The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-08-14

quantity of defence our waters require, other
wife than doing it by degrees. 1t is therefore
better that the land works be left to the States
individually, for if Congrefs were to do it, they
mutt lay on new taxes for the purpoie.
IN OLD FRIEND OF '76.
From the IN. ~ Evening Poi.
Mr.. COLEMAN,
As lhameful attempts are making to diff
| honor the United States, by miireprefenting
tue nature OF our controversy with Great Bril-
tam, respecting Seamen, the following iumma-
ry observations may be acceptable to fome of
| your readers.
The Britih Navigation Ae, pafIed in the
reign OF Charles I'd, requires that the maRer
and three foWtbJ of the marines Of Rritib RipJ,
lhall be Britjb /4bje7s.
But this fundamental regulation, is by Sta
tute of the Is of Geo. I'd limited to periods of
peace. During any wars in which Great Britain
is engaged, it is fufiicient if the crews of her
ihips are competed of one fourth n0tiveS or even
nAfmaiized mariners. Provilion is even made
for allowing lefs proportion than one fourth
IN certain cafes.
But though during quar- no more than one
fourth of the crews of Brtifh fhips are requi-
red to natiue BritjB or even naturGhSed G6-
jets, yet at aHtimeJ, the principles of the ma
VACATION law, are inforced in refpect to Sc foreisn
VsDels trading to Great Britain" Thefe prin.
cPles require, tbAt The "mafer and three
fourth. Of The marines fhall be Gu6jeas of THE
countries to which the foreign DeGeks belong"
Bya permanent Statute, {" all FOREIGNERS who
ferved in the merchant Hips or triVaieer5 of
Great Britain, are exempted from being i'm
prefled into the Kings fervice, and for their fe-
curlty are entitled TO projections from the Ad-
miraIty.-Vide Is. Geo. 2.
Foreign Seumen, who ferve faithfully for tzvo
gears, during time of war, on board any bu6-
lie or eVen private Brifjb Hips, are by law,
deemed Sc natural barn (u1jeGFs Of Great Bril-
tain."-Vide Is. Geo. cd.
1t will then be ieen, that natraEsing Eamen
and granting ProfetfionS for the purpofe of de-
tachiDg them from their natural allegiance, are
not as they have been called, " american In
1,ratioa5."
The impeachment of feamen is contrary to
the genius of the Engiih Law, and no iuch
right has ever been vefted by Statute, though its
exIitence at common Lazv,may be inferred from
ieveral Statutes, limiting the exercife of i'm
Preiiment. Seameu above So or under 8 years
OF age, apprentices, ferrymen aud fihermen,
and all pertonS of whatever age, fo, tavo years
after fCR going to /sa, are exempted and enti-
tied to projections. No law (unlcfs one has
been recently enacted) has ever exifted for
compelling deferters to return 70 fervice, except
on board the Kings ihips. Britifb failors who
have even fgned articles to ferve in Britlh
merchants fhips, cannot be compelled to fpe-
chic performance of their contracts, and are
only liable to confinement for nlort time as
puniihment for defertion. A deferter from
foreign fhp, cannot be are fed in England, &
returned to his duty. Any feaman, may leave
his iervice IN private vef1el, at any time and
enter on board Kings ihip, without forfeit
ing his wages or being deemed deferter.
There is nothing in the Britilh Statutes or
public regulations, which countenances the
impeachment of feamen, from Britih ye6cL5 on
tie bigb Ie05, and no fuch right in refpect to TO-
reign pcD7sL5 is recognized by the Law of Natl
ons.
From this representation, it is evident that
the Brltiih have no right TO complain of our laws
which on the futje6t in queaion, are more
liberal tban Heir Oqt'n, nor ought any modifca-
ton of them to be expected, but foley on the
ground of reciprocal benefit.
The former administration offered the Britfh
Government liquidation for the mutual fur
rendered. all delertcrs, on condition that they
would abttain from the impre6ments from our
vellelS on the high ieas II the prefent admin
iltration have made limilar offer, they have
done enough more ought not to he conceded
in any event. A government which will not
protect the perfona liberty of its fubieds is
unworthy of fuppoTt.
THERE'S fomethiDg Unexpectedly diguaing in
the attempt now making to deceive the people
by representing this as controversy for the
protection of Brifib mufineerJ and deJerierJ =
nothing more liberal was perhaps to be expected
from certain mercenary minions Of Britifh To-
fluence among US: but Americans ought to
be attained of fuch bafe and unfounded fuggel-
tons. On this queltion they can find no room
to heitate whether they ihaIl fupport the caufe
of their country To recommend a fubmifIion
to Brilj6 iujuoice becaufe our administration
has lubmitted TO French and S1anib iniuaice,
will 0eto eGabliiha principle which mutt afew
years deprive us of every venige of oar rights
and place us humble n]ves at the feet Of fome
ufur2er NO while we would prefer peace
with honor, let US fpurn it If connected with
uoequll or degrading conditions Let us fay
with the proud ipirited Romans" We viii
" not difp1ie about the qualifications of a Maj
/" tef; We WILL HAVE 40 MASTER"
CAMILLUS.