The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-06-27
FOR THE Enquirer.

would beg leave to enquire of YOU, If the late
conduct OF the British Government i'm the case of
Aaron Burr does not involve a principle which
may be adduced with considerable force and
proprlety upon the subject of impressment.
Fellnit me However to t.mark, that I am one.
ct those WHO have always been Of opinion, that.
the Revolution which destroyed the connection,
between this country, and Great Britain, placed
us upon the footing of an independent Nation.
and gave as 1t were Charter of Rights to eve
~ American, (no matter whether he was one of
the Ahtenati or the Postnat,) which she could
Hoo violate upon any principle Of National Law
or Poltical Justice. 1t is known TO every person.
that, Great Britain refuses the rights of expatri
alio,i as BENG Vt the most vital importance to her
existence andthat the moment subject is born.
ms Jet Incorporate with the soii and he is inca
bic OF aiienng himself from it. do not me an To-
investigate the justice or policyof the law, but
merely to ask ifthis deduction is not to be drawn
from their refusal to admit Burr as a stb;ec,
ina, i,d, at least Pa,tialrevocation of the prin-
c'Pie which has been hitherto claimed by the
ministry, and one indeed that has found It's adyo
Gates IN TINS country, in those very persons who
themselves are Liable to its operation, thar Cyear
Srttain has right to impress those cissens Svha
T'eTe 6orn anterior to tie' teodtution That they
were TO all ,ntents and purposes before that pc
rod, subjects of the realm, and that no bu,;6.
cation whatsot Der could suash azvay The oripinak
f!H that once citizen 1!spays a citizen. ':ruis
sureiyis tile principle for which she has conten
oeo "i,h such unrem.ttng perseverance. The
revolution then according to their theory could
not dissolve the allegiance due to tho Gro w. and
OF course it must be thrown ont of vie w. and the
question taken i'll its naked and unperpexed co.
sitlon Iiasnot Great Britain re ceded in SOM.
measure, III regard'tO her principle of expatria.
tloh 1hat Sue will either claim her citizens mr.
she Will not, according To her views of in, sresr
or perhaps the sDo,fh 81 the indiriduaL believe
~ Is !" correct principie in the Laws of Nations.
Y Il Il =
clusiVey some municipal object in view. bur
eAtehds its relations to the concerns of other
COUNTRIES that 1t must be general, positive and
oehnie, else those other countries can civeno Of.
renee, II they are'hetrayed into it's violation nv
,'e versatility oft, principle orthe arbitrary COZ
suucuons OF Its atHi ors. g. Britainthen mist az.
here rigidiy toher S, stem; else -otbe-7 pat;ors
VIII De inhocenty involved. IF She has o,,yen
way TO any relaxation, she must ascertain ,b..
definite points, which il is presumed unop Tho
subject would be next to impossibilitvt she
would be obliged to put badges of slavery upon
=. .hose siie intended to claim; and others upon
those whom she might consider as ,o,aa ~.
Aaron Burr, had certainly every right according
TO the aSowed doctrine of that country. 10 cIa;m
lils citizenship. Bat it was denied. And .,yb,,
no satisfactory reason was assigned. ifhe had
been guilty OF any offence, which incurred In,
Pehany OF hanishment, or transportation, he.
would have been at least tried By a ;uyy IT ~;
connt,y. THIS may be considered tr;{l;,r c;r
cumstance TO invite any remarks upon thst
great principle of impressment, but, sir, il is in
these riing things that its operation is felt and
winch IN tact gave rise to it. And as Great Bri
tam may DC said to bea nation of precedents
| from her readiness always to refer to them. and
her avowas a!waysto act by them, we NAV ar
least avail ourselves of the same right, and ask
them with what sort of consistency they can
claim the right Of impressment, when no bodv
can possibly Know who are their subjects, and
regain, and those whom they will suffer TO ro in
| TO expatriation. Eek. Or. Suppose accor,iin, 20
their doctrine they had violated our flag for The
purpose of pressing that miscreant, & after. ards
| should have denied him the liberty of rsmain;,1,r
| IN the Empire as citizen Would not this he.
the most rnpardonable Inconsistency and ac-
companied in its fill estsn. with an iIiad of 40
| gressions and insults