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Full text of "An Address of members of the House of representatives of the Congress of the United States, to their constituents"

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AN 



n„„£g« 



OF 



Manners of the House of Representatives 



OF THE 



CONGRESS OF THE UNrPED STATES, 



TO THEIK 



CONSTITUENTS, 



ON THE SUBJECT 



OP Tiir 



WAR WITH GEEAT BRITAIN. 



ALEX.iNDUIA : 

PRivtzD Br S. SJiO}VD£J\r. 
......1812 



ADDRESS. 

A Republic has for its basis the cnpr.cily amj rig;ht of the 

app,-o.imalu,,..owad Y*"^^. 

^' Mcotions, such as these, have been forec<l «pon the atten- 
tio on cu^^^^^ Men^bcsofth. House ot Represent 

tati^vel of the UuUed States, by the events o the I>«ese^t ses- 
sion of Congress. They have witnessed a pr.nciide, adoptc. 
"sthc 1-v oftheno.se: by whi.h, unde. ''7-- Jf ^i^^ .'i 
of ihe previous question, a power i^* assumed b; ihe MajoiH 
toden-lheprivilesieofspceeh, at any stage, and under an^ 
ch-eumstances of del^ate! And recently, by an unpvecede,. 
td assumption, the right to give reasons ^o^^ -» «"5?"^^ 
motion, has been made, to depend upon the md of the ma 

'''pSieiplet more hostile than these to the existenee of i-e 
presenlative liheity, eannot easily be l^''^^''^'^^.^''^^! 
however on these accounts, wei.^htyas they are, t.int tne un 
dersl,.ied have undertaken this address. A subject ol h.gl 
er and luovo immediate importance impels them to the prt 

'*T!ie momentous question of war, with Great Britain, is di 
eidod. Oothi. tonic, so vital to your i-^terests, the right i 
public debate, in the face of the world and c-speon^^lb < 
their eon.tiuients, hns been denied to your represent at m 
They have been called into secret session, on this most 1 
terestingofall yonr public relations, although the cireumsta 
cesoftlietime *aad of the nation, afTordcd no cue reason 1 



8^er*<«y, unless it be found in the appreliension of the efTect 
of public debate, on public opinion ; oi* of public opinion oa 
the result of the vote. 

Exoeptthe rupgsaare of the PresUIent of the Uniferl Ptateg, 
whfeh i^now befbre the pu!)lie, ntithinf; eonfidentia! \v;ts coin' 
municated. That mcssajje eontalned no faet, not previously, 
known. No one reason for wap was intimattd, but sueli as 
w-asof a nature public and nolorioMs. The intention to w;>p;ei 
war and invade Canada, had been lojiq since openly avowed. 
The ohjret of hostile menace had been octentariously an- 
nounced. The inadequacy of boih our arn»y and navy, for 
successful invasion, and the -ttsuflieirncy of the foitiruations 
forthc security of oup seaboard were, everywhere, known. 
Yet the doors of Coui^ress were shut upon the people. They 
have been carefully kept in ij^norance ofthc progress ofmea- 
Bures, until the purposes of administration were eoMsuinmat- 
ed, and the fate o^'the country scaled. In a situation so ex- 
traordinary, the nndersigned fiave deemed it their duty bv no 
act of theirs to sanction a proceedini^. so novel and arbilrar\-. 
On tlie contrary, they nrade every altcni;.>t, iij their power, to 
attain publicity for their proceed ina^s. All such attempts were 
vain. "When this mouicntous subject was stated, as for de- 
bate ; they demanded that (he doors f-lioi:U! be opened. 

This l)eiiii; refused, they declined discussion ; bei-\£^ per- 
fectly convinced, from indications, too plain to be misunder- 
stood, that, in the liouse, all arj^ument, with closed doors, was 
hopeless ; and that any act, .qivintij implied validity to so fla- 
j;rant an abuse of powei', would be little less than trcaclicry 
to the essential rights of a fice people. In tl-e situation, to 
whioh the. uiuler»ij:;ned have thus l)cen reduced, they arc com- 
pelled, reluctantly to lesort to this public declaration of such 
\iews of »he state an<l relations of the country, as determined 
their juii.qiment and vote upon the question of war. A mea- 
sure of this Kind has appeared to tlie undcrsT;'):ncd|^o be more 
imperiously demanded, by the circumstance of a mess:j_^e and 
manifr^lo bcin;>; pre[)are!i, and circulated at {lublic expei'ce, 
in whir'h tlie causes for war- were enumerated and the r:oMvo3 
for it concentrated, in a manner suited to as^itale and iulliu'nce 
the public mind. lu exccuthig this task, it will be the study 
oi' the undersigned to reconcile the ^reat duty, they owe to tlio 
pc«iplc, with that eonstitutioual respect, which is due to tho 
adn«inistvatiir§ of pa'>':e concerns. 

In cojuiiicnfiMg this virw of our r.ffairR, the, undersicjned 

would fail in duty themselves, did t'sey reTrain fro'n reeur- 

V'Mf; ((> the. ourse, in relation to public measutos, which (hey 

• I'^ittidiiuU liave uaUevialingly pursued from thti noiuinencc- 



rnent of thh long and eventful session ; in which they dellhrf- 
ruteiy sacrilicecl every minor eonsiileration to, what tlicy 
dePTTied, the host interests of the country. 

For u sueeession of years the iintlrrsijjfnpd liave from 
prineiide disapproved, a scries of restricfions upon eom- 
ineree, aceordiua; to their estimation, inefficient as re- 
spected foreif^n nations and injiirituis, cliieny. to ourselves. 
Success, in tJie ?ystem, had beeonie identiijcd \vi«!i the pride, 
tl>e character, and (litf hope of our ealjiaet. As is natural 
wi'h men, who have a great stake dependin;^ on the sueressof 
a favoeJte theory, pertinacity seemed to increase as its hope- 
lessness became apparent. As the inediciency of this system 
could not he admitted, by its advocates, without ensuring it* 
ahandonment, ill success was, carefully attributed to tha 
influenec of opposition. 

To tliis cause the people were tnu,a;ht to charge its sucecs- 
sive failures and not to its intrinsic irnbeeility. In this state 
of things the undersigned deemed it proper, to take away ail 
r.palo^y for adlierenee to tliis oppressive system. They wer© 
desirous, at a period i^o critical in public aftuirs, iis i'a.v ks was 
consistent witli tlie independance of opiniou, to eonti ibute to 
t!te restoration of hr.riuony in the public eouueils, and con- 
cord among thft people. And if any ttdvantage eculd lie thu3 
obtained in our foreign relations, the lindcrsigned, l>e!ng en- 
gaged, in no purpose of persona! or party advancement, woald 
rejoice, in such an occurrence. 

Tfie course of public measures also, at the opening of the 
SfSJ^ion, gavp hope that an enlarged and enl lightened systeui of 
^cfence, with provision, for or security of ojjr maritime rights, 
wasabout to be coDimenced. A purpose, wliieh, wherevcrfiuind, 
they deemed it their duty to foster, by giving, to any systt-in 
of measures, tlius comprehensive, as unobstructed a couri? as 
was consistent with their general sense of [lublic duty. AHor a 
cou'.'^e of polir-y* tl.'us liberal and conciMatcry. it was cnuse of 
regret tliat a cominutjication should have been ]}uiehascd !\v ar% 
unprecedented expenditure of secret service money :and u?e(!, 
by the chief magistrate, to dissemirujte suspicion and jeaiousy ; 
und to excite resentment, among tlj* cilizens, by su<:;gestitir^ 
imput.itious agai;:.u II portion of them, as unmerit^'d by their 
patriotism, as unv/;irranted by e^itknce- 

It has always been the opinion of the undersigned, tlmt a 
Fvstcm of peace was rhe policy, v.hich most eonipojtcd with 
the character, condition, and interest of (he Unit eJ Statc:^. 
That tlicir renwteness fromihe theatre of contest, in Europe, 
Mas their peculiar felicity and that nothing but a necessity, ;;h- 
solutely imperious ?Uculd iuduoe them to enter as parties iuto 



wars, in wliich evpry considcrtition of virtue and pollrr seems 
to het'orejotten, umK-r thcoverlK'aring sway of rapncify andtim- 
Mlion. There is a new era in litinran aflairs. The European 
world is convulsed. The advantages of ouroWH j^itiirill'*n arc 
peojiliar. *' >^ by* quit our own to stand up»n foreic;n j^rcund ? 
"Why, by inferweavincj our de-tiny with that of any part of 
Euiopc, entangle our peace and pro-jprrily iu the toils of Euro- 
pean ambition, rivalship, interest, humour, or capriee?" 

In addition to the man^ n.oial and prudential considerations, 
wliicb should deter thoughtful men from hasteninj^ into the 
perils of stub a war, there were some peculiar to the United 
States, resulting from the texture of tiie government and the 
political relations of the peoj)le. A form of j^overnment, 
in Jio small degree experimental, composed of powerful and 
independent po\ereignties associated in relations, some of 
which are erifical. as weil as novel, shoulil not be hastily 
precipitated into situations, calculated to put to trial, tho 
Strength of the moral bond, by which tlipy are united. Of all 
states, that of war, is most likely to call into activity the pas- 
sions, which are hostile and dangerous to suc!i i>- ftrm of go- 
vernment. Time is yet important to our countiy toseltleand 
m-otuie its recent insfiiutions. Above t'.ll, it appeared to the un- 
dersigned from signs not to be mistaken, that if we entered up- 
► on litis war. we diil it as a divided people : not only from a sense 
of il;e in:iv]< quacy of our means to success, but from mo- 
ral and political objections of great weight and very general 
influence. 

It appears to the undersigned, (Isat the wrongs, of w liij-h the 
■fnittd Siatcs lia>e to complain, allhougb iu some aspects, vc^ 
rygrie\ous to our interests, and, in many, humiliating to our 
pride, were yet of a nature, which^ iutlie present slate if€ 
tlie world, either vouhl not Justify war, or which war would 
rot remedy. Thus, for instance, tho ho\ering of liriti>h ves- 
sels upon our coasts, and the occasional iiisuhs to our ports, 
iniperiously d( nrandcd such a systematic ajplieallcn of barber 
a.nd sea-const defence, as would repel such aggressions, Imt, 
ill no iight, can they be considered as nr.ikinga resort to war, 
at the projicnt time, on the pai t of the United States, either 
reccssary, or expedient. So also, with respect to the Indian 
V ar, of tlic origin of which. l»ut very iuiperreet infornia- 
lion has rs yet been given to ihe pubHe. Vnthout any ex- 
press «ct of Congress, an expedition was, last }car, set on 
foot and prosecuted into Indian territory. wbi( h had been re- 
linijuishf d by treaty, on the part of the U. SUUcs. And now 

• Wi^s'ij'-T it'.on. 



we are tolil ahout the a^cney of BiKish trailers, as toTTndtna 
hostilities. It deserves consideration, whether there has been 
sueh provident attention, as would have heen proper to i-Muove 
any cause of eoniplaint, either real or imaginary, ^vhiih the 
Indians inia;ht alledi^e, and to secure their friendi^iiip. Vvifh 
all the syinpathy and anxiety excited by the state ofthat fron- 
tier; important as it may be, to a:)i>ly adequate means of pro- 
tection, as-^inst tbc Indians, how is its safety ensured by a de- 
claration of war, which adds the British to the number of 
enemiea ? 

As •' a decent respect to the opinions of mankind'* has not 
rndueeil the two houses of ('ongress to concur in declaring the 
reasons, or motives, for their enacting a declaration oi war, 
the undersigned and the public are left to searejj, elsewhere, 
for causes either real, or ostensible. Tf we are to considigr (he 
Preslde-.it of the United States, and the committee of the 
house orReprcs;<-ntativcs, on foreign relation?, as speaking 0:1 
tliis solemn occasion, for Congress, the United Htates hare 
throe principal topics of complaint ag:iinst G rent- Britain. Im- 
pressments ; — blockades ; — and orders in council. 

Concerning tho subj;.*ct of imprcssraenis. the undersigned 
M'mpathize with our unrortunate seamen, tlic viciinis of this 
abuse of power, and participate in the national sensUiility, on 
their account. They do not conceal from themselves, both its 
importance and its difiieulty ; and ihey are well aware how 
stubborn is the will and how blind the vision of powerful nr.- 
ticns, when great interests grow intV) controversy. 

lint, before a resort to war for such interests, a moral nr.tioa 
vill consider what is just, and a wise nation what is expedient. 
If the exercise of any right to the full extent of its abitrrKt 
nature, be inconsiistent with the safety of another nation, 
morality seems to require that, in practice, its exercise should, 
in this respect, be modified. If it be proposed to vindicate 
any right by war, wisdimi demands that it should be of a na- 
ture, by war to be obtained. The interests* connected with 
the subjects af impressments are unquestionably great to 
both nations. And in the full extent of abstract right as as- 
serted 1*3 each, per!ia[!3 irreconcilable. 

The governnunt of the Cnited States asserts that the broad 
principle that the flag of (heir merchant vessels slial! protect 
the u.ariners. This privilege is claimed, although every per- 
son on l.earJ. except th.e (Captain, may be an alien. 

