The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-02-01

positions which you have been directed to
bring forward Zone of which WAS sth,.
subject OF impressment.) 81 cannot. houY-
ever. refrain on one single point from ex-
pressing my surprize, namely, that as a
condition preliminary even to a suspension
VI hostilities. the government of the United
states should have thought fit to demand
that the British government should desise
from It's ancient and accustomed practice of
impressing British seamen from the mer-
chant ships OF a foreign state, simply on the
assurance that 4 law shall hereafter be mas
sed TO prohibit the employment of British
seamen in the public or commercial service
OF that state. The British governments
now, as heretofore, is ready TO receive
from the government of the United States
and ainicabiy to discuss any PROPOSITION
which processes to have in view either to
check abuse in the exercise of the prac-
tee or impressment, OF 10 accomplish,
by means less liable to vexation, the obiects
Tor which impreSsment has hitherto been
found necessary, but they cannot consent 10
suspend the exercise of a right upon which,
the raval strength of tile empire mainly
depends. until they are fully convinced that
means can be, devised, and will be adopted,
by which the object to be obtained bv tb,.
exercise OF that right can be effectually Sc
cured"
Here it. isseen that the British aovern-
msnt objected to negotiation, not because
discussion & arrangement on the subject of
Ii0lpressment was incompatible with the
narHine rights of the British empire, bur
oecauSe-1st. MIR. Russell was thought tn
nave no powers to pegociate.-and Cd. he.
cause Or Britain was required TO desist
from the practice of iElpressment. ON tbe
assurance merely that law should thereaf
ter be passed excluding British seamen
IRON the American service; and she wish
ed to be fully convinced that means could
be devised and would be adopted by which
her seamen might be preserved to her.
"a the American ministers at Gottenburp-
will have adequate powers to negotiate. and
VIII OF course make propositions calculated
TO remove the other difficulties stated. no
doubt can remain that G.. Britain, if sincere
as must be presumed. in her late invitation
will enter into amicable discussions. and IS
convinced that her practice is unjust. or THAI
"a reciprocal arrangement can be substitu
ted for it, without detrimcnt to her ohier+
or that her best policy dictates relinon;sh1
ment OF her practice, that she will not he
prevented from making peace by what che
calls the maritime rights of the British sm
pire. t.
AS proof that cannot be contested thst
the British claim'to right of impressment
on board American vessels, is no bar 70 n
reiinquIshment oft, if dictated by regard
- 49, - PvlClt SEC tnc arrangement
made by MIR. King when minister, by which
1t was at hrst admitted the impress sment
should Cease every where, and finally q
greed on the British side that it should be
the case every where except in the Narrow
oeas only. National 2nseiiigencer,
January 90.
In Congress, debate is the order of thu,
cay Both Houses are engaged in an nm
limited, and, it would almost appear. inter
mmable Debate on the State of the Union.
The. House of Representatives have been
engaged TOR two days in a discussion On
ohIto raise three regiments of rifiemen. IA
the course OF which, neither rihemen o.
tne OIL, have been so much as mentioned by
three fourths of the Speakers.
4 he Senate, we learn, have been equally
engaged IN debate, perhaps of a more dig
niheds but not less free and severe chaiac.
ter than that in the other house. The abIest
members on each side have taken the floor
mere, too, as we'll as in the house. the war
and It's conductors have been branded "a
wicked, imbecile SC mGrderous and those
VINO have thus thrown the gauntlet, have in
retaliation, been charged wicked, despe-
rate and netari6us faction. Perhaps our
readers will think these are unseemly terms
and we agree with them. There is an
OLD adags, however, that hard words break
no bones (; and haviro on the one hand vent
ed their waspish - nors in vituDeration
on the government md those who support
IT, and on the other hand received in re-
turn the castigatiOn they well merited-it
may De hoped both parties will recover their
temper, and unite in support of an honest &
upright government in its assidHous endea-
VorS TO wage vigorous war, by which means
TO obtain an honorable peace, H.