Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-07-01

tins subject, IN his note OF the 21d Octo-
Der 1907, is conclusive. 'sNo engagements
were entered into on the part of his ma
jesty as connected with the treaty, except
such as appear upon the face of it. What
! ever encouragement may have been given
by his majes.y's commissioners 20 the hojte
expressed by the commissioners Of the ".
States, that discussion might hereafter be
entertained, with respect to the Impress
nlcnt OF 81 iiish seamen from merchant ves-
! seis, must be understood to have had IL,
view the renewal Of such discussions, not
as forming any part IF the treaty then sign
ed Gas the American commissioners appear
| to be instructed TO assume,I but separate
| II, and at some subsequent period, more
| favorable 10 their successful termination."
go .hat TO say the least, the points in dis
pute, thai are not provided for by this
treaty, and for which provision does not
! appear upon the face OF it, ought TO be con-
sidere1 as postponed, if not abandoned.
will state TO YOU, what were the objects in
| forming treaty with Great Britain. You
will see in what onr commissioners were
successful, and it will at once be seen whe-
Their the treaty ought 70 have been reject
ed or adopted. We demanded an exemp-
ltion Of our seanen from improvement. -
| Was satisfaction given TO US in the treaty
|
commissioners were assured in a pote of
the British commissioners of the 9Th No
yember, that instructions had been given,
and should be repeated and enforced, for
the observance Of the greatest caution in
limpressing British seamen, with assuran-
ces that Immediate redress should be given
IN case any American seamen should be
impressed, and with an assertion that no
recent cases had occurred. So far from
this being true. the see rotary of state, Mr..
Madison, says, "the improvements have at
no time been more frequent or vexatious :"
IN making 81 treaty, their instructions were
peremptory and clear, not to sign any trea-
ty without a provision upon this subject
! The provision in the note, would have been
inadmissible, if it had formed part Of the
treaty, Gas the right 10 impress was asser-
| ted, not abandoned, and british officers
made the sole judges who were British sub
! jects; rs it did not, it was of no effect, as
appears by var. Canning's note, before re-
ferred to-And here il should be remark
ed, that the assertion that Great Britain on
ly wants the service of her own subjects,
whose services are essential to her exist
ence, and that it is our object to rob her
of these people, is one of the many cauin-
MES that are uttered against our govern
ment. BY the law of nations, it is our
clear and indisputahle right, that our flag
should protect from belligerents, all per-
sons, except those in the military or naval
service of their enemies. This is prin-
ciPle that we cannot give up, without a
bandoaing our people to their mercy. Ii
4 we admit the right of impressment by one
beliigerent, we must admit it to exist IN
all; we make their officers the sole judg.
es of who are and who are not their sub
iects. The British have never contenGed for
a power to do more than to impress their
own people, but in the exercise Of this pow
er, they have, in the course of the war,
impressed many thousand native American
, citizens. We neither dispute the right q
: Great Britain to command the services 81
: her subjects, provided she can do it with.
: ont avirlatiun of our rights, nor do we wish
S to employ them in our service, and this is
, clearly proved by the Offers of our govern
\ ment to consent 20 regulations, by which
t persons belonging to one country shall be
= excluded from the service of the other
= AS Tar as have been able TO inform my
: self OF the wishes OF those who have com
c Inetent auttori5y ON the part Of the United
: States, ! say confidently, cur government
d would co operate in any reasonable regula
= ton, that G. Britain would suggest & mas,
+ reciprocal OF the disposition Of .he exc
u icutive, upon tnis subject, there is a ful
I. lprcof in the instructions given tn our CON
& misstooers of the temper Of congress Their
e. can DC no room 70 doubt. IT G.. Britain
!, suffers injury from her subjects leaving he
d service or country, let her restrain them
= she has the authority and the means 20 d
q $50; sac can, if she pleases, prevent Bri
q fish subject from leaving sher. We can
i not, consistently with our homer, duty or in
:, itcrest, permit her 10 Indemnify herself 70
r. spch loss, by forcIng American citizens /
J. fight her battles.
d The next most important point was tb
l. colonial trade BY the 18th article, tha
8. !rdde is placed upon worse footing tha
L. il stood before. The re-exportation of CO
u lonial produce is restricted to Europea
p. ports, and the supplies of the colonial maj
Is ket 10 European goods.
d There is no way in which the BIRTHS
j. had harrassed our commerce more, tina
q IN the execution Of their nominal block
Al AIDES upon this point we demanded an
+ had a right 90 expect redress did tn
J. treaty give IL ~ us il did not. We hav
ii a heavy account against that nation for spC
= liations, comm tied upon our commence j
in violation Of the law OF nations and Of prir
a. cipies recognized By herself: does the tres
h " provide for Tie payment of these claims
Ie Not cent--they are postpoued--the rigi
AZ 10 make demand is reserved. Is our trad
< TO the East and West Indies put upon
/ f.nffr. e.. ~