Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-02-25
To IL Gents Singled

and his life itself to the greatest dangers
! Reason, justice and humanity unite II
protesting against so eXtravagant pro
ceeding. And what is the pretext for il
1t is that the similarity of language and
OF features between Americ IN citizen.
and British subjects, are such as not ca.
silly to be distinguished ; and that without
TINS arbitrary and summary authority 10
make the distinction, British subjects
would escape, under the name of Ane-
rican citizens, from ths duty which they
owe TO their sovereign. Is then the diff
hcu'ty OF distinguishing mariner of one
country from the mariner of the other,
and the importance OF his services, a
good plea for referring the question whc-
Their he belongs to the one or TO The otner,
10 an arbitrary decision on the spot. by
an interested and irresponsible c.herr
In all other cases, The difficulty aud the
Importance of question are considered
as reasons for requiring greater care and
iorrnsl'ty IN investigating them, * great.
er security Tor right decision en- them,
10 say that precautions of this sort are
Incompatible with the object, is 10 admit
That the object is unjusiihablc, since the
only means by which it can be pursed
are such as cannot he justified.
The evil takes deeper die, when
viewed in its practice as well as its priu.
cip!es. Were it allowable that British
subjects should be taken on, OF American
vessels on the high seas, il might at least
Dc required that the proof OF their allie.
glance should lie on the British sde.
ms obvious and just rule is, however,
reversed and every seaman on board.
though going from an American port. and
sailing under the American flag, and
sometimes even speaking an ic!iorn prov:
ing him not 10 be British subiecl. ia
Presumed 10 be such, unless shewn to he
american citizen. 1t may safely be af.
armed that this is an outrage and an in.
u'shity WHICH has no Precedent, and
which Great Britain would be amona III,
last nations in the world 10 spff.r !? &C
tered to her own subjects, and her own
nag. Nor is 1t always against ,b. r;a.,,s
alone, which is in favor of
the citizenship corresponding with The
h'S' that the violence is committed. Mot
onirequentiy 1t takes place in defiance of
,he most positive proof, certified in due
'orm By an American officer. Let ;,not
DC SAID, that in granting TO American
'eamen this projection for their r;ob,s =.
such, the point is yielded, thar the nroof
ies on the american side, and that ,ba
want OF 1t IN the prescribe form inst;Gs.
HE inference that The seamen is M, or
American allegiance. Ii is djstjn0Iv IN
Dc understood, that the certificate usually
cameo protection TO American seamep.
IS not meant to protect them under tb.ir
l",' or even any other neutral Aar on
The high seas. We can never adm, ,,,o.
IN such situation, any other pro,eS,;on
IS required for them, than the neu,raI o.,
tseii on the high seas. The docnrnns
Is gwen to- prove their real charasler IN
SITUATIONS 10 which neither the law of ma.
tiohs' nor The law of their own conntrv
are applicable; in other words. IN nro,.S
them within the jurisdiction of the Ri.
tish law, and to secure To them. w;eI,;n
every other jurisdiction, the rights and
lmmunltes due TO them. If in the cop,.e
OF their navigation even on the high seas-
The document should have the effe9 &c
repeliIng wrongs of any sort, if is an in
c'dentst advantage only, of which tbev
avail themselves, and is by no means 70
DC m'sconstrued into right 10 exact such
proof, or to make any disadysntseeous
interference from the want OF il.
Were 1t even admitted that cer,;f..
Tor protection might be Justly reonired
n lime OF war, from American seapen
hey could only be required in CAGE,
where the lapse of time from its con-
nencement, had given an oppo,,0n;,v
or the American seamen IN tro,,;L.
themselves with such document. We,
IS certain that in variety Of instances
eamen have been impressed from, 49,.
ican vessels, on the plea thattbev badnot
his proof ct citizenship, when The d,ts,
nd places of The Improvements DEMON
lraied the impossibiliy Of their know;rr
= time to provide The proof, that a So
i war bad rendered it it necessary.
whether therefore we consult The f.w
! nations, the tenor If treaties, or The
icsates oil reason AID Justice, no warrant.
10 Pre'eXi Gao be found for the British
raciice OF making impressmen,s from
american vessels on the high seas.
Great Britain hos the less TO saw in ex.
use for this practice, as il is in direcf
contradiction 10 The principles on which
he proceeds in other cases. Whilst ,be