The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-04-30

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ment, by the proposal of an armistlce but
the principles were contcnded for, SO as to
leave no clear road tor future settlement.
Mr.. Russell, though he did not claim any
preliminary admission, yet required an l.
demni,v from us for all captures under the
Orders in Council, as the effect Of illegal
bockadcs, and seemed particularly to al
iude to that of 1906. America might
have given up this point afterwards,
but she had not shewn any disposition
to be satisfied with our forbe srance,
bat had laid in her claim for indem
nifty. and for our abandoning our rights
at future period. The differences ofopin-
ion here on the Orders in Council, arose
rather upon commercial expediency, than
on the rights OF this country to throw back
IN the enemy the effects of his own injus-
tice. He would wave that subject at pres.
ent but must say, that no relaxation of
these orders proceeded from any disposition
to suffer our rights to be shaken. Govern
ment was always anxious so to modify the
system, as to accommodate and concilate
ncutrals as much as possible. and 10 embark
America, 1t 1t could. in a proper feeling of
the conduct OF France. Under all forms we
distinctly maintained and preserved our
rights. He should ever defend the Justice
and necessity of the .. in &. both as against
France, and IN the contemplation OF sound
policy for the interests of the British empire
The absence of the American market might
inJure trade in some places, but without the
orders, France would have been commerce
ally triumphant ON the continent. He was
an admirer of the system, in the spirit in
which it was conceived by the late Mr..
Percival 1t was modified i'm 1909 as narrow
ly as possible, and subsequently, after the
Duke of Bassano's declaration. New efforts
had been made respecting the license sys
tenn with similar views. In fast, we had
always relaxed our conduct. when doing
so was not subversive of the plan for coer-
eng France TO give up her system. AS to
the blockade of 1906, it remained for three
wears accomplished of even the American
minister In London praised the policy of the
government VINO declared it. Its Justice
had been since constantly maintained by
succeeding administrations. 1t was supper
ted by an adequate force, according to the
ordinary laws OF nations, and rested on the
.ruest principles of maritime law. 1t was
due TO Mr.. Fox, who was then Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, to say that he did not
notify the blockade till he had written to
the Admiralty to know, whether they
could undertake strictly and properly TO en- |
force it. The character of the country in |
that blockade stood on grounds which nei- |
Their France nor America could shake.
L he next great point made by the Anne |
rican government was on eubeIt which |
we considered to be one of the main pi;lars
OF our maritime Strengthening right OF in,
pressment. In the different overtures |
which, the American government had ma dc |
upon this point, he thought the House |
would not see any material difference. Ii |
would not be unimportant, however, TO OBJ
serve the comparative degree of interest
which had been set forward in so promi-
knowledging, that subjects of America. &
the other neutral nations, must have incl
dentaIly suffered by the exercise of
the rights of the belligerent powers. 1t
was natural for them to feel a strong
desire to protect their subjects from
every inconvenience. and If they had
urged their claims with any reasonable
temper, he would by no means complain of |
the earnestness which they manifested. A,
the same time it must be recollected, that
The question 10 America was only of conve-
nience or inconvenience whereas the |
question to this country was one of vital
Importance, touching the manner in which
our maritime strength (upon which our
security rested) had hitherto been upheld &
maintained. The question, therefore, with
us. was not question of convenience or
inconvenience, but question reSpe citing
the conservation of the state. We were.
therefore, justified in viewing the subject
with very different feelings without being
Justly liable to the charge of taking high
tone, and wishing to lord it over America
as a superior nation. He conceived, that
the American government had acted in an
unworthy and, discreditabe manner, in
taking tone upon this subject not consis-
tent with reason or good sense, and which
went so directly TO break that harmony
between the TWO countries which it would
be 40 DESTROYS to preserve. He thought that
no rational or fair man could say that there
was any thing III those papers which shew
ed any desire on the part of his Majesty's
government tn do any thing unjust or Old
pressivc towards America. The American
government, however, had been pleased to
assume, thai very considerable number
OF American sesmen had been impressed
on board our ships of war and they had
made out their lists so TAR as to calculate
them at 10000 in order 70 give any color
to such statement, they must assume, in
the first place, that every man taken out
OF American ships was really all American |
seamen. The statement, however, was |
nothing like true account. Although the |
whole number employed IN our fleets
mounted to $4,000, when the lords Of ad. !
miralty, IN January 1911, called upon those !
sailors VINO claimed TO be American sea |
men, to declare themselves, there were only |
$500 who pretended to be American sea |
men, and this year there were considerably |
Tess When the truth of their allegations !
was examined AZ Iii not aunaat. thu, -, =, -. !