Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-21
Lord Ashbu'ton 10 Mr. Webster.
IL A r.rII.. Z. rrna. Il

WASilNG lON, august y, l542.
Sir The note you did me the honor Of address
ing the Slh instant on the subject Of irnpress
ment shall be transmitted without delay 10 my
Government, and will, you may be assured, receive
from them the deliberate attention which its impor,
TANGO deserves.
The object Of my mission wns mainly the settle
ment OF existing subjects of difference and no diff,
respect TO impressment, because the practice has
since the peace wholly ceased, and cannot, consis.
tsntly with existing laws and regulations for M n
mig her Majesty's navy, be, under present circum.
st1nccF, renewed.
DESTROYS, however, of looking far forward into
fuuriiy TO anticipate every possible causes Of dira
greement, and sens bic Of the anxiety Of the Ameti
cen cope on this grave subject Of past irritation
should be sorry in any way TO discourage the at
tempt at some settlement Of II; and, although with
out authority 10 en.er upon II here during The linn
tied continuance Of my mission, entertain n conf
dent hope that this task may be accomplished,
when undertaken, with the spir, Of cindor and
Cancellation which has marked all our late negota-
ton.
IL not being our intention 10 endeavor now 10
come 10 any agreement on this subject, I may be
permitted to abstain from noticing, at any length
your very ingenious arguments relating 10 IL, and
from discussing The gruver matters Of constitutional
ani international law growing out Of them. These
sufficiently show that the question is ono requiring
calm consideration; though must OF the same time,
Unit that they prove q strong necessity Of some
settlement for the preservation OF that good under
standing which, trust, we may 1iuer ourselves
that our joint labors have now succeeded in estab
fishing.
am well aware that the laws Of our two coun,r e.
maintain opposite principles respecting allegiance "a
sovereign. America, receiving every year, by thou
sands, the emgtonts Of Europe, maintsin the doe
tfne suitable 70 her condition " the right Of trans
ferrng allegiance az will. The laws Of Great Bri-
tsin have maintained, from al time the opposite
doctrine. The duties Of allegiance are held 10 be
Indispensable, and u is believed that this doctrine
under various notifications prevails in m1sl, " not
in all, the civilized States q Europe.
Emigration, the modern mode by which the popu
aton of the world pelceably finds is level Is fol
the benefit Of all, and emnently for the beneh, oil
humanity. The fertile desotts Of America arc era
dualy advancing TO the highest state Of cultivation
and production, while tho emigiant aequires comfor
which his own confined home could not ofFofd him
IL there were anything IN our laws or our prac
/ wee on either eide tending 10 impede this m1rcn o
pfovdeutill humanity We could not be TOO caser Il
provide the remedy but ss this does not appoar 4
be the case, We may safely leave this part Of the sub
Jet without INDUCING IN abslrse, speculations, hav
ing no material pfooiieal application TO matters il
| discussion between US.
But Il must be admitted that serious practice
question does arise, rather has existed, from pfac
tees formerly attending the mode Of manning IA
British navy IN times Of Gar. Tie principle is, ka
al subjects Of the crown are, in case q necessity
bound 10 serve their country, and tho sen-farng ~
is naturally taken for the naval service This is no
as is some times supposed, any Artillery principe
monarehiea government, but one fourdsd on The nn
tural outy o. every man 10 defend the life Of h
country; end oil the analogy Of your avs v oud len
TO the conclusion that the same prineiple would hol
good ~ the U, s. II Their geographical ros ton d.
not make It's app cation unnesss,srv