'Volume IV
Gftr tar.
M i
r 1
I
4tj
1
., j i ! , k l tua I tbi
i! i. lUrrm -i tLe
f.-i'.t t:.e i i4ili miiuter ' it.
t, , rM'iry of ih V .. .cj
1 1 I ... .:KMC Of thiS IkDlr, f
f f..ri.ira ot th tih
. , t-t t lrr. d,telkeiTh r-VknlkrHnc,l.r since etpVci.t I h i strwrsv
i -..Uttj u '. rt'K 1. iStiurt-! !,! f'tniKHi M l. and rtoueslrd U.at ' e cotnuts
1 '
'i aa act c
boiS IKki,
, to the tmjua
. at Fans.
' c FrrncU minister
. l"" ih rresi-
t rrw-t-d, on the 2d Not. , i " mr. tO issue
- !y l'!ii'.Mn, enj.Hlwil 7 t) act of kiay let, of Uie
t ..;. ycsr, to declare that s" Se ritrictioo imposed bjr
v'n-cU erase aud be d ' i-.. JiUd, ia relation to Franc
l.crdiwndcnciea. And. ill cctifiraatioo of tb proc
Uuonofthe president, the Con grass did cn the Jnd
Mrch, I3ll.pass an act wlisreby tho SKMMsnportatiosi
tv.trm provided to by the 3, 5, 6, f, 8, 9, loth and lth
-c.i.mi of the act, enutled Aa act to interdict tb com
mercixl inlereoursr Kft treen tlie United State and Gtit
ll.-.uin aid France J their dependencies," was declar-
el to be in f m:e nut I. real Britain, her colonies and
tr jitn li-ncic. a ; .t provision to favour of such vessels
cr merchandises a nilrbt be teited before it was
known that Great Britain bad revoked Of, modified her
edicts, within the time and in the waaner riird by
the mX act. if lucb ahould be the ce i and with pro
Visian, a iw faoar of n ahipt or .cargoet owned
tx'!,j by eitincnjof the United Siatetwhicbhad clear
f 1 nut fur the Cupe of Good Hope, or fur any other pott
v , mi the Mine, prior U the aecood day of , Ntotettber,
1310. BatUoftheae troviaiont were, in atrict juatice and
gool ftith; du to' the partie (o be efierAed by tte lav j
tUey wtM also conformable to the pint w the arrangw
rent, t ' riecutewhieta the law was fined. At Great
, ' 1 not revoke or modify her laicti, in th mom
r iici i i.Doned, the first provionad iwettfcfL
1 wilt ikw inquire ' whether francebaa performed ker
1 of thi arra-ieertienU . .,-v - '!
t is innlt rsVood mat the blockade of tht British Islet
, h vokci. Th revocation havinjf been officially de
cUi c und no vessel trading o them havinff been eon
- i demned or uken on thf high seas that we know of, it is
i ' f.ur to concliule that the measure la relinquished. It p
- peari,too, that n American Tesacl has been condemned
in France fir i -.vinjr r-'-n visited at sea 'by an irtjfliah
' , ship, or for bavin; bet- r.hed or carried into EnylafH
I of s(ibject?d to impost ' ere'.. On the sea, therefore,
f r?. re is u ilerstood to have chanired ber srstem. .' r"
" - -A!Umi(rh suchU.the lisrht in whichr the conduct of
' V . TinMeis viewed, in rerard to the neutral commerce of
I the United uu.es, since uie isioi govern Dcr taai, nwui,
' nevertheless,. be proper for you, to invest iae fully the
whole subject, and to see that nothing hat been, or shall
be omitted on her part in future, Wliich Uie United States
hve nrigtotto claim. . i, ' w . J
- -' Your, ' erlt and" particular nt'tention will be drawn tn
. the sfreat subject of th commercial relation which is to
' subsist in future between the United States and France.
' t Thf President expects tli4: the cotrlnoerce of the United
, S t es will be placed in the ports of Prance on such a
" ' i fooimtr as to afford to it a fur market, and to the industry
and e-iterprtse of their people a teasonable encourage-
. metit. An nrranjremeni to laiseneci w looaeajor im-
' mediately afief the revocation of the decress i but U t
Bear ftoiit the docuraentt in this department that that
c. ' wsj rtcrt the Case i on tlie contrary, that our commerce bat
'bceu subjected to the greatest discourareaent, or rather
-V tn tlie nin't onnrestive restraints i that the vessels which
eiuriedcofree, sur, 8tc. tthou2h sailing directly from the
' V S. to a French port, were held inasUtetftequestra-
, tion hn the principle that $he, trade ws prohibited, anU
that ine importation loi uiose articw was noi omj uniaw.
