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

9aaKdr9, 1904, TeiditVs 10 IRlPfeSShenfSs
Ne consider neural tag, on the hign
seas. as safeguard 20 ihosS sailing under
IL Great BRIAN On the contrary, asserts
a right 10 scarce for, aud seIzs her owe
subjects; and under that cover, as cannot
hint happep, are otten seized aud taken Of,
citizers OF tbs Uai,ed States, and CITIZENS
or subjects of other nentral coaatriea navl
eating shs high seas, unaer the Psotectlon
of the American flag
Were The right of Great Britain, IN this
case not denied, the abuses Rowing from It
would lastly the United States IN claiming
and expecting dlsconliuuaacc OF lis exer-
else. But the gigpt is denied, and on the
4sbest grounds.
AIshongn Great Britain has not yer a.
lsdooted, in the same lati,Gde with most O.
.her ma !. rs, the immuniues ct neutral
flag. she will nos deny the general freedom
of the high seas, and of neutral vessels ma
5 vica,inp them, with such exceptions only
q. are annexed roit by the law OF nations
She must produce then such an exception
S ir the law of na,ons, In favor OF the right
she contends for. bat in what written aed
S received authority will she find IL? In what
a,suage except her own, wilt II be found!
She will fad In both, tha neutral vessel
does not protect certain objects denoni-
mated centraband of war, including enegl,es
serving in the. war, nor ARTICLES going into
hlockaded port, nor, az she has MAN
rsfneti. and as we have not contested, enc.
.s.xaies property of any kind. iSut no where
xyffl she 6nd an exception to this freedom
of shrseas, and of neutral flags. which JUS.
tiRes tsss taking away of any person, not an
enemy, IN military service. touad on board
rcsbsssl vessel.
If teaties, British as well as others, are
20 be consulted on this subject, il will &c
Qually appear, that no counsenanae TO sthc
prsc,ice can be foupd in them. Whilst
they admit contraband OF war, by emu
merating its articles, and the effect of a
real blockade by defining it, IN no instance
do they affirm or imply right In any soye-
reign 10, enforce his claims TO the allegiance
of his subjects, on board neutral vessels on
the high seas. On the contrary, whenever
belligerent claim againstpersens on board
a neutral vessel, is referred To in treaties,
enemies in military service alone are ex-
ceoted from the general immunity OF per.
sons in that situation and this exception
ropfrms the immunity eF shose who are
-snot included IN II.
Is is not then from the law or the usags
9of nations, nor from the tenor of treaties,
that ary sanction can be derived for tbs
.practices in question And surely it will
not be pretended that the sovereignty of any
Z n2sicn extends, IN any case whatever be-
yond It's own dc;linions, and its own yes.
sells on the highssas. uch4doctrine would
give lust claim TO all nations, and more than
any thing would countenance the impusa-
ton of aspiring 60 ar universal empire OF
she seas. Ii would be the less admissible
100, as it would be applicable to times of
peace, as well as TO times of war, and to
properly as we'll as TO persons. It the law
of allegiance, which is municipal law, be
An force at all on the high seas, on-board
foreign vessels. it must be so at all tines
sshere as tits within les acknowledged sphere.
IF the reason alledged for it be good IL.
time of war, namely, that the sovereign
has then right to the service of all his sub.'
;ects, il must be good at all times, because.
az all times he has the same right TO.
,shesp service. War is not the only occa%
siou.for which he,may want their services.
nor is external danger the only danger.
AGAINST which their services M y be re
.cvired for his security. Again; if the.
authority "a municipal law can operate
on persons in foreign vessels on the high
.eas. because within the dominion of their
sovereign they would be subject to that,
law. and are violating tia, law BY being il
that situation, how reject the inference rha,
..he authority of a municipal law NAV E,
~naIly be enforced, on board foreign YES.
.aels. on the high. seas, against articles Of
nroper,y exported in violation OF such a