vention, vous règlerez vos actions de manière à faire preuve d'intelligence et de discernement, en exécutant ponctuellement mes ordres et ma Volonté Souveraine, et vous vous garderez bien de permettre quelque chose qui soit contraire au sens, et à l'esprit du présent Commandement Impérial, émané à la moitié de la Lune Zilkaadé, l'An de l'Hégire, 1236, (le 15 Août, 1821.) FIRMAN of the Grand Seignior, inviting the Greeks to return to their Allegiance to The Porte.—16th August, 1821. (Traduction.) IL est de notoriété publique que la Nation Grecque, d'ancienne date sujette et tributaire de la Sublime Porte, n'a jamais cessé de jouir des effets de la clémence et de la bienfaisance du Gouvernement Ottoman qui, en protégeant dans leurs personnes et leurs propriétés les différens individus qui la composent, n'a pas discontinué de leur accorder toute espèce de faveurs, de concessions et de privilèges, au dela même de ce que la qualité de Raya (sujet tributaire) rendoit admissible à leur égard. Cette Nation, méconnoissant néanmoins le prix des grâces dont elle étoit comblée, a préféré choisir le sentier de l'ingratitude, en se rebellant contre son maître et bienfaiteur, le Gouvernement Ottoman. La Sublime Porte ne voulant cependant pas s'écarter des maximes de bonté et de clémence qui lui sont innées, elle n'a point adopté une mesure générale contre tous ceux qui se sont soulevés, mais punissant, d'une part, les individus, dont le supplice étoit devenu indispensable, et protégeant, de l'autre, tous ceux qui tenoient une conduite tranquille et paisible, elle s'est déterminée à recourir aux admonitions et aux exhortations, en employant à cet effet des Lettres d'Excommunication, conformes au Rit de l'Eglise Grecque. Les Lettres furent, en conséquence, rendues et publiées, d'abord par votre prédécesseur, et ensuite par vous-même, de la manière qui a été jugée convenable. Malgré tout cela, cette Nation, ne renonçant point au systême qu'elle a embrassé, et restant sourde aux avertissemens et aux admonitions qui lui ont été adressés, en conformité à son propre Rit, persiste de tout côté dans la désobeissance et la révolte: ceux même d'entr'elle, qui ne s'étoient point soulevés dans le commencement se sont rangés depuis du côté de la rébellion, et ont osé commettre toute sorte d'êxcès et d'attentats; ces sujets pervers ainsi réunis, qui professent une inimitié ouverte contre la Nation Musulmane en général, ont donné à leur rébellion le caractère d'une guerre de réligion. De semblables procédés étoient assurément de nature à provoquer la résolution de réunir toute la Nation Mahométane, et de lui faire tirer le sabre hors du fourreau contre les coupables. Cependant comme la clémence et la miséricorde sont les principes caractéristiques de la Sublime Porte, l'on a jugé à propos cette fois-ci encore, de faire circuler, parmi les individus de la Nation Grecque qui se trouvent dans les Etats Ottomans, par votre canal, et suivant votre propre Rit, des lettres d'avertissement et d'admonition, abandonnant à leur propre choix de s'exposer aux conséquences qu'entrainera une obstination plus longtems prolongée. L'ordre et la volonté bienfaisante de Sa Hautesse le Sultan, étant conformes à cette mesure, il vous est ordonné par conséquent de la publier, et d'inviter par vos conseils et vos admonitions, tous les Grecs qui résident dans l'Empire, de revenir à l'obéissance et à la soumission; leur déclarant en même tems, que si cette fois-ci encore ils ne reconnoîtront pas le prix de ce nouvel Acte de clémence et de bonté, ils devront attribuer à eux-mêmes les conséquences qui en seront le résultat. Au Patriarche Grec. PROCLAMATION of the President of The United States, repealing the Discriminating Duties on Oldenburg Vessels and Cargoes.-22nd November, 1821. By the President of the United States of America. WHEREAS, by an Act of the Congress of The United States, of the 3rd of March, 1815,* so much of the several Acts imposing Duties on the Ships and Vessels, and on goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into The United States, as imposed a discriminating duty of tonnage between Foreign Vessels and Vessels of The United States, and between goods imported into The United States in Foreign Vessels and Vessels of The United States, were repealed, so far as the same respected the produce or manufacture of the Nation to which such Foreign Ship or Vessel might belong, such repeal to take effect in favour of any Foreign Nation whenever the President of The United States should be satisfied that the discriminating or countervailing duties of such Foreign Nation, so far as they operate to the disadvantage of The United States, have been abolished. And whereas satisfactory proof has been received by me, under date of the 11th of May last, that thenceforward all discriminating or countervailing duties of the Dukedom of Oldenburg, so far as they might operate to the disadvantage of The United States, should be, and were abolished, upon His Highness the Duke of Oldenburg's See Page 521. being duly certified of a reciprocal Act on the part of The United States: Now, therefore, I, James Monroe, President of the United States of America, do hereby declare and proclaim, that so much of the several Acts imposing duties on the tonnage of Ships and Vessels, and on goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into The United States, as imposed a discriminating duty of tonnage between Vessels of the Dukedom of Oldenburg and Vessels of The United States, and between goods imported into The United States in Vessels of the said Dukedom of Oldenburg and Vessels of The United States, are repealed so far as the same respect the produce or manufacture of the said Dukedom of Oldenburg. Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, this 22nd day of November, in the year of our Lord 1821, and the 46th year of the Independence of The United States. JAMES MONROE. By the President JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, Secretary of State. PAPERS relative to the Establishment at the Mouth of Columbia River. 1813, 1818, 1823.* pany and the British North-West Company.. .New York, 4th Jan. 1823. 1299 :} 16th October, ..... 1295 4. Mr. Prevost to the Secretary of State....... Monte Rey, 11th Nov. 1818. 