. ." "l i Vi,t fr'im'vmt t th' if even' the eessela which carried
" the unquestipnaljle proddctions of the United States were
' 1 exposal to great and eifiehsive delays, to tedious inves
tigationsiil tntustfaJ forms; and to exorbiUnt'dutk; - In
, . Khort, that the ordinary usages of commerce , between
, fi-wndlW nations were abandoned. ' Y " "u ;
v When it was' annbimced that the decrees of Berlin snd
Mdan were! revoked, the revocation tt te enet a the
,'. -, nt Nwnber last, it was natural for oar pterchanU to
rush Vto the ports of France to Uke advanUge ot a- mar.
- ket ti which tlvey thouirhtthey were invited, 1 All these
' tcstrjtin'tat therefore; have been unjust, kl regard 6 the
J discouiinue 't, it is pnthable, if they aUl disregard
s u'jnction, l l he fny tuimk noriary to esoae
Jteir rjfnuiiart. I DrnuM this, (bat rem snav be W
to explain the oimire to tuck a sneaaure, loiiJ it fake
place, which. Without irhexpl astatic, snif.bt probah.
U is important, liiat the rate f Zmw impoaeH on our
commerce, W errry article, should be made as Urn a pos
sible. U tney are iv, Uf y may produoe tne enact
pfoiiibiuM Jty Wtl) be sr to depress the ariMk aad
disoourajre the trade. ,, . '
Tin wUl bo able taUcertain th various other clsiroa
whtCB. the . United States hae on France, for iniuries
done to their tititeas, uixler decrees of sabwient
date lo those bf UerUn asui Milan, amf yon will likewise
use your test cxm'wns to obtain aa ludcmnTtv f tbenv
It is presumed, that the French government will be die
a :...l. r... .ii ... : : -
the future, the past ought to be fairly and honorably ad
justed, lfthatisaotdohc.moeh thtsetiafaetio will re
main here, which cannot fill to produco a very unfavora
ble effect on Um relations which are, la subaist in future
between the tw sotmtries.'' " ' - . . t' ';
The first of these Utter decrees bears date at Rsyonne,
on the lyth March, 1303, by which many American ves
sels and .their cargoes were, seised and carried tnto
France and others Which had entered her portvm the
fair course of trade, were seised, and sequesiered er con
fiscated by ber irovernmenU It was trc traded. isrtiiKli-
cltion of this rocMurei that aa under our embargo law no
American vessel could navigate the ocean, all Uiose who
were found on it were trading on British account and
lawful pnie. i The fact howevct was otherwise At lh
time tlie embargo Was laid; a great number of our vessels
were at sea, eniraired la their usual commerce i many of
them on distant voyagesi "Their absence especially at
no previous notice could be given to them, was strictly
justifiable under the law i and as no obliration was iv
posed on there by the law to return, tbey committed no
otrence oy remaining abroad. Otber vessels, Inconsidera
ble in number, left the United States in violation of the
law. The latter committed an offence against their
Country, oot none against Ibrcirn powers. 1 hey
were not tktfraitthited by the act. Tliey were entitled to
the protection of their government, and it had a right to
tnnict on tnera tlie penalty which their conduct bad ex
posed them to. ' The govern meat of France could with
draw tltem from neither of these claims. ' The absence of
none of these vessels Was a proof that they were trading
on Unusn account. TheriHwi which tluv earrwul witli
them, the ralde of which was much enhanced by Uie em
bargb, were alone tn ample capital to trade on, As lht
pretext, under which these vessels were taken, is no jus
tification ofthe act, you witl claim art indemnity to our
ciuzen lor every species oi injury arising from Jt.
