Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-11-03


Of the public law on this subject There is
much cause to presume, that if the repeal
of the orders in council had taken place in
time to have been known here before the
declaration of war, and had the effect of
preventing the declaration, not only that
no provision would have been obtained a.
gAinst impressment, but that under the
name Of blockade, the same extent of coast
would have been covered by proclamation
as had been covered BY the orders in council
fhe war, which these abuses and impress
ment contributed so much to produce,
might possibly prevent that consequence.
Bat il would be more satisfactory if not
more safe TO guard against it by formal
definition in the treaty 1t Il true, should
the British government violate again the
legitimate principles of blockade, in what
ever terms, or under whatever pretext it
might be done, the United States, would
have in their hands a correspondent resort !;
but principal object in making peace is to
prevent, by the justice and reciprocity
of the conditions, a recurrence again to
war, for the same cause, If the British
government sincerely wishes to make a
durable peace with the United States. it
can have no reasonable objection to Just
definition of blockade, especially as the
two governments have agreed in their cor
respondence, in all its essential features
The instructions of the 18th Of April, 1878,
have stated in what manner the president
is willing to arrange this difference.
On the other neutral rights enumerat-
ed in the former instructions. | shall re-
s,,a al only No. tba &c,
manner to evince spiris of accommoda-
ton; that the arrangement proposed in
each instance is just in itself; that it cor.
responds with the general spirit of treaties
between commercial powers, and that
Great Britain has sanctioned it in many
treaties, and gone beyond it in some,
On the claim TO indemnity for spolia-
tions, have only to refer you to what was
said in the former instructions have to
add, that should treaty be formed, it il
just in itself, and would have happy eff
feet on the future relations of the two
countries, if indemnity should be stipulated
on each side, Cor the Destruction of all an-
fortified towns, and other private property.
contrary to the laws and nsages of war
Ii is equally proper that the negroes taken
from the southern states, should be return.
ed to their owners, or paid for at their full
value. 1t is known that shameful traffic
has been carried on in the West Indies.
by the sale of these persons there, by those
who protested to be their deliverers Of
this fact, the proof which has reached this
department shall be furnished you Ifthese
slaves are considered as noncombatants,
they ought to be restored if, as property,
they ought to be paid for The treaty of
peace contains an article, which recog-
Misses this principle.
In the view which l have taken of the
conditions on which you are to insist, in
the proposed negotiations, you will find,
on a comparison ofthem with those stated
in the former instructions, that there is no
material difference between them, the two
last mentioned claims to indemnity except
ed, which have originated since the date of
those instructions The principal object Of
this review has been to show, that the
sentiments of the president, are the same
in every instance, and that the reasons for
maintaining them have become more
evident and strong since The date of those
instructions. &
In accepting the overture of the British
government TO treat independently OF the
Russian mediation, the United States have
acted on principles which governed them
in every transaction relating to peace since
the war Had the British government &C.
cepted the Russian mediation, the United
States would have treated for themselves,
independently of any other power. and had
Great Britain met them on just conditions,
peace would have been the immediate re-
suit Had she refused to accede to such
conditions, and attempted to dictate others,
a knowledge of the views of other powers
on those points might have been useful to
the United States In agreeing to treat
directly with Great Britain, not only is no
concession contemplated, on any point in
controversy, but the same desire is cher
ished to preserve good understanding
with Russia, and the other Baltic powers,
as ifthe negotiation had taken place, IN
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