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

tries connected with her, and the L. State.
alone can furnish it during the war. 1t will
doubtless be the interest Of France and her
allies 10 avail themselves of the industry and
capital of the American merchants, IL fur
nishing those articles by which the wants Of
their people will be supplied and their reven-
Tie increased. Several of the colonies be-
longing TO France, and may again belong 10
her. Great Britain, by securing 10 her own
colonies the monopoly of her home market,
lessons the value OF the produce of the con-
quered colonies. France cannot be :nGiffer-
ent to the distrcsses OF her late colonies, nor
ought she to abandon because she cannot pro-
tect them. pressing this important object
on the government Of France, it will not es-
cape your attention, that several important
articles 10 the list of colonial productions are
raised in Louisiana, and will of course be
comprised among those of the United States.
You will see the injustice, and endcayor to
prevent the necessity Of bringing in return
iT American cargoes sold in France, an
equal amount in the produce or manufactures
OF that county. No such obligation is impo-
sed on French merchants trading 10 the Uni
ted States. They enjoy the liberty of selling
their cargocs for cash, and taking back what
they please from this country in return, and
the right ought to be reciprocal.
1t is indispensable that the trade be free
that all American citizens engaged in it be
placed on the same footing and, with this
view, that the system of carrying it on by IL
cences granted by French agents be immedi-
ately annuled. You must make il distinctly
understood by the French government that
the United Strtes cannot submit 10 that sys-
TEN, as it tends to sacrifice one part of the
community TO another, and to give corrupt
influence to the agents Of foreign power in
our towns, which is, in every view, incom-
paiibe with the principles of our govern
mem. 1t was presumed that this system
had been abanGaned some time since, as a
letter from the duke of Cadore, Of TO
Mr.. Russell gave assurance of it. Should it
hewever, be still maintained, you will not fail
TO bring the subcct without delay, before the
French government, and 10 urge lis immedi-
ate abandonment. The President having
long since expressed his strongest disappro-
baton Of it, and requested that the consuls
would discontinue it, it is probable, if they
still disregard his Injunction, that he may
lind II necessary 10 revoke their eXequators.
l mention this, that you may be able to ex-
~
take place, which, without such explanation,
might probably be viewed in mistaken light
by the French government.
1t is important, .ha. the rate Of duties i'm
posed on our commerce, in every article,
should be made as low as possible. If they
are not, they may produce the effect of a
prohibition they will be sure to dcprc:s the
article and discourage the trade.
You will bc able 10 ascertain the various
other claims which the United States have
or France, for injuries done TO their citizens,
under DEGREES OF a subsequent date TO those
Of Berlin and Milan, and you will likewise
use your best eXcrtious 10 obtain an indemni-
ty for them. 1t presumed, that tho French
government will be disposed TO 30 us justice
tor all these injuries. In looking 10 the fu-
ture, the past ought to be fairly and honora-
bly, adjusted. If that is not done, much dis
satisfaction will remain here, which cannot
fail to produce very unfavorable effect on
the relations which arc TO 5Ibsist in future
between the two countries.
The first of these latter DEGREES bears date
at Bayonne, on the i7th March, 1903, by
which many American vessels and their car
goes were seized and carried into France,
and others which had entered her ports, in
the fair course of ,tade, were seized, and Sc
questered or conGscated by her government.
1t was pretended, in vindication Of this mea-
sure, that as under our embargo law no A
merican vessel could navigate the ocean, all
those who were found on it were trading on
British account and lawful prize. The fact,
however was otherwise. AT the time the
embargo was laid, great number of our ves-
sells were at sea, engaged in their usual
commerce many of them on distant voyages.
Their absence, especially as no previous no.
ticc could be given TO them, was strictly JUS
tiliable under the law and as no obligation
was imposed on them by the law in return,
they committed no offence by remaining a.
broad. Other vessels, inconsiderabe in
number, left the 'Unned States in violation
of the law. The latter committed an offence
against their country, but none against for