The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-05-09


driven. to man it after its establishment
If then the British impressment out of
Brifish vessels stands upon such precarions
|grounds-how visionary is their pretended
right to search American vessels & impress
our seamen Although G. B. may have a
" right to command the service of her own
people, whenever the public safety calleth for
1t, she has no right to the services of our
own. Though she may be empowered to
disturb the rights Of her own subjects, she
has no authority to disturb those of the U. S.
Though her own people may suffer through
the courtesy Of their customs, yet her usages
do not apply to us-she has surely no pre-
tensions to entangle us in the miserable
meshes OF her common law
The following extract from DR. Frankln's
notes on Fosters argument is most humo-
rous satire on this subject.-Let uslcugh and
learn.
FROM FRANxLIN's WORKS.
When this author speaks of impressing, page
l58, he diminishes the horror of the practice as
much as possible, by representing to the mind
one sailor only suffering hardship Gas he tenderly
calls t) in some particular cases only and he
places against this private mischief the inconve-
nence to the trade ofthe kingdom.-But if, as
he supPoses is often the case, the sailor who is
pressed, and obliged to serve for the defence of
trade, at the rate of twenty five shillings month,
could get three pounds fifteen shillings in the
merchants service, you take from him fifty sbil-
lings month andifyou have an 100, 900 in your
service, you rob this honest Industrious part of
society, and their poor families of $50 COOL per
month, or three millions year, and at the same
time oblige them to hazard their lives in fighting
Tor the defence of your trade to the defence Of
which all ought indeed to contribute (and sailors
among the rest) in proportion to their profits by
1t; but this three millions is more than their
share If they did not pay with their persons but
when you force that, methinks you should ex-
cuse the other.
But 1T may be said, to give the kings seamen
merchants wages would cost the nation too
much, and call for more taxes. The question
then will amount to this whether it be Just in
community, that the richer part should compel
the poorer to fight IN defence of them and their
properties, tor such wages as they think fit to
allow, and punish them if they refuse Our au-
thor tell us that it is legal" have not law e.
nough to dispute his authorities, but l cannot
persuade myself that it is equitable. l will how.
ever, own for the present that it may be lawful
when necessary but then j contend that it may
be used so as to produce the same good effects
'he oublfc security, without doing SO much intol
cradle injustice as attends the impressing com.
mon seamen.-In order to be better understood
would premise two things First, that volun-
tary seamen may be had for the service if they
were sufficiently paid. The proof is, that to
serve IN the same ship, and incur the same dan
gers you nave no occasion to impress captains,
lieutenants, second lieutenants, mdshipmen.
Pursers, nor many other officers. Why, but that
the profits of their places or the emolument, ex-
pected, are sufficient inducements The bust
ness then is, to ind money, by impressing, suffi-
clent to make the sailors all volunteers, as well
as their officers and this without any fresh bur-
then upon trade.-The second of my premises
4 thatt E,,o l.
share of salt beef, pork, and pease pudding, be-
ing found sufficient for the subsistence of a hard
working seaman, it will certainly be so for a
sedentary scholar or gentleman / would then
propose TO form treasury, cut of which encou-
ragenents to seamen should be paid. To fill
TINS treasury would impress a number of civil
| officers, who at present have great salaries, OBJ.
iBe them to serve IN their respective offices for
twenty five shillings month with their shares
OF mess provisions, and throw the rest of their
salaries into the seamen's treasury. If such a
press warrant were given me to execute, the
first would press should be Recorder of Bris
tol, ora Mr.. Justice Foster, because l might
nave need OF lis edifying example, to show how
| iiiac'i iinPTessing ought TO be borne with for
ne would certainly find, that though to be reduc
ed to IS shillings month might be private
'1ischi1, yet that, agreeably 10 his maxim of
law and good policy fought to be borne with ba-
tence, Tor preventing national calamity. Then
1 would press the rest ofthe Judges and OPEN
ing the red book, would press every civil off
Ger OF government from sol. a year salary, up to
| 5o,OOOl. which would throw an immense sum in.
to our treasury: and these gentlemen could not
complain, since they would receive twenty five
shillings month, and their rations and this
without being obliged to fight. Lastly, think ]
would impress.'''
| AGRICULTURE.