Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-08-09

mcnt that the supply should be con-
,;,ue,l. The existence of these licen-
s.s themselves, unexpired, and IN
revoked. is prima facia presumptive
sy;dences that those articles are still
wanted. till that presumption is o.
yerrulled by a declaration to the
contrary. In the next place, though
the lieence is general and extends to
any port in America, yet in fact the
bjoenaded ports of the Chesapeake,
and tie other southern ports OF A
merica. are the only ports from
which flour and corn can be expect
90. The northern country OF The
United States do not grow enough
for their own consumption. and are
supplied from the southern ports. II
government wishes therefore to De
supplied at all, it is only from The
biocka,icd ports that il can receive
the supply.
Seine evidence Of their intention
ma, be deducted from the iorm OF
the license. il says that "thesc ar
tieies may I've imported from any
port Of the Uaited States without
niolesi ation on account 0f any hOStl-
lilies which may exist between his
majesty aud the United States of A
rriica.' 1t might not be over
s,rainins the expressions to interpret
the words "any hosiiiities' to mean
=. nstw Outstanding any mode OF hos
ti!ities which Great Britain may
think proper 10 employ. whether by
bioekade or otherwise" IL Is true
that the blockade was not establish
ed til many months after the Dale
ocite license, but il was not imprO-
babIe in the contemplation OF the
British government. To carry On
the war against that country by
bloekading- their pUrts has always
been general and fayorite idea.
Something Of the consideration OF
blockade must have been present TO
the mind Of those who drew up this
order in council. because il is thus
mentioned: :. The master of the
said vessel. shall be permitted 10 re-
eeiye his freight and return with
his vessel and crew. TO any port not
block aded." il seems to have been
understood and intended. that the
lirerce could and Should protect the
master against breakinga blockade,
on why else should it have been
thonght necessary 10 prohibit his re
turn 10 a hlockadcd port Under
Standing the licenses then, to have
bcc0 a protection from the penal
iirs of blockade breaking. though
they do not forbid coming out OF ami
exporting the articles described, from
q !,l0ckaded port, it is a fair coneiu
sion then tina, this was not intended
to he prohibited. The reason of the
distinction, as it is to be deduced
frsm lie present existing cireum
stances, and which were probably
forgiven when the license was grant
ed. on the grounds which / have just
stated il evident IL was only by COM
ing Outof a b.pckaded port that the
license could be executed and It's
object accomplished, because the
provisions 20 be imported to Lisbon
could only there be procured.
Ii may reasonably be doubted
whether by license OF this nature
a kind Of vested interest is not con-
ferred upon the Grantee. of which
he cannot be deprived caprieionsiy.
at The mere will OF the granting IA
ton, or at least. whether he eau be
6isposscssetl Of IL without an express
declaration Of the government by
which it was granted. Since it is a
privilege which is 20 protect the pro
perry ofthe enemy, and Cor the bene-
iii OF the country which grants il,
not only the interest but the good
faith and houor Of the country are
Implicated and pledged 10 respect
taem. They ought not 10 be revok-
cd without full and timely notice.
Adverse con alterations ought not 10
be pressed leo vigorously against
them. but they should he supported
by The nest liberal INTERPRETATION.
In ease Of doubt. the balance
should incline with their favnc; i;
is "a contract for the benefit Of one
party in which the British govern
l,s Il saws, in fact '.if You will i'm
port provisions 10 the army in Po',u
gal. VIC will protect your vessels
from cap,ure"-when the Ameri
cans are perf;rming their part OF
the contract, it would he trap to
turn rOppd ppOn them and tell. theu