The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-03-19

the cO'onisi shu cossunS ttue " tne bns
Il laid the intercourse under some disadvantages
IL threw considerable Inconvenience in the way oil
tie French merchant, and increased to him tbs
price OF all his imported produce. And to this ex-
suit, anu farther, is il possible TO carry the da'
mage Of n naval war. In this privilege OF laying
the enemy's trade under some little Increase of
charge, consists the full value OF what has been 30
Vehementy admired in this country, under the spe-
cious appeilaten of maritime rights. Naval war
fare cannot be pursued to the utter extinction oil
trade. IL cannot prevent mankind from mutual
exchange OF their surplus produce---as this would
be equivalent to an Introduction on the productive
powers of stature: and whenever it is pushed to
such excess, it must reduce all who are engaged
IN 1T TO one common !eve. of distress and ruin We
would bumhly recommend, therefore, return to
those established maXims OF maritime law, uSGer
which the industry OF unofea,ng states rsposed IN
security, while this country presented picture OF
| comparative comfort and peace The !aborer was
then peaceabic and bappy--he was enabled to pro-
vide by his industry fer himself and his helpless OIL
sprins--he not driven by want to acts of
riot and desperation. These the evils which
I It is so desirable 10 prevent and it cannot be
denied, that they lie deep in the policy Of the coun
try.
British service, which has naturally arisen from the
resemblance of the two nations in language man
ner, has given rise, we fear, tn anpch deep rooted
luminosity. Cn this subject, however, both parties
profess complete union Of principle but the diff
hcuity consists in finding some practicable arrange
ment for preserving to each its respective rights
Hitherto British ships Of have been in tue prac-
tee OF searching American merehautmen, and TAX
ing out, in summary msnner, such 81 their Grew
as they nudge 20 be British. Certificates of Amer =
can c'tizenship,kor other evidence. might he offer
sdon which IT rested with the British officer 10 de
eide 30 that every American seaman might be
sad TO h II his liberty, and ultimately his ifc, at
the discretion of foreign commandcrs in many ca
ses accordingly, native born Americans were drag
sed on hoard British ships of war--they were disd
psrsed in the remotest quarters of the globe--snt
not outy exposed to the periIs of serfiee, but shu
out. by their situation, from oil hope of ever be-
Ing reclaimed. The right which undoubtedly
possess OF recaiming runaway seanen, exer-
cised, in short, without either moderation or JUS
toe ard though the government was party in
the hrst INSTANCE to these proceedings yet there is
no doubt thas these ouyrages might, with some lit
tie activity, have been prevented. The natural
sequence of injury IS resentment; and are not,
therefore, to wonder II the Americana little
heated to the discussion OF these long contested
claims But we have great faith In the efficacy OF
conciiiation for the termination of STRIFE whether
foreign Or domestic 1t is seldom we imagine. that
those who speak peace, as Mr.. Burke expresses it,
IN the spirit ct peace finally miss their object
Without yielding the claim of right, therefore, might
we not, in consideration Of what America has suffer-
ed by its practical assertion, allow her propose
some other expedent equally efectuai and less Of
fensive Fit DO ultimately found that such
pedient can be suggested, then we might claim the
right OF search With better grace, and to
guard against abuse with due caution, il might nos
siby be re-establi.hed without any offence to
trail powers The mere discretion OF naval officers
ought, certainly be relied a, little AS possible
FOR, sorey rs they frequently besat for want of
men, they must clearly have strong bias against
tbs rights Of American citizens. Some strict pro-
vision ought, therefore, to be made for landing,
within given time, those who are detained under
so suspicious a Judgment, that their msy be
calmly reviewed and while ample and speedy
dress ought to be made TO the injured parties, every
act OF outrage or Palpable injustice, ought be vi
sited with pary damages Ii is not only neces-
recR rIuet hIfff hnsa
rights must be exercised without .oGcnce-or they
2IHss be resisted 1t is the business of this country,
therefore, to seek amicabe discussion of contest
ed priylleeesto listen to obectionsand, hnaIlv TO
modify and mpromise, that the thing contended
tor may be made practicable /; otherwise it is good
fer nothing
After all, however, The value of the object in dis
pute is the thing as 20 which candidy confess
that have the Rreates, doubts. The question Is,
what rs the actual amount of the damage sustained
--whatia the number OF seamen who take refuge
from the naval CONSUMPTION OF Britain the service
of America Would the number of men likely to
be annually lost to the country, uader such
rangement would satisfy the Americans, and
der the most rigorous exercise OF rights, differ in
such degrees to have any perceptibe influence
on naval operations Thege are questions OF
great importance as it is highly necessary TO know
how far the object at issue bears any proportion
the risks and losses of the for if it be of
little value, then 9uarreiing for abstract
principle, mere theory in the law of nations which
is no way binding on policy. We had occasion,
In former number, 10 remark, while discussing
The same subect, that nation which raises surplus
of subsistence for expectation always ensures sup
Ply FOR its own consumption, so there is every
son to think, that BY training surplus number Of
ssern-n fer tte &c: :: F;.STs, VIC small nave always
more abundance for our own service The martins
trade Of the country is the great fund for recruiting
our navy, and there is surely great reason for
jealousy or apprehension, because the supply
lows iUto the service Of other countries Every
view OF The case, then. seems strongly to prescribe
tho policy OF caution and fnrbearance in the prose-
cution of this claim and in any negotiation to
which IL MAY give rise, ought TO be forgot
ten that the trade which this quarrel has already
interrupted gives bread thousands OF industrious
mechanics in this country while, in America il
clothes the desert with cultivation, and extends the
boundaries Of rational nature.
We touch but lightly at PRESENT on these topics
both because We sill entertain hope that matters
may he accommodated in such way az to render il
unnecessary TO so more deeply into the subject
and because we must return to them in another tone
snd temper, &c shall appear that the of &C.
eommodaton have been ignnrsntiy neglected or
mady refused. 1t impossible TO leave tie subject
the 5dbjee;, however, without again calling the at
tsnuch OF n'ir readers 10 the un 'xamped aud unna
t'irsl folly OF tins between Of the same kin
tdred and tonguethc only free nations that are
now lett in She world-and the only two that have Il
snnstant Van equal, Il evident nteres to skeep we'll
with each other. On part especially, it s obvi-
Gus that We have absolutely nothing vhstever TO "a n
and almost every thing 60 lose, in this depiorsble
CONFLICT. Since the revocation os tho Orders in
Council there 10 really principle at issue between
the two countries The limits Of the right of block
abe fixed by the law OF nations spon grounds that
admit Of 10 serious dispute and stand declared by
Our own living judges in terms with which Ainsrica