Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1808-03-28

of the enemy? IF such are founu .iioy 81
made prisoners, but as prisoners they NAYS
rights which the opposite belligerent IS oouiiu
to respect. This practice however looSs %
other objects than are here reclted. \ ~
wolves no question of belligerent on one siuo'
and of neutral on the other. 1t pursues TIC
vessel of friend for an unlawful purposes
which It executes in amanner equally unla"lui.
Every commercial vessel OF the Onltea ota,eI
that ravigates the ocean is liable to be laSa'eu
by it, and not an individual on board any o.
then, is secure while the practice IS maintain
ed. 1t sets up every officer ct his Inalesty.s
navy as a Judge, from whose decision there IS
no appeal. 1t makes him ajudge, not OF pro-
perty, which is held more sacred, nor OF the
liberty Of his fellow subjects only, however
great the trust. and liable TO abuse on the main
ocean. bur of that of the citizens OF another
power, whose rights as nation, are tiaInpieu
on by the decision, decision, III rendering
which. every rule of evidence is violated, as
it puts the proof of innocence on the accuSea'
and is further highly objectionable, as there 10
too much reason to believe that 1t has oeeh o.
ten guided more by the fitness OF the party Tor
service, than any other circumstance. L ne
distressing examples of this system OF aS-
erosion, as it has affected individuals, on
scale of vast extent, it Is unnecessary to re-
count here. They may be easily imagined.
Volurninous documents which prove them,
are in the possession of both governments.
1t is possible that this practice may IN GER
tain cases. and under certain circumstances.
have been extended to the vessels OF other
powers; but with them there was an lnfalhDie
criterion to prevent error. 1t would be easy
to distinguish between aE Engiashnan and
Spaniard, an Italian or a o~edc' anu the
clear and irresistible evidence Of his national
character, and perhaps of has desertton: "ouia
establish the British claim to the ladlVlcual'
and reconcile the nation into whose service he
had entered, to his surrender. But the very
circumstances which would constitute an IN
Eailibe criterion in those cases, would be sure
TO produce endless error in the other " lit
is So skfllfulin physiognomy as TO DIS
tineuish between an American and an Eng
lishmau, especially among those whose pro-
fcssion and whose sea terms are the same 1t
is evident .lat this practice, as applied TO To-
reign nation, to any great extent, has grown
out Of the American revolution, and that 1t IS
impossible for tie United States not to see. IN
it the assertion OF claim which IS utterly IN
compatible with that great event. When the
character of this claim, and the pernicious
tendency of the practice, are maturely weigh
ed, It must furnish cause for surprise, that
some lust and friendly arrangement mas not
long since been adopted, to prevent the evils
incident TO it.
ny government IS Gzuare that MS H7ajtaty's
ssver71n,cat h4s also ariuterest u imisnrance
10 attaad 10 In this del:cate conce1n-and an
instructed 10 ssate, on IFS fart, thai The best
a;shositton srists TO h56vide far it. The y. S.
are far from desiring 10 hTgft Of a resource
z-hich does not 5s!oAgito them, eatecfaAy 70 tie
prejudice Of a Jirie7ldly Aoz0cr. IN securing
them against a fvactice sv!ich is found to be SO
highly ipiu,i9as to their dearest rights, and
nlost raluable interests, eyery suitable hroviSion
nil 6e made TO :gfve tquat security 10 those Of
Great Brinia. On @as floint I am authorised
10 enter into sssch an Engagement as nil, am
Persuaded, be adequate to the object.
7Eia great interest gf endorsement has been
blended IN az as rezatpls, as ycse zuiH terceive,
6g no act 2f the u Stqtes. It's connection with
tie late disastrous incident Has been produced
Oy O.! ertfGOf1tHttfY dN OF Ofote3lce. " fVft<tHI
they zoeTe The 1tctin,s anly. That act, sYhtsh
erhs5ts the fretensious iA It's ztTdest rage, hGs
become Identified q0ftb the general fs7actlce, in
the feelings and synstathies Of the nation, and
in the sentiment Of ire govesament. 7 trust,
therefore, that MS mqieSty's gsVernment mil be
egaa!Ey DISPOSED 70 take III theazabote subject al
This tine, and in making the rdtayation s0bich
TIE particular injury claims, Provide a remedy
far the zphole eOil. Ny gevernmeat locks to This
complete adjustment zrith confdence, as 6eing
indiskenaa5ly necessary 70 heal the deet zooit37d
zvhich has been inflicted an ne national hono'' Of
the United States, 6y.so graz and nsninshfa6he
an outrage.
Iavait myself ypith great satisfaction, ofaie
ohAortuity zvkich This communication affords, 10
acknowledge the hronfH assurance zvhich yois
gaze me Of The dishosition efshis majesty's go
L 4 49, he