Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-08-15

answer made to their claims, baye adopted
the painful resolution which have commu-
nicared. My intention, gentlemen, Is MOTTO
attempt to frighten you. but must say that
should the government think fit TO apply a
suitable remedy 10 such state of things, it
might result in serious evils and difficult to
repair. II is however but justice to say that
il in this circumstance, some reproaches
NAV be attached to the French adminstra-
ton, the responsibility which may result
from its false Measures. ought 10 weigh also
ON number of respectable persons who
who in expressing to government their cpl
MONS, have not felt wiling to be impressed
with the idea, that If few unenlightened
merchants wish for monopoly, the general
interest Of trade requires liberty and espe-
cially that government! and nations demand
now, land will sitlImore insist upon it in iu-
ture that the first condition OF the mutual
exchange of commodities between them be
founded on the equality and reciprocity OF
the arrangements they may think fl to a.
dept; and in order to prove how much rea-
son and sound ideas continue to prevail over
the prejudices which till now have govern
ed the commercial world, will mention the
motion made not long since in parliament
by the chief of one OF the first houses in Eng
land, Mr.. Barring. respecting the SO much
boosted Of prohbitory system OF that coun-
try.
The minister OF the navy was telling US
lust now. that in order to be strong, we
ought TO have navy. Yes. no doubt we
ought to be strong, but we ought also TO be
Just and we should feel persuasion, that
IN the negotiation alluded to. government
viii not lose sight of this maxim. and will
attempt every means compatible with our
political rank, of establishing our COM
mercial relations with people. which go
many recolleCtions and interests make 1t a
murs of appreciation on the left.)
The Minister OF Foreign Relations .-lwill
not attempt here 10 establish discussion on
the principles and on the facts just now stat
ed. This question would be so important,
that before acting upon it, more certain and
positive documents than those hitherto OBJ
tanned, should be required. Twill not even
venture positive opinion on the question
now raised, aud will merely stale, that some
time since negotiations had been commenc-
ed between the Americans and France !; my
predecessor has caused them to be commu-
njcated to the French Chamber Of Com
merce. The council Of manufactures and
commerce has been assembled but its deli
herations have given no additional facilities
for the progress of these negotiations. Co
vernment, anxious to leave nothing untred,
has consulted all the chambers of commerce
of France an answer from all of them has
not yet been received +; but the opinion of
those which have reached government, are
different. However it may be, such ques-
ton is not of a nature TO be discussed in this
house, and no person has a right to say that
in this occurrence such or such measure
ought to be pursued.
Mr.. de Vittele, in opposition to Dir. CAST
mer Perier, said that the chamber had no
right to scrutinize or to blame any act or
relation ofgovernment with foreign govern
ments, and although there might be some
thing true in the report, he could not believe
that the Am lean government had taken SO
hasty step, hut contended, that should this
be the fact, The French government ought to
pursue retaliatory system, the result OF
which would shew which of the two nations
would be most affected by cessation of in
tel course.
Mr.. Casimcr Perer rose, and after few
remarks in reply to the minister OF foreign
affairs, said, that he had not, as was intima
ted, condemned government in an absolute
manner, since he had declared that the re-
sponsibiIity of the evils which the present
state of the relations between France and
the United States ought to weigh, in great
measure, on those persons who had been
consulted he said this subject was not TO-
reign to the chamber, and that his observa-
tons were founded on his duty and his con-
rights.
The Minister of foreign affairs commended,