The British government asseitsthat tlie allegiance of their 
subjects is inalienable, in time of war, and that their seamen, 
fiiund on (he seij, the common highway of nations, shall r.ot 
be [>rolt oted, by kiie flag of |)rivatc mcpchant vessels. 



8 

T'lo wnflrr'.'.'i^nctl deem it unnecessan- I;ere (o <^iscnss <!jc 
^lusfion of the American claiin, for tl:p iminunhv of lin-ir 
11:»j;. But (hey cannot refrain from vievins^ it as aprineipic, of 
n nature \' ry hroj.d and conjpreliensive : tu theuhnse of whi^};, 
the lenjMi.itioni iM-e s(ron|j; ;ind )innieroii^. And Iheydo rnain- 
tain fli;!t, liefore (he ealansiiles of vur, in vindication of i-rch 
n pj indole he inciirred, all tlie means of ncgo{;iation shoiiitl be 
e>fiauss1ed. a.ui\ tliat aUo c\cyy i)rae(ic:<ble a(tenipt should he 
in;de (o rc!;uhtte the exercise of the light; so that the ac- 
I;r>*>\vled;^ed injury. rcsiiKinq; (o other nations, slionld he check- 
ed, if not prevented. Tlify ate clearly of opinion that the 
pta<eof this happy and risij!_:.'^cri)iniunity should not he aban- 
doned, ffir ilicMii.e of afr(»r<{int; facilities to cover French pro- 
jjertv ; oi- (d enj:>h>y Ur-itish seamen. 

TUc claim of Great Britaia to (he services of ber seamen is 
relthcr novel, nor pecnlior. Tlie d«:c(rine of aJlc^iance, fur 
M'hich she eonfoiKls is common to all the governments of Eu» 
rope. I'raate, ;:s avcII as I'lnjjjland, has niaiutained it for cen- 
turies. }ioth nations claim, in time o-f war, the services of 
their sabjects. liolh hy decrees forhid tliem entering into fo- 
j'oij^n employ, Botli recall them hy j-'roclamation. 

I^oman can douh( thai, in the present state of the Treneh 
marine, if American m<'rchant vessels vere met at sea, havint* 
French seamen on hoard (hat France woiiid take ihem. Will 
any mun htdieve (hi-.t, (he United States would go to \var agaiust 
France, cs ihis ticcount ? 

['"orvei-y idivious reasons, tiiis piinciple occasions little col- 
lision uith Fr-.iUct , or \>ilhany other nation, except Fngland. 
"V^ith the Knj;lish nation, (he people of the United States 
cse closely assimilated, in hiood, languap;e, in(ereoiir5ie, hHhi(S; 
drrss. inani.crs and chaiac(er. "\> lien Jjritain is a( v.ar and 
<he UnKed S(a(cs neutral, the merchant service ofthe 1 nirrd 
S,(a(es, lioids out (o British scanicn, (rn)p(ations ;thtnst iiicsia. 
tahle ; — high wsiges and peaceful cnip'oy. instead of low wa- 
pes and war-service; — safety, in lieu of hazard ^»— entire in- 
dependence, in the phu e of qualificil servitude. 

That Fngland whose siiuv.tion is insular, who is engaged in 
a war, apparently foj* existence, whose seamen archer bul- 
wark, should loo!; upon (IiccliVct of our principle upon her 
safety, with jealousy. isiiicvi(ahle ; anti (hat she will no( ha- 
zard (he pi:^c{ical consequent es cf its unreguhitcd exercise, is 
certain. 'Jhe question, therc(i.re, prescntrd, direcdy, for (ho 
decision of (he (houghtful and virtuous mind, in (his eoun(ry, 
is — whether w:ir, for such an ahstract right he justifiable, be- 
f< re a((emj»ciiig (0 guaid jigainst its injurious tendency by le- 
gislative regulation, in failure of ircaly. 



A dubioiia r'l^hi sliould be atlvanecd with liesilation. An ex- 
ti'cme I'if^ht sslinuld be asyi'rlcd \\ith diseretion. f.I )ral duly 
I'equii'cs, that a niitiou, heloie it uppc.ils to ann«^. should have 
been, not only true to itself, but that it should have lailed, in 
ijo duty to others. Ifihe cxeiv;ise pfa i ij^'ht, in an uni-egulaleU 
manner, be in pHTect, a standing invitation to the suhjeita of a 
foreign power to become deserters and traitors, is it no injury 
to that power ? 

Certainly, moral ohlisiation demands that the ri,2;ht of flag, 
like all other human ri-Iifs should he so used, as that, while 
it protet'ts what is our own, it should n-it injure what is ano- 
tlicrs. In a practical view, and so long as the nght of tiagi* 
restrained, by no re«;ard te the undeniable interests of olliers, 
a war on aeeount of impressments, is only a war for the right 
of employing Uiilish seamen, on board Amerioan merchant 
vessels. 

The claim of Great Britain pretends to no farther extent, 
than to take iintish seamen Irom private merchant vessels. la 
the exercise of this claim, her officers take American seamen, 
a-'id foreign seamen, in the American service; and althongU 
she disclaims such abuses, and proffers redress, when known, 
yet wuloubtedly grievous injuries have resulted to the seamen 
of the United' States. Rut the ^juestion is, caa war be pro- 
per for such cause, before all hope of reasonable aoeommoda* 
tion has failed ? Even after the exting-uishment of such hope, 
can it be proper, until our own pi-actice be so regulated as to 
remove, in such foreign nation, any reasonable apprehension 
of injury ? 

'i'ije umlersigned are clearly of opinion that the eonploynient 
of Britisli seamen, in the merchants service of the United 
States, is as little reconcilable with the permanent, astia^pre- 
se.it iiitert (it of the United States. The enoouragemeut of fo- 
reign seamen is the discoui-agement of the native Arnci ican. 
V The duty of government toward* this valuable class of men 
is not only to protect, but to patronize them. And this can- 
not be done n»ore eftectually tlian by securing, to American 
citi'^ens the privileges of American navigation. 

Tiie question of impressment, like every other question re- 
lative to commerce has been treated, in such a manucr, that 
what was possessed, is lost without obtaining what was sought. 
Pretensions, right iu theory, ami important in interest, urged, 
without duo eonsidei-ation of oiu" relative power, have eventu- 
:itcd in a pi-actical abandonment, both of what we hoped and 
■what we enjoyed. In attempting to spread our lUjg over i'o= 



10 



roic'ncrs, itsilistiiicfire cliarackn* has been lost to'ourown ci- 

Tin* Ainorioan <!oaTnnn, wliose interesf it is to liiivo t^n 
»M(;»r»pii<orH, in his <Mii'»loymiMtt, is sai'iinced lliat Biilish 
seanu':i may li.ivc oqiial |»iiviU'j;08 Mitli Iniuself. 

Kvpp since Ihv Urjilfd S(a(es have \>"t"\ a niWion. l]i:s fub- 
icot !ias hcp»\ a ir.adpp of ro!)»|>laint itni\ n •pirutiHn : anil c- 
^ .Mv Innnrr ai!iMini?!traJion liavo hca^f-il it, ;i<.coi(ii!i.j; !o its 
«)')\ioiis natiiro. n-; a s«i!tj<'ct im' Iki* Pur ana-R";<'tM(*:»t lh;in !or 
v,ir. ]t rxisk'd in (lii? Iv.up of WH-<hir)C!;'.«n. yi*t ibis fafber 
of bis co'.inlry leconinK'n'lc:! no sach irsort. It existed 
ia llic fine of Adnns.. vrt, lofwiihstanjiinf; the -zna!, -ia 
S'l'tMiirt of<)i:r maj-illiue rij;!i<s, Avliii'li (Us(ir>r;»isbt«i hU nd- 
j'.ii ;i«ifrali »n, war' was never s(ig;ji;t^>itei'. by him. as Hie rc- 
T!ii<ly. I>:iei'rjr the ei;^h* years Mr. JeflTei'ton stooil at the 
lu'lm of aft'iirs, i( s'ill eoiitiuJHMl n suljeet o!* eonlr'ivcrsy and 
iie;4jo;ii!!i:>n : !»mI it \vn< never made a cause fur war. It vas 
i"eserv<»d lor the prejiont administrati:*'! to press lliis toi>ie to 
t!«e esteeme and most di-eadTiil ifsort ofnatums: alfhon^h 
Ensj;!aiid has offiei.illy disavowed t!:e ri;^!jf of inipeessnient, ifs 
il re9;»eet!i native eiiizens. and an ai-rar'ti^'inerit i»i!?;Ii( wcW be 
ma'e. euusisteat with the fair pictenbioiis oi' sticli as arc mUu- 
ra-i^ed. 

'rba< the real state ortliis qncption may be nndepstco:?. tiia 
tjr.'lersi-'ned rceuv to the fo.Mowin^r I'aets as suj^poefeil hy of- 
fKJ d docMjmenci. >Ir. Kin^;. vhen mbilstev in En-^jbrnd. oh- 
tr.i'U'da disavowal nf l^'e Ui i.Iilj i|,!»vern:nerit of ihe ri}>ht to 
im;>i'e«;.s »• Ain'iicjiii seasn! n," n:i(urali7«d ;.3 veil ns naliAe, 
on file ln.j;b ?.e.)3. A'\ aj:»T> ;*eineat iiad a]v;inced. nrarly to 
a e ncliision, n.)tn t'us !).is»s, nrj! wa* beolien ofi* r-. ;-,. '• -. 
cause (liv.it Britain insisted to retain the ri.!;!;t orr • 
ro'.v s"M3." What, however, was (be opinion of th. : ;<;i- 
enn miuistei'. on llie probability of an arran'^cnient, appears 
frorri t!»P pnblie d<u iimenis. eo:n JiUfiieated (o eon.q;eess. in tbo' 
session of 1S05. :;s slated hy Me. Madison, in these v.f»vds,- 
" at the ntoiaeaf the arii-des were ex,ieeted to be si;,nrd, 
•* «n exeepMon of" t!i? narrow seas'* was ne^ed and i!isi«vi,- 
»» ed on by Lord St, Vin«'»'Uf!j, and l>ein;^ iitrerly inadmissibis 
•• oji our part.th:* nCj-joeiaSlin was abandoned.'* 

]\J»'. Rin;» seeiiis to b«' of n;»iiiir>n. Ijowever, " that, wifb 
<» inoeeli'uo tin i was left him utv tlieexpei-iment. the o!)jee- 
" tioT mi;;hthave J)een oveeeojsi!'." What time was b-fj Mr. 
jviii^ i')r the ex »ei*i iieaf, oi* w!iether any was ever ma<!e has 
not he«?n diseb>sed in t!ie jmblie. Mi*. Kinjj. soon after re- 
turned to America : iL is inanifeat from Mr. Kinij's expres- 



11 

sicn diat li(*Avns limKod in jvH'nl of tirnf. nnd i( is oim illv oIpjvt 
thiit {lis ojiini.-Mi wv-.a tlint in •.;(!jus(ni(Mi( «" m!<I iwkv j,1ace. 
'J'h-.it Mr. iM:nlis<)ii whjj also «>f (he sann' o;»ini()n is (lc!;!;.»!»*ilrsit- 
e<l, l)y Ijis li'cioirt to MessTri. lUo'iroe anl Pinktu\v. <lat«H! llio 
S.i of Ke-'iMi.'.ry, ISCr. in xvliich he uhi-s Ihrsc cxpiTHsi(.iiR. 
•• i (r.kc it for i^ranled (hnl yoti W.isvt not fuilcd to r,ir*!:o due 
<• use of {lie arrangoineni oorMoHt'd by .Mr. Kins^Miili I^oid 
<« ^^:^^vksb•Jry, in (lie yrar ISaJ. for srJlIiaj^ llu* r-'.ii"<lio!i of 
*» itiiprc^smi'iit. 0/t f/ai/ nccfi:>iou r.'i.'f T/infc/' f/,'r.'f aibii'inishU' 
<• lion the BriU:>h yriiU-ijiJc -cf/f.v //(ir/j/ rn.o/?7M(7l iv fix'or of 
•• ti,crh,rhlofourflMi:,jA;id ih.ri'kalnfni harlng ogiecd \o 
" "prohlhil iinpressnienis nn the liitah -vars." and Lord 8t. Vin- 
«• cents reqi'.li'ioa; riotliini:; more (lian ancxrc| ticu » f (lie nar- 
*• row sens, wn exvejjiion rrstioxoi Jhe olmolrle cis.iiii of G. 
<« Iliilain to sanjc peevtiiar doiiiiniin over <he>ii.'' Here then 
ue have a full aelvnowlodgiaej;! that G. liritai:) v/as wiliini^ 
tarenouDei^tlie right of iinpressriK'nt, on tlie hi.^;h st m?, in fa- 
Yoi-ofour Ihi;^ ; — that she was anxious to arran-^r (Le su!v)r{ t. 
It furt!»er ap[}ears that the lirilisli niioistry Called 
for an intcrvie^v v>ilh Messrs Monrue and PinUney, on 
this topic ; tiiat they stated -the nature (rt* (he clitiio, (JtC 
Kind's prerogative: that thry i,ad toasultcd (he ei'o\Mi of- 
ficers and tlie board of admiralty, who r.i: concurred in sen(i- 
luent, tiiat nnder the cireunistancrs of tlie nation. tiiC lelin- 
qt'.isiimeot of (he ri.^lit was a r.icasiire, ^viiieh ih^ j^overn- 
inent ooald notado;>(. without tnkin;;^ on it^jelf a responsibili- 
ty, wlii'-h no juinistiy wou'd be vsiiiin;^ to meet, howevei' 
pressini; tije e::i-eney mij^ht b?. They olfe red, however, on 
the part of Great Brltr.in, to p»S5 ]aws nr-iUin;; it penal Ar 
Briiii-li etiijimandors to impress Arwcrican citizen*, on board 
of AiuericT:!i vessels, on tlie hij;;h seas, if America would pass 
a law, making it penal for the oiiicers of (he United States to 
grant ceriifieates of eiti/ensliip (o l^ritl^Ii subjects, 'j'bis will 
be found, in the same dtjeuments, in a Ie(ter from ]\Iessrs. 
Monroe and l*iiiki«ey to3fr. Madison, dated ilth Xovniilier, 
i'iOG. Under (heir pcreiisptovy iufirnetion:^, this pr</posi(ion, 
on (he part of Great Rrltain, eonld not be acceded (o l»y gup 
jnini<ii(ors. Sneli, however, was tlie tenijier and nnxifty of 
Eni:;land, and such the eanilor and p;ood sense of our miijiiters, 
tb.at on lionorahie (ind adtuiuJa^aicons avrimgewent did take 
•place. TI;e autlsoriiy of Mr. Monroe, then Minister at the 
eo::r( of Great Britain, nuw So.-retary of State, and one of 
the present aduiinisdation, who hnve recommended war with 
En^iand, and assigned iajprcssments as a cause, supports the 
i5i:dcrs)g!icd in assertioi^, iLut it was honorable and advauia- 



