Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1814-01-11

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that the correspondence on this all ints-
resting subject issxpresssd with digni-
ty and in q manner truly conoiliatery.
This preliminary step towards peace
being taken, and in manner equally
honorable to beth, the sincerity OF nei-
Their government oaght to be doubted
The two nations have formally and SO.
lemnly agreed upon negotiation upsn
all the subjects which had an influence
in producing the present war, or have .
connection with its continuance.
The Priace Regent has declared to
the world in his late speech, add to the
American government In the letter Of
his minister proposing an immediate ne.
gotiation, that !" he is at all times ready
to enter int discussions with the Anne
rican government for csnciliatory ad-
iustmeat OF the differences between the
two countries upsn principles ofherfecs
rycnrocisy, not Inconsistent with the ea-
tsblished maxims Of public law and with
the maritime rights of the British En-.
pire."
The American government has often
declared its desire TO treat upon the ba.
sis of perfect reciprocity, and in confor-
nifty with the established rules Of pub
lie law to maintain the rights OF the A :
msrican people but without infringing
! the just rights Of the British empire.
1t is obvious, that the principal points
| for discussion and arrangement now re-
manning between the two parties, and
to which these declarations refer, are
the relative rights and duties eff the so
vereign, and the subject or citizen.
| The questions whatever they may be
| will be found to be Of general nature,
equally affecting the independent pow
ers which constitute the great body Of
civilized society, end therefore tb cy vii,
be capable of being settled BY the prin
| cipIes and mexims which have been and
are acknowledged among mankind to be
the just rules Of public law.
One of these naaxims is that between
a sovereign and his owe native subjects,
no foreign power can interfere either "a
alter the usages and customs or tbs
written laws adopted by the ration and
executed within its ,;ominioDs Rsd an
other of thsse snaxims is thai every ha-
,, tive subject is bound 20 serve his coun-
try 50 long as he continues subject in
such names as shall De demanded by it
according to its constitutions and laws.
The time, place, manner and means, OF
brisging into the public service, any in
diridual native subject, belong solely to
the sovereign will Of the nation to
which he belongs, provided that in SO
doing no inyasion is made OF the rights
of any other sovereign.
Hence the iMpressment of native Bri.
;ish subjects into the public servise OF
Britain, has not been questioncd by the
American government, when the i'm.
pressment is made within the British
territories or in British ships on the !
high sen, and hence great Britain has
disclaimed any right to impress any
British subject within the territorial ju-
risdicticn of the United States, and has 4
also disclaimed any right to Impress
real American citizen into her service
in any place whcresoever. But Anne.
RIGA contsnds. that the exercise Of the
right osinpressment ought not to be al
lowed in Amerisan.ships upon the high
sea, even if ii could be confined there to
native British subjects, because it is an
invasion of American sovereignty, andel
because such practice by depriving
vessels Of their aavigators, exposes them
to be lost or wreskea at sea. Here We
see one of the points to be discussed and
adjusted: but supposing England and
America shall esntinueto differ about
the maxims Of public Law a. applicable
to this point a complete remedy is OF.
.fered blythe complete exclusion of A.
mericans from the British navigation,
santl Of pritish suhiects from the uaeri.