Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1807-11-30

the commission OF the Emperor of
France. Some time after the Ente17lrize,
Capt. Deoafar, came into Syracuse, and
found the same privateei lying there
Capt Decqtur ascertained satisfactorily,
that the Seaman who had deserted was
on board of her. That gallant officer
instantly sent and dcnanded the seaman.
The French Captain refused to deliver
him up. Decatur With his character
istick spirit replied, that unless deliv-
cred up he would retake him by force.
The French Captain answered that he
would repel force by force. Decatur
not dismayed by this threat, nor Letter
red from the prosecution of his purpose,
caused his boat to be drly manned, went
on board, and seized the deserter.-It
must be remembered that the French
Captain, like Commodore Barron, did
not make the resistance he had threat
ened.--lt ought TO be known too, that
Syracuse, where this fact took place, is
in the territory of power then in ami
~ both with France and the United
States.
The above case is most strong one against
ourselves IN this question Of the Chesapeake
i roes fullyto establish the following points
against US -
1st. That our officers have always beEev-
ed, that they had a right TO demand their
deseyters who desert in foreign jurisdiction,
euen after they had entered into commission
cd vs5ssls If other nations.
2dly. That they considered that the ships
of war Of othern nations are bound in honour
tn deliver up such deserters, and that TO
refuse it is a Vrrong
3dly. That they entertained the opinion
that If restoration be refused, an avowed in
suit and injury is committed, which would
Justify an appeal to arms. This case is broad
ey than that Of the Chesapeake because here
there had been no appeal to the Government
of France as there had been to our Govern
ment this act was done in q neutral coun-
try, and not on the high seas, and we were
not in so great need If men at that moment as
Admiral Be7triey'S squadron was, who was
watching a French feet But Capt. Deca-
ty zpas not the ony officer who entertain
ed those ideas at that time. Commodore
Prebie came into Syracuse, IL the Constitution,
that night his officers went on shore, the
Governor Of Syracuse detained them, and
sent word TO Pyebie that he had 50 done, and
that the Constitution should not quit the har-
bour until the de8erter forcibly retaken
should DO restored to the French officers.
That noble spirited and ever to be lamen-
ted Naval Commander, who infused such
an inestimable spirit into our Navy, declar-
ed instantly that he abbroved the c0nduct Of
Capt. Decatur, and sent word to the Cover
nor of Syracuse, that unless his officers
should be set At liberty in five minutes he
would batter the castle about his ears. The
threat produced its utmost object, submis-
sion and the liberty Of his officers. fit be
said that this case proves TOO nluch-that
certainly the officers ought TO have respect
ed the territory Of NAPLES, if nor the flag Of
the ofrndtnr nation, ! answer, that Al
LEAST il ought to make us moderate in our
concentrations and censures Of the military
men Of otiey nations.
In fact, while a soldiers bound to spect
the authority Of every nation where he is
Hospitality received, his sword ought to be
wrested fom him if he suffers wilful,
wantOn. unproroked violation Of the right Of
his nation and The honor Of his ji4g, IL cases
where he has the power to do himself justice.
SIN a-r9ther and another case
During the last four years, our ships
have been repeatedly IN the Spanish
ports. Spain has navy to man as well
as we. Our seamen have repeatedly
deserted in Stain, as repeatedly have
they been demanded, and as constantly
delivered IN.
In France, even the deSerters from
our merchant shihs, though the consular
convention has been long since repealed
and annul!ed, are daily restored. They
are imprisoned on the request OF the
Consul, and delivered when demanded.
After this, can it be doubted, whether
they would deliver Up deserters from
hu5!ic ships :
The above facts, the writer has obtained
from the most undoubted authority. He
challenges rcfutation Of them. And what
must we think Of the conduct OF some a.
monr us when in the most shameless man
ner, setting aside every principle of rccip-
rocity, they have not only sheltered, enlisted,
defended, but have i4ytted the de5erti9n q
the crews of public ships of foreign r4tionss
at war, by calling them much injured ana
spirited men ?'-When we have seen oir
public papers undertake to prose- that bs-
cause the British sailors were impressed,
thew had a r;sht 10 desert and we had r'Ght
TO protect theml When il is known that
both France and Spain equally ir'Pre,s. re"
seaqitcn, and when Mr. 9efersoH himself
proposes the imbfessaeat 81 airs uhoer 'ee
fatter;ng name 2; eare!liaS Them ter inc lIH-
lick defence
IMPARTIA.IS.
AZ -.o.,-k.r