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

TONS. n c0hcesstoH " thcm ""uiu OP1A-
ate to the disadvantage of every other pow
err They would all find, in the conduct of
Great Britain, an unequivocal determine
ton to destroy the rights of other flags, and
70 usurp the absolute dominion OF the
ocean. II is to be presumed that the Brit
ish government will find it neither for the
honor or interest of Great Britain to push
things to that extremity, but will have ac-
cepted this mediation, and have sent a
minister or ministers to st. Petersburg,
with full powers to adjust the controversy
on fair and just conditions.
Shoul improper impressions have been
taken of the probable consequences OF the
war. YOU will have ample means to remove
them. 1t is certain, that from its prosecu-
ton. Great Britain can promise to herself
n, advantage, while she exposes herself to
p-eat expenses, and to the danger of still
greater losses. The people of the United
States, accustomed to the indulgence OF a
long peace, reused by the causes and the
progress of the war, are rapidly acquiring
military habits, and becoming military
people Our knowledge in naval tactics
has increased, as has our maritime strength.
The gallantry and success OF our little navy,
have formed an epoch in naval history
the laurels which these brave men have
gained, not for themselves alone, but for
their country, from an enemy pre- eminent
in naval exploits for ages past, are among
the proudest boasts of their grateful and af>
fectionate fellow citizens. Our manu-
features have taken an astonishing growth
In short. in every circumstance in which
the war is felt, its pressure tends evidently
to unite our people, to draw oct our re-
sources, to invigorate our means, and to
make US more truly an independent nation,
and, as far as may be neces sary, great
maritime power.
If the British government accepts the
mediation of Russia. with sincere desire
to restore good intelligence between the
two countries, it may be presumed that
fair opportunity will be afforded for the ar
rangement of many other important inter
ests, with advantage to both parties. The
adjustment of the controversy relating to
impressnent only, though very important,
would leave much unfinished. Almost
everv neutral right has been violated, and
its violation persisted in to the moment
that war was declared. The president
sincerely desires, and it is doubtless for the
interest of Great Britain, to prevent the
like in future The interposition of the
en- oeror of Russia to promote an accom-
N odation of these differences, is deemed
particularly suspicious.
A strong hope is therefore entertained,
that full powers will be given to the British
com nissioners to arrange all these grounds
of controversy in a satisfactory manner
rt of
duty. tho first object which will claim your
attention, is that of blockade. The viola
ton of our neutral rights, by illegal block-
AIDES, carried to an enormous extent by
orders in. council, was principal cause of
the war. These orders, however, and with
them the blockade of May, 1906, and, as
is understood, all other illegal blockades,
have been repealed, so that cause ofwar
has been removed All that is now ex-
pected is that the British government will
unite in a more precise definition OF block
ale, and in this no difficulty is anticipated;
for. having declared that no blockade
would be legal which was not supported
by an adequate force, and that the block
AIDES which it might institute should be
supported by an adequate force, there ap-
pears to be, according to the just inter
probation of these terms, no difference of
opinion on the subject.
The British government has recently, in
two formal acts, given definitions of block
AIDE, either of which would be satisfactory.
The first is to be seen in communication
from Mr. Merry to this department, bear
ing date on the 18th of April, 1914. The
following are the circumstances attending
it, Commodore Hood, the commander of
a British squadron in the West Indies, in
1909, having declared the islands of Mar
Unique and Guadalupe in state of block
ade, without applying an adequate force to
maintain it, the Secretary of state remon
stratel against the Illegally ofthe measure,
which rem onstraRce was laid before the
lords commissioners of the admiralty in
England, who replied, that they had sent
orders not to consider any blockade of those
islands as existing. unless in respect of par