Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-05-03
LoNDoN, April IS.
AMERICAN AFFAIRS.


consideration. motion similar to the follow |
ing was moved in he House of Lords nv Earl |
Bathurst, and in the House of Commons bv |
J ord Castlereagh. II accustomed long and
animated debate and, on taking the question,
was carried unanimously:
That AN humble Address be presented to
his royal highness the Prince Regent, acquaint-
ing him that we have taken irto our Sc rous
consideration the papers which were laid he
fore us by his royal hghness's command, ,ela
tive To the late discussions with the govern
ment of the United States.
"That, while we deeply lament the failure
Of the endeavours Of his royal highness to- pre-
serve the relations of peace and amity between
this country and America, we highly approve
the resistance opposed 10 the unlustifiable pre-.
tensions OF the government of the United
States, being satisfied that tlcta prcttn
sions were not admissible without snrren
dering some of the most ancissa imuor-
tant and undoubied rights of the British EN-
pre.
That impressed viii, these sentiments, and
fully convinced of the justice of his roval high.
ness's cause, his royal highness may raly ON our
Jealous and cordial support, and our airordins
every means necessary for prosecuting the war
with vigor, and tor bringing it TO a safe and
honorable termination"
Among the Speakers on this occasion was
Mr.. Foster Qatc minister to this country who
rose, iii consequence OF the appeal of the hon.
gentleman to his opinion and de clared that he
was unable to state whether the revocation of
the orders in council would have averted war;
but, IN his opinion, the American government
had not sufficient influence TO prevent it. lie
took revi W OF the cause of this hostile dispo
sitlon, and showed the inclination that had SUBJ
sisted on the part of America, to revive forgot
ten causes of dispute in the different negocia-
tons between the two countries since 1893.
Mr.. Pinkney's demand of the abandonment of
the blockade IN addition TO the revocation of
our DEGREES was then the cause, at the period
to which lie alluded, of the unsuccessful issue
of the negotiation.
Mr.. Whitbread said, the house were much
Obliged to the hon. gentleman who had given
them an account of matters which none else
could have done. For his own part it was a
great consolation to him to he ar from the hon
gentleman, that MIR. Madison and MIR. Monroe
were not, as they had been represented bv mi
nisiers, all French, but that both of them SEEM
ed disposed to conc.liate. One part of the
hon. gentleman's speech lie wished had been
omitted, viz. where he spoke of those who had
warmly taken a part against the proceedings of
this government, as nothing was more COM
mon than tor men in public assemblies to be
misunderstood and misrepresented He and
those with whom he had long acted, having often
been thus misrepresented. lie adverted to the
declaration OF the Prince Regent, dated the
2lst OF April, 1872, in which it was said that
nothing but the unconditional rcpeal OF the
French DEGREES should ever procure the rev
peal of the orders in council Ii was from tbo,
moment, in his opinion, that the American go.
Verlment determined on war vet, he was of
opinion, that after all the insults they had ra
ceived, (hear, hear, hear > If the repeal of the
orders IN council had rea, he'd them beforc thu,
declaration of war, such war would have been
prevented; and ii the noble lord had accedrd
to the neal when first col "a
hon. friend (Nr Brougham) the intima,ion
would have arrived in time for that desirable
purpose. lie thought there would be con-
siderable difficulty in adjxsting the article az
10 the impressing Of seamen, but still he hon
cd 1t might be elected by negotiation. He La.
mcmed, that with the navy of Great Britain
against that ct America, which consisted of
only four frigates and two soops, two of our
finest irigates were now IN their possession.
captured by only, two Of theirs; this was n re-
verse whici English officers and English sailors
had not before been used to; apd from such
a coi'e'nptible navy as that of Am, RIGA had
always been heidi no one could suppose such
an event could have taken place.
America would say with truth, and with IN
dignatioiI, DO you presume to treat our cit;.
zens as so many articles of contraband trade
Are our native subjects to be Judged Lv the
Judicatures which you propose to establish
and are the indesructible rights of allegiance
10 nc completely done awayP Another Doint
which called tor notice, respected the right OF
blockade. lie was ready 10 acknowi dce, that
IN the blockade which took place in Nav. 1906.
there did arise matter for gray. ino,iirv and
serious distrusti but when explained. there
appeared no cause whatever of dissatisfaction.
Tor the force applied to carry the blockade into
effect was specific and pectliarly framed for
the accomplishment of tile object designed-
The case was very widely different will, respt ct
TO the retaliatory measures adopted in 1907.
when there was no specific force, and the reta
iatory measures rested solely on the svowed
principle OF the decree Of Berlin. The instan.
ces essentially differed in prInciple and in prac
tice. Although these were, as il had been
maintained, the only two points for discussion
yet he could not avoid expressing his sincere
wish that he could agree With the Hon. Gentle
men that there were no more. He eutreated
the House to recollect the conduct of the Ame
rican Minister here, in the advice he hal friven
10 the Ministers of this country. MIR R1sseI
an August, cOndescended to give to Minister'S
with AN extraordinary and Overlooking conf
dence, solemn warming of the dangers that
must arise from hostilities with America. and
ct the cOnquests that must be made. Was Mr.
Russel really thinking At that moment Of fla.
impressment OF seameu from on board of An,c.
rican vessels, or was he thinking of the ouesti.
on OF the blockade No, neither of these min. q
presented itself to his contemplation. Had he
not Canada before his eyes Il was undeniabIe
mat the conquest OF Canada was n favor;te
fixed object With America, and what was the
result, Of the prediction, and the determine
tom An army was indeed marched against
a Canada, but II marched only TO surrender Itself