Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1813-08-06


declaration, however of the French government
of the 5th August, 1910. BY which the Berlin and i
Milan DEGREES were declared to be repealed, the ]
British government changed its tone, and continued /
to rise in its demands. to the moment that war
declared. II objected FIRST that the Frerch repeat
was conditional, and not absolute although the |
only condition attached TO il, was that C.. Britain
should follow the example, the u. States fulfil |
their pledge by executing the non-imports,on act
against her. 1t was then demanded that France |
should repeal her internal regulations, as cond-
ton OF the repeal Of the British orders in council
Ney1, that the French repeal should Ia extended |
10 aHcutFal nations, well the United States.
anc iasy, that the ports of her enemies, and all
possa from which the British flag was excluded, |
shoed be opened to British manufactures in Asneri-
cat ssels conditions so estrsvagant 90 satisfy
80 sss 3ss-aate r. als the sls-, uGss denssa ed
not IL the expectation that they would or could be
complied with, but to terminate the discussion.
On fnll consideration of all circumstances, it ap-
pesred th&t the period had arrived, when il became
the duty OF the b. States to take that attitude with
G. Britain, which was due to their violated rights
TO the security of their most important interests,
and 10 heir character AZ an Independent nation To
have Skunk from the crisis would have been to
abandon every thing valuable to freepeople The
surrender of our seamen to British impre ssnent,
with the destruction of our navigation and COM
merce, would not have been its only evils. The
deso,ation of property, however great and widely
spread, Affects an interest which admits Of repair.
The wound 10 incurabe only, which fixes stigma
or the national honor While the spirit of the peo-
pie is ahsubued, there wild always be found in
their virtue resource equsto the greatest dangers
and most trying emergencies II is in the nature of
free governments, to inspire in the body of the peo-
pie generous and noble sentiments, and il ia the
duty Of the constituted authorities TO cherish and
appeal to those sentiments, and rely the patriotic
support of their constituents. Had they proved
themselves unequal to the crisis the most fatal con-
sequences would have resulted from it. The proof
| of their weakness would have been recorded but
not on them alone would its banefal effects have
been visited 1t would have shaken the foundation
of the government itself. and even OF the sacred
principles of the revolution, which all our polit
| cal institutions depended. Yielding to the preten
| sions OF foreign power, without making manly
effort in defence of our rights. without appealing
to the virtue of the people, or to the strength of
| Union, it would have been charged and believed
! that 10 these sources lay the hidden defects Where
| world the good people of these states have beer
| able TO make another standl Where would have
been their rallying point The government O
/ their choice having leen dishonored, its weakness
and that Of therinstltA ions demonstrated, the tri
!, urn9A.s me enemy wntilA have seen coriples- 7
/ woeia also have beer durable.
The constituted authorities Of the u. States nei
ther dreaded or anticipated these evils. They hac
full confidence in the strength OF the Union in the
firnness and virtue of the people, and were satish
| ed when the appeal should be made, that ample
| proof wonld be afforded, that their confidence had
rot been misplaced Foreign pressure, it was not
doubted. would lissipate foreign partialities
and preiudices, if such existed and unite us more
| closely together as one people.
| II declaring war against G. Britain the u. States
have placed themselves situation to rotor. the
hostility which they had so long suffered from the
| British government, The maintenance of their
rights was the object Of the Of the desire of
this government to terminate the on honorable
conditions, ample proof has been afforded by the
proposition made to the British government imme-
diately after the declaration of war, through the
Charge dAffaires of the United States at London,
and hy the promptItude and manner OF the accept
ances of the Mediation of the Emperor of Russia.
II was anticipated by some. that declaration Of
war against G. Britain would force the u States in
to close connection with her adversary, much To
their disadvantage The Secretary of State thinks
it proper to remark, that nothing is more remote
from the fact. The discrimination in favor of
France, according to law, in consequence OF her
acceptance of the proposition made equally to both
powers produced a difference between them in that
special case, but in that only The war with Eng
land was declared. without any consent or commu-
nication with the French government it has pro-
duccd no connection between the United States and
France, any understanding as to its pros cuton,
continuance, or termination The ostenshle rela-
ton between the two countries, is the true and only
one. The u. States have just claims on France for
spoations on their commerce on the high seas, and
in the ports Of France, and their late Minister WAS,
and their present Minister is, instructed, to de-
mau PREPARATION for these injuries, and to press it
with the energy due TO the justce.of their claims
and to the character of the u. States. The result
of the negotiation will be communicated to Con-
gress in due time. The papers marked | contain
copies OF two letters addressed from this Depart
N q. HIM
Just before the declaration of war, the other of the
14th July following, which shew distinctly the rela-
ton existing between the United States and France
at that interesting period. No change has since
occurred in it.
All OF which is respectfully submitted,
JAMES MONROE.
Department of State, July -, 1918.
The pyesi9euf of the " Sfates