Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-05-02

but noae of these proclamations, till
this last, ever asserted right TO take
British subjects by force, from the
ships OF toreign nations, auy more than
from the cities and provinces of TO.
reign nations. +, On the other hand. il
is equally clear, that British subjects
In foreign countries arc under no in
d'spens,bls obligation OF religion, mo-
rallity, law orPolicy, 10 rerurn in COM
piiance with such proclimations. No
penalty is annexed by English laws TO
any dirS CT or formal d,sobedicncs.
Hundreds in fact, do neglect and dis
obey the Proc,anations to one who
complies with them. thousands who
have formed establishments, aud set
lied families, or become naturalized,
or made contracts, or enlisted on board
merchant ships, or even ships of war
IN foreign countries, pay no regard to
these orders or invitations of their for
mer sovereign. Indeed, all who have
become naturalized in foreign coun-
tries, or entered into contracts OF any
kind, pablo or private, with govern.
ments or merchants, or farmers or ma
nufacturers, have no. right to return
until they have .fulhlled their cove
nants and obligations. The President
OF The United States has as legal au-
thority TO issue similar proclama tions,
and they would be as much respected
by American citizens, all over the
globe But every American would
say his compliance was voluntary, and
none, whose engagements abroad were
Incompatible, would obey. but "it is
an acknowledged principle, that every
nation has right to the service of it's
subjects In time of war; By whom
IS this principle Acknowledged Nv
no man, l believe, in the unlimited
sense In which il is here asserted.
With certain qualifications and re-
strictions it may be admitted. With
in the realm and his own donations
the king has q right to the service of
his subjects, Mt sea and on land, by
voluntary enlistments, and 20 send
them abroad on foreign voyages, ex-
peditions and enterprises put il would
be difficult to prove the right of any
executive authority of free people 10
compel free subjects into service by
conscriPtions or impressments, like
galley slaves, at the point of tie bayo-
net, or before the mouths of field ar
t'liery. Extreme cases and imEerious
necessity, it is said, have no law but
such cxtremities and necessity must
he tyfat nh 81. 4.
or freemenwill not comply. Impress
ments, of seamen from British mer.
chantmen ia port or at sea, are no bet
ter than the conscriptions of soldiers
by Napoleon or Lewis XIV. who set
him the example. SO much for tha,
part OF the proclamation, which the
text produces to public view. Now
Tor the other part, which it has artfully
concealed.
The king not only commands his sub.
Jects 10 return, but he commands he off.
GERS OF his navy 10 search the merchant
ships CT neuirals, (mcanng Americans,
tor II IS not applicable to any Others, nor
intended 10 be applied To any u,kers,) u
impress all British seamen they find on
board, without any regard TO any al.egs,i.
on OF naturalization without any repald
to any certificates of citizeGshsp w,,h.
Out regard 10 any contracts, covenants
al come c,ions they have formed with
captains or owners and without regard
TO any marriages, families or children
they haze in America. And in what
principle OF law is this founded? Is there
any law OF Cod to supportii? Is there a.
y law OF nature to justify i'll is there
any law of England 10 suthorise IL? Ger.
tainly not. The laws Of England have no
binding force on board American ships,
more Than The laws Of China or Japan.
The laws Of The u. States alone, Of winch
the law OF nations - part, have domi
mon over our Merchant Ships. In whit
law then is IL grounded 10 the law Of
nations IL is a counterfeit Goisted into
law, by this arbitrary, fraudulent p,ocls-
nation, for the first time. such tile
as impressment Of Seamen, was never
! found in any code of laws, since the fir,
canoe was launched into the sea no, =
ven that of England. Whoever claims
right must produce u law 10 supper, -
q.