The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-11-02
INSTRUCTIONS.


Instructions to the Pienipotentiaries of she
Uoited States, charged with negotiating a.
Peace with Great-Britain, as referred 10 in
my Message of the tenth instant 50
as 33N JAMES MADISON.
Washington, October l3:h, lsl4sr.l1.s.i. IS
NJ. Monroe, Secretary Of STATE, to the Penpofena
ries Of he Uni;ed States. for treating J Peace
aviih Great Britain, dated Department .f> STATE,
.iprj! Is. 1915. -- tf IS
GEYrLEMgN--I had the honor on the -----
ult 10 reeve from Mr.. Adams two letters,
one bearing date on the 3o,h September, and
the other on the i7th October last, CON nuni-
eating the overture fthe Emperor of Russia
10 promota peace by his friendly mediation
between tRc United States and Great. Britain.
Russian Minister,made similar communica-
,ion 10 this Department.. The subject has, in
consequence, been duly considered, aud have
now TO make known to you the result.
The President has not hesi,ated to accept
the medi aion of Russia, aad he INDUCES
strong hope thstit viii produce the desired
effect. II is known that Great Britain has
aceeded to the proposition, but II is presumed
that she will nat decline it, The President
thought timproper to postpone his decision,
uutil he should hear of that of the British
Government Sincerely dcsirous OF peace,
he has been willing to avail himself OF every
oppostuny which might tend 10 promote II,
on jus. and honorable conditions, and In ac-
ccping this overture, he has been particular
ly gral6ed to evince, by the manner OF II, the
distinguished consideration which the Onised
States entertain for che Emperor A'exandec.
Should tb4 British Governnert accept the
mediation, the negotiation to which II leads
will be held at ST. Petersburg. The Presi-
denl commits il to you, for which Commits
sion is enclosed, aud he has appointed Mr..
Hirrs Secretary Of the mission.
The impressmen, Of our seamen and il!ega!
blockAdes, as exempli6ed more particular.
in The orders in councii, were the principal
causes OF the war Had not Great Britain
oostiaAtely persevcred in violation OF these
important rights,the var would not have been
declared. 1t will cease as soon as these rights
are respected. The proposition made oy Mr..
Russell TO the British Government,> lmmedi.
a,ey after the war, and the answer given by
this department to admiral Warren's letter
since, shew the ground on which the United
States are willing to adjust the controversy
relative TO imprsssment.
Thrs has been further evinc ed by re-
port Of the committee Of Foreign Relations
of the House of Representatives, and an sct OF
, Congress passedin consequence OF tha, report.
BY these documents you will see, that 10
accommodate this important difference, the
United States are disposed 10 exclude Brit
ish seamen altogether from the American
service. This being efectuaIiy done, the
British Government Can have no pretext Tor
the practice.-How shall IL be done ! BY re-
s,raints to be imposed by each nation ON the
naturalization Of the seamen Of the other ex-
cludng at the same time Ill others no, natur-
alized--or shall the right Of each nation 10
naturalize the seAmen of tie other be prohib-
tied and each excIudc from its service the na-
tives of the other Whatever the rule IS, IT
ought to be rcciprocal. If Great Britain is
allowed TO naturalize American seamen, the
United States ought to enjoy. the same privi-
lege. If il is demanded that the United
States shall exclude from their service all ma
tive British subjects, like exclusion of A
merican seamen from the British service
ought to be reciprocatcd. The mode also
should DO common TO bolh counties. Each
should be at liberty to give the same facilities,
or be bound TO impose the same restraints
tha, the other does. The President is willing
10 agree to eiihcr alternative, and 10 carry IL
into effect by the most eligible regulations
that can be devised.
If the A st alternative is adopted, the extent
OF the proposed exclusion will depend upon
the impedimeots Of naturalization, on the ef-
hcscy of,hc regulations to prcven, imposition,
aud the fidelity of their execution. The grea-
ter the difficulty IN acquiring the right OF citi-
zenship. the easier Will u be to avoid imposi-
tion, and the more complete the desired sx-
csusion. The law Of the last session OF Con-
gress relative to sesmeo proves how sincerely
tue lie ,islative as we'll as the Executive
branch of our government, is to adjust the
controversy on conditions which may be salts
factory to Great Britain :by that law !, is made
indis peusabie Tor every British subject VINO
may hereafter become ciiizen TO reside i've