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«tther es which would he The
fir.t is to be seen in a communication from Mr-
Merry to this Department bearing date on
the 13ih of April, 1804. The following are
tha circumstances attending it. Commodore
Hood, the commander of a British squadron
in the West Indies in 1803, having declared
the Islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe in
a stale of blockade, without applying an ad
equate force to maintain it, the Secretary of
State remonstrated against the illegality of
the measure, which remonstrance was laid be
fore the Lords Commissioners of the Admi
ralty in England, who replied,“that they had
•cut orders not to consider any blockade of
those Island* as existing unless in respect of
particular ports, which might be actually in
vested, and them not to capture vessels bflund
to such ports unless they ••->all previously have
been warned not to enter them. ” Ihe sec
ond ilifiuinition is to be found in a convention
between Great Britain and Russia in June,
KOI, 4th sec, 3d art. which declares,“ that in
order to determine what characterises a block
ailed port, that denomination is givenonly to a
port where there is by the disposition of the
power which attacks it, with ships stationary
o'■Sufficiently near, an evident danger in en
' eriug. “ The I’lesidtnt is willing for you to
adopt ether of these definitions, but prefers
the first as more precise snd determinate;
and-when it is considered that it was made the
criterion by so formal an act between the two
governments, it cannot be presumed that the
British government will object to the renewal
of it. Nothing is more natuial after the differ
ences which have taken place between the two
countries, on this and other subjects, and the
departure from this criterion by Great Britain,
for reasons which are admitted by her no lon
ger to extist, than that they should on the res
toration of a good understanding recur to it
again. Such a recurrence would be the more
satisfactory to the President, as it would af
ford a proof of a disposition in the British
government, not simpiy to compromise a dif
ference, but to re-establish a sincere friend
ship between the two nations.
An intcrfcrance with our commerce be
tween the enemy’s colloniet and their parent
country was among the violations ot our
neutral lights, committed by Great Britain in
her pteseut war with Franco. It took place
in 1 805, did extensive injury and produced
universal excitement. In securing us against
■ repetition of it, you will attend loan aiticto
of the convention between Russia and Great
Britain enteied into on the day.ot
KOI, to the 11th article of the project of a
treaty with Great Britain that was signed by
Mr. Monrfte and Mr. Pinckney on the 31st
December, 1806, and to the instructions fiom
this department relating to that article of the
30th of May, 1807. The captu e by Great
' Britain of almost all the islands of hier enemies
diminishes the importance of any regulation
on this subject; but as they may be restored
by h treaty of peace, it merit* particular at
tention. It being understood, however, that
unless such a trade can be obtained in a prop
er extent, and without a relinquishment of the
principle contended for by the United States,
it will be best that the tieaty be silent on the
subject.
A disposition has been shewn by the Brit
ish government to extend this principle so
far as to inhibit s trade to neutrals even be
tween a power st peace with Gif cat Britain
and her enemy, as for example between Chi
na and France. The absurdity of this pre
tention may prevent its being hereaf'er advan
ced. It will not, however, be uuworthy of
your attention.
llv an order of the British government in
KO3, Biitisl; ctuircis were aulhofised to take
neutral vessels laden with innoewu articles,
on rheir return from an enemy’s port, on the
pretence that they had cartied to such port
contraband of war. f his older is directly re
pugnant to the law of nations, as the circum
stance of having contraband articles on board
bound to an enemy’s port, is the 1 only legal
ground of leisure. The claim
ed by the British government in the ninth ar
ticle of the project above recited, you will en
deavor in like manner to provide against it
It is the practice of British cruisers to compel
the commanders of neutral vessels which
they meet at sea, either to board them in per
son with their papers, sr to send their papers
on board in their boats by an officer. The
.Injustice snd Irregularity of this procedure
v need not be mentioned. You will endeavor
. ito suppress it in the manner proposed in the
1 "third article of a project commuriiCated to Mr
tl,e,r Monroe at London in his instructions of the
jth January i 180*. You will endeavor like
ly . *itc to resit ict contraband of war, as much as
tlie,r In your power, to the list contained in the *ib
\’ at 'article of that project.
toe pt q- lie p rclen% , ou of Great Britain to interdict
‘ '"cthe passage of neutral vessel* with their car
, - - f goes from one port to another port of an cne
lul say, is illegal and vciy injurious to. the com-
L' e me rev of neetral powers. Still more unju'lifi
*r able ia the atten.pt to interdict ih'-ir passage
from a port of one indepemtenl nation to that
•f another, on the pretence that they are
both enemies. You will endeavor to obtain,
in both instances, a security for the neutral
rights.