iic tiaiiiDOHmci oecree was a sun more unjust maoit
aggression nn the rights of tlie. United, States and inva
non of tlie property of their citiiens. It bears date nn ihe
23d March. 18ia and msde a s ween of all AmerkaH tru
rCu-.wlKln lliv.. I. L1 I ' Y. ., t ,
1.1 i iuiin.uH;(rvwiii ui r rein.ii puwer, . ii wan umi it
trospecdve, eitending back to the 2tfth May, ld9. v B
mis iiecree.-.every American, vessel and carj, even thos
which hvl been delivered up to. the owners, by comprom
ise with the csptnra, were seised and sold. The law oi
March 1st, 18J9,'coniroeiily called the- non-inU rcmirst
law, was the" pretext fof this mensure, which was intend
ed as an act of repruah. It requires no reasoning to show
the injustice of tiifs pretension. Our law regulated the
trade oi U United States with other powers, particular
lywitli France and Great-J3rttin. and was sucha law, as
every nation has s; right to adnpt It was duly, promuk
gated, and reasonable notice given of it toother powers
U was also Impartial as related to the bcUigcrents ' The
condemnation of such vessels of Franco or Knglahdas
came into the ports ofthe United States in breach of this
law, was strictly proper, and could afford no cause of com
plaint U either power. Hie seizure of so vast a propcrtj;
at was bid hold of under that pretext, by the French go
yernmcnfVplaces the transection in a very ftiir light. If
an indemnity had been .sought for ow imputed injurs
the measure of tiieinjiu-y should have been ascertained, &
uie 11IUI7I1MUIJ pruiruruuncu i n. out in uiw case no injury
naa oeen sustained on principle. A trinmg lois only
parties who sulfered by themV norcan theyherecohciiedlhad been incurred, and fr that (oss the American pro-
X
. m the retoect which was due to this government. If France
hud wished to exclude the American commerce fnrtn her
ports, she 6ught to have declared it to this government, in
etpliciiterms, in whiclf c4e due notice ould hkve been
jr u n of it to tlie Amejiictri merchants, who would either
i ve avoided her ports, or gone there at their, own ha
?..iri But to ijuffer them toentet' her prts. under any
i ;teX't whatever, Cannot justified. 1 It is not known
to what extent thfr injuries resulting from these delays
have heert carried.1; Jt is evident, however that for ever
v fy injury thus sustained fhe .parties-are enutled to repa-
ration. ' v i : ' " 1
, If the ports of Trance and her alliet are not opened to
" the commerce ofthe United States, ona liberal scale snd
r' on fur coriditidns, of wliat avail to them.it may be asked,
will be the 'revocation. of tlj llritish brdert in eonncil?
In contendfvtgTor the revocation those1 orders, so far ss
' it was an object of interest, the U, S, had in view atrade
With tlio cohiinent, ' It Wat a, fair and 4ugitimate object
and worth contendiug vibr, wh,Ue France f pcouraged it.
But if she'shu'ts hqr ports on bur cbmmerca, or burdens
it with Heavy duties," that motive U lit an end, f
That France has a fight to Impose such restraints is ad
mitted but she outfht to be awar of the .cdnseqiienr es
' ' to ft lucli they necessarily lead. The Relist tltat ought to
be pected to follow, woxild be sucttconntervftiling re.
sti ictions on Uie French commerce as must destroy the
. " vnliie of the intercourse between the two countries,' arid
kiive to the V. S'no motive of interest to maintain their
' tight to that intercourse, bf a sacrifice of any other branolt
, ot their commerce r adequate motives to such asacrifice
could only be found .in considerations distinct front any
' Reasonable pmensio'il on the part of France; - S
To the admission of every article, the produce of the
V. 3, no objection is anticipated t nir does there appear
' ' to bejust cause fdr any to Uie adraifsion of colonial pro.
' ducefl A supply of that produce- will e aTmuatly1 want-
- ed it France and other countries connected witn ner, and
the If. 8. alone can furnish it dming the war.; it Will
' - '.' doubtless be the interest of France and her allies to avail
themselfet of tbo industry and capital of the American
m, riuiitB in furniahiiKf those articles by Which the wants
6f tlieir people wih beenpplied and thie.it' revenue increas
ed. Several of the colonies belonged t France, and may
again belong to cer. Great untaiii, by securing to nerou n
colonies ae monopoly oi. ner iiomc maraet, lessens jue
. vslun of tho nvodoce! of die counuered folonieu. . France
' Cftiinol b? IndifFtfntWthe 4"i'esof tar Jate colonies,
v not ought JKe ta-abandmv becatu yie caiiiidt protect
ttieiit;fFK;ihce,t wilt not estape yi''vatt,eirlioti, that se
, veraUihportant aitiojes1tt. th httof -colonial product!
ons areraisedh) Louisiana, and will of course' oecompris
ed amootr Hioss) of tli ttniued States. .; V' V ;
You will see the injustice, apd endeavour to prevent the
nfrpssitv of brinsrinir in return for American cargoes sold
: tn France, an equal amount in the produce and tnamifac
' tu; s of that country, 3No such. oblir it imposed on
French trterchshU trading to the U. b Tbey enjpy the
libenv 'ifselling their cargoes for casi ;, md taking back
trhatthcy plese from this country in retum, and tlie right
ftnrht to be recinrof.!. .' ' v 'V- ''
f .' h is indbtMnwablo-that the trade be'freeV thatr all A
merican cltisens engaged. in ittbe'placed on-the tame
footing i and, with tliil vifW, that the; systeth of Carrying
it on by licenses granicu oy rncu ngenis o inimetuiac
r ' 1 annulled. ! Vou must nke it duH'mctlf understood py
the French ffovernmehti. that the. United -States cannot
' Submit to that system, aS it tcmls io'sacrihee tne nnrt of
r the community to anouier, bi.u w gjvecorrupt innuence
to the agenuf a foreign p w r in our towns, which is, in
. every view, incompatible vv.h tlie principles of our, go
: , rti i ent. It was reiimed that this system lad been
abandoned fsome time s'mce, as a letter irom tlie duke of,
Cadore, of , . ; . v to lr Suwll jrave assurance of
it Sliould h, however, 1)6 still maintain d, you will not
fail to bring the subject without delanbel'ore the French
" rovrmrnent, and to t'xe inimcdt'dc atandonmcnt
r .