12 

f^cous : for in a l«»<<er from Riolimond dated (lie 2S(h of Fe- 
bruary, 1S08, tfjJVlr. Madigwi, (he folloAVin:; rxprcstji;):^ nre 
used by Mr. Monroe, *' I have on (he central y ahv;u s hrliev- 
" ed and still do bt'lieve that the }>roBnd on which (ha( inler- 
•* est (iinpiessnient) was placed hy the paper of (he Hritiiih 
*' Commissioners of 8th S'ovcniher, ISOO, and the exphma- 
" tion which accompanied if, -vns both honorabJe and adran- 
<* tagenusto the Uniled Stnlc.'^, (Iiat it condiiiiod a conces?ion 
" in their favor on the part of Clreat BritHin. on (be ejreat 
** principle in contestation, never fjefore iiiade by a formal 
« ami oblii^atory act of their governmeut, which was liighly 
«< favoralile to their interest." 

\Vi(h the opinion of Mr. King so decidedly expressed, with 
tlie oiTicfal admission of Mr. Madison, with the explicit de- 
claration of Mr. Monroe, all concurring that Great Bri(aiu 
vas ready, to abandon impressment on the high sea", and with 
an honorable ami advantageous arrangement, actually made 
by Mr. Monroe, how can tt be pretended, that all hojie of set- 
tlement, by treaty, has failed ; how can this suhjevt furnish a 
proper pause of war? 

Vitji resq;cct to the sn])ject of blockades ; t\ie. prineipje of (he 
law of natioiis, asaspei'led by the U. States, is, that a block- 
ade can only bcJustiSed when suppoi'ted by an ade(piate force. 
In theory this principle is admitted by (Jreat Britain. It is 
allctlged, however, that in praclkc, she disregards that prin- 
ciple. 

The order of bloekadc, which lias been Bip.dc a specific 
ground of complaint, by France, is that of the t<5th of May 
1S06. Yet, strange as it may seem,, thisoidi-r, which is, now, 
made one ground of war between the two countiies was. at t'je 
time of its first issuing, viewed as an act of favor and concilia- 
tion. On this subject it is necessary to be explicit. I'hc vagno 
and indeterminate manner, in which, the American and French 
governments, in their official papers, speak of (liis order of 
blockade, is calculated to mislead. An importance is at- 
tached to it, of which, in the opinion of the undersigned, it 
is not worthy. Let the facts speak for themselves. 

In Aug. ISOi, the British established a blockade at the en- 
trance of the French port p. naming them, from Fecamp to Os- 
tend; and from (hoir proximity (o the British coasts, and the ab- 
sence of ftll coni})lalnt, we may be j)en;iittcd to believe, that it 
was a legal blockade, enforced aoeoiding to the usages of na- 
tions. On thelGih of May, ISOfi, the Fnglisli Secretary of 
State, ]\li'. Fox HotiOed. to our ^Minister, at London, that his 
gpvernmenl had thought fit to direct necessary measures to be 



13 

taken for the l)lopkn«^o of the coasts, rivers anrl ports, from the 
river l^Mw to the river Ilicst. Unth imlusive.* 

Jn point ()rr;i('(, as t!io lerins us*sl i:i the oiiif^r, will s]io\r 
tliis |)ai)er, wliich has boi-onio, a siihslanlivi-: and avowed 
cause for non-intercourse, emhargo ami war, U a hhn'ka'le, 
only oTthr places, on the Fi-ench coast, from Ostrnd to the 
Seine, ami even as (o Ihi'sc i( is, niiTcly, as it j)roreases loho» 
aeontinuance of a Coriner and existintyhlix k;uh'. J"\)i-wifh re- 
spect to the residue of tlie coast, tv.ide oi" iieiidMls is admit- 
ted, with tlic exec|)lTon only, ofeneniy'** propei ty and ai-ti.le» 
contrahand of war, wliieh aie liahle tohe taken, wilhoutahlo* k- 
ade ; ami except the direct colonial trade of the enemy, wiii. h 
Great IJritain denied to be free hy the law of nations. Why 
the order was tijus extended, in its form, while in effect it ad- 
ded milhinj^ tooi'ders and ref^ulations, already exisiin;^, will ha 
known hy adverting;" to papers, which arc hefoie tVe world. Iti 
JSOd, France, had yet colonies and ti>e vvoun*! "nflictcd on our 
feelinj^s, hy l!ie interference of t!ie Biitisli ii;ovcrnnient iu onr 
trade, witli those colonics, had been tlie cause of i-emonstrance 
and nej>oLialion. At the moment when t!ie order of May IROG, 
was made, Mr. >ronroe, thepresent Secret:iry of State, then 
our r.iinisterplenipoieatiary at the Court of (ir:^at I'ritain, was 
in treaty on the suhjeut of the carryini^ trade, and jiidi^iu^ on 
the spot, and at the time, he, unhcsiiatingiy, f^j^ive hisopiniou, 
that the order was made to favor American views and inter- 
ests. This idea is unequivocally expresscji, in Mr. Monrt;c's 
letters to Mr. Matlison of the ITlh, and iiOthf of May, and of 
the 9th of June, 1806. 

•TIic terms of the order are these, " That t!ie said coa&t, rivers 
" and ports must l)e considered as bl.ckaded," but, '' iliat such block- 
*' adc sball not extend to prevent neutral ships and vessels, laden 
«' with goods, not heiiig the piuperty of !us majesty's enemies, and 
" not being contraband of war lVon\ apprnacini.g; llic said coastii and 
" entering info and sniling from the said rivers nnd ports save and 
«' c.rce/it the coast, rivers ?.n(.\ ports from Ottend to the river Seine, 
«' already in a st..tc of strict ami rigorous blockade ; and w hich are to 
" be considered as so continued," with a proviso tliat the vessels 
«' cntcrinLj had not been laden at a port belonginij to, or in pns- 
" session of, the enemies of Great Biitain, and the vessels deparlin*^ 
«• were not destined to an enemy pon,or had previously broken block- 
<'ade." 

t The followin?^ arc extracts from these letters. In that of the 
1 7th, May 1806; he thus speaks of that blockade. It is " cou.ched 
*' in terms of restraint and professes to extend the blockade further 
*' tban was, heretofore done, 7ifverfhflr.fs it toke^ it from many ficrts, 
^^ already J blockudedy indeed, from all East of Ostejd, and West of 



Andaal:»to ^'s Oc'tn!>rr. ISIJ, tl-.ps.iinr Ocntli-mnn. v rifini* 
as Secretary oT SfiJe to the ij:ih.li nii(ii>.for, sDPakinj.; «»!' t!ic 
same oivicr of Ijlochr^d.' o!' ^Jiiy, 1806, jtjvs. "if slri((!y \v;is 
*• linlc moretljaB-.i ijloc'Kwdi* oTlliP const iVom Seine toOiifrnil.'* 
*< The Oi>je<'t was to affDul to the Uniti'd States an attoiu- 
** noilatlori respeeling thi* colonic' trade." 

It appears, then, that tl-h oi\:e:% \va«, in point of fact, 
jjiadc to favor our trai5e nrul \v:is so uaJet stood and adiuiited 
by the govcrnim'ut of t!iis C!:iirj(ry, ni that tiuio foid si.iec : 
th-dt, JDsteud oreitendiui; piiii" hloeka^les it K*s*ened t!:;>m ; 
that the coautry from Sei';? (s lircst, and from Ostend io 
£11)0 was inserted to open them to our coloniiil trads and {'or 
ouraeeomHirMiati;):), and l!i<i< il was never made the siiMject 
of comphiiot, hy tiie America!i government, duiin;* its praeli- 
<?al continirin'jc : - tljatis, not until tlte fa'st order in poumcII ; 
and indeed not until after the Isl ofxM^y tSlO ; ; r»d until af- 
ter tlis Airieriran :;'»ve:'!i:ieni v»as unitized of the ji^rojif^d, 
vhich it w;ijt!:o v»:;I uTFr^i^cc :^!t::::!.! he taken upon tlic sub- 
ject.. 

Of (his we h.iv . . .. »*;- ■ -.> ^ . . ; ...iT, In the. olTers, made 
under the adnjinisJration of Mr. Jtiferson, for tiiedis.eon?inn- 
anee of the Kiiihargo as it related to Great i»rilain ; none cf 
whieh rcfjuired the repeal of Jl;e hloekade of !May ISCU j and 
t^!sointhe arran,::jrn)eni nyade durinj; the administration of Mi*. 
X^lndison, an<l rnU-!- his eye wit'.i ?»Ir. ErsUine. The nun-in- 
tereouise aet ofMareh lfi09. and the act »* foneerniif;;' conj- 
*' mereial iniercoMrsti" of May ISIO, vest the Pre^ide^t of 
tJieUnifed States \vit!i the verysauie [>ower, in tht- v<'ry same 
terms. ]?o(!i nt'.(Ito!i-<e hi;a "incase, eitlier G\eai Uritaln or 
^' France sliall so revoke or ineiliiy her e<Iicts, as that t!iey 
« shall cease to vi«!«to the neutral eomnarce oftljc United 
*' States'' to declare flic sap.je hy proclamation. And In the 
provisions of one law ia tuoh c.i&e, non-intercourse was to 

" the Seine, except in aiticlcR couti'ab.'.nd of .war and enemies pro- 
•■ p< rty, whicii are Sv ,. (jl(jcic«de. And in like lonn yf 

'= cxrcpticn, roiisicU ny a» one puiver, it admits llie 

' trade of m (itrals, v. iiiau v..: .-.....>-• lim'ts, to be tVec in the jn-oduc- 
■ lions of enemies colonics, in < vc:y. bw ihi direct roiiic between 
'Mhe colony ari.l t'.ie parent ct>iiitiy." -Mr. Monroe acMs, ''It can- 
" not bedoubtcfl tlwit the note vv:,s virawri by the Korcraneiil, in rc- 
" fcrence to tiu- qcs'tion, atid il' iu'-i'iKicd as the fonnd.ni )n of ^ uea- 
•< (y must be viewed in a Tavor. blc lii,'bl." On the 'ioili oi" M»iy, Mr. 
>!onroc, vriios to Mr. Mti'Ii^on. tint tie b.itl l)ceii " strrni^lhcucd in 
'the opinion l!;nt ihc order of ibe i6tb was tlta^n wub a view to 
:lie qucbl'.on of our trade witii eneiiiies coloities, ami ibat it piuiai* 
'cs to Lc h'.-!.!',' ijillir.cift'v to vui c^r.i...'viciiil i.iteicols." 



oonse ; hr tTio.=ie of 1^0 o«':-<'lt \vn-. (n lio rpvivrd. In conss- 
nuc!irc orpowtT vestrt!, i.y tljc llrsl jk 1. \\\e arrauL^enicnt \vi(!i 
Kr^.;ine was iniidc and the r<*vor'5Ui(»:i cfJlio Cfiilors in council 
of'Jnmiarv and ^^nviMJiher 1807, wa.s<'Ojisi<!^Tod asa full coiii- 
plinnce wiili (he l:nv and fis riMJioviiif; all tlic and Drutral 
edii'ts. TIu' f)!o(kad(' «;f .M;iy 1S0(>, v,;isr.()t Jiuliidi'd in Ihc 
arraii.2,f int'!i(, ai;<l il (Iik-s not :ii)j>t'Ui'. llr.it it '.vus di-eint-d of 
S!'.!&!L'ii'Uf i»!>i)()i Jani't* to cMii-ujxt' tM'n a tlioiii^l-il. Yet under 
tr.e art ot May, 1810, vliieli vests tie very same p«»v>er, a 
leroeatimi of this l>Ioek.u!e of May, ISOG, is Miude hy our 
cabitiet » sine fjunvnn ; an indisper.sjhlo re(j(iisii:' ! Anii now, 
afJertiie Kritisli lainistei* lias direclly avowed iiiut tliiti order 
of ble,i'kade wouhl noJ ooMiuue. iStcv a revorati' n of the or- 
ders ineoiiseil, will.oai a due aj'i>ii(:i«ion of an adequate iuree, 
^he exUleiieeof this bloekside, is insi^tnl !I[k>;i. asa jiislifiahle 
eauseofvvar, nolwithstaiidioi^. that our ^cvernment adtiiitg a 
h!oekade is le.';al, to llic r.^i.ialcnaiuc (u' wliieli an adequate 
forec is aj);>lied. 

