Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-05-21

from the deception practised upon us bs
France, " as is asserted } she has nor COM
fl[ied svtth her fart Of the comhact What
evidence have we that France has not COM
Piled! The document before me from the
Secretary OF State, respecting the trade to the
Baltic, proves that French privateers have
completely blockaded the Sound, which is
the usual entrance 10 that sea that they
capture every American vessel in their
power bound either up or down, and send
their papers to Paris, where they are con-
demned by order of the Emperor. 1t may
not be amiss, to give a view Of this Course
OF conduct for to gentlemen unacquainted
with commerce it NAV be useful. MIR. En-
wing, our minister at Denmark, was sent to
Copenhagen, to use the best means in his
power to induce the King to put stop to
the depredationsc committed on our commerce
by the Danish privateers. He was we'll re
ceived, and being of opinion that our trade
would meet with few interruptions in future,
he advised thereof the American Consuls in
Sweden and Norway, where our vessels u
| usually stop for information. What was the
consequence Why, that the Americans,
! thus relieved from danger, as they supposed,
| took the usual course through the sound, 70
all the ports in the Baltic, and many went
| safe. The French, informed of this friendly
conduct of the King of Denmark, despatch
ed number of privateers to the Sound,
completely blockaded it, and captured with
| ont distinction every American they could.
Thenumberthus captured, was not, it is true.
very great, for the news flew on the wings
of the wind, and the Americans were there
| after, for safety, compelledto mingle with the
| British conveys. Indeed, several which had
| assembled at Elsinieur, were saved by a
convoy granted by the King of Denmark.
Mr.. President, the first notice of the
French blockade of the Baltic was capture
and consequent condemnation on various
pretexts. One vessel was condemned Ct
appears by the proceedings of the court Of
Parls) because she had ceme to anchor in
q port IN Sweden, where, by accident, there
was British armed vessel. But, sir, an
other reason for prcsummg that France has
not complied with her part of the compact,
is the late bnrning, by French squadron
which issued from Nantz the 10th day of
January last, of every American vessel they
met having cargo on board. The ground
| assigned by the commanders of those vessels,
not verbally only, 6ut by certificates signed
by fhemsetUeS, is because the vessels so burnt.
was bound to OF from a port of the enemy of
France, and this they certify they do By or
A'' " 'Hc munster W tflc <'Tc2CR !lIlrnfe, De-
ing precisely the Berlin and Milan DEGREES
put in full force against the vessels of the
United States. This Information comes 60
us in shape scarcely questionable, but as
the Hornet must sOon arrive, and the Presi-
dent will, by her, receive such information
as will put the subject beyond a doubt, ci-
Their in one way or the other and as know
that some gentlemen are unwilling to vote
without official information, have thought
1t most proper to propose the postponement,
until such time as must give US such infor-
nation.
Mr.. President, before sit down, it may
not be unworthy of remark that the French
burning squadron left France FIVE days af-
ter the departure therefrom, of the frigate
Constitution, at which time, 1.-THE 5th Jan. ]
Mr. Barlow was flattered with the expecta-
ton that he would succeed III every OBJECT
of his mission.