r
pertywhicli could be foiwd was seised, involving in in
discriminate ruin innnocent merchants wh" had .entered
the potts of Franc in the fair Coirrse of trade. It is pro
per, that you should makeC it distinctly known to the
French government, that the claim to a just rtpuratiiai
for these spoliations cannot be reHnquiidied, and that a
dalay i making K will produce very higlj dissatisfaction
with the government and people of these states.
It has been intimated that tlie French government
would be villinff to nakethis renaratioii.tirovkted tlie
United States would make one in return fir tho, vessels
and property condemned under, and in breach of our non
intercourse law. Although the proposition was pbjec
tionsbb. in many views, yet this government consented
to, it, t save so great a mass of t,he property of pur citi?
zeps. A instruction for this purpose Wat given to vouv
predecessor; which yon are authorised to carry into effect
The influence of Frauce has been exerted to the jinjui y
ofthe United States, in all tbei countries to which her
lwwer has extended. In Spain, Holland and Naples it Ms
been most sensibly felt In each of these countries the
vessels and cargoes of American merchants were seized
and confiscated under various decrees: founded mdif-
ferent pretexts, none of which had even the semblance of
ngnt to support mem. AS tne United States never n-
.jured France, that plea must fail i and that it? had in
jured either of those jviwers was never pretended Yon
win e Kirnisneu with tne documents winch relate to
these aggressions, and you will claim of tlie French sro.
- T . -..
Terr.meni an inuomnity lor tltem. ,7. ; ., '
The United Ptdes have aisd mst cause of eomnlaint
against Feance, for jnany injuries that were committed
Dy persons acting unucr ner authority. M tliese tlie most
distinguished, and least justifiable., are the examDh's
which occurred, pf burning the vessels of our, iititetis at
sea- Their aUwity foihid, tlie imputation of them W the
govet'nment., Tn it however the United States must look
lor reparation, which you will, accordingly claim.
' It is posstule that in this enumeration 1 nifty have omit,
ted many injuries of which no account has vetbeen transi
mitted to this department Y6u will hkveir jn'yotir power
10 acquire a more comprehensive Enowicflge ni Uiem at
Paris, which," it is expected you" will do.amUfeU confi-
aence is reposed in your exertions to obtain of the Frcncl
rovcrnmeiit th jiut measui-e of i-edress' N
France, It is presumed, has changed her policy towards
the United State;i The revocation of her decrees is an
indication f fthat eliange, and some recent acts, more fa
vorable to the commercial intercourse with her ports, tl
ciiumcc m wintii wiu ire luumi ,m a copy ni a letler from
her minister here nf. .' trenethensthenreaiinintinh
Out much is yet. to be done by, Tier, to sutisfythe just
claims pf this1 country. .To revoke blockades of bound.
less extentinthe present state cf her marine, was making
no sacrence. one must vjnuemniiy us tor past injuries,
ana open ner ports to our commerce on a tair and lir;ral
scale. If she withes to profit by neutral commerce she
must become the advocate of neutral rights as welt by her
practice as her tlieory. The United States, standing i on
their own ground, yill he able "to support those rights
with effect and they will certainly fail, in nothing which
The papers, relative to tlie lmpeteuX,tli Revanche dc
ijtrr and, tne rrenoh prrrateer, seized at. New-Orleans
will be delivered to vou. - Thcv will, it in m-pn.im.'il. n.
ble vouto satisfy tlie French- trovemmcnt of th strirt
propi-ietytof the candttcl of the United States, in all those
- k lie ingaie, wnicn vui yon xo r ranee, will proceed to
Holland to execuH n order from tho Sedretarj of the
, Treasury relative to the interesl "dde on Uie public debt.
She will return to France to take Mr. Uusscll to fcrigland,
and, after landing him, tail back hnmediately to the. U.
Suics. ' Hie intenal arorded by a visit to Holland, will
be sufTioient- to couble yod to cmihunioat fully and
freely kith the French government en all the tonics, to
which it will be your dtity to invite its attention, under
your instruction. ,A short dtcutioit, Lowever, vould
otb oVrecta,lfroo deod a itr nt to
teres of tU United Jtales.- ,
Aur run, p- ' . .