The i!n(ierNiji,'?ed arc avr-rc*. that, in -iisiiriearutn cf this new 
,^ro;jnd, i% is now s.iid that the exie.'jsion on p;'.[:yi'f i'oi- what- 
ever ])U!'i)osi' i.'lendod, favrTs l!je prineirdc of^fuiper bJocl;- 
ades. 'J'his hftwevvr, can hardiy be ni'i:e<l, si?5ta the liiitish,"* 
r.rinally, disavow tlte |iri!ui|de ,• and siaee they aeknov Icd^^e, 
tie \er\ <h>ctnne of the law oi' iiatroiis, for whi^h the Ame- 
rican admifiislra.tion contend, l.ieiicefurlh, tJi*.\ c?;istecte of a 
block.adci beronir sa queiiiJion of fad: it must de}t( nd nj'-o!! tl.a 
evidence adduced, ia siiMpoil cf the adequacy of ihcbIock;.r:- 
ja.c loreo. 

i'ro'Ti the prerodin,^ statcmpnt ii is appp.rcn}, tliat vviiutc- 

vor there is objectionable, in Ihc principle of the or.d?r of 

?>;ayl80'3. or in t'l,? practice under it, on giound mciely A- 

;ierifcan, it. cannot be set up as a snllicient cau-t? of w«r ; for 

Mitil Franec, poiateil i: out, as a cause of co:itjwvcr«y, it wus 

* Mr.Fosler in iris Iclier <.f tLc 3;] July 1811, to a.Iv. Tvionroe tlius 
tt&tcs the (Irctrine, nii«ii tyir.'jd l:y iiii t^overnir.ent. 

" Great Biitran hr.s never a'tt.niptc(l lo t'isj.ule that, )!i 'he «rdl- 
" nary coii"sc cf the I.-.m- of iictions, no hlock.^ilc can lie jiiSJiGub'e or 
•' vajiclj'unlfss it be suppMUci by an " adcqiijto U vrz cichiii.cd in 
" maintain il nnd to c::posc lo hazard ali \co6( !^ ..-U r-.T;tvi .,* 10 c- 
*' varic it.i opcriition. 

" Mr- Foster in his letter to y,v. Monor <J '. , ' ili J '■.. ISP, 
" als-v-says The blockade of May 1306, will not continue aficr the 
«' lepcal r)f the orders in council uaicss his M:<]t;sty's t^overnm'. f.t 
" shuil think 6t lo sustain it by ihe speci.il ap-Jicaiiou Of a suifi- 
" cseiit naval force, and the fuel of ils btint^ so conliauv;' • ■■ : ' r, 
" will be noiiiisd at the liaic." 



i6 

so far from hf in.'^re^ardfd, as a source ofany new, or iriieroiis 
coinjjlaint, that ii was actually considered, by our-goveininuut, 
in a fuvoi-.dde liulit. 

The Briii>h Orch rs in Couiicil are flic rcpininin.!^ source of 
cliiscontciit. ;ind}svov*cd cause ol »ar. 'I'iicse, liavc. lurcloroic, 
licen < tdi'i'MiC'cd, hy oiir i^ovrrniiicnt iii coniicxion villi the 
Ficncli dc<Tccs. Certainly, ttieBiilish Orders in Council and 
French dccr<-cs. locni a system subversive of neutral ri;Jits 
and conslifutej i^t .grounds ofconiplaiut. >et, vicMcd, relative- 
ly to (he. conditi(»:i of those |)owers towaiils each other, and 
of (lie United i?tatL8 towards boih, the nndcisii^ned cannot 
j)ctsuade jIicidscIvcs that the Ord»Ms in Comui!, us tlicy uaw 
exist and villi their |, resent effect and oju-ration, Justiiy the 
gclcciion of Givat Britain as owv eneuiy; and rciidtr necessary 
a declaration of unqiialiticd var. 

Every consiucvaliiiii of moral duty, and ijolilical expedi- 
ence, seems to concur in vaniiui; the United iSlates, not to 
mingle in tl. is iujieless, and, lohuniancye* inteiniinable Eu- 
ropean contest. iNciilerEiance, nor Ens;laud, prc-leuds that 
their ;;j.:yressions can !)e defended, on thegr«»und of any other 
bt-lliai-rcntri^ht, than that of particular necessity. 

Both littcM'.pl to justifA their encroachments, on the j^cncral 
lav of nations, by the pica of retaliation. In the relative po- 
sition, and 1 rojMjrtion of strength of the United States, to 
cither helligciei.t, there appeared little probability, that ve 
eoni<i compel the one, or the other, b,> hosiilc operations, to 
abandon this plea. • 

And as the field of commcitial enterprise, after allov-int; 
to the decrees and orders, their full practical effect, is still 
rich ami exiensive, there seemed, as little visdom as obliga- 
tion to jield, solid and certain realities, for unatlaituible pre- 
t^nsions. 'J'he right of retaliation, as existing, in either belli- 
gerent, it Avus impossible, for (he United Stales, consistent 
vith either iisduty, or interest, to admit. Yet such vas the 
state of (hedetrees, and orders of the respective belligerents, 
in relation to the rights of neutials, that, vbilc, on the ona 
liaml. It f<;rmed. no juslificatign to either, so on the other, 
concurrent rlrcnnistances. formed a ccnipletc justiliciition to 
the United States, in maintaining, not viihstanding these en- 
croachments. proA i«ledi( best comjjorted with their interests, that 
^ystcnl of im[taitial neuti-ality. vbich is so dc/irable to their 
peace and prosperity. Eor if it should be Hdmiltcd, vhieU 
no course of argunfent win maintain, that the Berlia 
dfecrce, vliicb was issued on the '21s( of ?\ovember, ISOfi, 
vas justiiied, by the antecedent orders of the British admi- 
raiiy, r«specar»g tUe auluuial ti'udtt, uud bj the oidei* of bloet- 



17 

arte or the 16th of May, pwceiling:. yot, on this account, f])erft 
resulted no riglM of letaliation to Fiiinee, as it icBpccfrd the 
United States. Tbey liad expressed no noquiesrence either 
in Hie British inferferenoe with the eolouial trade, or in any 
extension ot* the principles of blockade. Besides, had there 
been any ^ueli nej;leet, on tlie part ol* the Tniled Slates, as 
trariunted the French emperor in adoptiuj; l»is principle of 
relviliution. yet in the exercise of that pretended right, he 
past the hounds of both puhlic law and decency; and. in the 
>ery exiravaa^ance of that exercise, lost the a<!vantage of 
V hatcver cwlour the Kritish had flfforded to his pretences. 
Not content with adoptin.^ a principle of retaliation, in terms 
limited, and approj)riate. to the injury of which he com- 
plained, he declared. " all the British lilands, in a state of 
<• blockade ; prohibited all eomraerce and correspondence with 
« them, alltrade in thtfir manufacture-! ; and made lawful prize 
«< of all merchaiKliz^, telonginj^ to Knj^land, or coming from 
** its mauuiactories, and colonics." 'J'he violence of these 
encroachments Avas equalled only by tlie insidiousness of the 
terms, and manner, in which they were promulgated. Tlie 
scope of the expressions of the Berlin decree, w a* so .general 
that it embraced within its sphere, the whole commerce of 
neutrals with England. Yet Decres, Minister of the Ma- 
rine of France, by a formal note, of the 34th December, 1S06, 
assured our minister Plenipotentiary, that the imperial decree^ 
of the 5tlst November, 1806, "Toa-s not to it^'fct our com- 
«< mcrcf* xvliich icniild still be governed by the rults of the tvea' 
*' tij* estatliahed hdiceen the tioo counlries." Notwith- 
standing this assurance, however, on the 18th September fol- 
lowi;^. Reguier Grand Minister of justice, declared <* f/jaC 
•• the inlentiuiis of the Emperor rcere that, by virtue of that 
■*' decree, French anned vessels, mi^ht seize in neutral vessels, 
*' either English pr^iperttf. or merchandise jtroceedin^ from the 
*» English manufuctories ; and that he had reserved, for fu- 
« lure decision the question 7chelher they might not poxsess 
<* themsdveg of nentval vessels going to, or from England, al- 
«« though Iheij hud no English inanufactitres on hoard." Pre- 
tensions, so obviously, exceeding any measure of retaliation 
that, if the precedent acl«, oftlie British governnjcnt, had 
afforded to such a resort, any colour of right., it was lost 
in the \iolence, and extravagance of these assumed princi- 
ples. 

To the Berlin decree* succeeded the British orders in conn^ 

fil, of the 7tb of .Tunuary, 1807, which were mcrgod in the 

orders of the 11th of November following. Thes'.' tie. 'a red 

- «♦ all ports, and places belonging to France, and il^ nllie*. 



« fromwliirh flic T^ritlsli fla-^ wns cxcludeil, all. in llie onlo- 
** lonicR of !iis Britannic nv.ijfsly's cneinjr^, in a state of block- 
»' adr; — prohibiting all (]-;i(!(*, in t!ic produce and mituunic- 
« fni'i"*, of (lu^ said countfii'? or colonics: and tnakini; all vessels, 
*< tradinj^to or (Voin (hem, and all mercliaiy.]i?c, on board sub- 
*' jectto capture and condoinnalion, Nvilb an excepiion, only 
** in favour of the direct trade, between neutral countries and 
«» the colonies of hi?; ujajeslics eneiuics." 

Those extri»va;2;'.H>t protcubions. on t!ic part of Great Bri. 
tain, >vcrc, imincii'tclv succeeded by otiuM-s, still more ex- 
trava,2:an>. on the part of France. "NVithoiit \vai{in2:for any 
Ixuowlcd^'c of tl;c course, the American government wouUI 
liike, in iclalion to the Brilish oi'ders in council, the French 
Kniporor issued, on the 17ih of December following, hislMilani 
decree, bywiiicli *< every shir» of vimtcver nation, which shall 
*« have subr.iitlcd to search, !iy an I^^nglish ship, oj- to a voy- 
«< age to England, oc paid any tax to that government, are dc- 
*♦ flared ilen(ifioiiuli~c(L and hnvful piize. 

♦♦ The British Inlands are declarcil in a state of blockade, 
*^ bv^eu and land, and everj'shijiof whatever nation, orwhat- 
« soever the tiatnce of i's cargo maybe, thiit sails from Kng- 
« land, or (hose of tlie J^nglish cohmies, or of coimtries oceu- 
** pied by English t loops, ;jnd pioccoding to Fn^;land. or to 
*« the Jinglisii colonies, orto countries occu'iicdby theFnglish, 
♦« to be good prize.*' The nature and extent of the*e injuries 
fhus aecuninlnted by mutual efforts of both belligerents, seem- 
ed to teach the American statesman this important lesson ; 
not tonffach ihee-.uiscof his country to one, or the other: hut 
by *ys<c;natie und solid provisions, for sea-coast and nniritl ne 
til fcn.-c. to place its in<ecests, us fiir as its situation, und 
resources permit, beyoud the reach of the rapaciry. or amhi- 
tioa ol'any Europeau i)i>wei-. Ila;»py would it have been for 
our country, if a course of policy, so simple and obvious, had 
been adojilcd ! 

Uiifortunntely administration bad recourse to a system, com- 
plicated in its nature, ami dcslrur 'ive in i's effrcts ; whicli iu- 
stciid of relief, from the aecuniuiated injuries of fireign go- 
vernments served only to fill u ), what was wanting ii> t!ie mea- 
sure of evils abroad, l»y ai'lificial einbamssments at home. 
As long ago, as the year ITOi-; Mr. Madison, (he present Pre- 
sident of tlic United Ststes, then a member of the House of 
Representatives, devised and proposed a system ofcoinmercial 
rcst-.i( ti'»ns. which h;id for its olfject the coei'cion of Grcat- 
Jirilain, by a denial to her of our products and our market; 
as-sc'ting tint the former Mas. in a manner essential to her 
prosperity, cither as necessaries of life, or as raw materials 



^9 

fi)r'her ipaniifactiirps ; aiiJ?, that v i(ho ut flie loflop, a ,{»reat 
proporlion o!' licrhilfouHii;^ classos, couldoiof siilisist. 

lij tliut dciy ot* Siifre uiid vii-tuous fuiTlii(iiig!it, <li«i pTopoid- 
(ion was rt*jt'('to(l. It remained, IkowcviT, a (lienie ol' pmi o.h- 
ii>g pntM'^.yrie aiuooj;' un active class <jj\\im'iifiiu polili i:.Ms, 
w!»o Willi a »:yHtiMiialic iwrlijiaeifj iticiilcated amon^' tl»e imo- 
ple, llia< <'ouiJucri ial resd iciions weio a s;;('«'ies oP warTiire, 
\v>uh vvoiijil cnsari' siiocess to l^c I'liittd Stittcsi, and huiiiiiiu- 
li to Circat )'i]-W:iiu. 

