Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-07-16

|insm.teiy connected with the subject
now under discussion While the
commerce Of the United States was
suaering under Tie sggressions Of theI
two most pow erful nations Of The world, |
the American Government, IN this
sense Of the word. menace6 them both.
IL passed law IN express terms, de-
ciarins TO them that unless they ceased|
their agyrcssions, America would hold
no intercourse with them; that their
ships should be seized II they ventured|
into American ports; that the produc-|
tions Of their soil or industry should bel
forfeited. Here was an undisguised|
measure, I'm clear unequivocal terms,
and Of course, according to the argu-
ment against which I contend. neither
France nor England could deliberate,
under its pressure, without dishonor.
Yet the Emperor Of France, certainly
an unexceptionablc judge Of What the
1dignity Of his country required, did ac-
oept the condition, did repeal the Bcr-
lin and Milan DEGREES. did not make
Iany complaints Of the act as threat,
Though ii called il an injury. Great
Britain. too. although at that time on
no friendly terms with the United
Estates, made no complaint that her
pride was offcnded-her Minister on
the spot even made a declaration that
the obnoxious orders were repealed.
IL Is true IL was disavowal, but the
disavowal was accompanied by no
objections To the law rs a threat.
Should the objection be TO the ma
tnre Of the remedy proposed, and
that the recommendation of repri-
sails Is the offensive part, it would be
easy TO show that II stands on the same
ground with any other remedy; that IL
is not hostile IN its nature, that it has
been resortcd to by France TO procure
redress frsm other powers, and by them
against her, without producing war;
but such an argument Is not necessary.
This Is not the case Of national mea-
sure, either of menace or action-it Is
recommendation only Of one branch
OF Government TO another; and France
has itself shown that proposal of Thu,
mature could not be noticed as an Of
Hence In the year ls0S the Senate oil
the United States annexed TO the bal
OF non-intercourse n section which moi
only advised, but actually authorized
the President TO issue letters Of marque
and reprisal against both France and
England, If the one did not repeal the
Berlin and Milan DEGREES, and the
other Gid not revoke the Orders in
Council. This clause was not acceded
10 by the Representatives, but il was
complete as the act OF the Senate; vet
neither France nor England complain
ed Of 1t as an indignity-both pow.
ers had Ministers on the spot, and the
dignity Of neither seems TO have been
1 offended.
IL the view | have now taken Of the
subject be correct, I have succeeded
IN conveying To his Majesty's Minis
tiers the conviction myself feel, tina,
no night exists in any foreign nation to
ask explanations of, or even 10 notice,
any communications between the diff.
ietent branches of our Government;
that to admit IL even in single in.
stance would be dangerous precedent
and derogatIon from national dignity;
and that m the present instance an ex-
PLANTATION that ought TO be satisfactory
has been voluntarily given; have then
demonstrated that any measure found
ed on such supposed right is OF only
inadmlSsible, but is totally unnec essary
and consequently, that his Majesty
Ministers may at once declare that pre-.
vious explanations given by the Minis.
ter OF the United States, and subSe.
quently approved by the President, had
satisfied them on the subject Of the
message.
The motives Of my Government dur
ing the whole course Of this controver-
Ssy, have been misunderstood or not
properly appreciated, and the question
8 daily changing its character. A ne
&gotia'ion, entered into for pecuniary
8comPeusation to- individuals, involved
mo positive obligation on their Govern
ment To- prosecute il TO extremiiies. A
Solemn treaty. ratified by the constitu-
StionSl organs Of the two powers, chang
led the private into public right. The
'ioveTnment acquired by it a perfect
night to insist on IFS stipulations. All
doubts as to their Justice seem now TO
have been removed; and every objec-
t'on to the payment OF a debt acknow-
iedged TO be just. will be severely scrn-
tiniked by the impartial world. What
character will be given 10 a refusal TO
4pay such a debt on the allegation
whether III OF well founded. of an Of
fence TO national honor, il does not be /.
come me TO say. The French alton
Is the last that would ever appreciate
national honor by any number Of mil
hons y could withhold, as a compcnsa-
hon for an injury offered TO il. The
nited States, commercial as they are
are the last that would settle such an
account. The proposition allude I'd
would be unworthy Of both, and id
Is sincerely TO be hoped that 1t will ne
yer be made.
To AVOID the possibility Of misappre-
hension, ] repeat. that this commun,ca.
'''on Is made with the single view oil