The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-04-06

d.
J! nation, was called retaliation" upon France, and
Intended to distress her By cutting of all her aecus-
Toned supplies, While Il was believed, aud even,
boosted, she would be compelled to receive them
thro' British merchants, rather than be deprived OF
them altogether. Whatever may be said, il
suestlonaby thi, fs~ture in the system, which rem
dered the orders in sounci' unpopular for a time
among the merchants OF England they expected
to ENJOY the exclusive beneat profits OF the trade of
ths world they calculated, by force, the
advantages OF n commerce from which they had bee
excluded by their wars and the superior enterprise
ok the Americans. Instead OF rea, ling the COLDER
harvest, the scheme proved Elusive tor the pur-
pose OF sotteaing the effect of such conduct on the
American commerce, and To cover the deep policy
OF incorporating the whole trade Of the world, the
british government acknowledged the measure
Just IN itself, but asserted that had been rendered
necessary by the violent proc e,inss Of France, and
promised, as soon as that nation ceased enforce
hef DEGREES against our commerce, she would fol-
lew the example. Although France rescnded her
uecrees as to the United States and in instance
afterwards enforced them, Great Britain refused to
do us justice, and Mr.. Foster, the British minister
IN June last, declared his nation would not repeal
the orders IN council until the English merchandise
was admitted into the continent OF Europe. This
declaration removed all hope cd ,tion with
England during the war m Europe, and had no
small influence in producing a declaration of war.
nave stated the conduct on the part OF England
which forced us to declare war the whole world
knows how many efforts were made to produce
shanse, and with what obstinacy she persevered,
until compelled by the disresses of her manufactu-
rers to yield Although i rejoice that this nsur-
mountaoie obstacle 10 harmony between the two
countries has been removed, regret extremely
that was delayed until their relations were entire.
" changed.
1t is nov proper to examine the proposition rea.
i've TO American seamen, which was rejected by
inc British government. In order 10 understand
the nature OF this subject, it must be recoilected
mat the British government claims the right OF for.
cling into the navy every sailor belonging to the ma
int
own territory rs on the high seas. Whenever en-.
gagged IN war. in pursuance oil this claim, they have
constantly entered American vessels, and seized
urens of the United States, pretending thew were
subjects of the king. IL this extraordinary proce-
dure over the freedom of an American WAS in eve
~ instance, entrusted prudent and lust men, II
would necessarily lead to of the most serious
injustice but when every officer in the British navy
is authorised to enter our vessels and sez. any nd
vlduaI whom he choose, il could not fail to be
abused and TO produce the most outrageous oppres
sion: 1t Is to rescue American citizens from this
ntolerabe violation of m ir freedom that we are
| now eontending with England. In vain have the
constitution and laws of the country guarded the
rights OF every man from arbitrary power if the Off
Ger oil fo' e'gn nation shall bs permitted 10 tear
whomsoev.r he phases from their families and all
they hold dear in life. The people of this country
have been told that few men suffered from this
pracuce, and that they were always relieved upon
proper representations to the British government
nut the contrary is the fact, established uDon the
| most unqs stionsb!e testimony. Many thousands
have been constantly in this situation and apslioa-
! uons tor their release have proved fruitless So
'ong nave the English arrogated to themselves III
iSht o mprsssmeut, that they call it one of tn er
I " maritime rights and declare it. shall never he a
e"ndoned Its therefore duty to resist tina,
preten''on, with all the means in our power.
In letter, written by the Secretary of State in
| ioo4 II appears that, " from June 'e7 Septem
Der, 1901, two thousand and fifty nine seamen app
| ed to our consul in London to be discharged from
the British navy. OF this number, one hundred ana
t'uo only were detained rs EngIishmen which is
less than one twentieth of the number impressed
from American vessels. Eleven hundred and forty
| two we're discharged, or ordered to be so md
eight hundred and FIVE detained for further
proof with the strongest presumption that the grea-
Ter part ot the whole were Americans, or aliens
whose proof ct citizenship had been Iost or destroy.
cd AS early MS 1899, General Washington enter.
e" his protest against the impressme nt5;aour sea
| men aud through his Secretary Of go ropre
'ented I" the incon venienees of this condSct. ane
the impossbiIity of letting it 20 on" Mr. Picker
ing, in letter of the 10th September 1896. uses
| these strong expressions 4" If the British govern
"ent have any regard for rights any respest for
| our nation, and any value upon friendship they
w3 even facilitate To as the Of relieving our
oppressed citizens" Have they afforded those
| means! So far from it, they have never ceased &c
impress our peoei", and even punished the unfortu
nate men tor endeavorins TO convey intelligence o.
sleir situation to cur own government. Il 10 ire.
quently ssd that those who administer the national
! government attach more Importance to the prae.
4 1--we us- ~ ucserVcsi ana require more than
reasonably be granted by England. If this subjes,
not OF vital Importance to the honor OF the nation
and the personal security of the citizen il will he
difficult for chose who have participated in public
a"ee 10 explain satisfactorily their extr me
solIcitude 10 have adjusted, and the very strong
| terms IN which they have reprobated It. Mr. John
Marshall, when Secretary Of State in letter O.
ttufus King dated Goth September 1900, saws " T q
'mpressment ot our seamen is an injury of seriou
magnitude, and deeply affects the feelings and hon
or oi the patton the continuance Of whish must in
eYtaby produce discord between the two nations $
Again! Even foreign seamen, not British, subjects
engaged in orr service. ought to be protected to
tear them from our possession is at the same time
an Insult and an injury il act of violence for
Inch there exists no odi!iafiee" Again he ask g.
| I" should we impress from the merchant service of
Britain, not only Americans, but foreigners and @
ven British subjscts, how long would such course
ninJnry unredressed he permitted TO pass
| ed How long would the government be content
WIN H!SEccefJul remembrance, and unapdiiinp
mienorins | What language can he stronger }
Yet II will not be pretended that Mr. Marshall and
nose with whom he acted disposed unrecessa-
|r'U 10 excite resentment against England. The
Itermsrequlred from Britain by the United States
are perfectly Just, and be granted without en-
ldangeriDg her power. She is required under no pr,
has been offered TO exclude her sd6iecks eatiyeiy
lfrom them. II. therefore, she wishes the SER
&c OF her own people only, sound reason exists
tra refusal, except, suggestion that the stipuJa
ton would not be faithfully executed on our nart
The presumption of bad faith should not be induIeed
among nations, but especially towards the United
states who have always serupnousiy adhered I'm
every engagement. The situation Of England r.
suTes the services of her seamen she has taker