Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-07-17

The undersigned deem here discuss tho
question OF the American claim for the Immunity of their
Tag But they cannot refrain from viewing principle,
of nature very broad and the abuse of
which, the temptations strong and And thew
do maintain that before the caamies of war; in vndica
ton of such principle be incurred all means of ne
gocation should be exhausted and that practical
BILE attempt should be made to regulate the exercise of the
right that the acknowledged injury, resulting other
nations should be checked, II not prevented They are
clearly of opinion that the peace of this happy rising COM
munity should not be abandoned for the sake of aorn
facilities to cover French property or to employ British
men.
The claim Great Britain to the services of her sesmsn
is neither novel, peculiar The doctrine of allegiance
for which she contends all the governments of
Europe France well England, has maintained for
centuries Both notions claim in time Of the services
OF their Both by DEGREES forbid their onierur into
foreign employ Both recall them by proclamation
No doubt that in the present Of the French
marine American merchant vessels sea- hay-
ing French ssamen on board, France would take them
Will any man believe that the United States would 60
against France, on this account?
For very obvious reasons this principle occasions little
collision with France with any other nation except En-
gland With the English nation, the people of the United
States closely assimilated in blood language inter-
course habits dress and character When Britain
is and the United States neutral the merchant SER
vice Of the United States holds British seamen temp
atons almost irresistible high wages and peaceful employ
instead of low wages and service safety In lieu Of
card entire Independence, in the place of qualified serv
tude.
That England whose situation il nsuar who ID engaged
in war, apparently for existence, whose bull
wak should look upon the effect Of principle upon her
safety, with jealousy inevitable and that she will not
the
is certain The question, therefore, presented directly for
the decision of the thoughtful and vuous mind in this
country swhether for such abstract right be jus
thabe before attempting guard against its injurious ton
dency by Legislative regulation in failure of treaty
dubious right should be advanced with hesitation An
extreme right should be asserted with discretion Moral
duty requires that nation before appeals should
have been only ITSELF but that it should have
failed, in duty others If the exercise of right in
be in effect standing invitation the
subjects of foreign power become desertes and traitors
| is it no injury to that powera
Certainly moral obligation demands that the right of ag
like all other human rights should be used that while
protects what it should not njurc what
Tiers In practical view and long the right of flag
restrained by regard undenabe
account of is only for the right
of employing British eamen on board American merchant
vessels.
The claim of GreaBrtain preends further extent
than to ake British from private merchant vessels
In the exercise of this claim her officers take American sea-
and foreign seamen in the American service and al
though she dscams such abuses and proers redress when
known yet undoubtedly grevous injuries have resulted to
the of the United States But the question u.s. can
proper for such before all hope of reasonable
accommodation has failed Even after the exnguishmens
of such hope, be proper until practice
regulated remove such foreign nation any reasons
BILE apprehension of injury?
ment of British seamen 10 the merchants service of the u
ned States little reconcilabe with the permanent az
the present Of the United States The encourage
OF foreign the encouragement of the native
American
The duty of government towards this valuable class men
only protect but to patronize them And this cs.
not be done eectuay than by securing, American
citizens the privileges Of American navigation.
The question of mpressment like every other question
relative has been treated in such manner
that what possessed is lost without obtaining what was
sought Petensions right theory and important in nte
urged without due consideration of relative power
have eventuated in practical abandonment both Of what
hoped and what enjoyed In attempting to spread
flag foreigners, distinctive character has been
lost citizens.
The American seamen whose interest it 10 have no
competitors, in his employment is sacri6ced that Brish
seamen may have equal privileges with himself
Ever the United States nation this sub
ect has been matter of complaint and negotiation and
very former administration have treated it. according its
obvious nature subject rather for arrangement than for
existed in the time of Washington yet this father
of his country recommended such existed i'm
the time of Adams yet Notwithstanding the zeal support