The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-08-13

W ISfpSutsti PSTsonS, &C tue transportation
OF them tor nutetineo causes from the ports
Of the British colonies to the Island of G.
Britain.
The evidence under the second head cs-
tao!ishes tue fact, that howe yer the practice
OF OBTAINING American citizens as british
subjects nay be regarded as to the princi
pile it involves, that such detcptions continue
TO occur. Through the agency of the naval *
other commanders of that government. le
proves too, that however unwilling to allow
other nations TO ilaturalize her subiect4, g.
Brtainis disposed to enforce the obligation
entered into by their citizens when natu :
Iralized. under her own laws. This practice
even srapcsng the release OF every, person
thus detained, obviously subjects ci,r cap
tnred citizens, upon mere suspicion, to
hardships. and periis from which they ought
to be exempt according TO the established
rules IN reiatisn TO prisoners cf war
/. line evidence under the third head shews
that White all other American citiaens were
permitted to depart within a reasonable
Time alter the declaration Of war, all mari
ners who were in the dopinions of 6. b..
whether they rcsorted to her ports in time
OF pesce Tor lawfn purposes, or were tor
ced into them under pretence OF illegal
commerce, arc considered prisoners OF war
4 he injustce of this exception is not mere
'PF".N Ht tbait Liz Jc6tcuAy u GtSClO-SS to
wards that Useful class of our fellow citi
zcns- 3ue tire committee can but remark.
that Il the practice ct hiring Amcrcau
seamen TO navigate British vessels is gene
rally adopted and authorised, and that it is
suffered appears from the advertisements Of
George Maude, TIE British agent at Por,
Royal, which is 20 be funnd with the testi-
mony collected under the first head, that tAe
naval strength ci thar empire win bc IN
creased in pr portion to the number of our
seamen IN bondage. The present war ha
wing changed the relation ofthe two coun-
tries, the pretended right OF impressnent
can no longer be exercised, but the same
end may be accomplished by the substitu-
ton of this mode. Every seaman thus err
,pioyeti (the terms OF whose engagement has
not been ascertaiDed) increases the naval
strength OF the enemy, not only by depriv
ing the United States OF his active services,
but by enabling 6 Britain TO carry on and
even extend her commerce, without dimin-
ish'ng the number of cailors employed in
her vessels of war.
The testimony COLLECTED under the fonrth
head proves, that IL is The Ordinary practice
OF the officers of British armed vessels TO
force impressed Amer leans 10 serve against
their country by threats, By corporal pun
ishment, C even by the tear of immediate
the professions Of the government of its readi-
ness To release Impressed American seamsn
found on board ships of war
On the evidence collected under the fifth
head, IT is necessary to observe, that IN one
case, the case OF DIR. M'Keehan, the enor-
nifty Us increased by the Circums,aace of the
Lag beng Invested of every thing of hos
Tile character, hiving solely for it's obiec,
the rehet otthe wounded and suffering y ris
oners who ere taken at the River Rais;n
M the ed January. 1918 The treatment
OF Dr. vi Aeehan, not by the allies OF Rri-
tam, but ny the officers of her army, can
only be rAtionaliy accounted for by the sup
position, that II WAS considered good policy
t. deJer American surgeons from poinr. ~
The reiief of their couutrvncn, as the In
dian surgeons had 9 more speedy and effec
tuai mode ot relieving their sufieiings
The evidence respecting the ransom of
American prisoners from indians collected
under the sixth head, deserves attention;
principally from the policy it ind :cates, ano
rs it is Connected with Indian cruelties,-
Considering the savases rs an auxiliary mi
iitsry force in the pay OF Great Britain, the
amount OF RANSOM may be regarded as part
OF their stipulated compensation for militia
ny service; and is rapsoms would be in
creased and their value enhanced nv tho
terror inspired by the most shocking barba.
rites, ii may he fairly concluded, Whatever
may be the intention Of the British govern
ment, that the practice of redce ming cap
hves BY pecuniary means will be occasional
" ouickened by the butchery of our fellow
citizens, and by indignities offered TO their
remains; aslong as the Indians are EN-
played by the enemy The justice Of this
conclusion is confirmed by the testimony Of
those witnesses who were retained after
ransom as prisoners of war.
The testimony collected under the seventh
head shews, that the private properly of
unarmed citizens has been piiaged by the
officers and crews of the British vessels of
war on our coast, their houses BURT, and
places OF public worship mutila,ed and def
lea. Ii appears that the officers, animated
10y the presence of Admiral Cockhufn, par
uculariy distinguished themselves in these
EXPLOITS his evidence proves, that they
were governed by the combined motives Of
avarice and revenge not satisfied With
bearing off, for their own convenience. the
valuable articles found, the Others which
furnished no aliurements to their cupid;ty
were wantoDly defaced end DESTROYED. il
has been alleged, in pallration oi these acts
Il wantoi crusity, that a flag sent ON shors
by the Adm I. was fred upon the nerican
militia. The evidence proves this not tohave
been the feet. This pretenoe has been
resorteA 20 only TO eScuse conduct Which no
circumstshces can justify.
The CON mittcc forbear 20 make INV oh.
irs,N fh.rs