Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-04
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afterwards, for the security OF such right in the
expectation that any of The arguments, which
have been urged before the declaration of war
and been rejected, would have more weight af-
ter that experiment had been made in vain,
would be an act of folly which would not fail
TO expose us 10 the ard derision OF the Bril-
fish nation and of the world
On full view therefore of the conduct ofthe
Executive in its transactions with the British
government since the declaration of wharf.-the.
committee consider it their duty to express
their entire app obaton Of IL They perceive
m 't hrm resolution to support the rights and
no'or OF their country, with sincere and COM
mendahie disposition to promote peace, on such
gust and honorable conditions as the U. States
may with safety accept.
1t reinaiss therefore for the United Stat &c TO
take their finale attitud with Great Britain, and
to maintain il with consistency, and with unsha-
Ken iirmness and constance.
The manner in which the friendly advances
and liberal propositions Of he Executive have
been received by the British Cove rnment has in
great measure extnguished the hope OF ami
cable accommodation 1t is, however possi-
pie that the British government, afer instruct
ing Admiral Warren, to communicate 20 the
department OF State, the rcpegl ct tie orders
nv council, may have DECLINED The arrangement
proposed by SIR Russell in the expecta ION thss
that measure would have been satisfactory to-
the United States Be this Us it NAV, yulIr
to explain 10 ITS constituents the remaining CAUSE
OF controversy, the precise nature OF that cause,
and the nigh obligation winch IL imposes.
From what has been stated, il appears that
however great the scnsibility 20 other wrongs,
the lmpressment OF our seaInen, was that alone,
which prevented an armistice, aGd in all pro-
liability N accommodation Had that great in-
tercst been arranged, in a atistactory manner,
the President was willing: to rely on The intrin-
sic justice OF other claims and the amicable
spirit in which the negotiation would have
been entered into, for satslactionin Their favor.
G. Britain ola inns right TO impress her own
semen and TO exercise l. in American vessels.
In the practice British cruisers impress Ameri-
can citizens, and fran the nature Of things, it il
impossible that that abuse should not be carri-
ed to great extent A subaltern or any other
officer of the British navy quaint not TO he the
arbiicr IN such case. The liberty and lives
OF American citizens ought not 10 depend on
the ill of such party
he British government has insisted that ev-
cry American citizen should Carry with him
the evidence OF his citizen ship, and that al
those not possessed of IL might he impressed.
This criterion, If not othe rwise Objectionable,
would be 81, - he dacum M might be lost,
destroyed oT taken from the party 10 whom il
was granted. nor might it in all cases be enti-
t!ed to respect, IS It might be counterieited,
Transferred, or granted to improper persons.
But this rule is liable to other anil much stron-
ger objections. On what principle does the
British government claim of tie United States
so great and shameful declaration Ought
the free citizens OF an independent power 10
carry with them on the main ocean, and-in their
own vessels, the evidence of their freedom
And are all TO be considered British subjects
and liable to impressment who do not bear with
them that badge Is it not more consistent
with every idea both OF public as well as of
private right, that the party setting up q claim
to any interest, whether it be TO persons or pro-
Perty should prove his right What would
be the conduct OF C.. Britain under similar cir
cnmstances Would she permit the public
ship OF any otherpower, disregarding the rights
of their hag, 10 enter on board her merchant
vessels, take from them such part of their
crews, as the boarding officers thought fit, Of
ten her own subjects, exposing by means there
OF their vessels 70 destruction! Would she
suffer such an usupation to derive any sane
tion from her patient fOrbesrance
with the British claim to impress British
seamen, the United States have no right to in-
terfere, provided it be in British vessels or in
any other than those OF the United Ststes.--
That American citizens should be exempted
from its operation. is all that they demand
Experience has shewn that this cannot be secu-
red otherwise, than by the vessel in which they
sail. TAKE from American citizens this barr-
er, which ought TO be held sacred, and there is
nothing to protect them against the rapacious
grasp of the British navy. This then is the
extent of the demand Of the United States, q
demand SO. just in itself, so consistent and in
separable from their rights, rs an independent
nation, that it has been cause OfastoaishmenC
that it should ever have been called In uuesti-
The foundation of the British claim is,
that British seamen find employment in the
service Of the United States this is represens
ted as an evil affecting essentially the great III.
terests Of the British nation. This complaint
would have more weight if sanctioned by, the
British example. tits known on the contrary.
that it is in direct repugnance 20 it. G. Britain
does not scruple to receive iato her service alb
who enter into it voluntarily. Il she confined
herself within that limit, the present controyer-
sy would not exist Heretofore The subjects of
even the most despotic powers have been left
at liberty to pursue their own happiness, by ho-
nest industry, wherever their inclination led
them. Fhe British government iefusss to it's
scamen that privilege. Let not this, then, be
a ground of Controversy with that nation Let
IT be distinctly understood, that in case an ar
rangement should be made between The two
na1iOus, whereby each should exclude from It's
service the citizens and subjects OF The other,
on tic principles AND conditions above stated,
that this House will be prepared, so far as de.
ponds on it, TO give It effect, and FOR chat pur-
pose to enact laES, VITA such r. guatjons and
penalties as viii be adequate. With this pledge
It is not perceived on what ground the British
government can persist u is claim; " Dri-
tish seamen arc excluded rom ihe service of
the United States, as may be cPtct,ully done,
the Foundation OF The claim n''is, cease. when
il il known that not one British seaman could