Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Important Documents:

[CONTINUED.]

Mr. Madison's Letter to Gen. Armstrong.

EXTRACT. [a]

Department of State, May 22, 1807.

"The two last letters received from you were of Dec. 24, 1806, and Jan. 16, 1807. The decree of Nov. 21, communicated in the first, had previously reached us, and had excited apprehensions which were repressed only by the inarticulate import of its articles, and the presumption that it would be executed in a sense not inconsistent with the respect due the treaty between France and the United States. The explanations given you by the minister of marine, were seen by the president with much pleasure, and it only remains to learn that they have been confirmed by the express authority of the emperor. [b] We are the more anxious for this information, as it will fortify the remonstrances which have been presented at London, against the British orders of January 7th--Should it, contrary to expectation, turn out that the French decree was meant, and is to operate, according to the latitude of its terms, you will of course have made the proper representations, grounded as well on the principles of public law, as on the express stipulations of the convention of 1800. Nothing, besides, could be more preposterous, than to blend with an appeal to neutral rights and neutral nations, a gross infraction of the former, and an outrage on the sentiments of the latter; unless it be to invite a species of contest on the high seas, in which the adversary has every possible advantage. But on the more probable supposition, that the decree will not be unfavorably expounded, it will be still necessary to press on the French government a dispatch of such orders to the cruizers in every quarter, as will prevent a construction of the decree favorable to their licentious cupidity. The moment your letter was received, the answer of the French minister of marine to your note, was communicated to General Turreau, with a call on him to transmit immediately to the French Governors in the West-Indies. This he readily engaged to do. But notwithstanding this precaution, there are proofs that the West-India privateers have, under color of the edict, committed depredations which will constitute just claims of redress from their government. (c)

"Mr. Pinkney has forwarded a Spanish decree also, avowedly pursuing the example and the views of the French emperor. The terms of the decree are even more vague, or rather more broad, than those of the prototype; and, if not speedily recalled or corrected, will doubtless extend the scene of depredations already begun in that quarter; and, of course, thicken the cloud that hangs over the amity of the two nations."

NOTES.

a Why not publish the whole letter? Every syllable if what Mr. M. says to Mr. Pinkney is published--why then this mutilation?

What were the "explanations" given by Decres the French Minister of Marine, to Gen. Armstrong? They were, that he knew nothing in the subject of foreign affairs: he imagines, indeed, that his Emperor would not openly violate the Treaty with the U. S.; but eventually says, that Mr. A. must apply to the Prince Talleyrand for the "development" of the intentions of the Emperor in his Berlin decree Let the reader bear in mind, that the Berlin decree was dated Nov. 21, 1806; but the "Explanation," as it is called, of Decres, was made some time in December following: and then let him carry his mind forward to the time when any mention is made by Armstrong, of a dormant or receipt of this "development" from Talleyrand.--

Mr. Madison's reply to Gen. ARMSTRONG's information of the Berlin decree, it seems was a letter until four months after the date of the latter!

(c) There is pretty good evidence that Turreau knew Decres fully to be no master whom he could tell, to do what he "engaged to do."

0000000.

It is a consolation in these "embargo times" that the thousands thrown out of employ. can enlist in the standing army, now raising, where they can get five dollars per month, and have the satisfaction of reflecting that they are patriotically engaged to defend their country against---Ah, that's the question-- against nobody knows what or whom, without it be our own citizens--N. Y. Herald