The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-15
oBSERVATYoNs
en- THE PRECEDING PLAN.
(PnbkiShed in ctr iast.

The first article relates to impressments
from American vessels on the high seas The
commanders OF British armed vessels have,
as is well known, been long in this practice.
They have indeed not only continued it, I'M
der the sanction of their superiors, on the
high seas; but have, with i'm punity, extend
ed it to our own coasts, to neutral ports and
to neutral territory; and, in some instances,
to our own harbors. The article does not
comprehend these latter cases; because it
would not be very honorable in Great-Rri-
tain to stipuiate against the practice of such
enormities, nor in the United States to re-
cur to stipulations as security against it !;
and because it may be presumed that such
particular enormities will not be repeated
or unpublished, after a general stop shall
have been put to impressments.
The article, in its first form, rgrounCes
the claim to take from the vessels of the
neutral party, on the high seas, any person
whatever, not in the military service of an
enemy; an exception which we admit to
come within the law of nations, on the sub
ject of contfaband of war.
With this exception, we consider 4 neti-
trail flag on the high seas, as safe guard to
those sailing under it. Great Britain, on the
contrary, asserts right to search for, and
seize her own subjects and under that Co
yer, as cannot but happen, are often seized
and taken off, citizens of the United States
and citiztns or subjects of other neutral
countries navigating the high seas, under the
protection of the American flag
Were the right of Great Britain in thi:
case not denied, the abuses flowing from il
would Justify the United States in claiming
and expecting discontinuance of its exer-
else. But the right is denied, and on the
best grounds.
Although Great Britain has not yet adopt
ed, in the same latitude with most other ma
tions, the immunites of a neutral flag, she
will not deny the general freedom of the
high seas, and of neutral vessels navigating
them, with such exceptions only, as are an.
neXed to il, by the law of nations She
must produce then such an exception in tn,
law of nations, in favor Of the right she con
tends for. But in what written and recefv
ed authority viii she find it2 In what usage
except her own, will it be found She will
find in both, that neutral vessel does not pro
tect certain objects denominated contrabanc
of war, including enemies serving in the
war, nor articles going into blockadeC
port (; nor, as she has maintained, and al
we have not contested enemy's property o
any kind But no where will she find an ex
eeption to this freedom Of the seas, and o
neutral flags which justifes the taking ava,
of any person, not an enemy in military scr
vice, found on board q neutral vessel
If treaties, British as wen as others, ar,
to be consulted on this subject, it will equal
" appear that no countenance to the prac
tice can be found in them. Whilst they adj
nit contraband Of war, ny eiumeratine II
articles, and the effect of a real blockad
BY defining it, in no instance do they affirm
or imply n right in any sovereign, to crforc
his ciaims to the allegiance Of his subject.
on board neutral vessels, on the high sea-
On the contrary, whenever . belligerer