Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-12-15
Four Dollars Per Annum-Paid in A4odnce.

in due torm Under the laws of the Uaited
States.
1t has not been explained, whether i,|
was meant, as the universally of the term
- deserters" would import, to include A.
merican Citizens who might have left the
BRUSH service. But what possible consid..
GRAFTON could have induced the British 90
vernment to expect that the United States,
Could admit principle, that would de.
|prire our naturalized citizens of the legal
privileges, which they hold in common
with their native fellow-citizens. The
BRUSH government ought not to have made
such proposition because it not only, like
Iotners, naturaiizes aliens but in relation
TO the u. >. has even refused to discharge
fr IN the British service native citizens of
the United States, involuntariiy detained.
IL an American seaman has resided in G..
britain, or has married therein, or has
accepted bounty in her naval service, his
oNcharss theretrom, on the regular APP
lpicaton tn the British COVE has
been invariably refused by It's board of adj.
miralty. IhiS state on the authority of
the oftcial reports rsade to this department.
1t is, therefore, truly astonishing that, with
knowledge OF these facts, such pre-
tension should have been advanced at all,
but above all, that it should have been
made sine qua non TO an act OF plain JUS
uce, already so long. delayed. This is the
more to be regretted, as the omen does not
favor the belief we would willingly cherish,
that no Professionalism ex,sts IN the
councils of His Britannia Majesty irrecon-
|cIlable to an amicable arrangement of an
AFFAIR, which, affecting so deeply tie hon
or OF the United States, must precede a
general regulation of the mutual interests
OF the two Countries.
After IL,
son was terminated, Two notes. of which
copies are herewith sent TO you, were pre-.
scented tp me IN the name and oy the hand
ot Mr.. Oakeley, the BrtIsa Secretary OF
Legation.
The first requested document, having
the effect of special passport or safe.
guard 10 MIR. jackson and his family dur.
ing their stay in the United States. As
the laws OF this country allow IN unobstruc
ted pass &c through every part oft, and,
with the law OF nations, equally in force
protect public ministers aud their families
In all tneir privileges, such an application
was regarded as somewhat singular. Th re
was n hesitation, however, in furnishing
|certltl ate of his public Character, and TO
be used in any mode ne might chuse. BIT
what surprised most was the reasons as
signed for the applicauon. The insult be
alluded to was then, tor the first time
brought to the knowledge of THIS govern
ment. 1t had indeed, been among the ru
mors OF the day, that some unbecoming
scene had taken place at Norfolk or Hamp
ton between some officers belonging 70 the
hfrIca,ne aud some of the inhabitants, and
that it originated in the indiscretion of the
tCrmer. No attention having been called
tor, and no enquiries made, the truth of
tie Case IS unknown Bat it was never
supposed ihat Mr.. jackson himself, who
was On board the frigate, had been person
ally mSulted. Nor IS 1t yet perceived in
what way he considers It as having happen-
ed It ls IL edless to remark that any rep
reseniation on the subject would have in-
stan'iy received every proper attenti-
on.
Another ground on which protection
was asked for, IS the supposed tendency OF
the language OF our newspapers TO excite
popular violence on MIR. Jackson's person.
Had he been longer and better acquainted
with he habits and spirit OF the American
people, he would PROBABLY never have en-
tertaned an apprehension of that SORT If
he meant TO anlmadVert on the free LAM
guage OF the newspapers, he might Justly
be reminded TN I Cur laws, as those OF his
country, set bounds 10 that freedom that
the freedom of British prints, however
great win respect 70 public characters of
the United States, has never been a topic
OF complaint, and that supposng the lati =
tude OF the American Press to exceed that
( OF Great Britain, the difference IS infinitely
less in this respect between the two, than
( between the British press and that of the
other nations Of Europe.
! The second note seems 70 be essentially
intended as justification of the conduct OF
| Mr. Jackson in that part OF his correspon q.
dencc which has given umbrage. Ii he IN
tended u as a CoHcillatoTy advance, he
lough. not to lave preceded it by demand
OF passports nof by the spirit or the mau-
ner 10 which that demand was made. He
ought, in fact, II such was his object, &c
have substituted an explanation in the
place OF his reply TO my premonitory letter.
But whether he had one or other, or botf
Of these objects is view, it was necessary
for him TO have done more than Is attempt.
ed 10 this paper.
IL was never objected TO him that h,
had stated il as fact that the three pro
positions in question had been submitted u
me by Mr.. Erskne, nor that he stated il
as made known TO him by the lnstruc. ion
Of Mr.. Canning that the instruction to Mr.
Erskine containing those three condition
, Twas the only one fron which his authorit
/, was derived to conclude an arrangement d