Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-03-29


cation by confirming the coi,iitence aud union !
of ou- fellow cltizcas, viii more than counter |
vail the ordinary objection ~ sue, publications
1t IS M wisl, therefore that il mss be now pub.
lishcd.
tn: JEFFERSON.
No. l.
From Mr.. ifa.!:son TO ,fr Monroe.
DzPARrMEvr OF STATE,
5aiy 6. 1907.
The documents herewith enclosed, from
No. 70 No. 9inclusive, explain tar hostile az
tack with the insulting rretcxt f,v i, lately
Committed near the c2p.s of Virginia by the
British ship OF war the leopard, on the hme-
rican ti'gate the Chesapeake. M. is q CO.
py Of the proclamation issi,cd by the i'rss
dent, inteTdirting in conscJrerce OF that out
rage the use OF our waters ard evsrv ttller ac
commodation to sil British armed ships.
This cnormity is not sGb;ett for discussion.
The immunity OF q nationa snip OF war from
every species and purpose of search ON .he h, I'll
seas, has never been contested By am ra,ion.
| Great Britain would &c secund 20 none in re-
sen'ins such violation Of her rights and such
an insult ON her flag. She may bring Che case
| 10 the test Of her own feelings, by s:lprosino.
That instead OF the customary demand Of our
mariners serving compulsiveiv even on Soa.d
! her ships OF war, opportunities had been seized
FOR rescuing them in like manner whenever he
superiority IT force or the ciiance of surprise
might he possessed by cur ships Of war.
But the present case is marked by circum
stances which give it . peeu iar die. The sea.
men taken from the Chesapcal AXE had been us
cerlained to be native citizens of the u. States.
and tins fact WAS made known To th,. benrer of
| the demand, and doubtless communicated bv
hifn 10 AIS commander precious to the com
mencement OF ire attack. 1t is fact also, at
hrmed by two oi the men, with every appear
ance OF truth, that they had been impressed
IRON American vessels into the British f.;.atc.
rom which they escaped, and ;jy the third.
that having been inprl sscd from a Rr;tisb MGR,
chant ship, he had excepted III. recruiting,
bounty under that duress and with n view IN
alleviate his situation, till he could cscanc "a
MS own cori:yy: ard that tie attack was ynati,.
d,il1nS pcr.od of negocia,,n, and In a.
midst OF friendly assurances rom the Br;;.sb
government
! Inc printed papers herewith sent viii enn-
BILE you TO Judge OF the spirit which las h..,.n
reused by the occasion II pcrya,,es th, ,vl,,,in
community is abolishing ihe Distinctions OF
party ard regarding only the in.ligaity OFF,.
ca ~ inc sovereignty and tlEg of the nation.
and the blood efcitizens so yvSnionIv and vii
ediy shed, demands in the loudc ST tone an no.
roTr bic FeparaLion '-'
"i;h tlis demand You are charged bv the
President. The tenor 1T his praciaInation WI:
DC your guide in reminding the British erovc,,.
merit 81 me uniform proofs given by the United
states on Their disposition 70 maatan faithfully
every inenai{ relation of the multiplied in.
frac'lons nj their rights by British I,nvnl ron,
members on oar coasts and in or barI,ors &C
ne netncacy Of reiterated app, ais 10 the JUS
tee ana! iendship OF that governinc,,t and az
the mooeraiion or the part of the L sins
winch reiterated disappointmenls hs3 r.ct ~
tlnGuished vii AZ length 20 alternative Is g
nu! voluntary satisfacticn or The Tart Of Great
United States alone.
The nature AID extent % ,hr s.i.fac4;o,
ought to be suggested to the Dsiisi aevSrn.
| inent, not less BY a Sc So Of rs own hnu,r
! man ny justice to that @. ehe Uni,ed Statcs
IL otmai ci3avovai .; the deed aad re-, c-..t:
on oi TIC ipur sesaen TO the ship from which
Uaey We. taken, are things Of Course and in
ulspe""iDic- rs . security for the future, an
4 entire Abolition % ImcrcssiDen. from vessels
"ndH' i'c Dag ri Che United States. If not al
'ca' anS"d IS slso 10 make an ;rtIisncpsifl.
! part q the satisfaction The abolitio, $40.
be o. terms compatible with ;hc ius,ruciions To
youiS' J. and Mar Pinc&ncy on this subject and
/ y possible without the authorised rejection
! rom the service OF the United States Of Bri-
tiSh seamen who have no; been ;vo years II l.
should 1t be impossible 10 avoid this conccssinr
on the part of the " Stales, it ought. ne of i.
ser mere shan reasonable price for f,+.ra
Scc'uity, to eItehu the reparatic: due for IN,
| past. '''o
J But beyond these indispensable conditions
TIC United States have right to expect cvcry
solcmnty of form and cYer'T ether inpredicnt
OF retnbuiion and respect which accoPdin,, ~
usage and the sentiments of mankind. AZ. ,,yo
per IN the strongest cases Of insult TO tn. ritrb
and sovereignty of = u2tion And TIC Br;fisi
government IS 20 be aPprizcd oft the Importance
! OF a tull compliance with this expectation IN
the thorough healing Of the wound which b.s
been made in the feelings of the American M.
ton ''-
Should It d. slicdecd ac = ground for decI;.
ningo diminishing the satisE ,tion il, this case
that the u. States have themselves taken l. bt,
the interdict coRtaii.~l in the proclamation ~
answer viii be obvious, The in,crdict IL
measure, not of rcparstion, bat cf prccaution
aud world besides be amply justified by rer,,r.
FENCES prior &c the extraordinary outrar. in
question,
The exclusion of all armed shi5s whatever
from sur waters, is in ftct so much rcnrircd h.
TIC Yc%hiions snd dangers 10 our peace cxccri.
cncrd from ihci" visits, that Tie Prcsitlcn.
makcs ita special part Of the charge 20 you.
20 avoid laying tho States under NV specics
81 restraint from adopting thst remedy re
ing extended to all bclligcrcnt nations. nom, ~
them could at right complain, and with tine
less reason, the Policy 81 most naiif,us bae Il.
m.ted tbc admission OF foreign ships Of war
INTO their ports, to such numbers as heinz in.
;criorto the naval force Of TIC country. cou.d