The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-12-20

American ship Alert, mentioned in that
letter which is well entitled to your atten-
ton.
have the honor to be. &c
(Signed) WIN. PINKNEY.
Nfr' Pinkney TO Lord Yenesiey.
GREAT CUMBERLAND PLACE.,
15th September, 1910.
MY LORD
In my note of the LIST inst. I had the honor
to inform your Lordship, that it had been
stated to me, in a letter from Gottenburgh,
that IN consequence OF some misconception
OF the effect of the order for establishing a
blockade of E.sinore in May last. American
vessels had recently been prevented from
passing the Sound, by the English naval
force IN that quarter and requested, that
II THIS statement was correct, such ekplana
tions might be transmitted to the British
commander as might, at least, confine the
blockade IN question to the port against
which 1t had been professetlly instituted.
AS have not received any answer to that
note, and consequently do not know whether
any order has been given TO remove the in
terrupUion which IL mentions / feel IL TO be
necessary, tn lay before your Lordship, the
enclosed original protest of the master OF the
American ship Alert" which appears to
establish the existence of that interruption
an form as excePtiohable as it could pos
siblv assume.
Whatever NAV be the ground upon which
sir James Saumarez has Thought Fl, to issue
ms orders. 10 close the passage of the Sound
10 American vessels, returning in the pro-
Secuuon OF lawful trade to the u. s. or
proceeding I'm Contrary direction, your
ioraship WILL am persuaded, think with
me, that my government has fair claim to
be made acquainted, either through me or
through such other channel, as your lord
snip may deem more proper with the in.
tentions of the British government on the
subject.
Before conclude this letter, must call
your lordship's attention to the particular
circumstances of the case, which has mainly
produced it, and to the redress which those
circumstances plainly require
lhe Alert" has been seized and sent to
England, by the Z" Africa for satpage. =
Inc peril from which she was saved, II she
was saved from any peril, was created by
the injustice OF the capturing vessel. in turn
ing her from the regular course of her home
ward voyage.
That the commander Of the 3" Africa - or
ehose under whom hs acted should be res
possible to the utmost for the loss occasion
ed by that injustice, seems to be perfectly
reasonable but it is difficult to imagine, in
what way he can expect to derive from il
right to intame he loss for his own ad
vantage. trust. that the attempr will be
repressed in suitable manner, and that, in
place OF salvage to be paid by the injured
neutral, compensation will, in some mode
or other, be awarded to him for the damages
he has been made to sustain.
The impressmeut on board the Z" Alert"
OF four American seamen by the 4" Africa. %
cannot be passed unnoticed. This abuse
could not fail to be interesting under anv
circumstances but ON this occasion, (sup.
posing The enclosed narrative to be true) it
Is not only characterised by an utter tlisre
gard OF the rights OF the American govern
ment, and by The oppression of its citizens.
but Is practIsed under shew of friendly
protection. and aggravated by every practi
Cal wrong which could we'll DO associated
with il
| have the honor to be, &c. &c. &c.
(olgned)
VIM. PINKNEY.