'i'Lere ver«' (u<» ciroiinistanrcg. inltcrrntin this systom of <•(>.- 
eicir.!;;' Gi'cal iJri(;«iu I>y {'oinmcrcia! pc.efvieiions, vl.itb oup^ht 
to havt? made practical politkiitns, very doiditiul ot'ils irsult, 
and very cautious oC its trial, These woee the state oTopi. 
iii.in ia lelntioji (o its cilleaey amonjx eoimneecial men, in t!;e 
T'nited Staler : and th** state of Itciia.i;;. uhicli a resoi-l («> it 
V uiil<! u»)avoid;d)Ly pi oduce. in Ueeat Britain. On the one hand, 
it was Kodeninhie that tiie threat body of couiiuei'cial men, in 
the Uuited States, hud no be'iefin sneii adependanceol' Gi'eat 
Bi'ifaiii, upon ihe United Spates, either for onr produce, or 
one market, as the system implied. 

Without the hearty eo-operation of tljis class of men. suc- 
cess in its attempt was oTiviously ima.ttainable. And as (»n 
then* (he chief sutreriug would fall, it was aJtogether unreu- 
bonablc to expect that they worild become oo.ojjcratin^ in^tru- 
mcnts iii suppcirt of any system, w hich was ruin to them, and 
without hope to theif country. On the other hand, as it rc» 
spccts (ireat-Brilain, a system proc^eeding upon the avowed 
principle of her »le})eifdanee upou us was anions;- tlie last, to 
which a proiid and powerful natian would yield. 

IS o(\>illistaniIins; these oiiviouscousidcnitiori!-:. in Ap.iil ISOo, 
Mr. Aladison, beinj^ thya Secietaiy of State, a law jjassed 
GoK^TCss, prohibiting^ the importation of certain specified nja- 
nufactures of Great Britain, an<l her dependencies on the ba- 
sis of Mr. ^ladison's 0!J£:inal jToposiiion. 'i'hns the United 
States entered on the system of eommwreial hostility aj^ainst 
Groat Biitain. 

The decree of Berlin was is^^ued in the ensninj^ Xo^emher, 
(180^3.) 'j'he treaty, whichliad been sit;!;cd vA London, in De- 
cember, ISOti, having: been rejected by .Sir. Jefferson, wit!»out 
})ein.!jj presented to Ihe Senat« for ratiticati(.n, and llie non-im- 
poitation act uct bcinji; repealed, but only suspended. Great 
Britain issued her orders in uouutil, on the lllh November, 
1S07. 

On Uie 21ts of the same month, of Nov. Champaj^ny, French 
minister oi" foreign atfairs, wrote to Mr. Arujstroni; tbe Anie- 
fc-icau jMiuibter, in the words following. **AI1 the diftictilties. 



2© 

y< \T!iieh hr\re £»i\'cn the to your tro]nrr!a(ion«, *!ir, vould 
f* he romovt'd with ease, if (lie f^oveniiiicnt of the I'nlteil 
" States, afYer conijilaining in vain of the injustice aiul vio- 
" lations of Knj^land, took, with tli« whole confinent, the j»art 
** of guaranteeing it therefrom." 

On the 17th of the ensuinj; I>r^-e)n!)fr, the IMilan derrecg 
li^as issued on t ho part rtfFianre.and fivednysaftciwardsthe emi- 
bargo was passed on the j)-.irt of the United Sfatps. Thus 
was eon)p!eated. hyaets nearly eoteniporaneous, the circle of 
somniereial hostilities. 

Aftei" an inttFectuiil trial of four rears to eonti'oul tlie poli«y 
of tlift two licllii^erenls hy this system, it was on the part of 
the UjiiJcd States, for a tinie, l•^^m(J^i^ll^•d. The actolUie 
1st of May. 1810, gave the aiitliorify, Jiowevep to the Presi- 
dent of the United States to revive it against Great Rrilnin, 
in case France revoked her decrees. Sueh reroeation.. on the 
partof France wasdeclai'cd, h} the PresidenCsiiroclaniationon 
the 2^1 November, 1<S10, and, in eoasequeuce non-intercourse 
was revived Uy our administration, against Great Britain. 

At all times, (he undersigned have looked, with much anxi- 
ety for the evidence of tliis revocation. They wished not to 
question, wliat, in various forms, hus been so (jften asserted 
hy (he udmiuistratioM and its agents, by (lieir directions. But 
neither as jiuMic men, nor as citizens, eon they consent 
that (he peace uiid prosperity of (he country should be sacri- 
ficed, in maintenance ofapo-iiion, wliicli on no principle of 
evidence thei deem tenable. 'J hey cannot fiilsify, or conceal 
their eonvictitm, that the French decrees neither have been, 
nor are revoked. 

Witiiout pretending to occupy t!«e whole field of argument, 
Tvhieli (he question of revocation has opeue<l, a concise s(a(e- 
|rji!il seems inseparai)le from the occasion. 

The condition, on which the non intercours?, according t» 
the act of 1st MaylStO, might be revived against Great Bri- 
tain, was, on tlic part of France, an ejrctnal vcrocuHon of her 
decrees. What the President of thcU'nited States was bound lo 
require from (!ie French Government was. ijic evidence of 
such eflfeitual revocation. U()on this point both the right of 
the United States and (lie duty olthe I'TCsidcntseem to he resolv- 
able into veiy ili-tioct and u:idcni<il)le principles. The object to 
be obiained. for the I'nitt-d States from France was an ejj'cctu- 
id revnodlinn of (he decrees. A revocation (o be eftc*e(u;U, 
ii;t!st, inchule- in the nalwre of things, (hisessential lequisite:— 
il'.i- \vi-ont;'» done to (he neutral commerce of (he United States, 
by (lie «;pcra(ion of the deciees. must be stopped. Nothing 
short of bais could be an eticolUf^l lovoeatioa. 



21 

Without rcfd'cncrto the ntlier wronajs rosulnnii; Prom flica 
decve»'s to the ((Miiineifeor tho L'niU-d Suites ; il vill lie suf- 
ficient to stitte tlie prominent wronj; dune hy tlie .'id, artiele of 
the Milan (U'ciTe.'= I'he nsUiire olthis wron^ rss»nti;ilJy con- 
sisted in Uie nnflwrilii s;ivcn to Freneh ^hi()s. of v\ur und I'li- 
viiteers to make prize, at sea, of every neutral vessel, sailing 
to, or from, any of the Kn^lish possessions. I'he iiulhority to 
capture was the very essence oT the vsronj*. It follows there- 
fore, th;it an ejrcclual rrcocution vequind Uiat llw tiulho}'itii to 
eapluve slwuldhc aiiHvllcd. (ii'antin^ Iherefuie, for the sakq 
orare;iiinent. (whnt IVouj its terms and its nature wns eertain- 
ly not the case) tliat (he noted letter of iho Duke of C'adore 
of the 5t!i of An.aiust ISIO, held forth a revocation, jjjood in 
point of form, and unconditional, yet ilxvas noL Hint ejj'eciiutl 
rn'ocatioii. for which the act of l»{May ISIO, alone author- 
ised the President of the United States to issue his proj'lania- 
tion, unless in cnn)<e(juence of ilutl letter, the nuthorily to cap- 
ture iiHts anuidhd. The letter itself is no annniinent of the 
authority to capture, and it is notorious, (hat no tviuenee of 
tlie annulment of this authority to capture, ever has been, ad- 
duced. It has not even, heen, prelended. On (he con- 
trary there is decisive, and almost dail^ . evidence of the conti- 
nued existence of tliis aulhoiity to caplare. 

The charge of executing the decrees of Berlin and JMilan 
was, so far as concerned his department, given by the terms 
of those decrees to the freneh ministerof Murine. Aeeoi din;^ 
to established principles of g;eiieral law, the imperial act, 
which gave the authority must be annulled by another impe- 
rial act, c<iually formal and solemn ; or. at least, the author- 
ity to capture must be countermanded by some order, or in- 
Btruetion, from the minister of marine. Nothing short of (his 
could annul the authority aceoiHling to (he rule of the sea ser- 
vice. Was stich annulling- act ever issued by the French Em- 
peror ? Were any such countermanding orders, or instruct ioMs, 
ever given by the French minister of msriue ? In exercising 
a trust, committed to liim, by the legislature, on a i)oiuL, so 

* This aiticlc is in tliesc words : 

" Jrc. III. The British islands are declared to 1)0 in « state of 
" blockade, both by l?.nd and sea. Every sliip of \v!iatcvt;r n^aion, 
" or whatsoever the nature of its cartjo fni<y be, th.it sails from 
<' the ports of Engla'^.d, or those of the English clonics and of tiic 
" countries occupied by English troops and proceeding to England, 
" or to the English Colonies, or to countries occupied l.y tntjliuh 
" troops is good and lawful prize, as contrary to the present decree 
" and may be ca/uured, by our ahi/is 0/ lyur or our /irrvutcert and 
f* adjudged to the ca/itor." 



22 

intprcsdiig, io ihr^ neutral camrnerec oPtJic U4ii<cd Sfafcp, and 
so important to the peace of the niition, uiis it not l!ic tluty 
oT tho Presitlent t« have thocvidencc oi'sucli amiiilnit'nt, be- 
fore tlieis.'^nin.c; ofaiiy procliinnition ? IIj;shc ever, inaisit* <• up- 
on such cvideiioc ? \\-a% if o!" no eoiiscqcnec jh tbc rel.iiivo 
si(u;ition ol'tliis ooinitry, a^ iu lorpit^ri powers, fhal^tlic lei^ii- 
lar evidBuee shoiiM he i'r(«MM<d i)_v oiii- vvdmliii^ti-ndon ;iud m;.de 
known? Why bus a inilici' urc^ii!i«nce. s<» o'lviouely proj/i-i*, 
so simple, in its (iat<irfs so level ;;> gt-urral apprehension and 
«o impcriouslv d».'niajnled, by (he eireumstances of the e;ise, 
been wholly omitfed ? And why. iJ'fiiO Jierlin and Milan de- 
crecB nreannuUed, as is pvele^ided. dues the Frent-Ji Emperor 
Avithhobl (his evidence ol' tiu-ir anniduitnt ? AVhy dors h« 
withhold i<, w hen the ((iiestion ofrevoeation is presented under 
»irer.nisfanct's,or so ninch ur^'cney ? 

Not only has it j;cvcr b^en pretended that any siicli isnpe- 
vitil act ol'annninient Ijas issned, or Ihatiiny sueh orders, or 
instructions, eonnlernrandinf; ihe authority to oaphire, were 
ever given, but tliere is drei.sivc evidpnce of the revei>ti 
in the conduct of the Freufh pu!»lic armed ships a')d 
privateers. At all titnes since !\ov. 1810. these shi[)s 
and privateers have eoufinned <o caj)lure our vessels and pro- 
perty, on tiie high seas, upon the principles of (ho Berlin and 
IMilan dcctces. A numerous list of American vessels, thus 
taken, since the 1st of Xoveml)er lf?10, now cxirfts in the of- 
jiee of (he secretary of state : and among (lie captures are se- 
veral vessels witii tJieir eai;^oc», l.itely, taken and destroyed, 
at sea.. \>itI;out the formality of a dial, by tlie comnnindc-i' of 
a French s.jaadron.at this moment, cruizing against our com- 
merce, under orders, given by the miniaiter of marine, to wboru 
the execution of the decrees was comujitted ; and these to© 
issned in .January last. In tlie Baltic and Medi.terranean seas, 
captures by Frenc!) privateers are known to us, by official 
documenls to Iiavu been made, under the authorlly of titesc 
decrees. How then ai-e (hey revoked ? How iiave they ceas- 
ed io violate our nenJral eommerco f 

Had any repeal, or mudiiieatioa of tliose decrees, in trulli 
taken place, it must have been cemmunicatwl (o the prize 
coiirts, and would have been evidenced by some variation either 
in tbcir rules, or in the pi'inciplos of (heir decisions, lii 
vain, hovvver, will this nation seek for such proof of (he re- 
vocation of the decrees. No ai*f|nittal bn?> ever been ha«!, ia* 
any of thi* prize courts,. upon (he ground tliat (lie lleriin and 
^itiiran decrees had ceased, c^eu a? itrespe.ctsthe rnitedStates, 
On the coidrary the evidence is decisive that iliey are con- 
si»it:red by (lie FiencU «uurts as nxisiiBg. 



