Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-09-05

What could have substituted for this
manly system, the pusilla nimous submissive
line of conduct, that we have adopted TO-
wards France, and those irritating hostile
measures towards Britain, which have llrl-
PEELED the nation the point OF a war with
the only power in the universe which can
shield any part Of our globe from adespo-
stism the most ferocious under which oppres-
sed humanity has ever groaned! What but ~
that temper which is ascribed to our admi-
nistration
Among the various modes by which we
have manifested our unfriendly dispositions
to England, few are calculated to affect her
more sensibly than the encouragement given
to the desertion of her seanen. Il was nm
possible not to contrast our constant refusal
to grant any Of those means by which deser-
tiers from her ships Of war might be reco-
vered, with the facility which under similar
circumstances, was constantly experienced
by the vessels of France.
But whatever apology may be made for
refusing our aid to British officer, wishing
to apprehcnd deserters, none can be given
for existing those deserters, into the Anne.
rican service. 1t was an open departure
from the practice of nations, and a gross OUT
rage On the received opinions OF mankind.
This inexcnsable infraction Of common u
sage and ofneutral duty, led to an aggression
OF so serious nature, as to fill every Ame-
rican bosom with just indignation.
The American frigate ths Chesapeake,
having on board three or four British de-
serters, was followed out Of our waters by
an English ship Of war, who demanded the
restoration Of certain British searlen who
had deserted from their service, were alleg-
ed to have enlisted in ours, and to be on
board The Chesapeake. On the refusal Of
captain Barron TO comply with this demand,
lis ship was attacked, and after being forced
20 strike her colors, the deserters found on
board were taken out OF her.
This outrage CT a national ship was uni
vsrsally and highly resented. With one
voice the people ofAnerica exclaimed, that
the wound inflicted ON the honor Of tho II.
States, must be healed, and the act be dis
avowed, OR that the appeal must be made
20 the last resort Of nations.
The course ofour administration on this
occasion, merits serious attention.
A proclamation was issued, inlibiting the
use OF oar porrs, not merely TO the offending
vessels CT officers, but to al ships.
Although this act oa reprisals was made
at a time when we were not informed that
! the British admiral acted under the orders
q government, and had no reason to believe
shat the right to search national ship, un-
| DEF any pretexr whatever, would be asserted
yet lis apology will be found in the violence
Oh the aggression, and in the extreme irrita-
non OF the moment. It's continuance how
ever, after the motives which excused it iii
the first instance, were removed, stands on
totally different ground.
In commenting on the non-intsrcoursc
las, ] have observed, and I beg leave tore
peat the observation, that il Is unusu-
al among sovereigns, to take into their
own hands, by an act Of reprisals, the repa-
ration Tor an injury sustained, until Justice
has been demanded from and refused by
the offending nation. This rule is parsi-
cularly applicable to cases, in which it is
| not certain that the offence is t. be consi-
deied as a national act. 1t deserves re-
cular consideration 100, when the repara-
ton selected is BY aneueral against belli-
gcrei,t power, aIls! is Of such character as
essentlsliy to iajurc the belligereae and serve
/, his, enemy in the war. twill be cause for
still greater circunspectign, if the neutral
had before been suspected, not on light
| ground, Of favor to one OF the contend;ne
parties. +, in such a case, the neutral
would avoid the impusation Of partiaIisy for
| the kind OF rcparation he has chosen to
seize, he must entitle himself to exemption
from the charge, by diseontinuing his re-
prlsaIs Us soon as there Is reasonahls o,-,,,v,,