Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1806-02-13

ontv. CT which they avai themselves, aau
. bv no means 10 be mlsconstfueu in'o d
sr;oht TO { xact such proof, or 70 make any
d. sady analogous interference from 'oe J" any
llot it.
Were Il even admitted that certificates
for protec,ion might be.justiy required IN
snme of war from American sramen, shey
could only be required 10 cases WRefe Inc
lapse OF time from IFS com mencs iAel'' Aau
gwen an opportunlyts the American sea-
men 10 provide themselves win SUCH q
.dnfnment. Ye1itls certain that In va.
r,ety OF instances, seamen have Deen in'
ressed from American vessels, on the plea
ma, tney had not th,s proosot citizenship,
when Inc d4les and piacesol tue impress
m4nt. demonstrated the lmposslDillty OF
the snowlng IN time to provide the proof
,has . sta.e Of war nad rendered necessa-
.ry
Whether therefore we consult the Jaw
Of naions, The tenor OF treaties, or dlc.
tatss of reason aud justice, no warrant,
no pretex., can be found for the British
practice Of makarg imPressments from
AMERICAN vessels on The high seas.
Great Britain has the less 10 say in ex-
ouse for this practice, as / is In direct
contradiction to the PRINCIPLES on which
she psoceeds IN other cases. Whilst she
CLAIMS and se1zes Ga The high seas, her own
subjects voluntarily serving IN American
vessels, sire has constantly given when
she could give, as reason Tor not dis
charging them from her service American
citizens, thar they had voluntarily epgag.
edln i. Nay NOR whilst she Impressrs
her own subjects, from the American ser.
vice, dlthough hey have been settled and
married, and sven naturaiized IN the ~.
.Stses, abe constantly refuses to release
from hers American ciuseas impressed
into it, whenever she can give for rea.
son that they were eisher setlled or marri.
ed within her dominions. Ihus when
the voluntary consent OF the individual
favors her preten;ionss she. pleads the vail
dity ofthae consent.
Whzn the voluntary consent of the ipo
dividual stands IN The way Of her pretsn.
sious, ii goes for nothing When mar
rlage or residence car be pleaded IN her
favor, she ayails herself Of the plea. When
marriage and residence, and even natu.
rsEzaGon are against her no respect what
ever is paid TO either! she takes bv force
her OWE subjects voluntarily serving in
american vessels. She keeps by force
american citizens voluntarily serving in
hers, More Aagrant Inconsistencies can
not be imagined,
Notwithstanding the powerful motives
which ought 10 be frif5by the British 90.
Vernmens to reliaqulsh practice which
exposes her TO so many reproaches, it i.
toreseen that objec,ions of different sorts
will b. pressed on you You will be told
first Of the great number of British sea.
men IN the American trade, and of the ne.
cessity Tor their services In time cfwar and
danger Secondly Of the right and The ore.
JUDGE OF the British nation, with respect
10 what are called the British or narrow
seas, where rs domain would be abandon.
ed by the general stipulation required
hitdly, OF the use which would be made
OF such sanctuary as that of American
vessels, tor desertions, and traiserous com
nnunica'ions TO her enemies, especially a.
cross the channel to France.
Isl. With respece to the British seamen
serving IN our trade, it may be remarked.
hrst, that the number though considerable,
y prooaeiy less ,tanmay be supposed -
Secondly, that what is wrong IN itself can /.
pot es made right by considerations of ex.
Ped'ency or advantage, Thirdly, that it
IS proved bv the fact, that the number Of
real British subjects gained BY the practice
IN question, is of inconsiderabe import.
ance even iothe scale Of Advantage. The
annexed report to. Congress on the subject
OF lmpressmt MS, with the addition of such
cases as may be in the hands of Mr.. Err.
wing will verify the remark ia its applicant.
on TO the present war. the s,a,ement