Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-05

SHIPS OF war, IN making the inequalities of
our ports subscrvient to the ammo, ance ct
our trade, both outward and inward, "A
practice not Only contrary to the principles
or public law, but expressly contrary TO
ordinances enforced during maritime wars,
10 which she bore neutral relation, ] am
constrained, unwelcome as the task is. 10
can your attention to the following more
prominent instances.
In the summer of the wear 1904. tbe
British Frigate the Cambrian, with other
cru,zers IN company, entered the harbor
OF New York. The commander, captain
bradley, IN violation of the port laws, rela-
tlEg both to health and revenue, caused =
merchant vessel, Just arrived, ard confess
sedly within the limits and under the au-
thority of the United States, to be board
eo by persons under his command, who. af
ter resisting the officers of the port, in the
legal exercise OF their functions, actually
impressed and carried off number of sea-
men and passengers into the service of the
ships OF war. On an appeal to his voIun.
tary respect for the laws, he first failed to
give up The offender to justice, and finally
repeiied the ufhcer charged with the regu-
lar process for the purpose,
ms procedure was not only a fragrant
insult To the sovereignty of the nation. bur
an iniractlon OF its neutrality also, which
old not permit beilgerent ship thus TO
augment its force within the neutral terri
tory.
10 finish the scene, this commander went
SO far as to declare, in an official letter, to
tie minister plenipotentiary of his Britain
nc majesty, and by him communicated to
TINS government, that he considered his
SNIP whilst lying in the harbor Of New
YORK, as having dominion around her. with
III the distance of her buoys
AK tfesc circumstances were duly made
known TO the British government in lust
expectation ofhonorable repatriation. None
mas ever been offered. Capt. Bradley was
advanced from his frigate to the command
of ship of the line
> AT subsequent period, sseveral British
frigates under the command of captain
Whthy, of the Leander, pursuing the
practice of vexing the inward and outward
trade OF our por,s, and lowering for that
purpose about the entrance of that of New
YORK, closed series ct irregularities, with
An attempt To arrest coastIng vessel on
board of which an American citizen was
killed by a cannon ball which entered the
vessel, whilst within less than mile of the
shore
he blood of citizen thus murdered. in
traue from one to another port of his coun-
try, ana within the sanctuary of its terrific.
sensiblhty of the public, and to make So
lemD appeal to the justice OF the British eo-
vernment. The-case was presented more
over 90 mat government by this, in the ac-
cent which 1t required and with due con-
nuence That the offender would receive the
exemplary punishment which he deserved.
mat there might be no failure of legal
proof OF a fact sufficiently notorious OF itself.
unexceptionable witnesses 10 establish II.
were sent 10 Great Britain at the expense
OF the United States.
capt Wbitby was, Notwithstanding, ho-
morally acquitted no animadversion took
pace n any other officer belonging to the
squadron; nor has any apology or expIana-
ton been made since the trial was over. as
aconciilatory Offering to the disappointment
OF TINS country at such a result
a case OF another charater occurred in
the month ofSeptember, 1906. The ImDe-
tneux, French ship OF ii guns, VIII n a.
ground within a few hundred wards Of the
shore OF North Carolina, and therefore VII
slbly within the territorial jurisdiction and
hospitable protection Of the United States.
was hred upon, boarded and burnt, from
three British ships Of war, under the COM
mand OF capt. Douglass. Having compIeted
this outrage ON the sovereignty and neutra-
lity OF the United States, the British COM
mander felt no scruple in proceeding thence.
into the waters near Norfolk, nor in the
midst of the hospitslities enjoyed by him, to
add to what had passed, refusal to dis
charge from his ships, impressed citizens
OF the United States, not denied to be such.
on the plea, that the government of he u.
pited States had refused to surrender to the
demand of admiral Berkeley, certain sea-
men aiIedged 20 be British deserters; de-
maud which 1t Is well understood, your go
vernment declaims any right to make.
1t would be very superhuous to dwell on
the features which mark this aggravated
insult Hut l must he permitted to remind
you, that In So serious light was a similar
violation OF neutral territory, by the de-
struction OF certain French ships ON the
coast OF Portugal, by a British squadron un-
der the command of admiral Boscawan,
regarded by the court Of Great Britain, thai
q minister extraordinary was dispatched
tor the express purpose of expiating the
aggression ON the sovereignty of a friendly
power.
Lastly presents itself, the attack by the
British ship of war Leopard, OH the Ameri.
can frigate Chesapeake, a case too familiar
m all us circumstances to need a recital Of
any part of them. II is Sufficient TO remark
that the conclusive evidence, which this
event added 20 that which had preceded. OF
me uncontrolled eXcesses Of the British ma
val commanders, in insulting our sovereign.
ty and abusing our hospitality, determined
the president 20 extend TO all British armed
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