Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-04-02
From ne Bosfon Yankee.

ar Phakney's negociafion on iuhressmens,
and me ofoaton of'fhe federal ca6inef, ia
1900.
The great question between our country
and Britain is the impressmeat of our sea.
men. 1t is question of paramount impur
tance to our national honor; because the
nation is bound TO protect its citizens, nor
can it failin this duty without degradation,
IN the eyes. Of the whole civilized wo-Iti.-
In the list of our grievances, this has always
stood first, nor is it possible to conceive of
one more hulniliating TO our national pride.
or more deeply affecting our national hon.
Or Though Washington and Adams held
the same language OH this subject, it is a
melancholy Fact that some of our people
have lately taken the part of the enemy
Among these,one OF the most Conspicuous is
A1r. Pickering. He boldly steps forward
and claims for. Britain the right in this con-
troStrsy - And in q letter recently adj
dressed TO the people of the United States,
he informed them that she cannotrelinquish
what he is pleased to call her right, with
out putting into jeopardy her safety and in
dependence; and those who have read his
late letters, cannot have forgotten with
what acrimony he assails Mr.. Jefferson for
insisting upon an article in treaty to put
an end to the practice.
We will show that he has not always held
the opinions he now supports with SO much
yehemence and i'll temper. 10 February
1900, Liston, the British minister at the
command of his government, made for
NAL demand of several British sailors, who
had been put ON board of some of oar ves-
sells as prize crews the ships having been
retaken by the American captains, with
the assistance OF the British sailors, and
n s,rt.f -srxfN <l T.. c..
mand was accompanied by the project Of an
additional article to lays treaty, for the
mutual delivery of deserters. We will CO
Ply Mr.. Pickering's note TO the President
when he laid it before him.
DEPARTMENT. OF STATE,
February 20, 1900.
The Secretary has the honor to lay be
fore the president Mr.. Listens note of the
9TH OF February. together with their pro
Ject OF a treaty tor the reciprocal delivery
OF deserters, which appears to the secretary
utterly inadmisisble unless it would put an
end to impressments, which Mr.. Lisron
seemed to imagine, while the --- para>
graphs expressly recognized the right of
impressing British subjects, and consequent.
ly American citizens as at present.
TIMOTHY PICKERING.
MIR. Pickering ON the Sd day of May fol-
lowing inclosed in note to Mr.. Liston, a
counter project, informing him that the
president had been pleased to direct and
empower him to negotiate on that subject"
The article proposed by Mr.. Pickering was
intended 70 put an eud TO improvements all
together.
The material part of the article is the
18th section, and is in these words:
cit ishowever understood that nothing
in the stipulations shall be construed to en-
power, civil, military or naval officers of
either OF the contracting parties forcibly to
enter into territories, forts or vessels of the
otherparty, orr use violence to the persons
OF the commander or other officers of the
forts, posts or vessels of the other party
with a view to compel the delivity of such
person as shall desert as aforesaid
This article, together with that Of Mr..
Liston. was by the president laid before
the cabinet and each member gave his o.
pinion in writing. Mr.. Wolcott, secretary
of treasury. said that the article proposed
by Liston did nor sufficiently frovide a
Sainst the enforcement Of american seamen,
and zuas therefore deemed inadmfssi6ie."
At the same time he delivered draft of
an article substantially agreeing with Mr..
Pickering's,--The material part we will
transcribe.
in the foregoing stipulations shall be con-
strued to empower the civil or any other
officers of either party, forcibly to enter
the forts, posts or any other place within
the Jurisdiction of the other party !; nor to
empower the naval commanders or O.
Their officers, of either party, forcibly to en-
ter any public or private vessel of the other
party on the high seas, with view to compel
the delivery of any person whatever on
the contrary it is expressly declared to be
the understanding of the contracting parties,
that the mutual resolutions of persons clai-
med as deserters shall only be made by the
free and voluntary consent of the military
officers employed in the land service or the
commanders of the public or private ships
or vessels of the two parties or in pnrsu-
anCe of the decisions of the courts, judges,
or other competent civil officers of the two
nations, in all cases aising within their re
speciiye jurisdiction"
The secretary of war, NJ Henry, said of
Listens article, which appears to have bee n
designediy drawn in obscure language: {" If
this article means what is apprehended il
does, II is wholly inadmissi6le 1t establish,
es a friuci7le Tefrobafcd IN this country
The counter project Of the secretary of state
in substance meets the secretary's approba-
! ton but it is submitted whether the adop
| ton Of part of the draught of the secretary
of the treasury will not improve it ?" The
reader will see by comparison that they
essentially agree, the latter only differing
from the former in using stronger and more
explicit language.
| mr.. Stoddert, secretary ofMe navy
The project of the secretary of the trea-
sury meets the full appreciation ofthe secrc-
tary Of the navy. 1t seems to require eve
| ry thing that ought to be required on either
| side.