Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1802-10-22

iCOuiti} iu~H WIZ iiiuoSCu W fClluGuitil
their more lucrative purluits, and to ref
cue thefe perfoas and their property from
the nilchiets with which they were threat
ened. This was certainly an action which
gave our counirymen right to expect on
their arrival here, if MOI a cordial and
friendly welcome at leaa protection and
juaice. Infead Of this, however, they
have been afronted with illiberal iurrni-
fes, perpleyed by vexations, proiecutions,
and cppreaed and ruined by detention.
More than year has now elapfed tince
fome CT them have been waiting here for
the fulflment Of their contracts while 60
vernment has lept between the parties,
and prevented what it was its dury to have
enforced.
There is fourth clafs Of fufer.rs who,
although few in number, find th-lr embar-
rah'menss here equally ruinous. Thefe
are fuch as in the profecution of long voy-
ages in the Indian or Pacific Oceans, were
forced by neceaity, into this river for fup-
plies, and while there waiting 10 hopes Of
hofpitality, were encountered and taken
poReaion cf by CRITTERS in the iervice Of
this government. 1heie veeels with
their cargoes, which are valuable, have
been taken from their rightful owners,
without any lpecifc caufe being alledged
therefor, by thofe concerned in the depre-
dation. No charge is exhibited agalnt
which we can direct defence, bur the
whole process is conducted in a dark and
myGeEious manner, and we arc left to
conjecture the end in view, by the ge-
neral bearings merely Of the interrogato-
ries Of which they extort from US the an
fwers.
Thcfe four claaes compIile mott of
the cafes ariing from injuries done to
our property; injuries, which we, with
due Difference aPprehend are not only in
violation of good faith !; but IN many rel
poets Of the laws Of nations, and OF the ex-
liing treaty between the United States
and Spain.
You will frd particular fatement of
the venels alluded to in thele clafies, In
the incloled paper, No. |. The docu-
menrs and peculiar circumstances OF each
cafe will be furnilhed by thole therein i'm
mediately intereaed.
In addition to thefe injuries done the
property, there are others fill more humi-
liariog, which have been inflicted on the
perfons of American citizens. We have
feen our fellow citizens THRIFT into loath-
fome prifons, where difeaie and chagrin
have impaired their contributions; where
every ipecies of villains, which fwarm IN
the corruption of rotten fate; have been
their bed and board companions, and were
the torn and mangled members OF execu-
ted ielons, have been fcattered among
them, to iacreale their dilsua and horror.
Yet, no crime has been alledged agalnit
thoie unhappy fuferers-no caute ALIGNED
for their commitment, and no motives can
be conjetfnred for fuch barbarous treat
ment, of men habi1uated 10 law and IL
berty from their infancy, than the mere
love of oppreGion, Or the hope to torture
them into the confeilion OF iome magma
ry guilt, or to betray or failely criml-
nate thofe who have entruhed and employ
ed them.
We are indeed all treated as the men,
bers of a weak and contemplate nation,
which has neither the means nor the tpl
rit 10 protect us. Our government is the
fneer and fcof' of thoie in authority here,
and our flag has been lgnomlnlouily holtt-
ed with the Union downward On board
Kings frigate, while thote OF Others (even
Of petty nationsl have been dilpiayed VITA
honor.
To obtain redrefs for thefe injuries, we
have given our frequent peIfonal atten-
dance on this government. We have en-.
deavored to move it by individual iup-
plication and TO route ii by general re-