAV, 1907, was shipwrecked on the coast OF
France and which neither humanity, nor the
law of nations, nor the stipulations OF the en-
peror's own treaty with the u States, could
save from his vengeance. All that part OF
her cargo (the whole belonging to our fellow
citizensl which came from the British doml-
MONS, was condemned. The emperor's final
decision was given on the 9th of Sept, 1907,
through his grand Judge Regnier. The et-
feet Of this decision was, to carry into execu..
ZION the Berlin decree, by subjecting to CAP
ture and condemnation all sorts OF merchan-
disc OF the growth or manufacture OF the Bril-
fish dominions, found on board OF American
vessels, although the property of American CT
tizens This decision of the imperial tyrant
also soon became known in the y. States
vet it produced no alarm, because has Plratlcai
cruisers were so few in number and 1t cost
our merchants only a small addluonal expence
for insurance.
In the month of June, 1907, some BRUSH
ships of war living in the Chesapeake Bay
having lost some of their seamen by desertlon'
and the deserters, British subjects, having en-
listed to serve an some OF the armed vessels
ofthe u. States, they were demanded by the
British officers and refused. The British con-
sui at Norfolk demanded them, and they were
refnsed-and when the British minister at
Washington applied for their surrender, he
also met with telusal At the same time
some Soserters from French frigate lying
near Norfolk, were delivered up as soon as
demanded. Such was my informationi IN these
eases Exasperated by this course OF conduct
the commander of the British ships, under
standing the Geserters bad entered on board
the American frigatc Chesapeake, gave Or
slers that they should be demanded, and 1t re-
fused, taken by force. The trIgate Chesa-
peake, destined for the Mediterranean, put to
sea and when out of the jurisdiction OF the
III. States, British ffty gun ship having de-
naandcd the deserters, & being refused, attack
ed the frigate, which surrendered; and some
deserters were taken out; and some men
were killed and wounded in the attack.
For this unauthoriSed attack, as soon as it
was known in London, the British government
expressed the most sincere concern and
sorrow and voluntarily promised T" to make
the most prompt and effectual PREPARATION, if
the British officers should prove to have been
culpable" They were found culpabie: and
such prompt and cffcctud repatriation would
have been made. but FOR the measures of Pre-
.iaent Jefferson which prevented it. Other
forbidding measures OF his successor, MIR
Madison, further delayed the adjustment -un-