The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-04-01

But the declaration of war. having announced
the practice OF impressment, as a principal
Cause, peace could only be the result of an
express abandonment of the practice /; of a
suspension OF the practice, for the purposes
OF negotiation or of cessation of actual
suff9rance, in consequence of pacihcation
in Europe, which would deprive Great Bri-
tain of every motive for continuing the prac-
tice.
Hence, when early intimations were given.
from Halifax and from Canada, of a disposi-
ton, on the part OF the local authorities to
enter into an armistice, the power of those
authorities was SO doubtful, the objects of the
armistiCe were SO limited, and the immediate
advantages OF the measure were so entirely
Gil the side OF the enemy, that the Ameri-
can government could not, consistently with
its duty, embrace the propositions. (hl But
some hope of an amicable adjustment was in
spired, when a communication was received
from admiral Warren. in September, 1912,
stating that he was commanded by his go
vernment, to propose, on the one hand that
the government of the United States should,
instantly, recall their letters of marque and
reprisal against British ships, together with
all orders and Instructions for any acts OF
hostility whatever against tie territories of
his majesty. or the persons or property OF
his subjects ;" and to promise en- the other
hand, IT the American government acquies
ced IN the preceding proposition, that instruc-
tons should be issued to tue British squadrons
70 discontinue hosti,ities against the United
States and their citizens. This overture,
however. was subject to further qualifica-
ton, " that should the American government
accetle IT, the proposal for terminating host,-
l'tes, the British admiral was authorized to
arrange with the American government, as
to the revocation Oh the laws, which inter
dict the commerce and ships of war of Great
Britain nom the harbors and waters of the
United States I; but that in default of such
revocation within the reasonable period to be
agreed upon, the orders IN council would be
revived" ~ The American government
at once, expresseda disposition to embrace
the genera proposition fer Cessation of hos
tiiities, with view to negotiation: declared
that no peace could be durable, unless the
essentialphject IF impressment was adjusted
and gffered. as the basis Of the adjustment
toprohibit the employment Of British Subjects
IA the naval o. cea.::e;c;ii "a the u
States; but adhering to its determination
Ut obtaining relief from actual suilerance.
the suspension Of the practice ofmpressme:.t
pending the proposed ar1nistice, was deemed
a iiet essary consequence for " it could net
be presumed, while the parties were eneae-
ed n negotiation to adjust amicably this
important difference. that the United States
would admit the right, or ac1uiesce in the
pracoce, OF the opposite party or that g.
britam would be unwilling TO restrain her
rulers from practice, which would have
the strongest effect TO defeat the negocia-
son. ~ Sojust, so easonabe, so intllsDen-
saoi@, a preliminary, without which the citi-
Gems OF the y. States, navigating the high
seas, would not be placed by the afmistice
on an equal footing with the subjects of Great
Britain, admiral Warren was not authorized
to accept 3: the effort at an amicabie adjust
ment, through that channel, was necessarily
abortive.
But long before the overture of the British
admiral was made. Ga few days, indeed, at
ter the declaration OF wary the reluctance
with which the United States had resorted to
arrs, was manifested by the steps taken to
arrest the progress of fostilities, and to hastea
restoration of peace. On the 2et.1 Of June.
1912, the American charge d'afaires at Lon
dor, was instructed to make the proposal of
an armIstice to the British government, which
might lead 70 an adjustment of all differences.
on the single condition, in the event Of the
orders in Council bling repealed, that instruc
tons should be issued, suspen,'ing the prac-
tee OF impressmeut during the arnistice-
L his proposal was soon followed by another,
admitting, instead OF positive Instructions, an
intermal understanding between tue two 90
vernments OIL the subject. *, But both of
these proposals were unhappiiy rejected. (N
And when third, which seemed to leave no
plea for hesitation, as it required no other
preliminary, than that the American minister
at London, should find in the British govern
nlent, a sincere disposition to accom- nodate
the difference, relative TO improvement, on
fair conditions. was evaded, it was obvious,
| that neither a desire Of peace, nor spirit of
Cancellation, influenced the councils Of Great
| Britain.
Under these circumstances the American
| government had no choice, but to ii.yigorate
| the war and yet it has never lost sight OF
the object Of ALI just wars, a Just peace. The
emperor of Russia having offered his media
ton to accomplish that object, it was Instant
| ~ and cordially accepted by the American
| government (m) but it was peremptorily
| rejected by the british government The
emperor, i'll his beueyolence, repeated his in.
| vitaticn the British government az lin reject
| cd 1T. At last, however, Great Britain, sen.
| sible ofthe reproach, 10 which such cCnduc,
would expose her throughout Europe, ofFsr-
| ed to the American government direct ne.
| gociation for peace, and the offer was prompt
| ~ embraced ; with perfect confidence, thai
| the British government would be equally
| prompt in giving effect to its own proposal
| But such was not the design or the course o.
that government The American envoy,
were Immediately appointed, and arrived a
| Gottenburgh, the destined scene of neeocia.
tiop. on the 18th Of April, 1914, rs soon a.
Al.