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

TO the Senate and House OF
Representatives. of the U. States,
now transmit to Congress copies of the
instructions to the Plenipotentiaries of the
United States, charged with negotiating
,oeacc with Great Britain. as referred 70 in
-.y message of the 10Th instant
JAMES MADISON.
Washington, October Is, 1914.
INSTRUCTIONS, &c.
Mr. Monroe to the plenipotentiaries of the United
States for treating of peace with Great Bratain,
dated,
Department Of State ApriJ Is, 1878.
GENTLEMEN,
had the honor, on the - ult. to receive
from Mr. ADAMS two letters, one bearing
date the S0th September, and the other on
the 18th October last, communicating the
overture Of the emperor of Russia, to pro-
mote pence by his friendly mediation be-
tween the u. States and 6. Britain. On
the day following, Mr.. Daschof, the Rus
sian minister, made similar communica-
lion to this department. The subject has
in consequences, been duly considered : and
have now to make known to you the re-
suit
The president has not hesitated to ac-
cept the mediation of Russia, and he in
dulgeg strong hope that it will produce
the desired effect. 1t is not known that G.
Britain has aeceded to the proposition, but
it is presumed that she viii not decline it,
The president thought it improper to post
pone his decision until he should hear of
that of the British government. Sincerely
DESTROYS OF peace, he has been willing to
avail himself of every opportunity which
might tend to promote it on just and hon
orabie conditions, and in accepting this
overture ha has been particularly gratifed
To evince, by the manner of it, the dstin-
Guished consideration which the u States
entertain for the emperor Alexander
Should the British government accept the
mediation, the negotiation to which it leads
will be held at ST Petersburg. The presi-
dent commits it to you, for which a com
mission is enclosed, and he has appointed
Mr.. Harris secretary of the mission.
The impressment of our seamen, and H.
legal bgockades, as exemplitied more par
tcularly in the orders in council were the
principal causes Of the war. Had not G.
Britain persevered obstinately in the viola
ton Of these important rights, the war
would not have been declared 1t will cease
as soon as these rights are respected. The
proposition made by Mr. Russell to the
British government Immediately after the
war, and the answer given by this depart
1nent to admiral Warren's letter since, show
the ground on which the II. States were will
ling to adjust the controversy relative to
impressment.
This has been further evinced by re.
port of the committee of foreign relations
OF the house of Representatives, and an act
Of congress passed in consequence of that
report BY these documents you will see
that to accommodate this important diffe-
renee, the u States are disposed to exclude
British sea1nen altogether from the Ameri-
ean service. This being effectually done,
The British government can have no pretext
for the practice. How shall it be done ?
Bv restraints to be imposed by each nation
on the naturalization of the seamen of the
other, excluding at the same time all others
not naturalized-Or shall the right of each
nation to naturalize the seamen of the other
be prohibited, and each exclude from its
service the natives of the other? Whatever
the rule is it ought to be reciprocal If G..
Britain is allowed to naturalize American
seamen, the United States should enjoy the
same privilege. fit is demanded that the
United States shall exclude from their SER
vice all native British subjects, like eAclu-
sion of American citizens from British SER
vice ought TO be reciprocated. The mode
also should be common to both countries.
Each should be at liberty to give the same
facilities, or be bound to impose the same
restraints that the other does. The presi-
dent is willing to agree to either alterna-
tive, and to carry it into effect by the most
eligible regulations that can be devised.
1.-THE first alternative is adopted, the ex-
tent of the proposed exclusion will depend
on the impediments to naturalization, on