The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-04-06
ENQUIRER- OFFICE, Afcrch 6.
COMMUNICATIONS

southern states, which have but few, should
manifest so much feeling on the subject of
impressment, while the New England
states, which furnish perhaps four 5,hs of
the whole number. should view the same
subject with so much indifference.
From this fact, which is at present adj
mitted to be true. An inference is drawn,
highly derogatory from the characters of
that great portion of the union against
which tits directed. The inference is that
the people of the South & West arc not SIN
cere, and that the beligerent spirit which
they display, is to be traced to some other
cause.
do not recollect ever to have seen any
answer to this remark. 1t has been some
times noticed, but only TO be repealed with
anger or defiance. The best way in my
humble judgment to get clear of an obser-
walton, thought of sufficient importance to
be frequently urged, is to refute it. In this
case the refutation obviously presents it
self.
Wnen a man snconnected with ships
and trade, distinctly perceives that a native
born citizen OF this free country, stands
chance whenever ne goes to sea as mari
ner, TO be taken by force from the vessel to
which he belongs that thus separated from
his children, his parents and his friends, be
is compelled under the penalty of stripes &
death, to serve on board of ships, EN- .
pleyed i'll piundering the commerce Of his
own country, or in fighting battles with ma
tions at peace with his own; that carried
backwards and forwards upon the ocea
wherever rapacity or vengeance leads, he
may spend his life in hopeless misery, and
never mere set his foot on the land which
gave him birth; What is there to check
sympa by tor the sufferer, or Indignation
against the oppressorf It is natural that
this sympathy, this indignation should be
INDUCED. The heart of interrupted man
abhors oppression, although he is not likely
to become its victim how streng, then,
how ihvincible must, and ought this aihor-
renee to be, when it is exercised by lea
lous and hostile nation, upon our own de-
tenceless citizens, and upon that class of
them whose merits have been so recently
cvinc whose epatriotism and valor have
cast blaze of glory on their country and
But the situation of the ship owners and
traders OF the Eastern states, is very DIFF
tcrent. The natural Current of their feel
Ings is checked and diverted by two eau
ses, both OF which are powerful agents in
the movements of the human mind. The
FIRST is habit. An object ever pressing
dims the sight" Things to which we are
accustomed make no impression.-The
hardships, the dangers, the miseries to
y hich seamen are inevitably exposed. are
Known ana familiar throughout the East :;
and the chance of captivity, is but a small
item, in thf eyes of trading men, In their
general estimate of the numerous evils of
maritime life. The truth of this remark is
susceptible of various illustrations: but
proof is better than illustration. The proof
IS this-A committee Of the Legislature Of
after searching for evil
dencc, make out about $50 or 100 cases of
impressment of natives of that state. Let
1t be admitted, that the inquiry vas ina
partially conducted; the result of that in
Jury proves nothing. The facts were lost.
they made little impression when they oc-
CURED, and when an impression was made.
1t was soon etfaced by calculations of profit
ana loss. Thus we find. from the state
mens OF the Mayor of London, that there
were IN that port alone a few months past.
upwards OF 1000 American seamen, who
mad been impressed and discharged-cf
these large proportion must have been
furnished by Massachusetts. Yet their
cases are forgotten, and these men must Ell
thsr be supported as prisoners of war. or
lett to beg. starvf and perish in the streets.
But another and more powerful cause 10
the insensibiity produced by trade, OH the
minds OF mercantile men, to every thing
Through that medium every thing is view
ed every thing therefore must frequently,
tnoughsnot Away, appear discoloured and
distorted. In 1905, when the British de-
ciared that the importation OF colonial pro-
duce into the u. s. did not Interrupt the
contiguity of the voyage from the belligerent
colony to the parent country, the whole
commercial world was in connection
Petitions, memorials and addresses. not
more just than eloquent, were poured upon
The government from all quarters of the
union. They declared that the conduct of
Great Britain was In the highest degree
oppressive and ruinous--and then too they
thought proper to plead the cause of the
American seamen. fheir constancy &
vaior," say the merchants of New York,
" are justly themes of patriotic exultation.
- From their connection with US, we cons;-
" der their cause az our cause, their rights
" as our rights, and their interests as or.
i" inteTes.S," and the memorialists indip
nant at the recital of the wrongs sustained
by the seamen. pray that in addition 70
the protection OF naval force. their
= brave countrymen may ba permitted at
- least on the American seas to display
" their energy in their own defence" But
now, this defence is madness and folly.-
Vow, exemption from impressment is no.
thing. These rights once so important. so
eloquently, so pathetically maintained, are
nworthy OF a nations care.-What is the
Cause OF this melancholy change 1t is this.
Atwar with England destroys great pro
portion Of our trade, Her numerous ships
1ntercept It even on our coasts We are