The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-08-18
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1918.

published against Mr.. Madison and all his
brother officers in the government. The
naval officers of America were spoken of
as 1t they were dogs. In that country me
Aeohie have something to say as TO public
affairs; and is it any wonder, tina, such
pubiicatlons should produce an effect "a
mongst them, who read every thing, and
who well understand what they read The
president, we find, has Instantly, and with
great ayid,y, accepted the mediation Of
Russia. He is a very plain man. Wears
OF used to wear, grey cuat, and his no.
powdered hair very smooth. He had no
Dig wis' nor any gowns, or any other fine
thing upon him. But he seems to know
very well what lie is about. Indeed. all he
mas TO Know, Is, what the heofiie gcish, and
that he knows by their votes. He knows,
ttat they hate war, as the great and fruitful
parent OF taxation and arbitrary power !;
ana to please them, he must avail himself
OF every thing that offers even chance of
''utun3 all end TO the war on Just and no.
noraote terms. But, as you see, our hire
'hSS eNcialm against the acceptance of any
mediation; even the mediation OF Russia,
VINO has committed her fleets TO our hands.
FOR once let us hope that these men Go not
speak the language OF the government. If
we refuse the mediation of our own ally III
the war: III we refuse the mediation Of
mat power, who we say, is about to deliver
europe, and us from the fears OF B onapartc,
what VIII that powcr-what will the world
say OF our cause I've are not, it seems,
to commit our napai rights to the media
ton OF any power" But this is not pro-
posed. The Americans do not dispute any
thug heretofore acknowledged by them,
or contended for by us, as a right. The
tn'ng we contend for is, the practice of i'm
pressing persons Oh board neutral ships OF
the Atsh sfas.-Thls the Americans deny
10 De Alright; They say thai it never was
before PFacliaed, or contendcJl for, OF
claimed, by any bsiligorent nation; they
says that by no writer on public law; by
no principle ever laid down. by such writer
by no recognition Of any power; by no
Practice; by no assertion of ours is this
act Justiiled. In short they say, that it has
neither law, precedent nor reason for its
basis. ii they assert in this respect, what
is not true, why not hrove it? Why not
cite US the book, the treaty, the public do
cuments, the principle, the precedent, up
Oh which we ground this practice? No
one attempts 10 do this and, until it be
done, what impudencc is it TO saw, that we
possess such right
Agreeably to all the principles of iuris.
prudence, when man claims a RIGHT TO do
that which is, On the face of the thinr. a
trespass upon another man, he must first
frope his right. There NAV be in John
right 10 pass across the field of James:
but having now for the first time, begun 10
exercise this right, it is Incumbent upon
~
against an action of trespass; and, if he
cannot prove II; il he can show neither
written deeds nor bring evidence of pre-
ceaent or custom, he suffers as trcspas-
SER Apply this to the case before us, and
VIII any "ne say, that, in order to Justify
war Tor such practice, we ought not to
produce something in hroofofour right? !
am tor giving up no naval right Of England
and, 1t any one will show me any treaty,
any declaration of any power, and recoeni-
non, any "arim OF any writer upon the
puolIc law, or, any custom or precedent of
any foqver IN the whoie 7vorld, to Justify
our lmpressment of persons on board OF
neutral ships on the high seas, I will say
that our last shot ought to be fired, rather
lhan cease our practice OF impressmenl.
Can say more? Can go further? Will
justice or reason allow me TO 90 further
than this The Americans will say, that
SO much too far but am quite English
man enough to SO this length. Further,
however, will not SO, call me what the
hirclings will. Is it not little too much in
this writer to talk abon; concessions as de-
manaed by America She asks q repeat
1t Tor about the hundredth time) for no con
ceSatoHs. She says VIC are trespassing up
on her, and we, without any attempt TO