Upon the whols subject I have to observe,
that vour brat duly will be to conclude a peace
with Great 3itaiu. and that you a 1 e au.homed
to do it, m case you obtain a satisfactory stip
ulation against impressment, one which shall
secure, under our flig, protection to the crew.
The manner in which it may be done has been
already stated, with the reciprocal stipulations
which you may enter into to secure Great
Britain against the injury of which she com
plains. If this encroachment of Great Brit
ain is not provided against, the United States
k»vc appealed to arm* in vain If your es
, * :yr;a to i. should Uii, ail UnUcr
m®
->■ .''l!
aegaciatloß wiM cft?Pr> and you will return
home without delay. It is possible that some
difficulty may occur in arranging this article
rr specting its duration. "I o obviate this the
President is willing that it be limited to the
present war in Europe. Resting, as the Uni
ted States do, on the solid ground of right it
is not presumable, that ©real Britain, espe
cially after the advantage she may derive from
the arrangement proposed, would ever revive
her pretensions. In torming any stipulation
on this subject you will be careful not to im
pair by it the right of the United States, or to
sanction the principle of the British claim.
It is deemed highly important, also, to ob
tain a definition of the neutral rights which 1
have brought to your view, especially of block
ade, and in the manner suggested but it is not
to be made an indispensable condition of peace.
After the repeol of the orders in council, and
other illegal blockades, and the explanations
attending it, it is not presumable that Great
Britain will revive them. Should she do it,
the United States will always have a corres
ponding resort in their own hands: You will
observe in every case, in which you may not
be able to obtain a satisfactory definition of
the neutral right, that you enter into none res
pecting it.
Indemnity for lossc-3 seems to be a fair
claim on the part of the United States, and
the British government if desirous to strength
en the relations of friendship, may be willing to
make it. In bringing the claim into view,
you will not let it defeat the primary objects
intrusted to you. It is not perceived on what
ground Great Britain can resist this claim at
least in the casei in favor of which she stands
pledged. Os these a note will be added.
You are at liberty to stipulate in the propo
sed treaty the same advantages in the ports
of the United States, in favor of British ships
of war, that may be allowed to those of the
must favored nations. TJus stipulation must
be reciprocal.
No difficulty can arise from the case of the
non-importation act, which will doubtless be
terminated in consequence of a pacification.
Should any stipulation to that effect be requir
ed, or found advantageous, you are at liberty
to enter into it. Should peace be made, you
m«y, in fixing the periods at which it shill
take effect, in different latitudes and distan
ces, take for the basis the provisional articles
of the treaty of peace with Great Britain in
1783, with ruch alterations as may appear to
be just and reasonable.
In discharging the duties of the trust com
nmied to you, the President desires that you
will manifest the highest degree of respect for
the Emperor of Russia, and confidence in the
.integrity and impartiality of his views In ar
ranging the question of impressment and ev
«iy question of neutral right, you will explain
to his government, without reserve, the claims
of the U. States, with the grounds on which
they severally rest. It is not doubted that
from a Conduct so frank and honorable the
most beneficial effect will result.
I shf* 1 ) conclude by remarking that a strong
hope that this friendly media
tion ofcfie Emperor Alexander will fc m an
epoch in the relations between the United
States f»nd Russia, which will be extensively
felt, and be long and eminently distinguished
by the happy consequences attending it.
Since J 780, Russia has been the pivot on
which all questions of neutral'right have es
sentially turned. Most of the wars which
have disturbed the world in’Ynodcrn times,
have originated with Great Britain and Franee
These wars have affected distant Countries,
especially in their character as neutrals, and
very materially the United Sutes, who look
no part in promoting them, affi had no iaier
est in the great object of either power.
