The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-17
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

he following resolution having been Of
tered tor consideration by Mr. Bassct (:
*" fFhcreGS, 1t is represented that q. Bri.
tam mas seized sundry persons fighting un-
der the American flag, laying claims to
them alike Incompatible with Justice and
the rights OF the u. S. as an independent
nation :
"Resoived. That the President be reques-
ted to lay before this House the information
he has received on that subject. and the
measures taken to redress an evil which
violates the rights and interests, and outra-
ges the feelings, OF a,free and independent
people"
MIR. Minor said. he had nc objection to
the call tor information, but Ire excepted TO
the form OF the resolution, for two reasons
1t was preiaced by a preamble, which was
not usual in such cases. which pream Bile
moreover assumed as fact circumstances of
which the House had no official or authen-
tic information. His other objection was.
thatlt expressed an opinion on q point on
which he was not ready to express one
MIR. NJ. said, he knew not the extent of the
evil OF which the gentleman complained.-
II 1t was merely that G.. Britain laid claim
to her own subjects fighting our battles a.
giant her, he would at least not say that
tins was an act on the part of Great Britain
deserving all those severe epithcts which
the gentleman had thought proper to at
tachsto 1t. The resolusic,, stated facts not
before the House, and expressed an opinion
on an att, the degree of enornitv of which
depended on the circumstances respecting
which 1T was,proposcd to ask for informa-
ton. Mr. M. wished that the House should
not nightly be compelled into a discussion of
TINS subject, aud especially as the gentleman
mad minated the probability that no legis-
iativc act was to grow out of the informa ton
called for.
Mr.. Seydert said, as his colleagues prin-
cIpai objection to the motion appeared to be
ad'tiicuity as to facts, he hoped to procure
ms vote Tor its adoption by stating at least
one which had come TO his know ledge. I
(said Mr. 81 had the hanor TO have a nc
pne" on board the ship Wasp He Inform
ed me this morning, that after they had been
CARRIED into Bermuda, several of their crew
were taken and confined in irons that he
saw them IN that situation /; and that their
crlme was, having fought the battles of our
country. What may be my COLLEAGUES
feelings on this occa sion, I know mott hone
they are honorable to himself and the House
Tor myself wish the subject investigated
Mar. >; concluded by expressing his hope
that the resolution would pass
Mr. HzTcon said ke was anxious 20 obtain
information on thissubject but doubted the
nation was received, it would be time e.
rough to express an opinion on the subject.
he had no doubt that we must at last Come
to the determination to protect every man
that is on board of ship of the u. States.
1t IS what Great Britain herself does and
in this respect we ought to follow her exam
pie. It these people undertake to fight our
battles we ought to protect them. Mr.. NJ.
sa'o ne was opposed to the preamble, be-
Cause he did not wish to give reas sons to the
departments OF the government for any call
Tor information the House thought proper
to make j. was enough that the House
should ask for it, and the President should
give or withhold it. The practice hereto
fore was against the course now pursued.
nv D!gefozV said he had no objection To
the call tor information, Invested of the pre
amO'e and the opinion expressed in it, ex
ccpt that IT did not go far enough. He nro-
posed to amend it by adding thereto the fol-
lowing words accompanied with all the
evidence IN his possession, which will tend
20 shew whether such persons are Ameri-
Can citizens or British Subjects
Mr. Basset said he was indifferent as to
thc FORM, provided he obtained the sub
stance; he therefore should submit to such
modification as the gentleman frors Nth
carolina should think proper to make. But.
sa'a mT' Is. as 1T has been said that there is
no information before the House, | state. that
l understand and it is my belief. that six
men OF the crew of the II. s. brig Nautilus.
were detained and sent to England for trial
and that Comm ot0re Rodgers had detained
as hostages for their safety twelve British
subjects. state also to the House that 7
understand and believe that six scam n of
another armed vessel have been detained
and that Gen. Pinckney had detained a
IKE number OF British subjects. I state. that
l nave received information that the boat
swain OF the Wasp had been put in irons
AFTER she was taken. TAcse Violations &C
humanity and the law Of nations. | believe
~ require retaliation. When | voted -
g'inSI a b'li ON this subject VIZ. Wricht's1
It was not because was opposed TO retslial
ton. No. sir; retaliation in war is often
mtrcy-it puts an end to those cruelties
wn'Ih wou'd otherwise frequently disc rae
Plrtits ut wa", and is Indispensable i'm the
conduct of hSs,iitieS,
Mr. B1ssct having withdrawn his motion.
u was substituted by the following. offered
b. MIR. Macon.
" Reqolped, That the President Of the
y nlted Hid'eS he requested To- cause IN he
iaid before thisi1uuss any information which
W ~ be ~ his possession touchne the con-
dlcto br'tiSh officers towards persons IA
Ken ~ American armed ships
NJ. Hd7aoIhh said he trusted that fhe
resolution NJ before the House world meet
VITA ro objection; although, against tne
resolution a. first proposed, he must havr
veied' notwithstanding all the odinu which
might have afto cheJ . ~