Sold by Stuart Lutz Historic Documents, Inc., South Orange, NJ, U.S.A.
Association Member:
AbeBooks Seller since January 25, 2018
Seller rating 2 out of 5 stars
JAMES MADISON (1751-1836). Madison was the Fourth President after being Thomas Jeffersons Secretary of State. He was also the Father of the Constitution.DAVID ERSKINE, 2nd BARON ERSKINE (1776-1855). Erskine was a British diplomat who served as Minister to the United States during the second half of Jeffersons Presidency.Document. 29pgs. March 28, 1808. Department of State, Washington. A contemporary copy of a very long letter sent by James Madison as Secretary of State to David Erskine as Great Britains Minister to the United States. Madisons topic was the 1807 Orders in Council, a series of trade restrictions enacted by the Privy Council of the United Kingdom in response to the Napoleonic Wars. Their detrimental effect on American commerce led to the War 1812. Despite playing no role in the Napoleonic Wars, the young nations trade was essentially caught in the crossfire as Great Britain and Napoleonic France attempted to curtail each others ocean-going commerce, and the United States was having none of it. Madisons letter conveys Americas anger over was it perceived as undeserved retaliation by England: Having laid before the President your letter of the 23d of Febry explaining the character of certain British orders of Council issued in Novr. last, I proceed to communicate the observations and representations which will manifest to your government the sentiments of the President on so deep a violation of the commerce and rights of the United States. These orders interdict to neutral nations, or rather to the United States, now the only Commercial nation in a state of neutrality, all commerce with the enemies of Great Britain, now nearly the whole commercial word; with certain exceptions only, and under certain regulations, but too evidently fashioned to the commercial, the manufacturing, and the fiscal policy of Great Britain; and on that account, the more derogatory from the honor and independence of neutral nationsThe last orders like that of Jany, proceed on the most unsubstantial foundation. They assume for fact an acquiescence of the United States, in an unlawful application to them of the French Decree: and they assume for a principle, that the right of retaliation accruing to one belligerent against a neutral, thro whom an injury is done by another belligerent, is not to have for its measure, that of the injury received, but may be exercised in any extent, and under any modifications which may suit the pleasure or the policy of a complaining party. The fact, Sir, is unequivocally disownedI state with equal confidence, that at no time have the United States acquiesced in violation of their neutral rights injurious to Great Britain, or any other belligerent nationRetaliations are measures of rigor in all cases. Where they are to operate thro a third and involuntary party, they will never be hastily resorted to by a magnanimous or a just power; which will always allow to the third party its right to discuss the merits of the case; and will never permit itself to enforce its measures, without affording a reasonable time for the use of reasonable means, for substituting another remedy. What would be the situation of neutral powers, if the first blow levelled thro them by one belligerent against another, was to leave them no choice but between the retaliating vengeance of the latter, and an [in]stand declaration of War against the former. Reason revolts against this, and the sole alternative. The United States could no more be bound to evade the British orders by an immediate war with France than they were bound to atone for the burning of the French ship of War on the shore of North Carolina by an immediate resort to arms against Great BritainThe French Decree of Novr 1806, undertook to declare the British Isles in a state of Blockade, to be enforced, if you please, against the neutral commerce of the United States, on the high seas, according to the faculty possessed for the purpose. As far as it was actually enforced or.
Seller Inventory # 5361
All sales are final 30 days after the Estimated Delivery Date. All materials that I sell are guaranteed genuine forever by me. If an item is proven not to be genuine (accompanied by a written letter by a known autograph or document expert), I will refund the full purchase price to the original buyer, and this guarantee is without a time limit.
If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are ...
Most shipping is by USPS First Class mail; it is both trackable and insured, and the buyer will have to sign for the package. Your item will be waterproofed with plastic wrap and sealed in a stiff cardboard container. Please contact me to inquire about other, speedier forms of domestic shipping, or for international rates.
| Order quantity | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | US$ 7.00 | US$ 10.00 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.