25 

Tljore nrp r.x^ny rtvcs corroborf><'V(» oT t]\\n jiosition. It is 
eiioiijjjh to sdile, ovv, (wm, >\hicb Jipfoaritj the ol75<'ml re;)»jts. 
The Anioncnii .<lt\^t Jiili-.^ii was cnj)tin('(i hj ii Freru;h juiva- 
tccr, on liic illi July 181t.«nil ou \ho te!5<h of Sftpitmbcr 
ISIi, the vessrl and cars^o were confltMnnrd. by tlie cownoil 
ot* {Maze's j»< Putis junonp; ofher reasons. Iifcnuse she xcas "Oisiti'd 
bii si'TCritl EffUshvCoselff. On flic s;ii;io dHj' tlie ITo";'ulcs ;m 
Aniciiciin vliivi was condemned l»y tlic im;;ei-ial cMJurt ofpr-i- 
7.PS, ;ilIe(lL';iii?: '• that it ^u?; i;n;>os.si!)le, fhiit sjje was not visit- 
ed, hv the enejov's sliips of Wite/* So f.nniruir te tlicm w;»s 
the exJK^enoe oftJie deeires, and such theie(ni;;'<'.rness to aiive 
fikcni e(ieet aj;^;iiiist one commei'oe, that they ieii^ricd a vlsi-- 
tation to have taken pJaee, and that notwithstandint^, the ex- 
press declination of Iheeaptain aru! erew. to tiie eontrary. la 
addition t«) \vhi<'h evidence, Mv. Jl'.\^s<i\l'6 letter to the See- 
rctvu'y of folate, dfited S(li May ISll, says " it may not he 
« iaipropeiMo eeniaik that no Ameriorn vessel captui'cd since 
»< the 1st November, ISIO has yet been i'c1«uumi."-' 

From tliis it is appai*eut, that the commandei's of the nation- 
al vessels, tlio jirivateeesmen, and the jud.'ycs of the prize 
toni-is.lo whieh may i>e aihleil also the eustom house olUeers, 
>vho, as the instruments of earryin.e; into etfett the decrees, 
mu::<t have been made aequainted witli the repeal had it exist- 
ed, have been from first to last, ijjnnrant of any revoea- 
tion; and uniioj-mly aeted npo«i the nrineiple of their existence, 

Ifotlierevidenee oflhe continued exisfenee of tliose deerees 
were requisite, tJie aefs of the Frenih government afford 
sueh as is full and explieit. CUanipa^ny, DnUe of Cadoie, 
mitiisler of foreit^n relations, in his repoit to his majesly the 
Emperor and kint;, dated Paris 3d. December, ISIO, speakinc;; 
of the decrees of IJerlin and Milan, says expressiy. •< As 
^ lonu; as En.i^land shall p^^rsist in her orders in eounci!, your 
»' majesfy xvill persist, in youv decrees." Than which no de- 
clnralion can be more direci not only that iheiierlin and 3ii- 
lu.i decrees are unrevoked, but that they will so remain, until 
the Eii;[^lish ordci-s in council arc withdi-awn. And in t!»c ad- 
dress deiivered, by bis imperial majesty, Napulcon, to the 
cotineil ofoomtneree on the .^>lst jMarch iSil, hethus declares 
*■ The decrees of Berlin and Milan are the fundamental' laws 
" of ray Empire. For (he utMitral navigation I consider (be 
•* ilag as an extension of ter:iiury. Tiie power, wliicli sulFors 
« its ilag(») l»e violaicd, cannut b^'coasidered ;is neutral. 'Vha 
*• fate of the Ameiiean connnert'C will soon be decided. I will 
«* favor it, if the V'uilcd States «<Mifonn theaiselves (o these 
" decrees. In a contrary ease, tlicir vessels will b>; dvivtii 
^ ftoui uiy eujpirc.'' 



24 



An(1 as lo.fess tho iOtli of March last, in a report of the 
FrcK-li ini.:.sf,T of ford;?n n-hitioas. commiiMi.-arcil (o the 
conservative Senate, it is deelared, *«(lmt :»s Ion- as the Bi-i- 
*' fish orMers in ..ouncil.an- not revoked. anJ thoVinciples of 
*• the treaty „| L (teeht. in rdurion to nenfpais put in force the 
'* neerces or RrrlJn and Milan, on-ht to suhsist : lor the powers 
*• who sufl.-r rheirfln.q;to he denationalised." Jn none ofthese 
aels. IS there, any exeeplion in favor of the United States 
And on the eontrarv in the report of March hvst, hv plaeing 
those .h-en-es op the hasis of -the pviueiples of.he'treatv of 
.• Ltrer!.(.^ the Freneh Minister has extended the teVms 
el revoeiition iM-yond all prior pretensions. 

Those who maintain the revocation of these deeree«. as it re- 
spects the Uniiod Stf,tes. rely wholly npon the suspension of 
t.u- i.ec»<ioniof fh'> Frcn.-h prize eonits. in relation to son.c 
fewvess.'ls. ami (he liheration of o(hei-:«, hv the soeeial di- 
reedonoP.hc Froneh Fniperor. Can there he stron-n-r pre. 
sunipJive eviJenee, of the existence of those decrees than this-, 
that no y ssel js excepted from their operaiion. ur^fil after 
the spcoiai exercise of the Emperor's will, in the particular 

Jfthe decrees were effectively revoked, there would be n» 
eaptuirs; oril any were made, liheration would he a matter 
of course and of^^eneral ri.sjht; instead of hein- an alHiir of 
particnlar lavor. or caprice. Is i( for vexations alid int.'ul-er.- 
cifs like these, that the people of the United States are to a- 

han hH,the,n-c.omme.ce and peace? Is). ;o,.suchiavors.thevare 
to invite. he caam-ies of war? htlie resources of ne^otiatio^ 
xverrexhau.ted. had the .^'ovcr.iment nopowers remaining to di 

m.msh heeausesofn..iiu.alcontrovetNy.bypn.ventinL^^rhu^es^ 
Aferthis. had ,t no powers to provide forpiotectino- i.-disMu, 
talile and ..nportant rights, without wa^^n^ a w.r .H" oilVu/.c ? 
Jnthere.^nHr exere.se. of legislative andexecuJivc powers; 

im^^ht no. the lai,M>I,jeets of interest for our countrv have heen 
secured ccnplctely. hv consistent and uhoies.mie olans for de- 
fens.ve pr.rec.ion? And would not a national position, strict- 
h delens.ve. >ct h,;;!.>y respectable, have been less burthen- 
soM.e to the people than the projected war? Would it not bo 
more fne.dly to the cause of our own seamen;-more safe fop 
our nav.;.ation and eo .ruerce ; more favorabi;to the interests 
of our ajvnrulture; less hazardous to national character 
i;r;r '■' '• '' '' ^""'''^^ •''••'*'^"- '' *•-- libert/and inicien! 
Forenjmn- info these hostilities is there any thin-, in 
i.c lr,en<!.h,p.oreom ne:-ee, of France, in its n.tnij v I'^v- in 
^--uu,, or alluring? Will the reapin, J, u:::^:::;'^^ 



^5 

fjf Frvn-^li <i'a(^«?, Avliioli we prrk, in ftnj v/ay cornpnnsa^eftil- 
Mic ricli harvst of erncial ioinnicrcj'. Mhicli hv wajwe are 
ahowt to abalnloii ? ^VIlc^ j'ntejir.j:; inlo u war, with Great 
Jiritain. foi* poinmercial rJj^lits smil interests, it semis impos- 
siMe not to onquiro. into the state ofcur conirncni.il lelatinns 
ivith Franco, and the I»d^at^t^•Jrl'S the Lnited Statrs will olifain. 
We uiaj thus be enabled to judge whether the prize ia woith 
thi' eotitest. 

I^y an oiTieial statement, made to Congjress diirinj^ the pre- 
feenf session, it nnp.'ars tlr.it of ^5,^29 '» .000 dollars of domestic 
pi-odiietions of the I iiited States, e.\poi t( d from September 
.'jOth, 1810, to October 1st. ISil. only 1 ,tJ)i. 275 dollars were 
f'xported to Fiance und Italy, including Sicily, nut a dcpeo- 
dency of Kranec, 

I'iMiiee is ijow deprived of all iter foreign colonie*, and by 
reviev, incj our trade with that e(»5intry f;»i' several years past 
and l)e:«)re the date of the orders in eoiUicil, it will appear that, 
exclusive of herfwreij^n possessions, it hasheen eotnparatively 
ineoi'iiderable. 'I'he annexed statement marked A. taken 
from official doeiunents, shows the quantify of pai'tieular arti- 
cles, the produce of the United Mates exported to aU the 
world, riistingnishinj; the amount both to France an«l to Eng- 
land and her dependencies from ISIO to 1811. Fromthii 
statement it appears, how small a proportion of the great sta- 
jdes of our country is taken * by France. While France re- 
tained her colonies, her eolonidl produce found its way to the 
mother country thiongh the United States, and our trade with 
her in these articles, was not inecnsiderulile. But since she 
lias been deprived of her foreign possessions, and since the es- 
tablishment of her municipal regiilations, as to licences, this 
trade has been in a greatdegree, annihilated. M ith respect to 
colonial produce none can be imported into Fi-.uice except I'.^oni 
])urticular porfs of tiie United Slates and »Hder sptciat imperial 
licences. For these licences our Kicrchants must pay what 

* It appears by h tliat for twelve years past, Fiance has not taken 
in any year more than 

Cotton 7,000,000 Pounds j T. Ijcicco 16,000 Hoj^sheads 
Kice 7,000 Tierces | Dii-JFibh S7,000 Quintals 

Of ttour, naval stores unci lumber, none of any in)))ortarce. 
It also appears, by it, that the annual average t.'.kcn by France for 
fwelve years, was- of 

Cottoa 2,664,090 Pounds I Tobacco 5,927 Hogsheads 
Rice 2,253 Tieices | Fish 24,735 Quintals 

Of late years some of tliose articles liave not bet n shipped at all 
directly to France, but they have, jMobabiy, found their way lhijh«'7 
^Jirough the nerlheru ports of Europe. 



20 

Ae nf^i?Dts ofllicFreiii'l! ;;ijvrrnn»rji< think f.ioperto jltinanit. 
As to attiolcs of our donjcsdc, nrndm-e, tlipy r.ir I'l'idincd 
With such exoi l)itut)t duiit?, J.i;d aie suJtjorlcd to such icirula- 
tioi'.a and iTsti'lttions on (lu'Jr iniiJoriJ.dim as. in nidini»rj 
limes, uill amount to a pi oMhilion. i'n the 5(}i of Avtiusi 
ISIO, thf very d;iyof'<hc fJuko of* Cadore's roted lelfci*. a 
duty was imposed on all >ra-isijind cotton, jnipovted ii»(o Fiance, 
ol' wuivc, th;:n cic.hiy cents \i(v pound, and on otiiei- cotton of 
ai'dut sixty cents per pound. auioMntint; to (livec, oiioui. tinges 
ihrir ovij^inal cos! in tlie United States. And asto to!i>jecr>, *lic 
l''rer.«|j niinistee here on the 23d ot" .lulv ISIi. informed our 
^oveninieut that it was »• uu«iee an r.<i!uu)i^lra(ion (en rcjiie} 
in Fi-ance ; tiic administration (he hays) i^tliconly consun.ep 
and can purcfiase ordy the cjujintity ucces::;«ry lor its consurap- 
lion.'' And hy other l'ee;ulaiioi)s not more than oucjffcratih 
of all (lie tohaceo eoM»^un»ed. in p'rancc, c:in he ot fori ij^nf 
g!*o\vth. The ordijiaiy quantity of tohaceo annually consuui- 
»;d in Fiance is e^(ini.i'Je<l at lllii-fij iJionnond lo~y}ie<i(l,'<, leav- 
ing only ahout two thouriand hogahfads of foieififn tobacco to 
be purchi'.sed in France. 

