Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-10-27

il again. Such a recurrence would be ths
more satisfactory to the president. as !,
would afford proof Of disposition in the
British government, not simply to COM
promise difference, but to Te-establish
sincere friendship between the two ma.
tons.
An interference with our commerce be-
tween enemy colonies and their parent
country, was among the first violations Of
our neutral rights committed by Csreat
Britain in the present war with France
1t took place in 1905, did extensive injury.
and produced universal excitement. In
securing us against a repetition of it, YOU
will attend to an article of the convention
between Russia and Great Britain, entered
into on he--------day o.
1901; to the 18th article of the project of a
treaty with Great Britain that was signsa
by Mr. Monroe and Mr. Pin kney. or aa
3lst of December, 1906; and to the in
structions from this department reIatingio
that article, of the Goth May, 1907. The
capture BY Great Britain, of almost al, the
islands of her enemies diminishes the i'm
portance of any regulation of this subject;
but as they may be restored by treaty of
peace, it merits particular attention: Il
such a trade can be obtained in proper
extent, and without REIMBURSEMENT Of the
principle contended for by the United States.
it will be best that the treaty be silent on
the subject.
A disposition has been shown By the
British government TO extend this principle
so far as to inhibit trade to neutrals even
between power at peace with Great Bri-
tain and her enemy, as, for example; be-
tween China and France. The absurdity
of this pretension may prevent its being
hereafter advanced. It will not, however.
be unworthy of Jour attention.
By an order of the British government
in 1908, British cruisers were authorised to
take neutral vessels laden with innocent
articles, on their return from an eneiny's
port, on the pretence that they had carried
to such port contraband Of war. This order
is directly repugnant to the law of nations,
as the circumstance of having eontraband
articles on board bound to an enemy's port,
is the only legal ground Of seizure. The
claim was relinquished by the British
government in the 9th article of the project
above recited you will endeavor in like
manner to provide against it. 1t IS the
practice of British cruisers to compel the
commanders of neutral vessels which they
meet at sea, either to board them in person
with their papers, or to send their papers
on board in their own boats by an officer.
The injustice and irregularity of this pro
cedure need not be mentioned You will
endeavor to suppress it in the manner pro-
posed III the third article of a project COM
munieated to Mr. Monroe at London in his
instructions of the 5th January 1904. You
will endeavor likewise to restrict contra
band of war, as much as in your power; TO
the list contained In the 4tn article OF that
project
The pretension of Great Britain to in
terdict the passage of neutral vessels with
their cargoes from one port to another'pors
of an enemy, is illegal and very injurious to
the commerce of neutral powers. Still
more unjustifable is the attempt to interdict
their passage from port OF one independ-
ent nation to that of another, on the pre-
tence that they are both enemies. You
will endeavor to obtain, in both instances,
a security for the neutral right.
Upon the whole subj ect have to observe,
that your first duty will be to concludes
peace with Great Britain, and that you ars
authorised TO 90 IL, III Cdoc you foD'e'"
satisfactory stipulation against impressmeni'
one which shall secure, under our nag,
protection to the crew The manner IN
which it may be done has been already stat
ed, with the reciprocal stipulations which
you may enter into, to secure Great Britain
against the injury of which she complains.
Ii this encroachment of Great Britain is not
provided against, the United States have
appealed to arms in vain. If your efforts
to accomplish it should fail, all further ne
gotiations will cease, and you will return
home without delay. 1t is possible thar
some difficulty may occur, in arranging
this article respecting its duration. TO oo-
viate this the President is willing that II DO
limited to the present war in Europe
Resting, as the United States do. on the
solid ground Of right, it is not presumaoie