1. 1 aeite th first occasion to annccoee to you y arrrral,
though I bare very else little so smonnee. , .
IlaodrdatlTietbourf ue ciaoiuusicwiva
atFaru the I9lh- v , - '
The Kmpevor has keen resWir g Ut tome i.mo at
. r. . . ...... t M ... . Wit'
iMigne, ana it wiiv ni ; - -
tlicnre IV the coast and f MUlaini the day of toy amv.
. Thduteof UsssaM. Minister fcr Torelgn keU'tions,
came the next dsv to Paris -for two da; s only, when be
was to follow the EmpsMr to Join aim n iMuanu.. ien.
Turrrim, and others who called oo tne the tnonung alter
I reached Farisi assured me that the DuU was dealrons
of seeing sne as soon as postibk and with as littfe eersv
On'the sistlmade my(LviUWhihkhofeoum
had no other ol ject than that ef delivering credentials. J
expressed my regret at the Emperor's absence, and the
aueh business as SM rendered parti.
eularly nrgeat by the necessity lending home the fri-
gate awt by ute approscning scuion oi uFn
as by the distressed situation of those American citiiens
mUn ,m vaiiina-the mult of decisions Whiflt mirht be
baxtened by the expnsiilona which I was ehargid to make
on tbe part of lht Freshlent of the United States. -
tl said te Fnperor bad loreseen ma urgency m u
case and hnd charged him to remedy tbe evil so far m,
eotild be done by dispensing with my presenUtioa to hisi
majesty until hie return and I might immediately, pro
ceed to business as if.l hail bee presented. He Said the
most flattering things frosn the Emperor relative to my
appointment .. Ha observed that his majesty bad expect
ed ray. arrival wih some solicitude for several months
and was disposed to do every thing, t.hat I could reasonably
ask to maintain a good wtelligenco between the two
countries. ' . , . 'f,
The Uuko then proposed a second ihterfiew for .the
next day, Which he said he hoped would b long & leisure
ly, that we aught go over the whole range of business that
was likely to come into discussion between us, declsnng
that he should be justified by the F.mperor in delaying bis
journey one day for that purpose only, and that he had no
other business to detain him ir the capital. I accepted
the invitation and was with him two hours the next day.'
I explained to him with, as much precision as possible
the sentiments of tho Prts'idenf on the most pressing ob
jects of my tni'sion, snd threw in tuch observations as
seemed to srise out of vha,t I conceived be the true, in
terest of France. . - '
He heard me with patience and apnarrtrt soiicithietn
deavored to explaintaway some of tlie evils of which we
complain,. and expressed a strong desire to remote tl
reif. 7 He ssid that many ofthe ideas f tuggested Were
new to him snd wer very important r that be should lay
them before tlie Emperor with fidelity, and ink manner
calculated to produce the. -most favorable impression, de
sired me lo reduce them to wrrC'ig to be presented in s
more solemn form, and endeavored to. convince me'that
ue doubted not our being kble, on the return ofthe Empe
ror to remove all obstacles to a most perfect harmony be
tween the two countries. 4 ' . ,
' , : c (No. 2) , . . t ;
txtratt a letrerram .Mr. XarUw U the Sttrtttafy flSfa,
V r . iluteJJ'ari, Oct. 29, 18U . !
, The Emperor sjsys in the north tfitich longer than was
expected.. Having been assured by the minister that be
would retuVn by tl 15th Oct and that during his tour he
r otild make no stay iltany otic place, I concluded, as 1
had the honor to stato to you before, not to follow him.
The frigate constitution did nqt return from Holland until
about the tunc that the Emperor Was to have reached
rontaiueMeau, and during tlie last fourteen days the pub
lic has been in constant expectation of his arrival. .-!
My correspondence whh the Minister has been hlthcrte
confined to incidental matters not worth troubling, you
f No. 3.1 i .
Extract f a kiter mm Mr. DorUr to the Secretary
.Wei, OuttA rarit. JVn 21. 1811. -r .