In addition (o tiies:e impositions and restrictions, Vrc- im- 
porter is not feft at liberty v^ith nsjxct to l^is retui/i car- 
go. By other edicts, he is con.pi ikd to \« ?t the avails of 
his jinportiitions^ if. after j)ayitii; duJies and seizures, ariy 
remain, la such articles ci' Freueji jjrcduce! and manu- 
faeturo, as the French goveruiuent thinks pi oper to direct. 
Two thirds i-.i least must h? laid out in silks and tiie other third 
in Mints, brandies, and other artales. of that country. T'o 
show that this aceount of OH.' eomr.iereial relations v. iih France 
does not rest on douhtftii authiM ily. t!i«' uiidersii^ncd wcukl 
refer to f)ie statements aivd «lo<'h»:';iti»ins of our ij,<;>ertinieul oi* 
tills !<ahject. In a letter IVoui .^Jr. ;-5Uiith, tlii^ laic ^ecrctarj 
of Sfate, to thft inMiiitei" of J'^ratrce here, of ti:e ISlh Deccraher 
1810, speakinq; 'jfoiir teaiie to that country, uraler its vejj;r.la» 
lions, afiiithepreiended ivncafof the drerees, IVIr. SuiitJi sa;\s» 
•' The rebirictiunn <if the licriiii and jMilau decrees had the 
«{tt"ct of revjij^inins; tlie /siueriean merchsint^r frcm semliti:? 
thcjr vessels to Franc*?. The i';1er:iieti<.ns iii the system 
that lias 1)4 en ^^uhstitiit* d, a:jj-;:ist (he adnii-sion ol American 
produj'ts, will Lave the effect of imposing upon them an ejjual 
restraiut.*' 

»*lf then, f<.?Mhe revoked decrees, municipal faws, producing 
*fie ivame couMiierdyl eill't 1 yxi* lieci subsdtuted. the mode 
«Hiiy, and not llie uieasure. has iinderi^one an alter;;tion. And 
S^\vever true it imiy he, that l!'e chau!;;e is lawfiil in form, it 
i*> Bev<?i'tlieles"<, as true, (hat il is essciUially uiifiieudlv, ami 



27 

ihni it i!rf <« nat n< uil fo:n;»r.i't v. Ii!; (1»? lucn"., i:jsplrrd by your 
Ji«((tr iiitlif^ 'Z7th i:lt. in \vliich vf)n v.-.tp )i'o:ise«! to (It'cl-.irft 
tin? '• <lis(iM<'t!y |;i'(/noMMr'(M< iufcpiion of his iip,p'M'i;ii i.i;i;(-'^(y 
of t">.v!»riu;; (be (•(•;niLtotx*tnI r«'l.>tio'is. Itet\vrrn Ftiincc -and (li« 
Tjul(f<l :"fut»'s, in «ll llw oI)j»'<<s oi'lrufljc, \\hi(;!i chall evidenily 
|)fO('oo(! from t!K'iri!»iT:'uUijn'.nrin!\nuractii!"Cs." "If Franfc, 
hy lu'r own suis. lias Mockaficd up licr jhuU nj;ainsl the in- 
tvodui'titm of (lie orndiK'fs <>!* («<• I'nUrrl St.ifes. v.liat iiiolivn 
bus (hii povei'iinKMif. lii a discuss'xMi ui<li a tliird jjowcr, to 
i:jvi-t on tl:»' prhih'irr ofi^oiiiii^ lo l^'ruu'c; r \\ heiir:'' tlie in- 
d'.if'cjuent. t(» iir<3;<' itie an.j'iluuMif of a hlockrtdci of Frunze* 
V,lu-!>, if anmiilfd, no Anu'iiciiij caj'.ujoos cinld ob(Hi:> a mai'- 
\jn i\\ any ol' ii'c j»or(«i ? I;? such a s(a(i* of Jhinc^s. a b'.oi-kade 
of ti»c fo.«st of l''i-;unu' wouhi h\\ Iq Jho Unilcd 8Ja(cs, as iin- 
i ojjorlunt, as ViOijM be a uloikadc tif (bo coast of the Caspian 
sea," 

And so far bis 1))(> French enin«M-n:' b?e3 from rob.ixini*, in 
>vhoie. or i'l pari, {h''s(* o^lioM:-: ro;;uhiti<tnH as (o us, in conse- 
<]ueno(* ofour submittinj;- to !:;ive ii;) our Knglisb trade, that 
l.'u'v h;ive hern uuMh' a siiiijic-t of sprnial instj'uotions, to tlio 
niiiiisler, wlio has bei'ii seni to (ijcpourt of France. Mr. Mon- 
roe, in hish'tter of instructions to Mr. Barlow of.fuly 20, 1811, 
says, »• Yuure.irly and particular attention will be drawn ta 
the £;reat siib;(;it (tf t!ic iiOMiia.'ici;-.! r<dation, which is to sub- 
sist, i'l future, bct\Aecn the United Stales and Franco, TUo 
I*resi<U'nt exjiects tirat the conuiurce of Use United States will 
Le p!:iccd, in tlje poitsof Franco, on such a footin;^ as to altord 
it a fair luarket ; and to the i!i<histry and enterprise of tlieirci-. 
ti/'-ns, a reasouitble encoura?4;cuifnt. An arranj;enient to tliis 
cftoci was b)oktMl for. iuiiriof'iatoly after the re\ocation of the 
detroes. but itapitearsfroin the dceajncnts. in ibis departujeat, 
t!ntt that was ncM'he ease; on tiie contrary f?iaf oifrcomtnerct; 
has been siihjivti:d lo the gveuii'st tliscoiwugcnient, or raihei', /c« 
the vwjit oppresi^T'i: reMrc.ints ; that thu vessels, whi<^h earried 
rrofTee sa.:jar&e. Ihougii sailin:^ directly iVoni the United State» 
to a French jtort, were held i:i a stale of «^equestrat)on, on the 
I>r)nci',;!'\ that tiie trade wa^ prohibited, and (hat the import 
tjtion \A' t'lese articles was not only iiiilawfnl, but cviiuinal ; 
«hat even the ves-ols, wbieb carried the un<iUestionable produc-^ 
ti>)ns of the United States, were exposed to threat and expimsive. 
tlelays to tedious ir.vestifi^ations, in imusual forms, and to ex-^ 
HJ'hitant duties. In short t!«at the o'.diuiiry usages of com*' 
liieree I»etween frJcnd/i/ notions were abandoned.'* 

Again JMr. I^lonroe, in the same li*tter. says, »• If tbeportc 
of Frances and lier allies, are liot opi;ii:nl to the- eommevco 
of the IJuited 8taie8> on a Ubcyad 5.eak and on fiur coaditk>i!»^ 



2B 

iit- %]ir\i avfiil to tlieoi, it nny H© askftil, ^r'lll he t]\§^ rcvocatiou 
of tho Brldsli orders in council? In conlernliiij^ fi>; thn re- 
Yocnlio!! of these oimIpps, sofaras it was a ohjccl of interest, 
the United States hatJ in vit;\v, a trade to tli'.» eonfirient. It 
xras afiiii* le.^itiurate object and worfh c(>ntpn(!rii^ for. while 
France cncnurn^al it. But if she, shiu^ her ports on our eom- 
Jiierce, or burdens it with heavy duties, that motive is at aa 
end." Jfe again says, •♦ you wsJI see the injustice an<I en- 
deavour to prevtMf tlie necessity of hifinjrioj; ir) return for A- 
lueriean car;;oe«;, so^d in ri.mce, an eqiiiil aino'.i!)t in //ic j»'0- 
ri?fC(', or manapichivcs of tliat couniry. Xo siich ohli^aiion is 
in);)oscd ou Fren;^)i nierelc.tnts, fradiii;; to (lie United Stair*. 
'I'I'.ev enjoy the liberty of sellin.;^ tljeir cnpf^oes for cash, nnii 
tak ins: back wha* they pleased from this eountry.in return. . It 
is iudis'>eusai)le. t?jat the trade be free, (ir.»t :ill Arneriean ci- 
tizens enija2;ed ir\ it he placed on the Bame fooJin^, and, widi 
this view, that tlie system of earnnng it ou, ^j; //ceiices, grant- 
ed by French assents he iiuoiediately annulled." 

The des>patchi-s from Mr. liailow, by the Hornet, most clearly 
shov; tl)at the exj*4.rcta/ions of our government luvc not ci.ly not 
been realized, but that even the (tromises obtained, by our niinibtep 
are of a very uiisatiufiictory nature. Indeed while IJonapaitc is scnd- 
injj; armies to the north ot Europe, to t.ike possession of ihe po.ts 
on the Baltic, and by his fast anilin:^ squadron?, is burning Ameii- 
cvn vessels, on the Atldntic, ali cspecttttipus of u fice trade froin 
France, nuist be worse thaii vain, , 

Notwithst.iiulinij the violence of the beliis;ercnts, were the re- 
strictions ot our own {government removed, tlic commerce of tl»e 
United States mii^ht be extensive and profuable. It is well hnowa 
that from the g:aii«ntry of our seamen, if mcrchaut vessels v.cre 
allowed to arm auji associate, for self dcfenccj they xyould be aide 
tn repel many unlav.lul ag'^^ressior.s. Tljc damaier of capu;rc v.'ould 
be diminiahc-d, and in r«-laU»n to one of the bcllij^crents at least, the 
risk, Otider such cli-cumstanc.cs, would sci.n be measured by insure 
ance. 

The discussions of our govcmnient, in relatloi; to the Brjtisli 
orders in council, gi»e a currency to the opinion tlrCxt they exist, 
without any moditication according to the extent of tlio first princi- 
ples, on v\hicli t!)ey were issued. And the French minister, in his 
iastcomnnini<:anon,on this r.\ibjcct, made tothe Conservative Jpenat^'j 
ou tlie lOlh of March last, speaks of the blockade of the lOih of Miiy 
isOG "as annihilatiiii; the ri^hticf all maruime states and puuin^ 
under interdiction whole ccasts and empres;" and of the orders in 
council of 180?', a^ thouijb tiill subsistinp;, and that accordin-^- to 
their princ.ij^lc-. all vessels were compelled " to pay a tribute t© 
England, and al! cargoes a tarlf! to bcr customs." What the real 
extent and princii'Ie oftbe blockade of May I8.0t> were, have already 
btfcn explained. With respect to the British orders of 1807, tlis 
•if^^h is, that by « n-'"' ' ^; '-•■ i--<;»e<1 o-n f'vi ^c\h o'" Anrit J80P^ t.bc7 



^9 

fg^re reva3<»d or modified, and the obnoxious trantit duty called hf 
tlie Fiencli Minisfer *' tribute and lariir* waB done avvay. The ne«r 
ovdor of April 1809, which, if.i.ow ihc subject of coinplaiKt is limited 
to " all tiic ports and phices an far noith as the river Ems, in- 
clusivelv, u:idci' the govcnimfnt stylini; itself tlie Kiiif^dom 
of Hoilaiid, and all ports a!>d plnces lindor the jjoyernmcnt of 
t'l'ancf, lojjrjtiicr with the colonies, plantsuions, and scttlcinenla in. 
tlio pONsassiuii oftliose {.ijoveriuneuts respectively, and ttil ports and 
places iii tliL* northern p^ris of Italy, to be rcck-oiicd from the purta 
of Oruitello and Fcsat'o, inclniively " 

Tue ciX.-ct thin of the rsriiisli ordcs of blockade, now in forre» 
Js to deprive u* of tiie coiTiinercc of France, Holland and a part of 
Xtaly. And they leave opsa to u? tUe commerce of all the rest of 
the vv^irld. \yiiat that i^ soiic esumite nxdy be formed by recur- 
rence to the subjoined tabk*, which exliibits the state of our corn- 
liierce during 180j and 1807— Tlie two laat years antecedent tu the 
opeiMlion of our restrictive svstem By that tal)le it pppears that 
the value of ihe exports of our domestic products to Frauco 
Holland and Italy was {luring tho«ie two years* at an averaeje oidf 
of ai>ouf sir and a half miHions nj' dollars. Whereas the averarje of 
our di)int'stic exports, to all other parts of the world, and which aret 
now left IVee, to us notwitlist.tndintj the erfect of tlie Uritiah orders 
jn council exceed (/lirry eight 7)iiUio!u- ! So extensive a comtjierce, 
it is proj^osed to sui rendor, f.-^r tlie restricted trade the French empe- 
ror will ullaw. A tradij burdened bv impoiltioiia, or harrassed by 
vexations, from French domination, and Frencli iJouankrs^ or 
cu:itom liiuse officers, in almost every port of continental Eut- 
rope.. 

As in the scale of commercial advanta5;es France has little to offer^ 
in reiurn, for the many obvious hazards, which accordinjj to the 
wish uf her Emperor, the United States are about to incur ; so, in 

* Value of articles of domestic produce, exported to all the world* 
In 1806. In 1807. 

Whole Amount 241,253,727 Whola Amount S4S.699,592 



To France 3,226,698 3,7it5,Ul 
To Holland, now 

part of Franco 3,609,964 3,093,234 

To Italy 185,346 250,257 



7,023,00^ 6,064,652 

, , ,;:., 

To Enrhnd and 

dependencies 19,179,981 27,915,07r 

To all other parts 

of the '.vorld 15,05l,74Q 14,719,835 

»» ' .. 'f ' •- — • 

34,231,731 42,634,960 



3^ 

the moral estimate of nati'mal p'-ospccts. t'lere is little character (o 
f;aiii, or consolation to expect, in tlie dark scene of things, on which 
we are entering 

A nation, like the United States, happy in its great local relations ; 
rf moved iVoin the bloody theatre of Europe ; witii a niavitinie bor- 
der, opciiinj^ vast ficlils for entcrpiizc; — witi: territorial possessions, 
excecdins^, evcrjr real want ; — it'^ lin-sitles safe ; — its alt.irs undcfiN 
cd ; — from invasion notun'jj to fcai* ; — from acquisition potliinir to 
liK)pc ; — hrvv shi^M su^'i a nalion look to heavei) for its smiles, whilo 
tIirowinp;a\vay,as lhou;j;h tl\cy wcra worthless, all the blessint^s arid 
joys, which peace and such a disiingu'shed lot, include? With 
what prayers run it address tlif. most lii^^h, when it ])repHres, to jjour 
tuiih its youihh;! rage, upon a Hi'jv^hborinjf people ; from vlK)he 
*'.renglh, it haa notliing to ciread, fiom whose devastation it has no-^ 
ihinR to gain ? 

