Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-06-22

, Ter the able manner in which 1t has been here
tofore refuted, and exposed, that they Woaid
offer an insult TO the understanding Oh the
Honse, if they enlarged on 1t, and II any lnlhs
Ecould add to the high sense OF the lnlastlce ol
the british Government In the TRANSACTION, II
| would he the contrast which her conduct ex-
hib;t, IN regard to this trade, and in regard to
similar trade by neutrals with ner own ooio-
MES. 1t is known to the world, that u oll-
tain regulates her own trade, IN war ana ~
peace, at home and in her colonies, as sue
| finds for her interest--that In war she reiaAos
the restraints of her colonial system In favor
of the colonies, and that 1t never was suggest
ed that she had not Alright to don't or that
neutral in taking advantage of the relaxation
violated belhgerent right OF her enemy
But with G. Britain every thing IS iawtni. IL
is only in a trade with her enemies that the
u. States can do wrong. With them all trade
is unlawful.
In the year 1898 an attack was made by the
British government on the same branch OF our
neutral trade, which had nearly involved the
two countries in war. That difference howe
yer was amicably accommodated. @fhe pre-
tention was Withdrawn and reparatlon MADE 70
the u. States for the losses which they had SUI
fered by it. 1t was fair to infer from that ar
rangement that the commerce was deemed by
the British government lawful, and that 1t
would not be again disturbed
Had the British government been resolved
TO contest this trade with neutrals, It was due
to the character of the British nation that the
decision should be made known to the govern
ment of the u. States. The existence OF a
nepociation which had been invited by our go
vernment, for the purpose OF preventing dit
ferences by an amicable arrangement OF their
respective pretenslons, gave strong claim TO
the notification, while it afforded the ialrest
opportunity for it. But very different poll
CIV animated the then Cabinet or England.
The liberal confidence and friendly oVertures
of the United States were taken advantage OF
to ensnare them Steady to its purpose and
inHexibly hostile to this country, the British
government calmly looked forward to the mo-
ment, when it might give the most deadly
wound to our interests a trade Just In It
self, which was secured by SO many strong
and sacred pledges, was considered safe: Our
citizens with their usual industry and enter
prize had embarked in 1t a vast proportion OF
their shipping, and of their capital, which were
at sea, under no other protection than the law
Of nations, and the confidence which they re-
posed in the justice and friendship OF the Br-
fish nation. At this period the unexpected
blow was given. Many of our vessels were
seized, carried into port and condemned by a
tribunal, which, while it processes to respect
the law of nations, obeys the mandates OF Its
own government. Hundreds ct other vessels
we're driven from the ocean, and the trade IT.
self in great measure suppressed. The ct
| feet produced by this attack on the lawful
commerce of the United States was such as
might have been expected from yirtuous, in
dependent and highly injured people. But
nation. No local interests were regarded; no
sordid motives felt. Without looking to the
parts which suffered most, the invasion OF our
rights was considered common cause, and
from one extremity of our union to the other,
was heard the voice OF an united people, Call
| ing OH their government TO avenge their
wrongs, and yindicate the rights and honor OF
the country
From this period the British government
| has pone on In a continued encroachment on
the rights anu interests of the United States,
| disregarding in it's course, in many instances,
obligatians which have heretofore been held
sacred by civilized nations.
+; In May, lso6, the whole coast ofthe cont
| nent from the Elbe to Brest inclusive, was de-
clared to be in state of blockade. BY this
act, the well-estabiished principles OF the law
Of nations, principles which have served tor
ages as guides, and fixed the boundary be,
tween the rights of belligerents and neutrals
were violated: By the law of nations, as re-
cognized by Great Britain herself no block
ade is lawful, unless it be sustained by the
duplication of an adequate force, and that an
adequate force was applied to this blockade
in its full extent ought not to be pretended
Whether Great Britain was able,to maintain
legally, so extensive blockade, considering
he ,rar II, which she is enpaped, requiring