The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-10-22
Voc. 4l.---NO. sc,


~, ahG to l.ave proposed remedy. Had tnls
been done. and no rEasonsble remedy beet, "a
dopted, sound an Principle and reciprocal ia
IT'S operation, the British government might
have had some cause OF complaint, and some
plea for taking tie remedy in It's own hancs.
Such a Procedure would, at least, have given
TO It's clam Of iH pTcssnent the greatest phtu-
sibIl;y. We knew that such Complaint was
never made, except IN defence OF the practice
oi imprcssncnt, snd tiat in the mean titne
the practice has gone OH, and grown ilto III
usage, which, wiJh ali its 4buses, lad rts.sr-
ance been longer d'-.ayed, might have beCotas
aiaw' he or.5in AID progress OF this usul-
patton aif,rd strCng iNaStrAtlo'is If the british
policy. Tie practice ami rae claim began to-
gethcr, soon aItcT Hle close uf our yevuiuclJ..-
any war, and were applicable to desertcrs CIR
ly. They extended HeXs 10 al British se;.nga
then u all british sntieo,s, including as q,
the case Of emsrtnts from lre!.,nd, persons
who would not have been subject to Impress
ment in British ports, Rot being scatariug men
and finally, to SFedeS, Danes and others,
known To be not British subjects, and by t,le,c
projections appearing TO be natur;.li4:, CHI
zcns of the y. 5,ateS
Othe: views may be taken of the st,biecc,
to Sicw The usi3w:uiness ana a5surtIity ol . Z
British Claim. il British cru,zers have right
to take British seamen from cur VI ss,S, witn-
oft regarding the abuses nseparable p ON the
practice, they MAY take from them, On the
same principle and with much greater re;-
son, every species of property 10 which ,hs
British s. eralncn: has any kind of claim.
Al glance cannot give co a sovereign . better
right to take his Subjects than ownership to
take his property. rtere would be no limit
to this pre- cnsiCn or its consequences All
property forfeited by expcrtation, contrary 10
the laws Of Grca- Britain, every article TO
which her sovereignty, jurisdiction or owner
snip would extend, IN british vessels, would
be liable 10 seizure in these Vi tie United
States The laws Of England would he cAe-
cutory III them. Instead Of being part OK
the American, they would become part OF the
British territory.
1t might naturally be expected that Great
Britain would have gwen, by her col.ducc,
some support to her professions that il sils
had not disCl;dmed altogether the principle
size would at least have OK
Guided from her.serVIce foreign seaInen. Her
however hiss been altogether at vaIi-
ance with her prceepts. She has given great
facility to naturalization IL al instances where
IL could advance her interest, ana pecali4r en-
cour-Gcment 10 that OF foreign scanIen. she
nstul.l,izes by special act OF Parliament s,n,s
all persons WHO reside Certain
tern e years IN British Co.Cl.es, ~ these
Who are born Of British suhj>c,s, IL tolcign
domiEons, and all se2ncn who nave served q
certain short term IN tic British service, and
would doubtless protect al such biIush
subjects, il required by them 60 %. i.cr
governors Of meigbourng provinces ale titus
time compelling emisrIntS thither from che
United States, 10 bear arms against thC UGI,~a
States.
The mediation offered by Russia presents
70 Great Britain, as well as to the L. states a
fair opportunity OF accommodating TINS con-
with honor. The mterpositicm OF SO
Distinguished "a wer,fricnd.y to both parties,
could not be declined by either, On just gr und,
by Great Britain, between whom &
Russia there exists at this time q very inte-
resting relation. When the British ministers
&C made ACC tainted at 81. Petersburg with
the conditions IN which you arc authorised to
adjust this difference, IT seems as ii it would
be impossible for Great britain to decline
them. Should she do it, still adherng to her
former prctensioUS, her motive could rot be
misunderstood. 1he Cause of the United
States would thenceforward brcome the COM
mon cause of nations. A concession by them
would operate to the disadvantage ct every o.
ther power. They would all fnd in the con-
due, of Great Britain an unequivocal deter
nlination to destroy the rights OF Other flags,
ocean. 1t is to be presumed that the British
government viii find It neither for the honor
OF interest Of Great Britain, to push things to
that extremity, but will have accepted this
mediation, and have sent minister CT minis
teis u 81. Petersburg with full powers to adj
Just the controversy OH fair ana just conditions.
Should improper impressions have been
taken OF the probable consequences Of the
war, you will have ample means to remove
them. j. is certain that from its prosecution
Great Britain can promise to herself TO adj
vantage, while she exposes herself to great
eXpcnces, and 10 the danger Of still greater
losses, The people OF the United States, az
customed to the Indulgence Of a long peace,
reused by the causes and progress Of the war,
arc rapidly acquiring military habits and be-
coming a military people. Our knowledge in
naval tactics has increased as has our mari
time strength. The galantry and success Vt
on little navy have formed N epoch DO ma. AT
history. The laurels which these Draw men
have raiHed, not for themaciyes alcre, but for.
their country, from ~ enemy pre-en6nent /.
nava' exploits, tnt ngcs past, are ano,,c Ga.
proi..cst 6oa5.a If their grateful and 80
ttctOnatc fellow citizens. Our M. niif.,r l,,rs,
haze taken AN astonishing growth. D., st,rt
~ every circumstance, in 'chich Enc go,
ielt, rs pressure tends evidentiy to u,ite ,,,r
people, to draw ont Car resources. To- it,i,,,-
rate our means, anc, 60 make us more tt,,lv b..
independent nat ON, arc as far AS may be me-
cessaiy, great maii-im1 power.
IL the British e-oJerurueNf .tcr...f- o.