Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-01

l'ncasure CT retaliation for previous inju-
ry; and, so considered, it Cannot but be
necessary TO take it int account in the adj
lJustment OF the original dispute.
am therefore distinctly 10 repeat the en-
Iqu'ry, whether yoU are now enabled to de-
Iciare, sir, that the proclamation Is to be
considered as the authentic act of YOUR 20.
itcrnment ! And, if so, am further to en-.
tquire, whether you are authorised "a notify
the insention of your government to with.
idraw tina, proclamation, on the knowledge
OF his majesty's disavowal of the ;.ct which
occasioned its publication
ine light IN which you are directed to
represent admiral Berkelcy's conduct, and
'ne description which you give of the cha
racter OF tho measure imputed to him.
that she acted as If he had the mower to
"make war, aud to decade the causes Of
war )" sufficiently evince the necessity Of
comprehend Dg In this discussion. all the
circumstances which have led 10, or have
followed the action with the Chesapeake
Undoubtedly the attack upon national
snip oil war, IS an act of hostility, and ,ae
very essence OF the charge against admiral
Derkeley, as you represent II, is the having
taken upon himself to commit IN act on
nos'iiity without the previous authority OF
his government.
|
such an act, without such previous autho-
rity, If 1t cannot justify, may possibly ex-
tennatei 1t; the steps which have been la
ken IN reprisal, though they cannot alter
the character OF the original act, may aud
do materially affect every question concern
| ing the reparation claimed for il.
On this ground it is, that, while am com
manded TO repent 10 you (what you consi
der as so satisfactory that the general and
unqualified pretension 10 search ships of
war for desersers, is no: asserted by this
country, :" am prec'udcd from concurring
"in the inference, that therefore the natl
onal character of the men who were vim
silently taken from on board the Chesa-
"peake, makes nopart of the present ques-
ton"
II tine right,o search ships Of war for de-
serters rs not insisted upon by 'nis country,
| II is not because the employment and the
detention of British mariners on board the
national ship of any state, arc considered
es less injurious towards Great Britain than
their employment on board of merchant
vessels "a proposition which would he mani
! testify absurd): II is not intended to allow
hat the sailors of Great Britain NAV be
| Justly employed, against her consent, in to-
reign ahips of war; but merely that redress
Is, IN that case, to be sought for by govern.
ment from government aud not to DE sum-
marily enforced by the unauthorized Officer
OF any of his majesty's ships of var.
1t follows from this reasoning, that not
only the "national character" OF the men
taken out of the Chesapeake is matter for
consideration but that the PREPARATION TO
be made by the British government TO that
OF the United States, would depend, among
,other circumstances, on the question whe.
| ar MI, I'll.
would be justified in considering as an act
OF hostility, had been committed by the
government of the United States, I'm refu-
sing to discharge the British seamen in
their national seryace) previously TO com.
mission OF an act OF hostility of AN officer
| of his majesty.
The acr of the British officer would still
ne an unauthorized act, aud as such liable
20 complaint and Misrepresentation but the
lease, as between government, and govern
nent, would be materially varied.
Al the same time that offer TO you this
Explanation Of the principles upon which
his majesty has authorised me To discuss
with You the subject o your represcnlati-
On, and that j renew to you the assuran-
| e ofthe DISCO ition to conduct that discus.
sion in the most amicabe form, and "a
bring 1t to conclusion satisfactory 10 the
Honoi anu w VIZ tScliilbs ol DOtn countries
it is matter of regret that you should have
been instructed to annex to the demand OF
reparation for the attack Of the Leopard
upon the Chesapeake, any proposition
whatever respecting the search for British
seamen in merchant vessels; a subject
which is wholly unconnected with the case
of the Leopard and the Chesapeake, and
which can only tend to complicate and em
barrass q discussion, In itself of sufficient
ldelicacy and importance.
In stating the grounds upon which your
government expect with confidence that
4" the whole subject OF Im6ressment shall
"be taken up at this time," and that in
making the PREPARATION which is claimed for
the particular injury alledged to have been
Sustained by the United States, in the late
unfortunate transaction off the capes OF
Il Virginia, "a remedy shall be provided for
the whole evil" you appear to have been
directed 70 assume that this act Of violence
(such as you describe ~ is the natural
land almost necessary result of the practice
lof impressment Of British seamen from the
Imerchant vessels Of other states and ia
represent the particular transaction aud
the general question Of impressmcnt, as
'identihed IN the feelings and sympaihics
"of your nation, rs well as in the scnti-
ment Of your government
With every attention due 10 the feelings
4 the people Of The l. y l am sure yea
will readily allow that those feelings can
rot properly be considered as affecting the
merits Of the case.
4 H. &C. of,,tf:s.s... e - 1. - -, "A. a.