The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-25
Lord AsnBURToN, SC. &c. &c.
IMPRESSMENT.
Mr.. Webster 10 Lord .lshbuton.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, Sth August, |

Washington, 9Th August, 1912
My LORD We have had several conversations ON
the subject of mp.essment, but | do not understand
that your ordshp has instructions from your Govern
ment TO negotiate upon IT, nor does the Government
OF the United States any utility in opening such
negotiation, unless the British Government is prepar-
ed to renounce the practice in all future wars
No cause has produced, to so great an extent and
Tor so long period, disturbing and irritating niuer
ces on the political relations OF the United States and
England as the lmpressment Of seamen bv British
cruisers from American merchant vessels
FROM The commencement of the French rcvolu.
uoh TO me breaking out OF The war between the two
countries IN 1912, hardly year elapsed without loud
complaint and earnest remonstrance deem feel
ing OF opposition to the right claimed. and TO the
practice exercised under it, and not unir ouently q,
creased without the least regard 10 what Justice and
humanity would have dictated even if the right Use,
had been admitted, took possession of the public
mind OF America, and this feeling II s well know,
co-operated most powerfully with other causes to
produce the state of hostilities which ensued
Al different periods, both before and since the war
negotiations have taken place between the two Go.
'erhmehts, wilh The hope Of finding some means Of
quoting these complaints. AT some times the cI,c.
tual abolition of the practice has been and
treated Oh at other times, its temporary suspension
and, AT other times, again the limitation of IFS cxcI-
Csc ana some security against its enormous abuses.
common destiny has attended these efforts they
nave all iaiIed The question stands at this moment
where II stood hity years ago The nearest approach
10 settlement was convention proposed in 1903
and which had come to the point of signature when
1t was broken OIL In consequence Of The British Go.
vernment insisting that the seas should be ,
pressy excepted, out Of the sphere over which tie
contemplated stipuatons against i'm ressment should
extend. he American minister, Mr. King regard
ca Tins exception as quite nadmssible. and chose "a.
ther 10 abandon the negotiation than to acquescc in
the doctrine which II proposed to establish.
England asserts the right of impressjnp Rr;tsb sinh
Jecs, IN Time OF war, out of neutral merchant vessels
and OF deciding by her visiting officers. who amopg
the crews OF such merchant vessels are British sub
Jecs' one asserts ms as legal exercise Of the pre-
rogatiye OF the crown which prerogatiye is ALLEGED
to be founded on the English law of perpetual and
lndssoluble allegiance of the subject and his oblga
ton, under all circumstances and for his whole lIe
TO render military service TO the crown whenever
quired.
This statement made in the words Of en-
nent British juriss, shows, at once. that tta
English claim is far broader than the bass
or platform on which it is raised The law re-
he'd on, Is English law the obligations insisted
on are oolgatlonsexistngb between the crown Of Ea-
land and Its subjects. This law and these obligation.
1t Is admitted, may be such as England may ch...,
they shall be. But then they must be conlI..I
to the parties. Impressmeut Of seamen. out Of arb.
beyond English territory, aud from on board te
ships oil other nations, is an interference with o.
rights OF other nations; is further, therefore, tr.
English prerogatlve can legally extetd and is NOTE
ing but an attempt TO enforce the peculiar law y.
England beyond the dominions and jurisdiction OF tr
crown. The claim asserts extra territorial l.-.
thority, for the law Of British prorogatye and a'-
sumes to exercise this extra-territoria AUTHORITY 10
the manifest injury and annoy ance of the cuIsr'
and subjects Of other States, board their own
vessels on the high
Every merchant vessel on the rghtfully con-
sldered part Of the territory of the country 20
which II belongs The entry, therefore, into sue.
vessel, being neutral by belligerant, IS an act ol
force, and IS prna Jaoie, wrong, trespass, "hI'"
can be justified only when done for purpose '-
lowed to form sufficient justification by the 10" %
nations But British cruiser enters American met-
chant vessel IN order to take thererom suppose BfH
subjects Offering justification therefor, under VIC
law Of ,tions but claiming the right under the 10"