Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-05-04
IMPRESSED SEAMEN

Inc following is copy of Mr.. Wright;s
OH as 1t passed to a third reading in the
House OF Representatives of the United
states on Monday last.-I6.
II 6M for the protection, recouery and in.
den'n!fcation Of american Seaz,cn
whereas, by the treaty of amitv. corr.
merce, and navigation made between his
brtannic majesty and the United States AZ
DIT London, on the nineteenth day of Novem-
Der, one thousand seven hundred and ninc-
y-our, II is agreed, that there shall he n
I'rIh' lnvlolable and universal peace and !,
true and sincere friendship between his Ri
fannie majesty, his heirs and successors ar,y
the United States of America, and betweer,
their respective countries, territories. ciries
towns and people, of every degree. without
exception of persons or places And
whereas his majesty has caused to he i'm
pressed out OF the United States, sailing ON
the high seas, under the American flag d.
Vers hege Citizens of said States, and hath
oo''ipeiieu them to serve on board the ships
OF war OF Great Britain, ard to fight against
the United States, and numbers of them ver
detains, contrary to the express provision ~:
SAID treaty, and in violation of their nature1
liberty, and against the peace of the United
States:
BE IL enacted by The Senate and HOUR
u Representatives Of The Uqi.ed Statee NJ
.dnlerica, in Congress assembled. Thar fror,
and after the 1st day of Juue next. any ner..
son or persons who Shall impress snv nat;ve
seaman OF the United States from on board
any vessel OF the United States, sailing on
the high seas, or in any port, river, haven
basin or bay, under pre;ance or color of a
commission from any foreign power. shall
ior every such offence, be adjudged pirate
ana ielon, and on conviction shall suffc-
death and the trial in such case shall be ma
where the offender is apprehended or nav
be first brought.
Sec. -Hnd he il further enecte5 IT..
it shall be lawful for any seaman Saline 49, !,
der the flag of the United States on 80,
person or persons attempting to-impress him
by force or violence from OH board anv ves-
sci OF the United States on the high seas 80.
IN any port, river, haven, basin or bav
to repel force by force and if anv nerson
so attempting to impress said seaman shall
be Killed, manned or wounded, il shall he
lawful tor such seaman, OIL the general is
sue, to give the special matter in evidence
cation.
Sec. g. Ind be al. further enacted. Thai a.,
information being given to the President as
VIC ChiIcu states, proving satisfactorily 70
hm, that any citizen of the United St,tes
shall have been impressed, and sbsll be 49,.
detained, or shall hereafter be impressed ~
cause the most rigorous retaliation ON go
OF the subjects OF said government taken on
The high seas, or within the British terri,
vies, whom he is hereby authorised 10 cars,,
70 be taken and seized for that purpose s,,,
treaty to the contrary MISUNDERSTANDING
Sec. a. And6eit further cnactc9 -Fh,..
ny seaman heretofore or hereafter ironres.
sed, shall be, and he rs hereby au,ho,is,.J =.
attach IN the hands of any british snhiect
or IN the hands ofany debtor Of any Br;,i,i,
SUBJECT, sum equal 60 thirty dollars nr,.
month tor the whole time he shall haze bee,,
detained on board any British vessel or We
sells and that any sum of money ca att,cL-
cd out OF the hands Of any debtor. shall r..
payment OF so much Of said debt to said Gro
dItor and ON plea OF payment or scf-oes
inc same may be given in evidence and al
lowed in any suit for the recovery of 90
debt, any treaty to the contrary n,twitbstan
ding. '''''""
Sec. s. ind be IL .Ii1ther enacted. Th,.
the president of the United States is hrre,'.,
authorised to Capture, by way Of epri,,l -
many British subjects. on the hi h sets 80
within the Br tish territories, as m <. b.. so,,,I
to the impressed America seanen -
possession of Great Britain, and 30 a -
70 exchange the same,