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

on the s3d June. repeal its orders in
council, on the ground of the French
decree ofthc 2sth April 1911. Bv
this proceeding the British governments
has involved Itself in manifest incun-
sisteney. IL has maintained by one
act. that the French DEGREES were i'm
full force, and by another that they
were repealed during the same space
of time. 1t admits also, that by no
act OF the French government or its
|cruiZers, and any violation Of the re.
peal announced by the declaration Of
the French government OF the 9TH Au-
gust 1910, been committed, or at least,
that such violation had not had sufi-
cient weight to prevent the repeal of
the orders in council.
1t was objected that the declaration
ofthe French government of the 9Th
iof August 1910, was not such an act as
the British government ought to have
regarded. The secretary Of state is
thoroughly satisfied that this objection
lis altogether unfounded. 1t was COM
municated by the emperor through his
highest official organ, the secretary Of
foreign affairs to the minister plenipo-
Tertiary of the United States at Paris.
1t is impossible 70 conceive an act more
formal, authenthick or obligatory on
the French government than That allu-
ded to. Does the government ever ask
jor expect from another tn secure the
performance Of any duty, however im-
iportant more than its official pledge,
fairly and fully expressed Can het-
ter security be given for It's perfor-
nance Had there been any doubt on
this subject, the conduct of Great Bril-
tain herself, in similar eases, would
have completely removed it. The
whole history of her dipIomatick inter-
course with other powers, or the sub
iject of biockade, is in accord with this
proceeding of the French government.
We know that whenever government
institutes "A blockade, the secretary of
foreign affairs announces it to the MI
n!sters OF other powers at London
land that the same form is observed
when they are revoked. Nor was the
authenticity Of either act, thus announ-
ced ever questioned.
| Had IA similar declaration been made
by the minister Of France in the United
States ia this government, bv the o.
der OF his own, would it not have been
entitled TO respect, and been respected P
BY the usage of nations such respect
could not have been withheld. The
arrangement made with Mr.. Erskine
Is foil proof Of the good faith Of this
government, and Of its impartiality. ia
its transactions with both the beliige-
rents. II was made with that minis.
ter on the ground of his puhick cha
aeter, and the confidence due to it on
which basis the non-intercourse was
removed as to England and left in full
force against France. The failure OF
that arrangement was imputable to the
British government alone, who, in re-
jectinS if, took on itself high respon-
sibiiity, not simply, in regard TO the
consequences attending il, but in disa.
vowinS and annnllins the act of it's nil
mister, without showing that he had ex-
ceeded his authority. In accepting the
declaration of the French minister Of
foreign affairs in proof of the French
repeal, the United States gave no proof
of improper credenee to the govern
ment Of France. On a comparison of
Doth transactions, it will appear that
!. if u marked confidence and respect was
shown 10 either government, it was to
THAT of G. Britain. In accepting the
declaration of the government of France
in the presence Of the emperour, the
! U. States stood on more secure ground.
than, in accepting that of British mi
mister in this country.
To the demand made by the United
States of the repeal of the British or
ders in council founded on the basis of
;, the French repeal, of August 5, 1910,
the British government replied, by de,
mandiug copy of the orders issued bv.
! the French government for CARVING
into effect that repeal demand with
out example in the intercourse between
nations. By this demand it ceased to
be a question whether the French res
peal was of sufficient extent, or was
founded or iusti6able conditions. The
pledge of the French government was
doubted /; Il scrutiny was to be institute
led as to the manner In which it was to
be discharged, and its faith preserved.
mot by the subsequent conduct of its
, Icruizers towards the vessels OF the u,
D States, but by copy of the orders Civ.
= en- to its cruizers. Where would this
E lend Ii the French government in
tended a fraud, by its declaration Of
tlrepeal, announced to the minister of the
III. States. and afterwards. In tb;s ~