Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-04-09
FROM the YHyinia Patriot.
70 PIE rRssHoLDRRs OF HENRIeo'
THE SECOND ADDRESS
HENRY BANKS.

SctcnuouS uuy, " you o"u "
mon country, neither my former nor
present address would have been pup
hshed. So free was that address from
personal reflection, SO plain In Its OF
iects, that did not apprchend that cause
for opposition could be found, but l was
mistaken.-A state of things exists
which requires the publication OF what
l am about to say.
In nv former address, endeavored TO
shew, the real situation and cause OF
dispute, between this country and Great
Britain. stated therein and pow re-
peat, that since the declaration OF war,
all the ackneN ledged causes had been
settled or Withdrawn, except what re-
late TO naturalizing and protecting Brl-
fish seameh; and the correctness oil
these statements, ] support by what here
follows.
There were three causes for dispute,
and consequently for war:
First--the orders in council. These
were withdrawn or repealed BY the Bfl-
fish government, within week OF the
time when urgovernment declared war,
and, about FIVE weeks, before that go
vernment knew it had been declared -
They are therefore entirely out OF the
way
Second-the impressment of Ameri-
can seamen, by the British. This has
Seen diselamed by public solemn de-
ciaratioaeos the Prince Regeat. THIS
is also out of the way.
Third-the na'uralizing and protect
ing British deserters, as American cll-
zens. Upon this point, the Prince Ne
gent has declared, that Great Britain will
never yield hence it seems that so long
as the Americans grant protection to
their deserters; SO long will that govern
ment exercise the right of search, and
will take BY force all that belong to
them their officers in making searches
have sometimes by mistake, and some
times wantonly, impressed American
seamen, bot not with the appreciation of
that government. This is now the only
poiat of dispute and consequently for
war.
Now as all nations except this claim
the perpetual alles glance of their natives,
and consequently we cannot support the
right of protecting British deserters, oh
the high seas-as the practice hereto
fore induces them to search American
vessels, and leads to the impressment of
American sailors, would it not be better
for both parties and particularly for our
sailors, that our government should
come to hxt determination, never again
to afford protection to one of theirs on
the high seas. This is my opinion: nor
do doubt, if this was clearly settled
and we'll understood, tina, all causes OF
war would cease, and the relations Of
peace would be soon restored.
Towards the close of the last session,
congress passed law concerning TO-
reign sesmen. That law provided, that
no foreigner should claim the protection
of the United States at sea, until be had
resided FIVE years on land; and heavy
penalties were prescribed upon those
who might employ foreigners not SO en-
titled. We'd, not yet know what effect
that law is likely to have, but it seems
to me that it would be better to declare
That foreign seamsn shall never be en-
played in American vessels; and for
two reasons: First, there will then re-
main no further Cause Of dispute with
foreign nations on this account; and the
greater encouragement might be given
to our seamen, OF such as might incline
to go to sea.
The British declare, that the preser.
walton Of their government, and the
prosperity of their nation, depend upon
the right of claiming the entire control
and use of their seamen, when they
think propcr--nor is it likely, that they
will ever consent to their being employ
ed in any other service, so long as they
have the power to preventit.
If all these things should be calmly
considered, we should find sufficient
cause to instruct our public servants, to
relinouish all claim to affording protec-
ton on the high seas to foreign seamen.
Ii such step should be taken, and U.
Britain or any other natien should mo-
lest one single American seaman on
board an American vessel, the severest
retaliation should be made. Such an
act would be cause of war.
To insure speedy and permanent
peace, we should compromise ALI past
matters, and begin anew, bat if we cry
peace, heaee, and yet seek war, or pur-
sue steps which will lead te it, or by
calling to memory all the aggravations
we have sustained for years back on our
commerce-oB our seamen--and partl-
cularH by the attack on the Chesapeake;
if these are to be now revenged, the
prospects Of peace will be far removed.
! / admit that our nation has had many |
causes fer war: my own writings open