" On flic .9th of this month the duke of Pasano arrived
iii runs, snu signineu ant arrival oy a circular to uie to
reign minister here. The aext dav, utone o'clock, I caf-
led at hit house, having in my pocketthc note dated 10th
Mv Intention was. if nossihlf. t n have an' Sntffrrlw with
him ftLtbre he should read the notc.td prepare liis mind
on some points which, being, new to him, might be sus
ccpuoie oi lurincr ocvciopement .Ulan it would beconvc-
ot budnig Uie duke at lifime, I left the note, inclos
ing with it a written request for nn inteniew afier he
should have read the note. As jtt 1 have nl answer, but
having nut him 'once stnee he asswrd me that a yrrj
great press of business occupied him every day at St
Cloud. He gave me no othr reason for the delay tliui
ljr, qnd 1 have learnt, tlu ough other channels, that they
aradiscussing in the Emperor's councils f commerce and
of state the principal points in my note." If this ditcussioti
is In' good earnest, I shall probably have eix answer, oj
some sort, befoi-e miiiiy days." . ' ;
' (inclosed in ft'o 3 ) i ' ' "
Extract of a letttr from Sir. JBurlov f the DiiIm Baisa-
i 44 l- no. Pari, Vlth ,Atnm6?r, 181 1. v .
. ".For all these coni4eration and others which Iave
had the honour to explain to vour exwllen- in conversa
tion, 1 am confident thutl stfull urge nothing contrary to
the true interests of France, when I nrouosethat his Ma
jesty the Emperor and King should orders prompt hnd.
enecmai execution ox Hie arrangement ot the 6th August
ami 3d of Jiovembcr, inlhe true and liberal spirit in which
it Was proposed, so that the privations which tlie United
States, imposed upon themselves, lyr excluding tliepro
ductisna of Great Britain and. hr dependencies, tiiould
s far ta circumstances will.4 slow: be competisated liy a
free access to those of tiie continent of Eurojbe, and that
imey may earry tintrter such means ot .purchasing those
productions us their own soil and industry,, those oil' other
neutral nations, and tlioae of t)ie FrendJ.l colonies,, will
furdish." V ' '-
,M Sljouldhis Majesty adopt this, princrrt1e (he means of
arriving at the end lire so obvious that it wUl not greatly
add to the length.iuf thrs note, if I here paint them out -
rv-tt, u t the American stupii idCargtes now under seU
urv enpture or scoiiastration, sil the proceeds of such
as have bec-n sold.'whii U.are reserved for the pa)ty,.hav-
nig rigui, oc immcoiawiy resioiia to uicir owners, snu
they declared ft-ec to depart therewith for their; coitlilry.
This ankle is not intended to cnibraCeany thing but iggi
mtine American property as protected by the acknow
ledged law of nations." r ' .', "t. - ;
' " Seemul, such propt rty acknowledged to h Amerlcsn,
as has teen confiscated and no longer , in a, stale to be re
stored, wili reiniiin to lie paid, for in. some manner the
least onerou to the I'lcnrli Treasury, to be deterinincd
'on by a separate convention."'; - ',
'fliird, a signification of Ws Majesty's pleasure, if:
sucn ti ue, to torm a new comnu rcial treaty With the U.1
6Utes,,on principlosif reciprocity both with resptt t to
the rate of duties (as to. as the 'diflerenf nuture ofthe
objects of our mutuul commerce 'will' permit) and the fa
cility of buj ingid:selling, entering aint departing with
such articles shall be agreed' wif, the produce; of their re.
spec tive coantries, colonies, trrWlorics, & dependencies."
One prindpal reason why a'system of this kind' hs
been deferred so longrhas- doubtlest been the tliflicithv
of distinguishing Anicticaii H orn English property, find of
aaoeiraining xne origin oi puuuee. we rcgifet as much
tsybu can Uie frauds that have been coDiniitted.;iikthis
respect our honour, as frelt as interest, is concerned in
suppressing them. ' .yn are tesdy to enftct'andntlict
penalties, and tgree Wltfc, the Trench goremroenton thf
marks, signals add other measures most proiier to sttaiu
Lthe cd.n,frv-, j -f-h,.:U; .''' f' i
I brtrrour Excellency not to consnlor it iniii.oner or
indiscreet in ,me to t-lfise. this stotst'b mitcgesting a cor
gent rcisn fon, desiring as speedy an answer to the pr'm
cipal propositions as the other Wrigiity concerns cf Jour
department willj admit, 'jnw'frlsafe vihlch lulmght m
toFrance is detained ml for tiiis answer. 'Copgrcss is
innpuUMiUi,ir4tlt
is t J iy befcireiras esHy as p.Ue 0 '
propoarbonai end is hs hart.w d tii-liMknt . ...v u ,
m al here aa ssotas of tLe .-m k iUc L
litxS-j otxAsi xd outbid nU Iom of iianr."
