The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-06-17

ed end sold. The law of March Ist, 1909,
commonly called the non.intercourse law,was
the preieXt for this measure, which a as in
tended as sn act Of reprisa IT requires no
reasoning 10 show the injustice OF this pre-
tension. Our law regulated The trade OF the
| United States with other powers, particularly
| with France and Great Britain, and was such
law as every nation has right to adopt. u
was duly promulgated, and reasonable notice
! given oi II to other powers. 1t was also i'm
| partial as related TO the beiligerents. The
| condemnation OF such vessels OF France or
| England as came into the ports of the United
| States in breach of this law, was strictly pro-
| per, and could afford no cause of complanr
TO either power. The seizure of so vast
property as was laid hold of under that pre-.
text, by the French government, places the
Transaction in very fair light. II an indem-
nifty had been sought for on imputed injury,
the measure OF the injury should have been
ascertained, and the indemnify proporioned
to it. But in this case no injury had been
sustained on principle. A trifling loss only
had been incurred, and for that loss all tho
American property which would be found
was seized, involving in indscrmina,e ruin
innocent merchants W no had entered the ports
of France in the fair course Of trade. 1t is
known TO the French government, that the
claim to a just reparation for these spoations.
cannot be reinquished, and that a delay in
making it will produce very high dissatisfac-
tion with the government and people Of these
states.
Ii has been intimated that the French gov
ernment would be willing to make this repa-
ration, provided the United States would
make one in return for the vessels and pro-
pcrty condemned under, and in breach ct
our non-ntcrcourse law. Although the pro-
position was Objectionable, in many views, yet
this government consented to il, TO save SO
great mass Of the property of our citizens
An instruction for this purpose was given TO
your predecessor, which you are authorised
to carry into eject.
The influence of France has been excrtcd
to the in Jury Of the u States, in all the coun-
tries 20 which her powe. has extended. In
Spain, Holland and Naples il has been most
scnsibiy felt. In each of these countries the
vessels and cargoes Of American merchants
were seized and cop6scated, under various de-
crees, founded in different pretexts, none OF
which had even the semblance of right to
support them. AS the United States never
injured France, that plea must fail and that
they had injured either Of those powers was
never pretended. You will be furnished with
the documents which relate to these aggres-
sions, and you will claim of the French gov
eminent an indemnify for them.
The u. States hsve also Just cause of com
plain against France, for many injuries that
were committed by persons acting under her
authority. OF these the most distinguished,
and least jus,ifablc, are the examples which
occurred, of burning the vessels of our citizens
at sea. Their atrocity forbid the imputation Of
them to the government. To it however :he
u. States must look for reparation, which you
will accordingly claim.
1t is possible that in this enuIhc hcration I
may have omitted many injuries of which no
account has yet been transmitted to this de-
partment You will have in your power to
acquire more comprehensive knowledge OF
them at Paris, which, it is expected you will
do, and full confidence is reposed in your ex-
ertion to obtain Of the French government
the Just measure Of redress.
France, it is presumed, has changed her
policy towards the United States. The revo-
cation OF her DEGREES is an indication of that
change, and some recent acts, more favora--
bic to tho commercial intercourse, with her
ports, the evidence Of which will be found i'm
copy of letter from her minister here of
strengthens the presumption. But
much is yet to be done by her, TO satisfy the
just claims of this country. To revoke
blockadcs of boundess extent in the present
state of he- marine, was making no sacrifice.
She must Indemnify US for pas. injuries, and
open her ports to our commerce on fair and
liberal scale. If she wishes to profit of neu,
tral commerce she must become the adyocas,
of neutral rights as well by her practice as
her theory. The United States, standns on
their own ground, will be able tc support
those rights with effect and tt>y Will GER
tainly fail in nothing which ,'sy owe to their
character or interest. asf
Tn. r,,ers rs,a,;- to the Impeteux, the