If ouf ills were of a nature, that war wouW remedy ; if war v. oiild 
compensate any of our losses ; or remove any of our conipLants, 
thtic might be some alleviation of the sUiTerini», in the cliar n of 
tin- prospect. But how will war upon t!ie land, protect commerce 
upon the ocean ? What li^lm has Canada for wounded honour? 
ilow are our ir)ariners bfiicfiied by a war, which exposes those, who 
arc free, without promising release to tliose, who are impressed ? 

But it is said that war is demanded by honour. Is national honour 
a princijde, which thirsts after vengeance, and is appeased, only, by 
blood ; which, trampling on the hopes of man, and spurning tlie law 
cf G(j(l, uiituiight by what i» past and careless of what is to come, 
jfi! c-cipilales iisvlf into uny folly, or madr.css, to gratify a selfish v.ii 
iiity, or to satiate some unhallowed rage ? If honour demands a war 
wu!» England, what opiate lulls that honour to sleep over the 
v-rongs done us by France ? On land, ri>I)beries, seizures, irupri-. 
suiiiner.ts, by f n r ch authority ; at sea, pillage, sinkings, burnings, 
voder French ordeis. These are notorious. Are they u-felt be- 
cuiue they ae Frencli I Is any alleviation to. be found in the cur- 
^espoiidrnce and humilio.tions of the pi'cs<nt JSIinister Pienipnten- 
liary of the United States t.t liie French Co\irt ? In hiscommuiiicai 
^ions to our government, as before tlie pul>lic, where is the catise 
iornoiv s;'lccting France, as the friend oT our country and F.ni^laiit^ 
as the enemy ? 

If no illusions of p'^'sonal feeling, and no 80ii*;itudv f'^r elevation 
of place, should be permitted to misguide the public councils ; if it. 
is, indeed, ht^norahle for the true statesman lo cyiuult the jiublio 
■welfare, to pro iile, int'uth. for the pul)'>c dcienco, and imjuise no 
yoke ofborulavie ; with full hnouledge ci the wrongs inflictefl by the 
Frencl). ought the goverimitiii of this country, to aid the French 
cause, by engaging in war, against the eaomy of France ? Tc sup- 
ply the waste of svich a war aufl to mfct tlie appopriations of mil- 
iions extraordinary, lor the war cxpf nriliures, invisv our feilow-cil\- 
icns, througl»;)ut the union, be doom-jfl tn suslaii;. the burden of 
war-uixcs, in vHvious forms of direct and ii.\direct imposition ? Ftif 
tejicial inion.«iiion, respecting the miLiion!; dcem.ed. jequisiiclor 
bo.ri^ts of the t^.if ; for like information, respecting the Tic^turi m^^ 



3i 

ainntint of tnxcs, deeired rcquisiti! for drawihg those tnilliors from 
tlic couin.iiniiv, ii »s licre hiiiliciLi.t to rcf< r to tbtinvti b aid it pniis 
riii.fleby ilic Sicictary of llie '1 rtasury ai.d ll.c Cun.nuttet t.f ^^\^ys 
iiiul Means, ..nd to ti.e I ocly of resolutions, pabscd i.i Maitli last, ia 
tbt House of Ri|)itsci.tatives, 

It would 'oc soB^e rtlitfto cur anxiety, if amends weie likely to 
be made, for the wtaknesa aiid wildnestS c-flhc project, Iv the pru- 
(leiict of the preparation. Uiitin no aspecl of this antMvialous afliiir 
can wc trace the gicut and dibtinclive pinpcriies of \vis(l( ni. Th( rc 
is seen a headlong lushint,', into difticullics, with little calcnlatioa 
ahciit the means and little concern about the conbequences With 
a nary comparatively nojminal, we are i^boti' to enter into the lists 
jt^ainstthc greatest marine on the globe. With a conimerct, un- 
protected and spiead over every ocean, we propose to make profit 
by piriviiteering, and for this endanger the wetdtb, of which we are 
Iioncst pioprielors. An invi-.sion is threatened of the colonies of a 
power, wliich, without putting anew ship iiito commissii ji, or tak- 
ing anot!:vr soldier into pay, can spiesid alarm, or desolation along 
the extensive lange of our seaboard. The resources (four ccontiy, 
in their natural state, great beyond our want*, (<r our hopes are im- 
paired ijy the effect of artificial restraints. Before adequate foitifi- 
caiioiis ere prepared for domestic defence, before men, or nu^ney 
arc p.ovided lor a war of cTtack, why hasten into the midst of 
that awful contest, which is Itiying waste luuopc ? It cannrt be con- 
cealed, that to engage, in the piesent vur against England is to 
place out selves on the side of Frai ce ; aiid exposes us io the vassal- 
age of states, serving under the banners uf tliC French Emperor. 

I'he undersigned cnr.not refrain from asking, what fare tlic; Unit- 
ed States to gain by this war ? Will tie gratiiicution of some pii 
vateersniin compensate the nation for tl-at *v. eep of oor legitimate 
commerce by the extended marine, of ou'' enemy, whicli this despe- 
rate act in\ites. Will Canada compersate the middle states, for 
Xew York ; or the western states for New Oi leans ? Let us not bs 
deceived. A war of invasion n;ay invite a retort of invasion. tVhcii 
we visit the peaceable, and, as to us innocent, colonies of (ireat Britain 
with the horrors of war can we be Assured that cur own coast uili 
not be visited with like horrors ? 

At a ciisis of the woild such as tl.e present, and under impres- 
sions such as these, the unilcrsigned could uot consider the war, in 
wh'ch the U States, have, in secret been prccijntated, as necessary, 
or required by any moral duty, or any polilical expediency. 

GEORGE SULLIVAN, 

ISLVUTIN Cnin ENDEN^ 

ABIJIL BIGELOW, 

ELIJAH DRIGHAM, 

WILLLVM ELY, 

-lOSLVH QUIXCY, 



^ntUAM REED, 
S.VML. TAGGART, 
LABAN WUEATOX, 
XEONAKD TMIITE, 
RICHARD JACKSOX, JimV 
ELISIIA R. POTTER, 
EPAPH R O DITUS CII AM PiO^l' 
JNO. DAVKXrORT, Jua. 

ly:man law, 
jona. o.moseley, 

TIBIO. PITKIX, Jun. 

LEWIS B. SPURGES, 

BENJAMIN TALLMADGB^ 

II. CLEECivER, 

JAMES EI\rOTl\ 

ASA FITCH, 

TUOS R. CCLD, 

JAMES MILNCR, 

H. M. RIDGELY, 

€. GOLDSBCROUGIf 

PHILIP B. KEY, 

PHILIP STUART, 

JOHN BAKER, 

JAMES BRECKI^NRIDGE^ 

JOS. LEWIS, Jun. 

THOS. WILSON^ 

A. M'BRYDE, 

JOS. PEARSON; 



S3 

NOTE A. 

(Quantity of pariicular ankles, the produce of the Vnited States, ix» 
jiortrd^from 1800 ro 1811,T;ir: 

COTION. 

To allfiarts of the world. 
lbs. 

1800 17,789,803 

1801 20,911,201 

1802 27,501,075 
J803 41,105,623 

1804 38,ll8,0il 

1805 40,383,491 

1806 37,491,282 

1807 66.612,737 

1808 12.(.?4,345 
1809* 53 210,225 
ISlOf 93.«74,201 
iSllt 62,136 



To France, 


I'o England. 


lbs. 


11)3. 


none. 


I6,179,5IS 


844,728 


18.C'53,06> 


1,907,849 


23473.925 


3,821,840 


27 757. 30r 


5,946,848 


25 770.718 


4,504,329 


32,571.('7l 


7,082,118 


24,256,457 


6,114.358 


53,h80.21l 


2,087,450 


7,992.593 


hone direct. 


13,365.987 


do. 


36,171,91J 


do. 


46,872,453 


RICE. 




To France. 


To England U 


Tierces, 


Tierces. 


none. 


77,547 


3,724 


65.022 


7,186 


37,393 


S,116 


33,200 


6,014 


24,97.'; 


1,601 


24,737 


3,392 


39,298 


3,006 


37,417 


none direct. 


4,2'>8 


do. 


32,138 


do. 


31,113 


do. 


40,045 



To all parts of the •morUl. 
Tierces. 

1800 112,056 

1801 94,866 

1802 79,822 

1803 . 81,838 

1804 78,385 

1805 56,830 

1806 102,627 
18 7 94,692 

1808 9,228 

1809 116,907 

1810 131,341 

1811 119,356 

* In 1809, in consequence of the embargo and noh-intercourse 
act, 4 millions pounds ef Cotton were shippcl for Madeira, 10 and a 
halt millions to tlie Floridas, 6 millions ti) Fayul and other Azores, 
I million and three quarters to Porlug l,and 10 niili:ons to Sweden. 

t 1810. about 4 millions of pouiids of Couou were shipped for 
Spuin, 3 millions for Portugal, 3 millions for Madeira, 10 millions 
for Floridas, 2 millions for Europe generally, 4 tTillions for Fayal 
and the Azores, 14 millions for Denmark and Norway, and 5 mil- 
lions for Sweden. 

\ In 18U, 9_miUions of pounds of Cotton were shipped for Russi*^ 

£ 



34 

TOBACCO. 



T^ 


all pans of the 


Kvorld. 


To France. 


7^0 England tf Cole. 




Hluls. 




Hlid«5. 


Hhds. 


1890 


78,680 




143 


37,798 


isa 


10S,758 




5,006 


55,256 


1802 


77,72 1 




16,216 


29,93$ 


1803 


86,291 




9,815 


47.82-9 


1804 


83.34C 




14,623 


24,700 


1805 


,71,252 




12,135 


18,169 


1806 


83,180 




9.182 


26,272 


18.7 


62,232 




2,876 


21,047 


18-8 


9,576 




566 


2,526 


1809 


53,321 




none direct. 


8,965 


1810 


84,134 




do. 


24,067 


i.811 


<35,828 




569 


20,342 




FISH, D 


ried r.r Smoked. 




To 


all par (It of the world. 


To France. 


Ta Jl'.r^land iJf Coil. 




Quintals. 




Quintals. 


(Quintals. 


1800 


392,727 




none. 


1-11,420 


18 ,'1 


410;948 




1,637 


111 030 


1SU3 


440.925 




27,067 


92'679 


lb03 


461,870 




3,491 


7! 495 


1804 


567,828 




S.765 


76,822 


1805 


514,549 




73 004 


55 ne 


1806 


537,457 




19,347 


66.377 


1807 


473.924 




87.654 


55.243 


1808 


155. 808 




16,144 


26,998 


1809 


345,648 




none. 


66 566 


l8:o 


280.804 




S.l.'^O 


55 456 


1811 


216,387 




28,622 


33,242 



PICULED FISH. 
Xonc exported to EurojiFan Fiance. 

FLOUR. 

7^0 all parts of the ivorUL To France. To Evtiland '<Jf CoU^. 

Bhfs. Bbls. . Bbls. 

IROO 653,052 none." 365 739 

1801 1.102444 none. 758.023 

lyo;: l 156.248 14,628 484 886 

1803 1, .11 1853 18,045 502,006 

1304 810,008 1,074 258,515 

1803 , 777,51.1 none. 235,176 

1806 782 724 Bonc. 308 043 

1807 l.,249.8.i9. none. 6\9.91.8 

1808 263,813 none. 7...084 

1809 846,247 r^qne. 230 822 
18,10 798,431 none. 192,477 
.■i\\ ;,i«.:,012 2;966 275,53'^ 



35 





NAVAL STORES- 


TAR. 


Toall iiurtioj the 


world. 


To k'rc'i 


f f. To £nglnnrf isi> Coicl 




Bbls. 




Bblj 


i. i< Is. 


1800 


59,410 




none. 


68.7*^:^ 


J SO! 


67,487 




none. 


62 .32 


1802 


37,497 




797 


21 :r.o 


1808 


78.989 




ni^ne. 


75 2'1S 


180i 


58 181 




flo. 


45 210 


1805 


72 745 




do. 


59 439 


1895 


62 723 




do. 


5U .65 


i8or 


59 282 




do. 


51 232 


1808 


18 764. 




do. 


17.7 


1809 


19S 090 




do. 


33 07 3 


1810 


87 310 




do. 


50.1)21 


1811 


149 796 




do. 


123.U3* 






TURPENTINE, 




1800 


33,129 




none. 


32 580 


1801 


35.413 




do. 


35 143 


1802 


38 764 




do. 


36 7;.9 


1803 


61.178 




do. 


60,732 


1804 


77.825 




do. 


76 950 


1805 


95 640 




do. 


94 328 


1806 


74,731 




do. 


7l.8.=-4 


1807 


63451 




do. 


52 ior 


1808 


17 061 




do. 


17.009 


1809 


77,398 




do. 


22885 


1810 


62.912 




do. 


36,995 


1^1 1 


100,24? 




do. 


97,250 



LU.MBER. 
Of the vast qiiaiuiiies of Li.ii.Ijer exported from 1800 to 181 Ij 
;nly a few Staves .niu! K:a<liiii; went to Finnce, as follows, viz : 
Thousunds of Staves and Heading 

1801 6,349 

1803 357 

1804 321 

1805 466 

1806 716 

1807 614 

1308 - . , - . 105 



'10