The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-02-02

20 NV WIN" e"c sCOl'e OF my present argu-
ment to discuss. 1t is sufficient to say, it
was deemed good enough, to receive the
sanction OF Messrs. Monroe and Pinkney.
1t arrived In America, and was rejected by
the authority OF a single individual appa-
rentiy because of the insuficiency of the ar
rangement about impressmcnt. Really, be-
cause settlement with @. Britain, ut that
time, did not center into the scope of the
policy" OF the American cabinet. The ne
gociation was indeed renewed, but il was
followed up with the enforcement OF the
non-importation law. and the enactment of
the emoargo' Both which steps were sta
ted at the time, as they proved afterwards,
to be OF a nature to make hopeless success
full negotiation.
In this state the Executive power of this
nation formally past into new hands, but sub
stantialiy remained under the old principles
OF action, and subject to the former infuen-
ces. 1t was desirable that fund of popu-
larity should be acquired for the new ad-
ministration. Accordingly an arrangement
was made with Mr.. Erskine, and no questi-
ons asked, concerning the adequacy of his
powers. But. lest this circumstance should
not defeat the proposed arrangement, q
clause was inserted in the correspondence
containing an insult to the British govern
ment, offered in the face of the world. such
as no man ever gave to a private individual
whom he did not mean to ofend.--Thc Pre-
sldent OF the y. ). said in so many words. to
mcpherson at the head of that government,
that ;e Cid not understand what belongs to
MS own honor, as well as il was understood
by the President himself. The effect Of such
language was natural, it was necessary ::
1t Gould not but render the British govern
ment avcrse to sanction Erskine's arrange
ineht' ne effect was anticipated bv. Mr..
NJ smith, then acting as Secretary Of
State. He objected TO its being inserted
but it was done in the Presidents own
hand writing. As Mr.. Erskine's authority
was denied By the British government, it is
wen known that, in fact, on the point of
TINS ind;gnity, the fate of that arrangement
turned. Can any one doubt that our cabi-
net meant that 1t should have this effect -
send you word, Mr. Speaker, that have
agreed with your messenger. and wish YOU
TO ratity it. think you, however, no gem
tieman. notwithstanding, and that you do
not understand, as well as /, what is b" due
TO your own honor" What think you, sir p
would you ratify such an arrangement, if
you could help it Does proffer of settle
ment, connected with such language. look
Ike disposition or an intention to conciIi-
ate appeal to the common sense Of man
Kind on the point.
The whole state of the relations, induced
between this Country and G: Britain. in con.
sequence of our embargo and restrictive
systems, was, in fact, standing appeal to
the fears OF the British cabinet. For, not.
outstanding these systems were equal i'm
their terms, so far as they affected foreign
powers, yet their operation was notori-
ously almost wholly upon G.. Britain. To
yield to that pressure, or do any thing which
should foster. in this country, the idea that
ii was an eHectuai weapon of hostility, was
nothing more than conCeding that she was
dependent upon US. A concession. which
when once made by her, was certain to en-
courage a resort to it by us on every occasi-
on OF difficulty between the two nations
Reasoning, therefore, upon the known ma
ture of things, and the plain interests of G.
Britain, it was foretold that, during its Con.
tinuance, she would concede nothing. And
the event has justified those predictions
But, the circumstance, the most striking. &
that furnishing themost conclusive evidence
OF the indisposition of the American cabinet
to peace, and their determination TO carry
on the war, is that Connected with the pre-
tended repeal of the French DEGREES. in
NOV. 1910, and the consequent revival, i'm
1871, OF our restrictive system against G.
Britain.
lfever a body Of men were pledged to A.
ny thing, the American cabinet, its friends
ana supporters, were pledged for the truth
OF this tact, that the French DEGREES of Ber-
lin and Milan we deanitively repealed as it
respects the u. States, on the LIST Nov. 1910.
1t ever any body of men staked their whole
stock OF repuistion upon any point, our ca
tinet did II on tits. They & their nartizans
asserted and raved. They denounced every
man as British partizan who denied it
ihey declared the restrictive system was
revived by the mere effect of the procIama-
ton. But, lest the courts Of law should not
be as subservlent to their policy as might he
wished, they passed the law of the Cd
March, 1911, upon the basis of this repeal
and OF its being dehnitive. The British 20
'viuI"rHt refused, however, to recognize
the validity of this repeal, and denied that
the Berlin and Milan DEGREES were reoeaI-
ed, on the 1st Nov. 1910, as our cabinet as
serted thus, then, stood the argument
bet "een-the British Ministry and our cabi
net. The British Ministry admitted. that
1t the Berlin and Milan DEGREES were RI neal
ed, OH the 1st Nov. 1910, thew were bonnd
20 revoke their orders 10 council. BUT they
denied that repeal to exist. Our cabinet
on the other hand, admitted that if the Ber-
lin and Milan DEGREES were not repealed. ON
the Ist Nov. 1910, the restrictive system
ought not to have been revived against G.
Britain. But they asserted Chat repeal to
exist. This was, virtually, the state of the
question between the two countries on this
point. And it is agreed, on all hands. that
this refusal of the British government. to
repeal their orders in Council, after the ex-
gStenCc OF the reUeal Of the RrrI;u oil NJ: