Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-01

Rose, on the same subject.
Continued from our lasf.)
No. 10
TO MR.. CANNING.
PoRrLANB PLACE, Sept. z; 1907.
By the order o. my government it Is
my duty TO request your attention to the ag-
yression lately committed on the peace and
sovereignty ofthe United States, by his Bril-
fannie maiesty's ship of war Leopard, in an
attack on an American frigate, the Chesa-
peake, off the capss of Virginia. The OBJ
iect of this communication is to obtain of his
maiesty's government suitable PREPARATION
Cor that outrage, and snch an arrangement
of the great interest which is connected
with il, as will pace the future relations
of the two powers on solid foundation OF
peace and friendship.
IN bringing this subject again to The view
Of his majcsty's government, il is unneces-
sary to dwell on circumstances which are
already so we'll known to you. BY the do
cnments which j have the honor TO trans
init YOU, it IS shewn that while the outrage
was rnprovolsed and unexpected on ono
side, there was nothing to extcnuste it on
the other. The commander Of his maiesty's
squadron on the coast of the United States,
appears to have acted on a presumption,
that he possessed the power TO make war,
and 70 decide on the causes of war. 1t will
he difficult 10 explain the conduct of tina,
officer oN any other principle; and equal.
]y so to find an example of an aggression
marked with such high ind;gnlty and injus-
sice to friendly power
Tie pretext for this aggression could no,
fail to heighten the sense of injury which
the sct itself was so signally calculated to
excite. My government was taught To in
E., from it, that there was no limit to a
pretension which bad already produced So
much mischief and against which so many
circumstances had been presented, IL It's
application TO merchant vessels nut find
with great satisfaction that this pretcnsion
forms no topic for discussion between us in
respect to ships of war; and trust tn at the
Just and enlightened policy which produced
the decision in one instance, will Snrmonnt
the obstacle which has hitherto enbarras-
scd it in the other.
The national character of the men who
we're taken thus violently from on board ,he
Chesapeake, makes no part of the question.
1t is impossible that il should come into
view in estimating the injury which the u
States have received. The outrage involves
great and uncon,csted principle, which
ought not, in any view, to be affected BY
appealing to national sensibilities OH either
side. have however the honor to trans
nit you documents which will, presume,
satisfy you that they were American cit-
2ens
With respect to the PREPARATION which
my government Ought 70 receive for this out
rage, il will only be necessary 20 appeal 10
those sentiments which Great Britain would
be sure to indulge, vnder Ike circHmst an
ces: to that sensibility 20 national honor,
which has distinguished SO many epochs of
her history. IL will be recollected that the
injury, which, in itsclf was great, was much
aggravated by the circumstances which at
tended it: that the peaceful relations of the
II. States were violated, and their unStis.
pecting confidence surprised. But | forbcar
20 recite details which " is painful to con-
template You will, am persuaded, be
satisfied that in every light in which the
subject can be seen, the honor Of my gov.
eminent and Of the whole nation has been
greatly outraged by the aggression, and
that it becomes the honnr Of his majesty.
government to make a distinguished repa.
ration for il.
IN presenting, in this friendly manner
this important subject to the consideration
of his Inaies,y's government, ! am partic,i.
Jarly instructed to request its attention &c
other injuries IF a like kind may be traced
the imprCssmcnt Of men from the merchant
vessels Of the L. S in many essential cir.
cumstanccs, the objections which are I'D.
plcable 10 impressments from chips of war
arc equally applicable to those from mcr.
chant vessels To the individuals who suf
fer by the practice, the injury is the same
IN either case. Their claim on their gov.
eminent for protection is ~ both cases e.
quail every ~ xin cf public law, ard pri-
Vate right, which is violated in one. is e.
qnalIy violated in the other Tie relation
of the billigcrent 20 the neutral pow .r, cx.
tends 10 certain objects only, and is defined
in each by known laws. BEYOND that H.
nit, the rights of the neutral ore sacred
and cannot be- encroached ON without VIC.
lence and injustice. is there question 81
cnntraband, is the vessel destined 10 block
AIDED port in violation q established rrinci.
pies, or does she contain enemies properly
the greatest extent 20 which the maritime
law IS carried by any nation In these ca.
ses, she is conducted To port for trial the
parties arc heard BY an impartial and res
ponsible tribunal. and are heard again b,
appeal " they desire IL. Are any of IN,
passengers On board the neutral vessel IL
the naval or military service Of the enemy
II such arc found they arc made prisoners
bat as prisoners thev have rights which IN,
opposite belligcre ri is bound u respect
Thisrrat,ice however Looks to stier object