1299 5. Mr. Astor to the Secretary of State ....... SIR, No. 1.-Mr. Astor to the Secretary of State. New York, February, 1813. I TAKE the liberty to call to your recollection the subject of which I spoke when I had the honour of waiting on you at Washington, and to enclose Copy of a Letter which I received in November last, via Canada, as also, copies of some Notes passed between some of the Agents which I sent to Columbia River, and Mr. Thompson, a Partner of the Northwest Company of Canada. By these it will be seen that the Indians on that part of the Continent are friendly, and it is understood that the climate is mild, and the Country good; and I am informed • Laid before the Congress of The United States, in a Message of the President, 25th January, 1823. and believe, that a great and valuable trade may be carried on there with more advantage by this than any other Country. By the extract of a Letter from the Wintering Partners of the Northwest Company to Mr. McGillivray of Montreal, it will be seen that they are more or less apprehensive, that the plan pursued by me will more or less endanger the valuable and extensive trade of that Company, which, though of some consideration to this Country, is, in my opinion, of less consequence than the trade which may be carried on, on the coast, and from thence to China, as also, a considerable trade with the Russian Settlements in that part of the World. You will perceive, Sir, that the People which I sent out in a Ship, in the year 1810, have established themselves on the Columbia River, and have built a Fort, which I understand is on a favourable situation, about 10 or 12 miles from the mouth of the River. If all the Men which were sent thither have arrived safe, as I believe they have, then there must be about 150, besides a number of Natives from the Sandwich Islands. I know that the Northwest Company have communicated my undertaking to the British Government, and, under present circumstances, I think it more than probable that they will apply for some aid to defeat it. Whether they have or will succeed in obtaining that, I know not. I have, however, every reason to believe, that, if the Government does not aid them, they will make, themselves, an effort to that effect. Under other circumstances than the present, I mean in time of peace, I think I could have made stand against that Company; in the present, it becomes doubtful and hazardous, and, in case of an interference on the part of the British Government, impossible for an individual to hold possession of a Country which may become a source of wealth and comfort to many. In this situation, it becomes very interesting to know somewhat of the views of Government relative to this object, and whether The United States have or will assert any claim to that, or any part of that Country, and whether the Government will deem it expedient to take possession and give protection to the infant Establishment which has been made. I presume if 40 or 50 men were placed in the Fort already established, or on some more eligible situation, if such there be, they could, with the aid of the Men already there, repel any force which I think it likely the British would at this time send, and, in the mean time, means might be found to send some more men, and to strengthen ourselves. My plan was to have reconciled the Indians on the Missouri to our having a free communication up that River, which no doubt, in a future day, will be effected, whence we can send any force necessary to protect ourselves. But it appears necessary, that some step should now be taken, which will afford a more speedy aid; which can only be done by sending a Vessel, &c. round Cape Horn. There are at this time about 12 or 13 American Vessels on that coast; many of them might seek and find protection in the Columbia River, if we had even a small force there. I beg leave to say, that, at the commencement of my undertaking it appeared to be necessary that some of the People sent to that Country should be acquainted with the Indian trade; and they being very scarce in The United States, I have been under the necessity of taking some from Canada,—some Canadians, and some few Scotchmen. Although they have all become Citizens of The United States, I am more or less apprehensive that these, in time of war, may join any force sent by the Northwest Company or the British Government, and the more so, if there should be no appearance of any protection from this Country. The number of these is, however, small, and the principal Agent is a Mr. Hunt, of Trenton, a real American and a gentlemen of integrity, honour, and talents. I believe at present, there is no post, or establishment on the Columbia River, but the one here spoken of, though I am pretty sure the Northwest Company will endeavour to fix one, as I have just now a Letter, dated 19th November, in London, which says the Northwest Company are fitting out the Brig Isaac Todd, of about 500 tons, to go to the Northwest Coast. The writer does not say under what circumstances the Ship goes, but that she will go to Columbia River there can be no doubt. I pray you, Sir, to have the goodness to bring this subject under the consideration of the President, and if permitted, I would ask the favour of being informed of the result, which is the more desirable, as I expect very shortly an opportunity of sending a Messenger to that quarter of the World. I am sure the Government will readily see the importance of having possession, and the command, of a River so important and extensive as the Columbia, the fountain of which cannot be far distant from that of the River Missouri. I have the honour to be, &c. The Hon. James Monroe. JOHN JACOB ASTOR. No. 2.-Mr. A. Shaw, Agent for the Northwest Company, to Mr. John G. M'Tavish, Columbia River. MY DEAR SIR, Montreal, 9th May, 1813. WE are in hurry and confusion, preparing paper, &c. for the Express Canoe, having waited impatiently for some time. It was at last determined upon to send it off, without having received the least knowledge of what has been doing in England since December last; but, fortunately, the arrival of a Frigate brought us accounts of the Isaac Todd, having on board Messrs. M'Tavish and M'Donald, being ready |