The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-07-29

u f3
people Although it was the policy and might be
the interest OF the British government engsge the
United States m such controversy with the French
goverument, it was far from comporting with their
interest to do IT, They considered il their duty 10
accept the repeal already made by the French GOV.
crnment Of its dccrces, and to look TO its conduct
and TO that Of hs cruisers, sanctioned BY the gov
ernmen, for the faithful performance or violation Of
IT, The United States having been injured BY botlr
powers, were unwilling in their cxertions TO obtain
justice OF either, to become the instrument OF tho
other They were tho less inclined to il in the pres
cnt instances from the ration that the parry
making the pressure them maintained in full force
its unlawful edicts against the American commerce.
while could rot deny that considerable advance
At least, had been made by the other towards aeon.
pletc accommodation, It being manifest TO the world
not only shat the faith of the French government
stood pledged for the repeal Of its decrees but that
The rcpeaidid take effect on the 1st of November
1910, In regard to the United States that several
American vessels taken under them had been dcliv.
cred ups the judicial decisions suspended on all bv
IT'S orders and that also continued 20 give the ost
positive assurances that the repeal should be faith.
fully observed 49,
Il has also been urged that the French repeal was
conditional, and for that could not be accept.
cd. This objection has already been fully answered
II merits attention, however. that The acts Of the
British government relating TO this subject particu
ary the declaration of the 2lst of April 1912, and
the repeal OF the Esd June of ,hc same year. are e.
qually and in like manner conditional II IL not y
little surprising, that the British government should
have objected to measure in another government
to which il has itself given sanction by its own acts
II Is proper, however, to rema,k that this obiec.
ton has been completely waved and given up by the
acceptance Of the decree of the 28th April. 1911.
The British government has urged also, that Il
could not conidc in the faithful performance by the
French government OF any engagement il might en-.
ter into re!xtve 10 the repeal Of its DEGREES This
objection woald be equally applicable to any other
compact 10 be entered into with France While
maintained Il would be bar 10 any treaty. even to-
treaty Of peace between them But il also has hecu
admitted TO be unfoundcd BY the acceptance Of the
decree Of the 28th April, 1911
The Secretary of State presumcs that these facts
and explanations, supported ne they are by aucns
tic documents prove. first, that the repeal Of tho
British orders in council was not to be ascribcd TO-
the French decree bearing date on the 28th April
1911 and secondly, that in making that decree tho
basis OF their repeal the British government has CON-
cedcd that II ought To have repealed them on tho
ground Of the decla alton Of the French government
of Sth August. 1910. SO as 20 take effect on the lst
November following To what cause the repeal Of
the British orders in council was justly attributable.
cannot now remain a doubt, wiih any. who have
marked with just discernmeht the course of events.
II must afford great consolation 10 the good people
of these States, to know that they have not submit
ted 10 privsticns in vain.
The discussion Of other wrongs. particularly that
before the period Alluded to. II was urwo.tIy OF
the character of the United States tc pursue the
discussion ON that difference, when il was evident
that no advantags could be derived from it. Tho
right was reyersed, To be brought forward and ulg.
ed again, Wien It might be do with eject. In tie
me n time the practice OF impressment WAS pesse-
vered in With vigor.
At the tine when war was declared against Great
Britain, satisfactory arrangement wac offered or
likely to be obtained, respecting impressmcnt, and
-. -
this government, than the repeal Of tie orders in
council. Ewry circumstances which had occurred
tending TO illustrate the policy and views Of the Bri.
tsli government rendered such an event altogether
improbable. FrosD the commencement Of that sys.
TEN Of hostility. which Great Britain had adopted
against the United States, her prctentions had grad
ually increased, or at least become more fully ur.
folded. according To circumstances, until Ut tho mo-
ment when war was declared they had assumed
character which d;spced all prospect OF accomnoda
ton The orders in council said 10 have been
doptcd on principle Of retaliation France, atho'
at the time whom the order Of May, 1906 was issued
no measure OF France had occurred on which it
could be rctaatory, and the date Of the pcx or
der, Jan. 1907, was hardly possible that this Gov
ernnicnt should have even heard of the decree of
Berlin TO which IL related II was stated at the time
Of their adoption and Tor some time afterwards, that
they should be revoked as soon as France revoked
her DEGREES, and that the British government woulI
proceed with the government Of France bdri basslS
In the revocation After the declaration, however.
OF the French government Of the 5th Aug. 1870. by
which the Berlin and Milan DEGREES were declared
TO be repeated, the British government changed its
tone, and continued to rise in its demands 10 tho
moment war was declared. II objected first that tho
French repeal was conditional and not absolute al.
though the only condition attached to it. was, that
c. Britain should follow the example. or the United
States fulfil their pledge by executing the no,-im-
portation act against her. II then demanded
that France should repeal her internal re
condition Of the repeal Of the British orders in
council Next, that the french repeal should be exc
tended to all neutral nations, we'll 20 the Unit
ed Statcs and lastly, that the ports Of her enemies,
and all ports from which the British flag cxclud-
ed, should be opened to British manufactures in A.
ericzn vessels, conditions cxravagant as sat-
isfy all dispassona,e minds that they were demand
ed, not in the expectation that they would co.d
be complied with. bat to terminate the discussion.
On full consideration of all circumstances, il ap-