Extract of a letter from the Secretary of Slate
to the Committionero of thi United States^
for treating <f peace with Great-Britain,
dated
Deparmtent of State, June 13, Kl 4.
“ An opportunity offering, I avail myself
of it to explain more fully the views of the
president on certain subjecis t already treated
on in your instructions, and t# communicate
his sentiment* on some other}, not adverted to
in them. ,
“ The British government having repealed
the orders in council, and the blockade of
May, 1306, ana all other illegal blockades,
and having declared that it would institute no
blockade which should not be.supporled by an
adequate force, it was thought better to leave
j that question on that ground, than to continue
the war to obtain a more prerpse definition of
1 blockade, after the other essential cause of the
war, that of impressment, should be removed.
Bat when it is considered that a stipulated de
finition of blockade will cost Great Britain no.
j thing after having thus recognised the princi
j pie, ami that suili definition is calculated to
i give additional confidence, in the future secu
rity of our commerce, it is expected that ahe
will agree to it. It is true, this cause of war
being removed, the United States are under
uo obiigatiou to continue it, for the want of
such stipulated definition, more especially as
they retain in their hands the remedy against
any new violation of their tights, whenever
made.— The saaie remark is applicable to the
! Case of impressment, for if the British gov
ernment had issued orders to its cruisers not
to imprest seamen fiotu our vessels, and noti
fied the same to this government, that cause
of war would also have been removed. In
making peace it is better for both nations, that
the controversy respecting the blockade,
should be arranged by treaty, as well as that
respecting impressment. The omission to
arrange it may be productive of injury. With
out a precise definition of blockade, improper
pretensions might be set up on each side res
pcc'. ag tficii right*, whiefi aught treuibiy
| hazard the fetire gocd understanding t«Wi
the two countries. ; ,
“ Should a restitution of ett wry be agree
on, it will be proper for you to make "Pro
vision for settling the boundary between the
United States and Great Britain on the
Lawrence and the lakes, from t e pom a
which the line between them strikes the St
Lawrence, to the north western corner of the
| Lake of the Woods, according to the pnrtci
. pies of the treaty of peace, ihe settlement
of this boundary is important, from the cir
cumstance that there are several islands in the
river and lakes, of some extent and g<*it vai
ue, the dominion over Jwhich is claimed by
both parties. It may be an advisable course
to appoint commissioners off either sine, with
full powers to adjust, on fair and equi able
considerations, this boundary, l'o enable
you to adopt a suitable provision for the pur
pose, it will bt p; oper for you to recur»to the
instructions heretofore given on the subject,
published io the documents in your possess
ion.”
Mr Monroe, Secretary of State, to the Pleni
potentiaries of the United States, at &t. Pe
tersburg.
Department of State , Jan. Ist, 1814.
Gentlemen—l have not received a letter
from you since your appointment to meet min
isters from Great Britain, at bt Petersburg,
to negociate a treaty of peace, under the me
diation of the emperor of Russia. 'I his is
doubtless owing to the miscarriage of your
dispatches. ,
Tlie message of the President, of which I
have the honor to transmit you a copy, will
make you acquainted with the progress of the
war with Great Britain, to that period, and
the other documents which are forwarded, will
communicate what has since occurred.
Among the advantages attending our suc
cess in Upper Canada, was the important one
of making capture of general Proctor’s bag
gage, with all the public documents belong
ing to tb* British government in his posses
sion. It is probable that these document* will
be laid before congress, as they are of a na
ture highly interesting to the public. You
will understand their true character by ex
tracts ot two letters from Governor Cass,
which are enclosed to you By these it ap
pears that the British government hss exer
cised its influence over the Indian tribes with
in our limits, as well as elsewhere, in peace,
for hostile purposes towards the United States,
and that the Indian barbarities, since the war,
were, in many instances, known to, and sanc
tioned by the British government;
I have the honor to be, &c. k\.: kc.
(Signed) JAMES MONROE.
(To be Continued. J
Savannah, November, 3.
VALUABLE ARRIVAL, -
And Another Victory ! !
