The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-10-22

1
particularly suspicious.
, "A strong hope is, therefore, entertained,
that ful powers Will be given to the british
commissioners, to arrange all these grounds
of controversy in satisfactory manner. In
entering on this interesting part Of your duty,
the first object which N'ill claim your atteni-
ca Is, that OF blockade. The violation OK neu-
tral rights by illegal bockadcs. carried to an
enormous extent by Orders in Council, was a
principal cause of the war. These orders,
however, and with them the blockade OF
May 1906, and, as is understood, all other IL
legal blockades, have been repea.ed, 80 that,
that Cause of war has been removed. Ali
that IS now eHpectedis, THAI the British CIV
ernncnt will unite III mere precise dehniti-
of blockade, and in this no difficulty Is an
ticipated ; for having declared t..at no block
ade would be legal, which was not supported
by an adequate force, and that the ,biockadeS
which it might institute should be supported
by an adequate force, there appears 10 he,
according TO the just Interpretation of these
tsr'ns, no difference of opinion on the subject
The British government has recently, III
two formal acts, given definitions of blocknde
either of which would be Satisfactory. The
hrst is 70 be seen in communication from
Mr.. Merry to this Department bearing date
on the 18th OF April, 1904. The following are
the circumstances attending l.. Commodore
Hood, the commander of British squadron IN
the West Indies in 1903 having declared. the
Islands of Martinique and Gaudaloupe in
state OK blockade, without applying an adc-
quate force to maintain 1t, the Secretary of
State demonstrated against the iilegality of
the measure, which rcmonstranCe was laid
before the Lords Commissioners Of the Ad-
miraltv in England, who replied, that they
had sent orders not TO consider any blockade
OF those isllnds as existing unless in respect of
particular ports, which might be actually in
vested. and then no m vessels hound
TO srSh ports, unless they shall previously
have been warned not to enter them" The
second definitions to be found in a convention
between G. Britain and Russia in June, 1901,
4th sec. Sd art which declares, " that in or
der % determine W rat characteristics bloc
kadeo port, that denomination is given only
TO port where there is by the disposition Of
the power which attacks It, with ships staff
onary or sufficiently near, an evident danger
IN entering" The President is willing for YOU
70 adopt either of these definitions, but prefers
Shc first as more precise and discriminate &
when 1t is considered that it was made the
criterion by SO formal an act between the two
governments 1t cannot be presumed that the
British government Will object to the rene =
al it. Nothing Is more natural after the
differences which have taken place between
the two countries, on this and other subjects,
and the departure from this criterion bv g..
Britain. for reasons which are admitted hv
her no longer to exist, than that they should
on the restoration of a good understanding re
Cur 20 1t again. Such recurrence would be
the most satisfactory to the President, as it
would afford proof of disposition in the
British government, not simply to c mprcmse
difference, hut to re establish sincere friend
ship between the two nations.
An interference with our commerce be-
tween enemy's Colonies and their parent coun-
try was among the violations of cur neutral
T~ul,tc - a I,.rf
with France. 1t took place in 1905, did eX-
tensve injury and produced universal excite
ment. In securing us against repetitiun of
1t, you will attend to an article of the conyen-
ton between Russia and Great Britain enter
ed into on the day Of 1901, to the
18th article of the project Of a treaty with c..
Britain that was signed by Mr. Monroe and
Mr.. Pinkney on the 31st December, 1906, &
to the Instructions from this department re-
lating tothat article of the goth May, 1907
The capture by G. i. Of almost all the islands
OF her enemies, diminishes the Importance of
any regulation of this subject but as they
may be restored by treaty of peace, it me-
I1ts particular attention. 1t being understood,
however, that unless such a trade can be OBJ
tanned i'll proper extent, and without re-
lmquishment of the principle contended for by
the u. 3 1T will be best that the treaty be 81
lent ON the lsnbject.
A disposition has been shewn by the British
government to extend this principle so far as
to inhibit trade to neutrals even between
power at peace with G.. B. and her enemy, as
for example between China and France
The absurdity of this pretenton may prevent
its being hereafter advanced. twill not how
ever, be unworthy your attention.
By an order of the British government in
1903, British cruizcrs were authorised to take
neutral vessels laden with innocent articles,
ON their return from an enemy's port, on the
prcteRce that they had carried to such port
Contraband If war This order is directly re-
puenant to the law of nations, as the circum-
stance Of having contraband articleson board
bound to an enemy's port, is the only legal
ground Of seizure. The claim was relinquish-
dby the British government in the 9th arti-
Gle OF the project above rected you will en-
deaVour IN like manner 20 provide against it.
is the practice of British cruizers to COM
pcl the commanders of neutral vessels which
they meet az sea. either TO board them in per
son with their papers, or to send IT, cir papers
ON board ia their boats by an officer The
injustice and irTegularity of this procedure
need not be mentioned. You will endeavour
10 suppress it in the manner proposed in the
third article Of a project communicated to Mr.
Monroe at London in his instructions of the
sth OF January, 1904 You viii endeavour
likewise 10 restrict COufrabard NJ ,yar .e