Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-10-03
From the London Morning Chronicle Of.
I,llu o.


gagement between the Leopard and the
American frigate Chesapeake, are stated
to be as follows lit appears that some
British deSerters had taken refuge on
board the American frigate. The Leopard
falling in with her, demanded that they
should be given up, and insisted upon scar
ching for them. This was pcremptorily
refused by the American captain after
which the Leopard fred a shot, was an
swered by broadsde, and an action i'm
mediately commenced, which, however,
did not continue long, for the Chesapeake
upon having a few men killed and wound
ed struck her colours. The acscrters were
then taken out of her, and she was perniit-
ted to depart, and, we understand, she
returned Immediately TO the Chesapeake.
The Chesapeake is Il large Al guu fri
gate, very little inferior in size to the Leo
pard.
Such is the account given of this affair
in the ministerial paper the Sun, of last
might.
Out of this statement, as it stands, vari-
GUS considerations arose though, to enable
us to Judge of the true state of the case,
much mere information is necessary. IF
the American captain received on board
his vessel deserters from British ships Of
he was culpable, Notwithstanding thepra
tice of one nation receiving the subjects of
another into it's service, without any ques-
tons asked. On the men being demanded,
he ought for the sake of peace and good
understanding, perhaps, to have given
them up, though we do not know, that by
any law of nations, far less by any existing
treaty, he was bound to deliver them on
the demand of any British ship. Ifhe was
called upon, however, to deliver them up
OH a menace of search, and if that accom-
panied the demand, he did no more than
his duty in refusing to allow his ship to be
searched because, had me yielded to the
menace, he surrendered an important right
belonging to his country.
1t is to be observed that this is n case
different from any that has vet occurred,
respecting the right Of taking British sal
Tors out of American ships. The Ameri-
cans dispute orr right of taking them ont
Of private ships, and allege great outrages
In doing so. Here the case stands upon TO-
tally different grounds. The Chesapeake
was q ship bearing 4 hag and comnissi-
on Of the U, States. The question then is,
whether this country or any ship bearing
the kings authority and commission, had
right 70 insist on visiting by force the ship
of a neutral and friendly power for the
purpose OF searching for deserters! 1t is
not whether there actually were or were
not deserters on board the American fri
gate, or whether the American Captain
Knew OF it? That fact al present is of no
IL amer of consequence. Tie question is
whether we had the right to pursue re-
dress Of an alledged grievance in the way
resorted to by the commander of the Leo
I,
tion at law, when he must not take the
lay in; Q his own hands.
We hardly imagine that any civilian
will contend, that British ship oouidhave
shis right Of search Ly force, because such
a right is wholly Inconsistent with the So
sereignty o(the United States Of America.
To all intents and purposes the sovereign
" Of the u. States in all its branches, and
surely therefore, in whatever relates to
/. military jurisdiction and authority over IFS
public force, is as complete as that OF this
or any other nation over its AMY OF navy.
But what can be a VloEs direct Invasion Of
this right of soyersigntf,Tw what 2 more fa-
grant attack ON the Honor of'ah indepcn-
domination, than. to. insist-aSa matter. oil
right, on going on board a ship. of war, and
searching for IdeSerters3 We doinot know,
my case that would support such de-
Inand, for there can be no necessity f5riti;
but the pretcnce in this case is very tri-
fling, and far below what Could justify one
nation III demanding that another should
submit to such q badge Of ignominy. Let
any military man, or any seaman, reject
"a for a moment what the thing demanded is
1t is that The public ships and vessels bI
one power shall, VIXEN ard where thay
please, send on board the public ships ard
vessels of another friendly power, and by
force pass in reviewthe whole crew, aearth
the whole ship, and do cverv thing tile
most Inconsistent with the discipline Of tbC
ship visited, and tie dignity of the nation
Submitting To tits suftposed right ?
Letus put this home to ourselves Sup.
pose the. Chesapeake had been lying a
Portsmouth,. Suppose the American cap
tain had got Information that some ruu-a
way American sailors were ON board ;
British sleep Of war. Admitting that the,
we're run-awavs, would any English osice,
commanding such sl0op OF war;, have acce
ded TO the.impudent aHdipsulting demand
90 send or come ON hoard his vessel, maxi
his crew pass muster, each tell where ht
was born, search evefy granny, and dotha
which ihthe very nature os things cannot b
done without outrage and tnsult? Yet !
4herc he rightin this brc;eosion, is a RICH
comuon toboth nations; aud the Ameri
can captain would have been full as muci
entitled to exercise it az Spithead or in tn,
Downs, as ths commander cf The Ltopar,
in Hampton Roads. Tile clsimis so iucon
5stent with the ClCarest rights OF in0cptn