The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-11-19


Extrac, of a letter from Mr.. Monroe 10 Mr..
Russell, dated /" Jane 26h, 1919.
This. letter is committed 10 Mr.. Foster,
who has promised to deliver it to you in safety.
On the 18th Of this month declaration.
of war against Great Britain passed Congress.
send you copy Of the act, Of the Presidents
message, and Of the Rcpsrt Of the Commit
tee OF Foreign Relations, which brought the
subject under consideration.
fhismcsscre hur been prouucsu uy vnss
continued aegressions OF the British govern
msnt on the rights Of the United States, and
the presumption arising from that and other
facts, which itis unnecessary % reei,c, that
no favorable change of policy might be ex-
pscted from it. 1t was impossible Tor the u
nitcd States to SUI uirender their rights, by re-
linquishing the ground which they had taken
and it was equally incompatible with their in
tcrests and character TO rely longer on mea-.
sures which had failed 70 accomplish their
objects. War was the only remaining altcrn-
a,ivc, and that fact being clearly asccrtaincd,
you will find by the documents transmitted
that Il was adopted with decision.
AS war has been resorted TO from necessity
and OF course with reluctance, this govern
mem looks forward to the restoration Of peace
with much interest, andsa sincere desire to
promote it on conditions, Just, equal and hon
orable TO both the parties. II is in the power
Of Great Britain TO terminate The war ON such
conditions, and il would be very satisfactory
to the President 10 meet i, in arrangements
! to that effect.
Although there are many Just and weighty
causes oil complaint against Great Britain, you
will perceive, by the documents transmitted,
that The orders in council and other blockadcs,
illegal according TO the principles lately &C,
knowledged, and the impfessment OF our
seamcn, are considered TO be Of the highest
importance If the orders in council are re-
peacd, and no illegal blockadcs arc substitu-
| ted TO them, and orders are given TO discon-
tinuc the impressment of seamen from our
| vessels, and 10 restore those already impress
ed, there is no reason why hostihies should
S.,s Immediately cease. Securing. these OBJ
iccts you are authorized 10 stipulac AN nu-ssis--
lice, TO commence from the signature Of the
instrura cnt providing for it, or at the end Of
ifiy or sixty days, or other the shortest term
that the British government will assent TO.
Dcfnitiye arrangements will be made on
these aud every cs.her dfereoce by treaty,
TO be concluded either here or IN London,
though it is much desired that the subject
should be entered on in tsls city.
AS an inducemeht TO this British govern
ment to discontinue the practice Of impress
ment from cur vessels, yen may give assur-
ancc that lsy will be passed (to DC rccipro-
cal) to prohibit the employment OF British
seamcn IN the public or commercial service
Of the United States. There can be no
doubt that such an arrangement would prove
much more cfficacious in securing TO G., Brit
ain her scamen, than the practice to which il
is proposed TO be substitute, independent OF
all the other objections TO it.
Indemnify for injuries received under the
orders in council; and other cdicts violating
our rights, seems TO be incident TO their re-
peal but the President is willing that the
consideration Of that claim should not be pres
scd at this time, SO as 10 interfere with the
preliminary arrangcmcts alluded 10. 1t will
be proper to bring into view merely to shew
that it is expected that provision will be made
for it in the treaty which is to follow. Every
other interest may also be provided for at the
same time.
1t is hoped that the British government will
find it consisten, with its interests and honor,
to terminate the war by an armistice in the
manner and on the conditions proposed In
SO doing, il will abandon no right, it will sac
rifce no interest [; it will abstain only from
violating our rights, and, in return, it will
restore peace with the power from whom, in
a friendly commercial intercourse, so many
advantages will be derived, not to mention
the injuries which cannot fail to result from
prosecution Of the war;"
Mr.. Monroe TO Mr.. RasseA,dafed DEPARTMENT
If Sfafe, June 27!h, 1912.
Siu--I wrote you on the Goth OF June, by
MIR. Foster, letter which he promised TO
deliver to you in person or by safe hand.
In that letter you were informed, that the
orders in council and other illegal biockades,
and the imprcssment Of our seamen by Great
Britain, as you well knew before, were the
principal causes Of the war, and that If they
we're removed, you might sdpulate an arn,is-
ticc, leaving them and all other grounds OF