The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-08-28
FOREIGN.
HOUSE OF COMMONS. JUNE IS.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, JUNE IS.
AMERICAN SEAMEN.-Mr. Robinson,
(thouyh the Hon. Baronet was not in his
place, who had brought forward the sub
Ject to which he was about to call the at
,ention ofthe House) thought it his duty TO
state what he had to offer AS soon as the
Hon. Baronet had mentioned the case Of an
American seaman, who it was said had
been impressed, he (Mr. Robinson) had
made it his businsssto enquire how the fact
stood, and ever since had attended in the
house, Tor the purpose Of making such OBJ
servations as to him the case appeared to
call tor III the presence Of the Hon. Baronet.
his however, the Hon. Baronet had not
gwen him an opportunity of doing and as
he had made no further observations on the
subject, he (Mr. Robinson) took it for gran
tea that he meant to say nothing Were a
bout IT but content with having mentioned
the circumstance, the Hon. Baronet was
willing to leave the business altogether. to
the Admiralty.--On Monday Line Hen. Bar
onct had mentioned the circumstance again.
He (Mr. Robinson) had been in the House
early in the evening, waiting to reply to any
thing that might have been said OH it, but
nothing OF the kind having been spoken of,
he (Mr. Robinson) as the public business
was pretty far advanced, had no idea that it
would then be alluded to, and bad therefore
lett the house. He understood the case 10
have been formerly stated by the Hon. Bar
onet to be as follows THAT an American
seaman had been impressed, and vas now
on board the Enterprise. On enNiiry, he
(Mr. X. found that it was true that per
son had been Impressed in the course of the
last month, of the name OF John William.
son, who. 1T the time of his being impress
ed, had stated himself 70 be an American
citizen, and who had subsequently applied
to the American Consul to be released, on
the ground Oh his being an American sea-
man. On inquiry however, it had turned
out. that the man, though when seized he
had stated himself to be an American sea-
man, and thathc had been discharged, was
recognised by one of the gang as having de-
serted from the service of this country, "a
bout two months before, when ashore-and
this hao been admitted by the man himself
He could further state, on the general prin-
cipie. that nothing was SO little desired as
American seamen, whether they were press
ed or not; as having such persons was like
ly to lead to some inconvenience and embar-
rassment: and whenever application was
made by person Impressed for his dis
charge, on the ground of his being an Anne
rican seaman, if his Statement or investiga-
ton proved TO be correct, he was immedi-
atcly discharged.
Lo,,don Jane 2t,--The following address, was prs
seDte, co The Prince Regent, the aist June, by
deputaton fron the Religious Society of Friends
ADDRESS,
To George Augpstus, Prince Regent Of the Uni
ted Kingdom of G. Britain and Ireland.
Nay IL please the Prince,
Seeing that in consequence of the lamented affc-
ton OF our behoved sovereign thy father, thou art
called to the high office Of administering the regal
government Of this country we, his dutfn subjects,
the religious Society of Friends, DESTROYS of re-
presenting to thee a subject, in which believe |
the welfare of our country is deeply concerned
ltis now many years since war hes been spread |
ing its desoation over great part OF the civilized
world and we believe it to be an evil, from |
which the spirit of the gospel of Christ ouId Who'll
y deliver the nations of the earth, we humbiy pc
tition thee TO use the regal prerogatve placed
in thy hands, take such early measures for the
putting period to this dreadful state of devastation
trust the wisdom of thy councils, as they seek
for divine direction will be enabled to discover.
Impressed with grateful sense of the religious
privileges we enjoy under the present government,
we submit this highly important Of suffering
humanity which is peculiarly to our hearts, to
thy most serious consideration, thus then thou may
est become an instrument in the hands of the Al
mighty in prompting his gracious designs respecting
the inhabitants of the earth.
Signeds JOHN WILKINSON,
.,.. Clerk 10 the meeting this year
The Prince returned the following answer
am deeply sensible of the calamities whioh ne
cessariiy attend a state of war.
IL would therefore, be most grateful to my feel
mystic observe such change in the views and con-
duet of the enemy would admit of the cessation
ofhostes, consistently with Just regard to the
important interests which have been committed to
my charge and which il is my indispensable duty to
maintain.
reflect with great satisfaction on the religious
privileges secured to you by the wisdom and benev
olence OF the laws and you may rest assured ofmy
constant protection.