The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-05-17
99isreiianp
FROM THE BOSTON PATRIOT.
THE INADMISSIBLE PRINCIPLES
OF THE
KING OF E.NGL.i.N.D'S PROCL~i.yL3TIO.A'
V Ocf. %, lS07-cogsIDERED.

IHURLow, when he was Chanccllcr, haz-
arded saying to committee Of the city OF
London, that the practice of impressment ol
seamen was legal but the committee am
swered him respectfully, but firmly, though
in the presence of the King in Council
" We acknowledge the high authority OF
your Lordship's opinion, but we must declare
that we are ola very different opinion !" and
their answer appeared to be applaudod by the
nation. Prcss-gangs are continually opposed
and resisted at sea, by the sailors, whenever
they have the means or the least hope of cs-
Gaping. Navy officers and men are some
times killed, and there is no inquisition for
their blood. As little noise as possible is
made about it,. 1t is known to be justihable
homicide to take the life of an assailant in
the necessary defence of a mans liberty.
There is not a jury in England who would
| find verdict of murder or manslaughter a.
gainst any sailor, on land or at sea, who
should kill any one of prcss-gang in the ne
cessary defence of his liberty from impress
ment Press-gangs on shore are often resist
ed by the people, fired on, some of them
wounded, sometimes killed. Yet no inqais-
ton is made for this. The practice is held
in abhorrence by the menof war's-men them
selves. The boatswain of the Rose JGigase,
after the acquittal of the four Irish sailors
who were prosecuted in special Court OF
Admiralty at Boston, for killing gallant and
amiable officer, Lieutenant Panton said,
This is kind of work in which have
been almost constantly engaged for twenty
years, i. c. in fighting with honest sailors, to
deprive them Of their liberty always sus-
pected that ought to be hangcdfor it, but
now know it." Since have alluded to this
case, it may not be amiss to recollect some
other circumstances of it.
A press-gang from the Rose, commanded
by Lieutenant PantoS, with Midshipman
and q number of ordinary scamen, visited
and searched a merchandising from Marble
head, belonging to Mr.. Hooper, at sea. The
Lieutenant enquircd if any English, Irish or
Scothmen were on board ! Not satisfied with
the answer he received, he prepared TO sesych
the ship from stem to stern.--At last he
found four Irishmen retired and concealed in
the forepcak. With swords and pistols he
Immediately laid siege to the enclosure and
summoned the men to surrender. Corbett,
who had the cool yintrepidity of Nelson,
reasoned, demonstrated and laid down the law
with the precision of Mansfield. know
who you are. You are the Lieutenant Of mar
of war, come with press-gang to deprive me
ofmy liberty. You have no right to impress
me. have retrcated from you as far as lean;
can go no farther. l and my companions are
determined to stand upon our defence. Stand
off," The sailors within and without en-
ploycd their usual language to each other,
and Midshipman, in the confusion, fred a
pistol into the forepeak and broke an arm Of
one of the four. Corbett, who stood at the
entrance, was engaged in a contest of mena-
ces and defiances with the Licutencnt He
repeated what he had before said, and mark
ing line with a harfoon in the salt, with
which the ship was loaded, said, /" You are
determined to deprive me of my liberty, and
am determined to defend it. If you step
over that line, shall consider it as proof
that you are determined to impress me, and
by the eternal God Of Heaven, you are a dead
man." /" Aye, my lad" said the Lieutenant,
" have seen many brave fellow, before
now" Taking his snuff-box out of his pock-
ct, and taking pinch of snuff, he very de-
iberately stepped over the line and attempt
ed to seize Corbett. The latter, drawing
back his arm, and driving his harpoon with
all his force, cut off tho carotid artery and
juguar vein, and laid the Lieut.. dead at his
feet. The Rose sent reinforcement to the
press-gang broke down the bulk-hcad, and
seized the four Irishmen, and brought them
to trial for piracy and murder. The Court
consisted Of Govsrnour Bernard, Goyernour
Wentworth, Chief Justice Hutchinson, Judge
| Achmuy, Commodore Hood himself, who
| then commanded all the ships of war on tie
station, now peer of the. British Empire,
| and twelve or fifteen others, counsellors OF
Massachusetts, New-Hampshire and Rhode
Island.-After the trial. the President, Gov
crnour Bernard, pronounced the judgment Of
! the Court, that the action of the prisoners
was justifablc homicide, and in this opinion
| the whole Court was unanimous The sailor
| who was wounded in the arm, brought an ac-
ton against the Midshipman, and Com. Hood
himself interposed, and made compensation
to the sailor, to his satisfaction, after which
l the action was withdrawn. Such was the