Armed, yesterday afternoon at Live Fath
om Hole, the British brig Atalanta,,of 253
tons, coppertd to the bends, with a full cat go
of wipes, brandy, fruits, silks, cambrics, British
bale goods, kc prize to the United States’
siiip Wasp, Captain J. Blakely. The Atalan
ta was from Bordeaux, bound to Pensacola.
In coming over the Bar, last night, without s
pilot, she went ashore, on the North Breaker;
but was soon gotten off, after the loss of her
rudder and her keel a little damaged.
The Atalanta was formerly the schooner Si
ro, belonging to Baltimore, which sailed from
this port (Savannah) with a cargo of cotton for
France last winter ; and was captured on her
passing by a British frigate.
The Wasp left the Sfth Aug.
—five days after at 9 o’clock, r. m. fell in with
a British sloop of war and after an engage
ment of 46 minutes she surrendered to the
Wash. Immediately after the enemy hailed
the Wasp, and informed them they were in a
sinking condition and begged for aid—Capt.
Blakely was on the eve of sending bis boats to
her when a second sail was desciied close on
board of him, which compelled him to aban
don the idea of taking possession of her—Mr.
Gcisinger who was in the action on board the
Wasp, and who is prize officer of the Atalao
ta, informs us that it is his impression as well
us all the oLcers on board tlitf Wasp, that the
brig they engaged went down soon after; as
no assistance could be rendered her. On the
approach of the 2d sail, she was discovered to
be aorigof wir, and the Wasp was in 10
minutes after ready to engage her, and was in
the act of wearing to do so, when two more
brigs were discovered which induced capt.
Blakely to make all sail from them—they fired
a broadside into the Wasp,which cut jier rig
gingand did other damage # The loss of the
Wasp in the engagement was 2 men killed,
and one slightly wounded. She received three
balls in her hull, and a few in her sails and rig
ging
It is supposed that the Wasp, hss taken
sines her departure from the United States,
property to the amount of TWO HUNDRED
THOUSAND POUNDS sterling.
The Atalanta parted with the Wasp on the
2 2d September, off Madeira, the ship in good
order, aid the officers and crew io good health
and high spirits.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
On the lst September, at half past 6 o’clock
r m. the Uaiteri States’ Ship Wasp discov
ered three sail on the Ice bow—at 7 discovered
a *4 to windward which proved to be a brig
of tfar, with • signal at her fore top gallant
mast head. The Wasp was immediately
prepared for action, and chased the enemy till
a quarter past 9 o’clock, when she hailed the
enemy and asked what vessel it was ; but re
ceiving an answer not at ail aatisfactory ; gave
the enemy a gun, which was returned by a
bro»4«ie .row but* Wasp tbcb vsvk 4
position or the le« of the enemy, am j
poured a broadside into hint, which brought
down his fore and aft mainsail and soon after
his maiatopsail followed—-the action then be.
came general —so minutes past nine the
Wasp then being to windward—at 10 the et>.
emy ceased firing—he was then hailed from
the VVa*p to know whether he had surrender
ed—to this enquiry no answer was given, but
fired a gun and a few muskets from his tops—,
which was relumed by the Wasp by several
guns. The Wasp a second lime demanded
of the enemy if he had surrendered, to which
he answered that he had ) and *observed that
he was in a sinking condition—the Wasp’*
boats were instantly lowered down ; but at
that moment a man of war brig was discovered
within musket shot; and t«o others to lee
ward of ber—the prize Was abandoned—The
Wasp msde sail and prepared for another ac
tion—at 11 o’clock the brig hove in stays, and
gave the Wasp a broadside and then stood
off together with the other two for the prize
which was supposed to-be sinking from the
mans signal guns they fired on board of her,
The [broadside which the Wasp received from
the sctond bug cut away her jnaintopsail '
backstay and damaged the top considerably.
filled on board of the Wasp in the first en
gagement M. Martin, boatswain, Henry Sta
ples, 3d quarter gunner—wounded James
Smelling. "
(List of vessels captured by the United
States ship Wasp, from the 37th August to
22d September, 18 U.
