The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-11-19


ties, and is doubtless aware of the importance
ant and salulary effect which satisfactory
adjustment OF this difference cannot lail 10
have on The future relations between the two
countries, indulge the hope that il has, ere
this, given you full powers for the purpose.
Experience has sufficiently cvinced that no
peace can be durable unless this objebt is pro.
vided for. 1t is presumed therefore, that il
is equally the interest of both countries TO adj
just it at this time.
Without further discussing questions of
right, the President is desrous to provide q
remedy in,,he evils complained Of on both
sides. The claims OF the British govern
ment is to take from the merchant vessels of
other countries British subjects. In the
practice, the commanders of British ships Of
war often take from the merchant vessels of
the Uniled States American citizens. If the
United States prohibit the employment of
British subjects in their service, and inforce
the prohibition by suitable regulations and
penalties, The motive for the practice is taken
away. 1t is in this mode that the President
is willing TO accommodate this important con-
uoversy with the British government, and it
cannos be conceived on what ground the ar
rangement can be relHscd,
Asuspension OF the practice of impress
ment pending the armistice, seems to be q
necessary consequence. /, canno, be presu-
med, while the parties are engaged in ne
gociation 10 adjust amicably this importanc
difference, that the United States would ad-
init the right or acquicsce in tho practice Of
the opposite partp; or that q. B ritain would
be unwilling to restrain her cruizers from a
practice which would have the strongest ten
cency to defeat the negotiation. 1t is presu-
mable that both parties would enter into a
negotiation with sincere desire to give cf-
feet. For this purpose it is necessary that a
clear and distinct understanding be first OBJ
tained between them, of the accommodation
which each is prepared to make. If the
British government is willing to suspend the
pr actice of impressment from, American YES.
sells, on consideration that the United State
will exclude British seamen from their sers
vice, the regulations by which this ccmprem-
se should be carried into effiec, would be sole.
ly the object OF negotiation. The armistice
would OF short duration. If the parties a
greed, peace would be the result If the ne
gociaticn failed, each would be restored TO its
former state, and TO all its preteniions, by
recurring to war.
Lord Csstlereagh, in his note to Mr.. Rus
sell seems TO have supposed, that, had the
British government accepted the propositions
made to it, Great Britain would have suspen-
ded media,ely the exercise of a right, on
the mere assurance of this gov yernment that
law would be afterwards passed to prohibit
the employment Of British scamen in the SER
vice Of the United States, and that G. Britain
would have no agency IN the regulation 10 give
not in the contemplation of this government
Of this government, nor is TO te reasonably
inferred from Mr.. Russels note lest, how
ever, by possibility such aud inference might
be drawn from the instructions TO Mr.. R. and
anxious that there should be no misupder-
standing in the case, subsequent Instructions
were given TO Mr.. r. with view to obviatc
every objection Of the kind alluded 10. AS
they bear date on the s7th Of July, and were
forwarded by the British packet Aiphea, it is
more than probable that they may have been
received and acted on.
am happy to explain to you thus fully the
views Of NY government on this important
subject. I he President desires that the war
which exists between our countries should DO
terminated on such conditions as may Secure
a solid and durable peace. To accomplish
the great objectit is necessary that the interest
of impressment be satisfactorily arranged.
Heis willing that G.. Britain should be secured
against the evils Of which she complains He
seeks on the other hand that the citizens of
the U. States should be protected against
practice which, while it degrades the nation,
tleprives them of their rights as freemen
takes them by force from their families and
their country into foreign service, to fight
the battles of a foreign power, perhaps against
their own kindred and country.
abstain from ensering. in this communics-
tion, into other grounds of difference. The
orders in coascil having been repealed, with
reservation no, impairing corresponding
right or the part of the u. States, and no
illegal b!ockades revived or instituted in their
stead, and an understanding being obtained on
the subject ofimpressment, 10 the mode here