Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-02
From the Columbian.
The AMERIcAy and NE BpIq.,ev y
FISH side.

The 6MERIcAy and he BRIqrss side.
On the subject OF retaliation, lately agitaed between
the British and American governments il is at once
ceved that the parties are at issue on the onest
of perpetual allegiance and the right of
lhe American government claims the right of receiv
ing, nauraiizlnS and employing the natives of foe;
countries according the usage of cvilized nat;on"
thsis our side of the question Great Britain drn;ee
the right though pracsed by herself and claims as 6er
subjects all who drew their first breath i'm her TERRITORIES
this is the British side of the question and ;s s,
ed by few federal papers in this country Certain Of
our adopted Citizens, 10 the number of IS having been
taken prisoners by the British put in close cnnne
men for trial traitors. to their native country IN
hghtins under the colors of their adopted government
retaiate or prevent their execution our executive
ordered the seizure of many British prisoners ON
which the British have imprisoned twice tue un,ber Of
American prisoners, and have taken like hold of an
equivalent number of British officers answer for ,h
safety OF ours Thus the matter ress Great Pr;,,;n
says our adopted ctzens her subjects and shall he
punished as traitors. w say they are law fully natn
razed IN this country, and therefore no LONGER her
suo)ec,s and shali be protected or avenged every
hazaro. her subjects, or not her subjects, is the
question Our government solemnIy declares they are
Hot--she and her advocates here say they are
Whether or not the ncessnt current OF sedition and
hostility TO the principles the measures and the laws
OF our government are to be tolerated forever in the
aoe.'ors OF the enemy among u.s. is question for 9TH
ers 70 uetermnc But we think as the great points of
natohai controversy seem to be diminished to the single
object OF ezen [of the u. Staes subject and il is
10 settle ths at least important matter as any o.
ther IN dspute that we are contending in the field of
test should be cautious how far and how fast they pro-
ceeo he friends of their country ought to be istn-
guished from the friends of Britain and as has often
oeen suggested by federal writer's other occasions
those who employ their pens in behalf of the foe should
be considered as guilty in degree as the crime of
aiding them with their swords
Alter so often repeating that Grea, Britain o evenI
the remark to no her nation) invites not 10 saw ~,
presses encourages, protects, and NATuRAL1zEs our
CITIZENS az her pleasure, and proving it by her public
statutes and common practice we should hone that
nh
ance would be abandoned by her friends YET with
pertnacy unequalled by any thing but the forbearance
which tolerates it, find the arrogant and inadmiss
bic assumption of the perpetual sovereignty of Britain
on the ocean, and land also her natives insisted
upon and daily hurled in the teeth of the American m
ton and government by parricda writer's of orr co
try on the enemys side We hear of Americans wifi,
IN three years after removing Canada being comns
ied TO pear arms ainst and sore are taken nri
soners put never delivered the civil law as trail
lots het an Irish native, after twenty years residence
IN this country is to be hanged for fighting in ts de-
renee. shame on such proagate such unjust and de-
testable opinions w
We put the decision Of any Britisl, aJyoc., :;
this country, this question: "
Can native of Britain naturalized in the rJnited
states fairy and legally be punished as traitor for
being found IN against the government under bic
he was born, so long that government scdnces and
retains IN its service the natives of the United States
nhder the suDloned extract from an act of parliament
Let the clause be read il has been read ogain %
again. and let the reader then ask himself whether ma
turalzation is lawful aud the subjects of Il ab.
ed Wy the usage OF nations from the dogma of pernetnaI
allegiance And if the British dare to take the life Of
single individual under the arrogant plea set ma bv
them and defended by their friends here let the coz
ses OF the world follow hs murGerous deed and the
most prompt and rigorous SJaalion take place 70 pre-
vent its repetition. " F'V-
Among other qualifications for NATURALIZATION the
ioowng IS most pertinent to the which occasion1
ed the retaliatory measures:
LAW OF BRITAIN
AND TOT The better encouraging of foreign mar3ners
and seam en- to come andserve on board ships belone
ing to the kingdom of Great Britain be it further e5
acted oy the authority aforesaid that every such for
eSn mariner or seaman, who shall from and after tb
18Th day OF April, have faithfully served ON board he
maJestys ships OF war, or any privateer or merchant
OF trading ship or ships, vessel vessels which AZ h