Winchester gazette. [volume] (Winchester, Va.) 18??-1826, 1812-11-28

1t vii, he very satisfactory to the Pre-
sident 10 meet the British government
In such arrangements as may terminate
without delay the hostililies which
now exist between the United States
and Great Britain, OH ccrditions hon.
CRADLE to beth nations.
ri the moment CT the declaration Of
war, the President gaze signal proof
of the attachment; Of The United States
In peace. Instructors were given at
! that carly period to the late charge des
affairs Vi; the United States at London,
10 propose to the British government
an arnistiee on conditions which ii was
! presumed would have been satisfactory.
1t has been seen with regret that the
proposition made by Mr.. Russell, par
hcnlariy in regard to the important in
terests OF impressment, was rejected.
and that none was offered, through
| that channel, as Il basis GU which hos
! tilities might cease.
As your government has authorised
! you to propose IL cessation of hostilities
and is doubtless aware Of the impor-
tant, salutary x feet which 4 satisfacts
| ~ adjus tnent Of tins difference cannot
fail to have OIL the future relations be-
tween the two countries, [ indulge the
hope that it has, ere this, si-
ven you full power TO-, the purpose
Experience has sufficiently evinced
that no peace can be durable unless
this object is provided for. 1t is pre-
sumed, therefore that 1t is equally the
interest ct both countries TO adjust il at
this time.
Without further discussing questionss
of right, the President is desirous l.,
provide a remedy for the evils COM
planned OF on both sides. Tke clais,
of the British government is to taxa
from the merchant vessels of etheh
countries British subjects. In thu
practice, the commanders of British
ships of war often take from the mef-.
chant vessels of the United States A.
| mer;can citizens. If the u. States pro-
hibit the employment Of British sub
jeets III their service. and inforce the
| prohibition by suitable regulations and
| penalties, the motive for the practice
is taken away. It IS IN this mode that
| the President is willing to aceommo-
date this important controversy with
! the British government, and it cannot
be conceived OF VIVA. ground iae sr-
! ranset,ent can be refused.
A suspension of The practice OF i'm
| pressment, pending the armistiea,
seems to be necessary consequence.
1t cannot be presamed, while the par
ties are engaged in a negotiation to ad-
just amicably this important difference,
that the U. States would admit the
right er acquiesce in the practice Of the
opposite party OF TINT q. Britain
would be unwilling to restrain her
cruizers from a practice which would
have the strongest tendency to defeat
the negociatiom. 1t is presumakle tina.
both parties would enter into the nego-
ciaticn with a sincere desire to give it
eifsct. For this purpose it isnecessary
that Il clear and distinct understanding
be first obtained between them, of tho
Accommodation which each is prepared
to make. If the British government
is willing to suspend the Practice Of
impressment from American vessels. ON
consideration that the United States
will exclude British seamsn from their
service. the regulations by which Ibis
compromise should be carried into
effect would be solely the object Of me-
gociation. The armistiee would be
of short d'iration. If the parties agreed
peace would be the result. If the ne
gociation failed, each would be restaled
TO its former state, and to all its pre-.
tensions, by recurring TO war.
Lord Castiereagh, in his note to Mr..
Russell seems 80 have supposed, that,
bad the British government accepted
the propositions made to it, 6. Britain
would have suspended immediately
the exercise Of right, on the mere as
surance Of this government that q law
would be afterwards passed 20 prohibit
the employment of British seamen in
the service oftie U. States and that
Great Britain would have no agency in
the regulation to give effect to that
proposition. Such an idea was not in
the contemplation of this Government,
nor IS TO be reasonably inferred from
MIR. RusSell's note lest, however. by
possibility such an inference might DO
drawn from the instructions TO MIR. Il.
and anxious that there should be no
misunderstanding in the ease subse~
qnent instructions were given TO Mr.
X. with a view TO obviate every obies-
ton IF the kind alluded 10. As they
bear date on the eth Of July. and were
forwarded by the British packet Altbea
/. % 81 L - . II