Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-04-08
IMpRyssMENr. &c.

From the LOad5n Morning Chronicle.
SIR,
observe in your paper OF yesterday the
expression of a hope that the war with Ame..
rica would not long continue, the question
between the two governments was simply rs
tothc right of impressment of seamen on board
the American merchant ships and as you cx-
press wish that each party would promul-
gate their thoughts on the subject, it may not
be amiSs to lay before your readers the propo-
sitions that hare been made by The American
government, and these are, 81
10 enter into engagements to allow of no
prof. to British seamcn but on the con-
trary, to deliver them up whenever they sought
refuge among them.
To aid our consuls in searching for, seizing,
and restoring them.
To keep them in their prisons, when there
unto required; and to prohibit THEN citizens,
under adequate penalties, from carrying them
oily, or employing them.
To include, in these provisions, not only de-
serters, but al seafaring people.
Upon these conditions the American gov
eminent required an exemption from seizure
upon the high seas, of all persons found on
board American ships, except such as La
bic to be taken, according to the laws of IA.
tons (for instance, IS enemies serSing in the
war, and for such supposed British seamen as
being already abroad in American ships, might
be claimed in British or friendly port,
British subjects, process equivalent to that
last mentioned, and approved in your remarks,
was proposed. Indeed, it appears by some ex-
tracts in the Monthly Review of November
last, that an American agent at Jamaica some
years ago had, by habeas CORPUS, ascertained
the character, and procured the discharge, of
about fifty American seamer, when the Admi-
raj on the station gave orders, that the writs
should no longer be attended to.
BY the adoption of the American propositi-
ons, all subsequent escape of British seamen
into the service of the U States, or of the
merchants of America, would have been pro-
hDited. A more complete remedy can hardly
be imagined, against the employment OF all
British seamen not naturalizcd by the United
States before their adoption. OF those that
have So become nat,Iraized (who II any must
be very few something remains TO be said
But we not without measure in this case,
that may surely be adopted without any degra-
dation of the rational honor, diminut ton OF
the national dignity.
The naturalization law of the United States
makes discrimination between seamen and
other citizens They require fpe years resi-
dence, with evidence of good behavior.
opr laws make special provision for the ma
turalization OF foreign scalnen. 1U0 years
service on bsard man OF war, privateer, or
merchant ship, entities them TO all the privi-
lrges OF a natural born subject C Anne, c. 81,
13, Geo. 2, C So We surrender no sesrncn
thus obtained, and may, therefore, surely,
without any dsparagement, forego the demand
for our own seamen actually naturalized III
tie u. States. Their numter can be OF no
Consideration in this point OF view, & mus evil
d,r;ly bear very small proportion TO the
number that we wowld redeem BY the above
propositions of the U. States.
In respect to the men, indeed, whose indi
vidua rights we seem to lose sight OF, the
circumstances are not unlike, but wide ct each
other as f from West-while The fate of the
American seaman, involving the dearests inter-
ests OF life, and life itself, is subjected TO the
decision of an officer of the navs wanting men,
Judge, jury and party Ga tribunal which every
British subject would resist in question of a
pound mole, aud before which it is notorious
that many thousands have been imprisoned for
yeas, AMI I few for iite;) the British sea-
men i'll American employ, is there in pursuance
o; his own choice. Seamen are never impress
sed in America neither, indeed, are foreignA
ers allowed on board their ships Of war.
lido no, comprehend what is meant by the
readiness OF government to receive and discuss
airy propositions on this subject from America
Propositions have been reiterated year after
year, and war after war. Those now placed
before you are Of many years standing & stand.
irg propositions. should be glad to see any
others that would give us more OF our own
seamen, and leave 10 our American brethren no
cause of comp amt but confess know not
how they are to be devised.
am, sir,
Your most ob't. sery't.
CoNCILIAToR.
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