( - ' " a ; , . 4 ) . ' .. . '
Hrrr S) srttrr frtm Mr, ixrWrsr v it Sevr. .f
- Sfcrfe. .ant, IS.' itrwhr,Hl I, ' v
WioaUiedotofswy 1m(21 hoi:.u r, l.,t j
manv imemewswukUie Miiiirt tf 1 Mriv. .
lave caplaipcd Scseral ponts and ,1 K-sry , -u.
rtnit for at speedy anansoertomynoiesf tlclk as i t
Vrry serowt mports)ice wouid alto. IV niwsj s creu Cs
subject With ppJWtCndAir and s.'.. ifode, aeenuint.
icHistwgaiatnsurraatkJSi, tteciafi " ttenber Leeort'a
Emperor. had btf.ire tndentoo'4 a-' encan aS'.iit in M
light 10 which they bow appear, ami always assure sre.
that he is nearly ready with his aaswar. .... ,
o B it he tays tlw F.inror,a Ukjng so hiftg a .time to . .
consider it, and make "p bis decinoo. is not wiiitont r-.
son, for kepens a wide fceld for meditation on very
tciesting taatters. He asy the fr-r-n Iin nid ti,
note repcatsdrf and with , great an. m, Ciat he tu'4
hifitherestoniaglnitwasevery !nrc just aiKltherww
elusions undeniable t but to reconcile iu prim i;ies wah
his continental system presented diflicuStie uwt eaiyto
remove 1 . : - - -- - ' V - ,v ,
" From what tho. J'.rBpetvw told me himself at tli$' Ust i
diplomatic audience, and from a variety of t,nut o- '
tbercircsjmstances remarked among the ple sliitu'lia i
person, 1 have been made to believe that he i rcailv'ihsiw .
mghis system relative U our trade, and (hat tlie anssrrr -to
my note Will be Store satisfactory than 1 had at f - ft
pec ted" But the unexpected and Nnreaaonabl U ht'
almost aiscoarsrod tne t te.
Extract t4 Utttr 'frtin Mr. BtH-loK ft (hi Herniary t3,;att,V
,...'' A aiU tm-Ot Lee.f fs )tt1t. H-..;'. i .x
' 1 hsve now tUe honaiir to send you tiie sAasverof titer
Doke of dassano-to my note ot' the- lOtii vf Novtn ' t, t-'
companird by a triplicate copy of thstnote,
,".TIiia answer if understood in Its .most Uncr nie,!
may doubtless b a considered full "and oisfacty hi
basis for Uie future commercial relatloi i Utwoeu U.e t0-
countnes; lor weean askflotl.in better than s perfect
reciprocity of jsdi-arilsgcs in those relations. ' But V
though an official declaration vt the 1 mperor's htention t
and readiness to conclude a Veaty cn fv '.i pi-innpUs'
may be fairly taken, at An adoption of t':.e prncWfa.
yet consideruif the-irritation of the pi,! lei l";n'5ia
Unite! States, arinirn? from recent lit j . i,e d,f. ,
ficulty' with which it rn be'-brought lo L e in a -change
of tysteni to suu ienly adopted and so . uttj
announced, I thought it best Id obtain," if ppsi.bit, a
more precise d eel ara t ion as toceru.n points vuch t4
cyektcdao much diJSculty.'i 'j' ; - -
"Accordingly I asked ati interview tvithtba Uukefcf
th 28th. I "went to hini on that Uy with pap r in n y
hand.Vf which I here eikclosa tranduiion. ,t
My.mteinion was to induce him to sib'n t!i. t ; er,
or the principles' it contained, W'r in its presnt tor
or such other form as be might, dectn' more coi'oiif
with the dignity ut 2s government, such asputtn liem
inia the answer to a letler which 1 might writ ; iiiia,
he should think that the most eligible nitili L -
"After we had red oettle paper toget! er, andlhad
explained the motives of my proportion,, It replied thut
every one of those principles y iis adopted by the tnp
roF and -Would enter into the trc.ity, sud thf r-foie i
wpuld he useless to announce them iliasi f v e drcl.ri
sion,. I endeavored t convince him ol tin-. tvn'jf s
tliat wolild result to France as Veil ss to tlie L nited States
f.oin aii imme Uato restoro 'on of cVirmde1"- among tl
Americuft Merchatits. . The great want of L or nt France
as well as Spain, and the accumulation of French product
perishing on' hand for want of foreign commerce, wje '
iiificient reasons for seizing the, first; occasion, not in
cimsistent with the Emperors general 'system, !b gifiilg
auvity,td,'neutral capital hi the vnrt of the empire. .
