Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-01-20

manded the passage Of such law as above
seatet', because my government does rot pre-
tend to interfere with the intcrna, govern
inent OF friendly power, nor did I mean to
demand that America should force France
to receive cur manufactures.
hn meant To say was, that the admission
OF French commerce while that of Epp,and
has been excluded from the United States
ports, was regarded by Great Britsin as
highly unfriendy in America, and that n
Continuation Of such policy would be rctalia-
ted upon BIZ Great Britain with similar re-
Stricticns on her part which was so far mere
~ an Offering like for Ike. But while the A.
mercan non-importStion act excludes Bri-
tish trade from the United States ports. i,
must be recollccted that it goes still further
and excludes also British armed ships from
hher'cah ports, While it admits those of the
enemies Of Great Britain. " A neutral ma
tion is responsible for the equality of it's rules
OF conduct towards the bcll;sercnt powers''
lto use the words of an American Secretary
Ell State in fhe year 1867 and therefore the
part ct tie law which establishes an ineoua-
iIty ~aS justly an object of more serious Com
piamt cl, the part of Great Britain. You are
aw;.f,c, sir, OF the advantage which his ma
Jews enemies have derived from this state
of inequality, which enables them. tho pos-
sessipg no port in this hemisphere, continu
ally to prey on the trade of his majesty s sub
Jects, secure Of refuge for their cruizers
and their prizes.
The prohibition Of entry to his Maicsty's
SHIPS under these circumstances might per
haps justify Great Britain in asserting, that
whatever reason She may have for repeal
ing or modifying her orders IN council, so as
TO lessen or entirely remove the pressure
now onayoidabiy laid on the trade of Amer
lea as a neutral nation, she might yet refuse
10 enter into any discussion on that subject
with the United States until either by the re-
vocation of the prohibition above stated. or
the placing all the belligerents under the
same prohibition, America should cease to
violate the duties of a neutral nation.
with respect, however, to the supposed
demand that America should force the entry
OF BritiSh manufactures into France. it is
most particularly necessary that | should
explain myself, as total misconception ap-
pears to have taken place upon this point.
The question Of retaliation on the French
DEGREES is directly one between England and
France. consequence of the extraordina-
ny blockade of England, we have in our de-
fence been obliged toblockade France. and
prohibit all trade in French articles in re-
turn for the prohibition by France Of all
trade in English articles. This measure of
retaliation, IT y wished, should operate on
france alore, but from the tsade carried on
with France by America, it unavoidably O.
perates also on her 4; il is n measure to de-
stroy the French trade in return for the sim
liar measure OF France on which il is retail
latory, and It's acting on ncutrals is an Incl
dental effect OF It, consequent upon the sub
mission OF neutrals to the original measures
OF the enemy against Great Britain. It is.
indeed, melancholy that the unnatural situa-
ton OF Europe should produce such result,
but cannot sec how this can be considered
as war on American commerce, when all o.
Their American trade but that which is car
ried on with our enemy's ports in defiance of
blockade authorised by the laws of retalia-
ton is unaffected by it. We complain that
America does not resist the regulations of
the Berlin and Milan DEGREES, and object 10
permitting the French to trade with her dur
ing their continuance against the commerce
oil England but this is not exac.ing, as has
been represented, that America should force
Bnianuiactures into France lit is pursuing on
iyaJust Course OF retaliation on our enemy. IF
America wishes to trade with France. if
French commerce is of importance to her
we expect she should exact Of France to
trade with her as she has a right to demand in
Inequality of neutral ;butifshe does not choose
to exercise this right, all we ask is, that she
SHOULD abstain from lending her assistance to
the trade OF France, and not allow her COM
merce to be medium of undermining the
resources of Grcat-Britain.
have thought it necessary thus to cndeavor
to set these two points in their true light the
repeal OF the law was asked, as being an un.
friendly measure, Partial in its operation against
Great Britain, and = prospect of retaliation was
IN ITO Trv1rss 49,, 81 70
timed This is no demand on the U. States
to admit British manufactures they are at IL
b:rty TO continue that Jaw, only rs il is of an
uh'riendly nature, some restriction of a similar
kind was to be expected from England and
with respect 20 tho alledged demand for for
cling British goods. the property of neutrals in
to French ports, if the United States are viii
Ing to acquIesce in the regulations of the
French DEGREES unlawfully affecting ENGLAND
through them, they cannot surely be surprised
ii we consider ourselves rs a; liberty to refuse
permission to the French to profit By that ac-
quiescence.
1 will now, sir, take the opportunity Of sta
ting TO you, that have received from His M
jesty's Secretary of State. the correspondence of
which YOU did nc the honor to transmit TO me
copy in your letter dated October IL NV
government have not been able 10 see in IL eat.
lsfactory proof Of the repeal Of the French de-
crees, and doubt whether the trade carried on
by licences between France and America, will
not be regarded, even here, as proof Of the con-
tnuatiOn OF them in their fullest extent. for 4
they were TO any extent repealed, TO that extent
81 least 70 licerce should be necessary. Ii.
Scnee being given 10 allow what, but Tor thst
1icence, would be prohibited
The continued absence hitherto Of any instru.
1nent by which the repeal has been effected. IS
matter also of surprise, for if there were any
faIr dealing in the transaction, no reason can G
giYen by France for not producing it; it is We.
~ desirable thai il should be produced, if such
an instrument be in existence, in order tbat we