Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-12
Cofvin'S Week.y Register.
IsfPRESsMENTs.

The subject OF American seamen has for
a long time been in negotiation between our
government and that OF Great Britain, but
no defniuve agreement has ever been made.
MIR. KING had, at one period, when he was
our minister at the court of London, so far
arranged matters withthe British ministry,
that our merchant vessels were to be pro-
tcCted from search for seamen, on the high
seas, and elsewhere, except int the ports of
England, Oh her dominions. But when the
article was subm tied to the cabinet, Earl
St. Vincent, who was ar that time first lord
OF the Admiralty, insisted that Great Brit
ain should retain her right of search in the
harrow seas, which MIR. King very proper.
~ refused to aCCede to, and left London
without making any arrangement. This
point, with all other matters in controver-
sy) was again committed to Mr. Monroe
aud Mr.. Pinkney Jointly. The British COM
ssiOncrs, Lords Auckland and Holland
who were appointed To negotiate with our
envoys, had agreed upon an article in the
treaty very favorable TO our claim of ex-
empti0D, but when 1t WAS submitted TO the
Britjsh cabinet, it was there rejected: yet
a stipulation was made, by which G.. Brit
am consented 20 (orbeGr rte ereycise of her
aiisdged rish, uu,il the whole matter could
De hnaiiy arranged. Each nation thus re
served, what each insisted to be her right
but as Great Britain consented that she
would not impress cur sedmen, until an ar.
rangeinent satisfactory to both parties could
be nnaiiy made, the u. 5. had certainly
gained much by the exertions OF her minis
ters, messTs. Monroe and Pinkney The
treaty, however, was rcjectcd by the Pre-
sident no doubt for most satisfactory rea.
sons. But, VIC nave thought proper to state
these fDcts, and shall now in correlation of
them, AID ~ extract of letter from Mr..
Monroe and MIR. Pnkney, to the Secretary
OF STATE, dated April %, WMg.
Here follows the Extract.
eve had many conferences with the Bri.
fish commissioners previous TO the late
change, upon the subject Of impressments,
~ which tsey invariably declared to US that
the practice Of their government would be
strictly confOrmable TO the spirit of the ar
t.cles which they had settled with us, and
which was afterwards rejected by the ca
bine. They stated that the prejudice Of
the Navy, and Of the country generally,
was so strong in favor Of their pretension,
that the ministry could not encounter it, in
a direct form and that in truth, the SUP.
port Of parliament could not have been re-
lied on IN such a case. H. was their idea
that by disseminating the practice in the
mode proposed by them, which might be
done without giving any shock to the pub
lie feeling, this prejudice might be gradu.
ally overcome, and an arrangement by trea-
" on this very delicate and difficult subject
rendered ultimately practicable The u.
5. would in the interval enjoy the security
they sought, without any abandonment Of
their rights, and be induced to yield IN re-
turn, az their confidence INCREASED, the equi-
valents which We had offered in cur pro-
ject.
"Ihe footing upon which tho note O. the
British commissioners (Which is and must
be considered as equally obligatory as if ace