Winchester gazette. [volume] (Winchester, Va.) 18??-1826, 1813-07-24

rest Of The British government to en-
gage the U. States lii such controyer-
sy with the French government. 1t was
far from comparing with their inte-
rests to do it. They considered 1t thcirI
duty to accept the repeal already madel
by the French government, OF its de-
crees. and to look TO its conduct and to
that OF its cruizers. sanctioned by theI
government, tor the faithful pcrfor-
mance or violation OF it. The u. :.
having been injured by both powers,
were unwilling. in their exertiops to
obtain Justice of either. to become the
Instrument Of the other. They were
the less inclined to itin the present in
stance. from the consideration, that thcl
party making the pressure on them
maintained i'll full force its unlawful
eGicts against the American commerce,
while it could not deny that conside-
rah!e advance. at least, had been made
by the other towards a complete accom-
mediation, it being manifest to the
world. not only that the faith of the
French government stood pledged for
the repeal Of its DEGREES, but that the
repeal did take effect on the fst of
Nav. 1910. in regard to the u. States !;
that several American vessels taken
under them had been delivered up, and
judicial decisions suspended on a /. by
its order, and that it also continued to
give the most positive assurances that
the repeal should be faithfully observl
ed,
1t has also been urged that the
French repeal was conditional, and
for that reason could not be accepted.
This objection has been fully answer
ed. 1t merits attention, however, that
the acts Of tie British government re-
iating to this subject. particularly the
declaration of the 2tst Of April 1872
and the repeal Of the 23d June of the
same year. are equally and iii like
manner conditional. Ii is not little
surprising that the British government
should have objected to Il measure il
another government TO which it has it.
self given sanction by its own acts.
1t is proper however, to remark, that
this objection has been completely
waved and given up BY the acceptance
of the decree Of the sSth April 1914.
The British government have urs-
ed also, that it could not confde in
the faithful performance by the
French government of any engage
ment it might enter into relative to the
repeal Gifts DEGREES. This objection
would be equally applicable to any o.
Their compact to be entered into with
France. While maintained il would
be u bar TO any treaty. even 20 treaty
ofpeace. between them. But it also
has been admitted to be unfounded by
the acceptance Of the decree of the sSth
April fstf.
The Secretary of state presumes that
these facts and explanations supported
as they are BY authentick documents
prove, first. that the repeal Of the Bri.
iish orders in council was not to be as
cribrd TO the French decree bearing
date on the 18th April 1914; and Sc
con,lly, that in making that decree the
basis OF their repeal, the British GO
: vernment has conceded that it ought to
have repealed them on the ground of
the declaration of the Freueh govern
take effect on the tst November fol-
lowing. To what cause the repeal Of
the British orders in council was Justly
attributable, cannot now remain Il
doubt with any who have marked with
just discernment the course of events.
1t must afford great consolation to the
good people nf these states, to know
that they have not submitted to priva-
tons in vain.
The discussion OF other wrongs, par
ticularly that relating to impressment.
had been closed some time before the
period alluded to. 1t was unworthy of
the character of the United States to
pursue the discussion on hat differ
encc, when it was evident that no ad
vantage could be derived from it, The
right YVES reserved, to be brought for
ward and urged again, when il might
be done with effect. In the mean time
the practice Of impressment was per-
severed in with vigor.
At the time when war was declared!
against q Britain, no satisfactory ar
ranScment was offered, or likely to be
obtained respecting impressment, & no
thing was more remote from the ex-
pectation Of this government. than the
repeal Of the orders in council. Eve
ny circumstance, which had occurred
tending 80 illustrate the policy and
views o; the British government rem
dered such an event altogether impro-
babie. From the commencement Of