He then copied the heads of my paper., and said be
trojild lay tlie proposition before -th Emperor, snd rtve
mo an answer the next day.. . I did not however grrdut ,
answer till last night. J le then irev'tcd eieto an sat
Vitirj snnafui?' ,'ceadihg over the psp'er M betore, ttl
commeul'ng on every clause; he declared the Emperm." , ,
decision'precisely.to the following flcct i'UintPp('
per. for me to sign tlii declaration but, yon niy notify
it tp vour-governments word fop word, as if it were s.gn i
e l j for the pr'mciples are all adopted, and from tKtf '
forward they will W in bperatijm, I lvl give the older
to tile chief of the customs for what concerns hit depart
ment Ihe court fpristit Is-ordered to espedita? , pitft
of llictiusioess, ami 1. hall instrt the, consuls wfe,ilie,,
certifteatei of origin,- put ypu ill observe Uus rcgaids ,
only the produce' of the States, .Colonial puco '
cannot for the present be ad m' ted, even in a Frciiih, ves- :
sel, on a simtile certificate of origin, k about I special li
cence." 1- : ;;.";..'; 'V"'' '
, .-1 then desired ii i tocwtse W moreerder to be r'W t
en from, theYroper lU partmeht. Wtliecfrectbfrcpretoiij
the rapacii-r of praiet:TM Emperor )ed it to hit?
own dignity to order hit conns to ftibject, attest, to cist
and damages, . Uie owners of soch privateers as wioiins
capture innocent ships without s pretexft a busmcss that
was lontr known to b carried otw as well ittrWU b un
der the present system of certain impunity, with the siwe
prospect of a gre at deal iolrisl phd. txA. JP ',
of an adyantageouioomproinlso with the claiinuts. -rl
acknowlcged that tomething ought to be doncln the case. .
, .-. His obscTvuou,cn colonial produce induced we W
bring up again the subject of Special licences. repealing
M-h.it 1 bad often stated before, tlit jnat tohjection that
the'' President had' instructed me to' insist upon ntfaiaSt i
Uint aystem. .He said that t ; the Preside t (Vesiixd ,
should be discontinued I Uieyhadr.m ytrtlwn si'
to find a substitute - He d ,;trcd to me, n he has otwft
done beforeii'lhat the Emperor would do any thing on tni -8uhcctthat
shnul I be niot,t aref able to the United SW
j.7ovidetl it did not open a duor.t jbb intredttctji of
glishpraducfk'H'-V.,-', Ifciiib? v ;'.-' if '
. .. He always rosistt upon a that tlie special liceiMfes are ,
a" clear advantage, ot to ss thcy go, totliecdmirresii
navigation of the U. St ates. V-Thr system is. an exuftew
Of favor to them inasmuch as it telalet tlie: principle -the
French navigation ai t,, which confines tUti carrjinj'
trade ofthe enhmfetto French sliipvi '4 w h '". 1
. . l.l. .tl,IS
v tie auoea tnut tne K'.nnerar em not nreieiui t".y-
was nut of pure friendship to tho Americans,"' We 1i
rteednf -coffee and augar. We can get ourf upply
wj but it ynu can point out another Mat nan oe
agreeable to the I'resident. sviihmitgivlnjf Ustlie product
of Entrlish colonies', we shall adopt it." -i ;. .
" Thu rthinkj-slr, yon .have tin wholeidea before y
And 1 should be glad to leccive your frt)er,'nstrm,uon ,
Olt tin subject. ',,'-,' h. t 'li t
Should it-be the intem'ion '.rfWh'e President that J K
shqpld pi-oceed in tlie treaty of commerce7, it will -be 1
cessriry likewise to give tne insttiictioiis as precisi'a
be oil all the esseiitiid points tliai vm wish to enter JhW 't.
. t;--- jLsi:ioi' inu.i,j, t
f
Translation of a letter fnjn itht Vufc BaMl
' ' Mr JJarlow. dated Pafin, 27th December, :
'theNindegncd fcWigt!rcIlions,
has laid before his Vnajesty the Emperor--arid K.ing
thtf nnt o which Mr, R:irlnU'. minister tsltniOoUf '
ryHh XJoited Statef America adarcSsAlta .
siim on Uie loth of last, mohlhJ'f?' V ' '
; 'If ainri h rnvrirurioti (ST-thAi decrees of BCB
wid Milan, ihe commerce between 'Fwnce.twdtb 1
uniten atates nBSima out ume wVwy'J
rritt!A!aughtfois in the outrage w&ichthrfi'us'1
government ha cxercisetl against the fl;g pf
United Sttef and against itht French fljgand"J J
the tn'aiscs '(erotiSree) viiich it liui esulMi"1
ie'can ttnd n tlie Mediterranean on the cwj
pf Ff ante and on those of America. V ; 1 i1' -f'-'
. The undersized ha iri hi& burebtl ft mett)0o
dum of a great iiumjbcr or'Amefican- vessel tuucn
nl the entrance of th rivers of l'rancef nptl t
gVisii panet-9 every day men'.iou Hint theso yew;. -
,.v,:;:;':-v y. Sir-f- '-Vi'
1
1