Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-06-02

tizens of the United States, does not merit, &
has not received moments consideration
here. You will, therefore, discountenance the
idea every where, and in every shape.
You will be furnished with copy OF my
correspondence with MIR. Serrurier on the
subject of vessel called the Balaou, No. S
formerly the Exchange) bearing commits
sion from the emperor Of France lately libel
led in the district court of the United States
for Pennsylvania. The decision OF that court
was in favor of discharge Of the vessel An
appeal was taken from it TO the circuit court,
by which the sentence was reversed. he
cause was then carried by appeal, at the IN
stance Of the government, to the supreme
court of the u S. where it is now depending.
The whole process in favor of the French 60
vernment is conducted on The part Of and at
the expense of the U. S. without, however,
making themselves party tolt.
This vessel was one that was seized under
the Rambouillet decree. The French go
yernment took her into service, as appears by
the documents In possession OF the command
ant, and sent her with dispatches to some DIS
tant quarter. She came into the port OF phlla-
delDhia, as it is said, in distress; she having
on board cargo, distress may have been
pretext AS this government denies the JUS
tice Of the RambouiIlet decree, has remonstTat-
ed against it, and expects an indemnity tor
losses under it, you will be sensible OF the de-
licacy and difficulty which it has experienced
in interfering, in any respect, In the case. 10
take the vessel from the court, and, OF course,
from the owner, and restore her to the French
consul or other agent, even II, under any cir
cumstances lawful, would have excited uni
versal discomfort. cannot dismiss this SUBJ
iect without remarking, tl,at If the govern
ment Of France had not violated the rights OF
the United States by the Ramboulilet decree,
this case would not have occurred; and that
it is painful to see a question, connected with
the public law, originate under such circu'h-
stances.
The public vessel which takes these dis.
patches to you, has others for our charge q
affaires at London. After landing Mr. Bid
die, who is the bearer Of yours, at some port
in France, she will proceed immediately to the
English coast, and lard Mr.. Tayloe, the mes
senger, who is charged with these for London.
It is expected that she will be subject to
short delay only on the English coast, and
that YOUR dispatches Will be prepared tor her,
! On her return to France. 1t is highly impor
tan. to this government to obtain, without de-
| Law or rather with the greatest possible dis
patch, correct information from you, and from
our charge dafaires at London, of the policy
adepted, and the measures which have been
-. rady taken Oh the important interests de-
pending with nneh fY~-------">a-@y IN tNhtCh YOU
have been respectively instructed. a shor,
detention of the vessel, for an obvious and use
FIJI purpose, as intimated heretofore, will not
be objected to /: but such delay as has, Oh
some occasions occurred, is utterly inadmissi-
bic.
have the honor, &c. &c.
fSigned) JAS. MONROE.
(Docuuents TO be continued.)