A"gust 30th, captured British brig Lutice,
with a cargo of pork, &c. burnt her. 31st,
boaided the brig Bony Cerd from Seville,
boufid to London, with Merino wool, fruits and
win:, scuttled her. Sept. 1, fell in wi.tha con
voy from Gibraltar, of 16 sail,, under the Ar.
mafia, 74, and a bomb ship—succeeded in cut
ting off a transport loaded with naval and mil
itary stores, &c. set her on fire in sight of the
confroy. 18th September, captured the brig '
Thfee Brothers with a cargo of wine, !cc.
burnt her. 13th captured tke brig Bachus
frofn Ncw-Fouudland to Gibraltar destroyed
hes September 22d captured the British •
brr; Atalanta of 8 guns, with a valuable cargo,
from Bordeaux bound to Pensacola.
i a ,
The following is an sxtract of a letter frota
jk officer, dated
United State*' sloop IVasfi, at sea,
V ! Sefit ember 23, 1814.
j There are but few disapoiniments - r n lifa
without their attendant benefits, and but few
pains unaccompained by pleasure.
Ytsterday, 1 fully believed and expested to
have i>een deprived the pit .sure of writing a
single fine by this opportunity, other than on
public service: But a disappointment has de
tained tilt Atalanta longer than Was expected,
and I am (indebted to that circumstance foe
the time 1 now indulge in writing to friends.
Captain Blakely, I believe, seads official
accounts up 40 this date, doubtless for pub
lication— toyV* letters, therefore, I refer you
for nicu and Correct particulars regarding our
crtiise-4severail of my messmates send par*
ticular jtatemeW extracts From which will*
no douljt, be Published, and will reach you
througl the canymon channel *f news.
The Wasp hits been ohe of the most suc
cessful oruizerss out of “the United S'ltes*
She has-been the! favorite of Fortune, and w*
offtr to divine Providence for iw
support and protection.
t»*e fas now be!en three months and five
days at sea, with a complement of 173 men,
whbse ages average only 23 years—the great
est part so green, tihat is, so unaccustomed to
the sea, that they were sea sick for a week.
In, that tints however she has destroyed
twelve British merchant vessels and their
cargoes, the while Value of which, I pre
sum, was not Jesslthan t'tso hundred thousand
fiiunds sterling—me thirteenth mcrchantmaß
we are now dispatching for the United States
-i-she is the first we have attempted to send
in, hut being art uncommon fast sailor, wa
have great hopes of her safe arrival; and, for
my part, with judicious management 1 havo
»q doubt of it—ahs is a Very beautiful brig
of 253 tons, cdppened to the bends and cop
per fastened, and a very valuable cargo on
board, consisting of brandy, wines, cambrics,
See. She was from Liverpool to Bordeaux*
thence to Pensacola.
Besides these merchant vessels, we hav»
whipped two of his Britannic s majesty’s sloop*
of war, and (comparatively speaking) have
lost nathing. Our first engagement was with
the Rein-Deer of 2 1 guns, which we whipped
in! It minutes; our loss was 4 Rilled and 38
wounded—the enemy’* I° S5 > 25 killed and 4i
wounded ; the greater part considered mortal.
The Rein-Deer wa* completely shattered to
pieces—-ws fought\her in a perfect calm, but
her foremast fell oifer the side the moment
a light breeze sprung’ up. Our principal (and .
in fact only ) damage^ wa * * *hot our ° rt ”
mast, which obliged to E° lnto P orl tu
get it properly fished. ; .
Our second engagej ment took place be
tween 9 and 10 at and lasted 46 min
utes, when the enemy, ’ wc believe,
lost but two men kilM * nd ° ne sU B“
wounded. Mr. on lward °( u *
at the time and will i V® you of particuLra.
The Wasp i. a |istra^ ul » h, P “ d
finest sea-boat, I belitij e } worl<l, ~
officers and crew, yoiuLi * ( Adrf) 3 1
fight with more rt,J chunl > J "*>
knr etuer duty. Caf 2
and discrete officer—#- 1
action a, st table. Jf »tlt I
The Atalanta is th» , 1
ceed ; and Mr. S ]
Übs. Adieu.” I #ook-bisvisc, i* I
—ARE P?tf>MPT-
V Writing
/*.' Sh»( at tU) Jfij