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

uS1It.9 EOH, OCt. 4StH, 1O4'F'
Or. Monroe, Secretorv of State, 10 tic Pleni-
fotentiaYicS Qfthe United States, FIR frea-
ting Of Peace zoith G.. Britain, dated
Department OF State, April 18th, 1914.
GENTLEMEN-Ih had the honor the
ult to receive from Mr.. Adams two letters
one bearing date on the Sotl September, and
the other On the 18th October last commu-
nic2ting the overture OF the Emperor OF Rus
STA t. promote peace by his Friendly mediation
between the u States and G. Britain. On the
dew following. Mr.. Daschkcff, the Russian
Minister, IL ,ic IA similar communication to this
department. The subject has, in consequence,
been duly considered, and have nov to make
known to you the result
The President has not hestated to accept
the mediation of Russia, and he INDUCES u
strong nope that ii viii produce the desired
effect it is not known that Great Britain has
acceded to the proposition, but it is presumed
that she will not decline it. The President
thought it improper to postpone his decision,
until ne should hear ~ tilat Of the British 60
vernment. Sincerely DESTROYS of peace, he
has Be willing T, avail himself of every OPP
portunity which mig tend to promote 1t, on
Just and honorable conLieioas, and IL accept
ing this overture he has been particularly gra-
titled tn cviuCe, by the manner of it, tie dis
tinguished consideration which the u States
entertain for the Emperor Alexander. Should
the negotiation to which it leads viii be held
at St. Petersburg. The President COMMITS it
10 YOU, for which commission is enclosed,
and he has appointed Mr.. Harris Secretary of
the mission.
The imprcssment OF our scanen and Illegal
blockades, as e2<emplihed more particularly
IN the orders IN council, were the principal
causes of the var Had not Great Britain
persevered obStinatcly in the violation 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 i'm
Inediately after the war, an8the answer given
oy this department to Admiral Warren's let
Ter Since, shew the ground ON which the L. S.
were wiling to adjust the controversy relative
60 irapressnc1t.
tbs h, ils,r further cyinced by report
of the committee Of Foreign Relations OF the
House o. Representatives, and an act of Con-
EreSS passed il % sequence of that report.
BY these documents YOU viii see that TO &C
commodate this important difference, the u.
States are disposed Co exclude British seamen
altogether frog, the American service. This
being e'isctualFy done, TIC British government
can have re- prctext for the practice. How
shall it he doae-? by restraints to be imposed
by each nGtiOn on the naturalization OF the
Seamen of the other, c2;CludiEg at the same
time all others not natVral1ed--Or snail the
richt of each nation to naturalize the seamen
otF,he other be prohibited, and each exclude
from its service the natives OF the other -
Whatever the rule is, it ought 20 be rccipro-
cal IF Great Britain is allowed TO natural
1zc American scamen, the United States
should enjoy the SINE privilege. u it is de-
manded that the United States shah exclude
from their service all native British subjects,
q like exclusion of American citizens from
the British service ought 20 be reCprocated.
The mode also should be common to both
countries. Each should be al liberty to give
the same facilities, or be bound to impose the
same restraints that the other does. The Pre-
sldent is willing 20 agree to either alternative
and to carry it into effect by the most eligible
regulations that Can be devised.
If the first alternative is adopted, toe extent
of the proposed exclusion will depend on the
inpedimcnts 30 naturalization, on the efficacy
o. che regulations 70 prevent imposition, and
the fidelity of their execution. The greater
the difficulty in acquiring the right Of citizen
ship the ,ier viii it be to avoid imposition,
and the more complete the desired exclusion.
The law of the last session of Congress rea-
tive to seamen proves how sincerely DESTROYS
the Legislative as well as Executive branch
of orr government, is to adjust this controvcr-
~ on conditions which may he satisfactory to
G.. Britain. Bv that law it is made indispen-
sable for every British subject who may here
after become a citizen, to reside five wears
without intermission Within the United States,
and so many guards are imposed to prevent
frauds, that it seems to be impossible that they
should be euded No British aubJect can be
employed in public CT private ship Of the L.
States, unless he produces to the Commander
in one instance, and & the collector in the o.
ther, certified copy OF the act by which he
became naturazcd. a list Of the crew, in
the case Of a private ship, must be taken, GER
tiled and recorded by the collector, and the
Consuis or commercial agents Of Great Britain
may object 80 any seamen, and attend the in
vestigation. The commander of public ship
receiving person not duly qualified shall for
felt a thousand dollars, and the commander
or owner of private ship, knowing thereof
five hundred dollars, 20 be recovered in an
action Of debt one half TO the informcr and
one half to the u. States. IL is also made pc
nal, punishable as a felony by imprisonment
and labor from three to FIVE years. or by fine
from five hundred 20 one thousand dollars, for
any person to forge or counterfeit, or to pass
eruse any forged or counterfeitcd certificate
Of citizenship on to sell on dispose Of one.
Il may fairly be presumed that if this law
= ould be carried into effect, il would exclude
all British scanicn from our service.
ny requiring FIVE years continued residence