Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1808-05-06

m1SapprenenSlOnW ntc0 ml6Ht DC aOIS
TO remove. shalt, therefore, take q
short review Of the transaction, which
has given rise to these discussions, in
order the more correctly to. determine
the soundness of the principle on which
that demand is made.
Certain deserters from his majesty
navy, many Of them his natural born sub
jects, having entered into the service oI
the United States, were repeatedly and
fruitlessly demanded by the British Of
6cers, Of the recruiting officers Of the u
nited States, but were retained in their
new service. As it was matter of ne
toriety that several Of these deserters
were on board the frigate of the United
States the Chesapeake, they were de-
manded Of tina. frigate on the high seas
by his majesty slip Leopard, and all
knowledge Of their presence on board
being denied, she was attacked and four
Of them, one avowedly native English,
man, were taken out Of her. Without
being deferred by the consideration Of
how far circumstances hostile in their n.-
ture had provoked, though they /uu-
doubtedly by no means justified this act
of the British officer, his majesty's 60.
vernmeut directed, that positive disa-
vowal Of the right of search asserted in
this case, and of the act Of the British
of6eeras being unauthorized, and pro-
mise Of PREPARATION, should be conveyed
to the American minister 10 London,
before he had made any representation
by order Of the United States. This
disavswal made on the I'd Of August last,
was transmitted by him to his govern
ment before the 9Th of that month
But before Mr.. Monroe had received
his orders to demand reParation, his
majesty learnt. with what surprise it is
needless to dwell upon, that the presi.
den. of the United States had interdicted
by proclamation bearing date the I'd of
July, 1907, the entry of all their ports
to the whole of his navy. This surprise
wao c.. tAiniy iuCI @ascd, when In the let.
Ter delivered by that minister to require
tdress for the wrong, although it went
! INTO details unconnected with it, not on
" no concern was expressed on the part
Of the United States, at having felt them
4 selves compelled to enact measures Of so
| much injury and indiguity towards a
4 friendly power, but no mention was
made of the causes of such measures be.
ing resorted to, or even of the fact of
their having been adopted In addition
to the embarrassment arising from these
circumstances, and the insuficiency of
1.-The explanations subsequently given to
Mr. Canning, the introduction of SUBJ
hiect foreign to that Of the complaint be.
Ncame the main impeachment to the suc-
icess of the discussions which took place
lin London. When had the honor 10
topeu the negotiation with you, sir, As
nd learnt that the presidents proclama-
lido was still in force, it became my du.
Ey,. conformably 10 my Instructions, to
:squire its recall as preliminary to fur
bier discussion: had it not been in force,
TX was not ordered to have taken it into
Reconsideration in the adjustment Of repaA
radon, and it was considered as hardly
! possible that il should not have been re.
called Immediately upon the knowledge
&1df his majesty's disavowal Of the attack
kupon the Chesapeake as an Unauthorized
act. But his majesty could not suffer
the negotiation to be carried on, ON his
behalf, under an interdict, which even
ifiusti6able in the first moment of irrita.
ton, cannot be continued after the de.
elaration of his majesty's sentiments up.
Op the transaction, except in spirit Of
hostility.
It might have been fairly eontended
hat in5she frst instance, the exercise Of
sueh an act of power, before reparatior
vas refused or unduly Protracted, was
Incompatible with the purposes and es
s:nce of pacific negotiation, and with (
DIT aud of redress through that channel
b4. such have been his majesty's CON
caistory views, that this argument ha.
not been insisted on, a,thoug II it NIGH
now be the more forcibly urged, as it ap