The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-25

proof, IN which raw seamen, natives of the United
States, fresh from the helds OF agriculture entering
for the hrst time on shipboard have been impressed
before they made the land, placed the decks of
prush men-oi-war, and compelled TO for years
before they could obtain their release or revisit their
country and their homes. Such instances become
known, and their effect in discouraging young men
from engaging IN the merchant service of their coun-
Try can neither be doubted wondered at More
ihah all, my lord, the practice of impressment when
ever Il has existed, has produced not Cancellation and
good feeling, but resentment evaporation, and ami
mostly, between the two great commercial countries
of the world
In the calm and quiet which have succeeded the
late war-a condition favorable for dspassionate
England herself has evidently seen the
harshness OF impressment, even when exercised on
seamen IN her own merchant service and she has
adopted measures calculated if not to renounce the
power or to abolish the practice vet at least to sI-
persede ITS necessity by other of manning the
royal navy, more compatible with justice and the
rights OF individuals and far comfortable to the
spirit and sentiments of the age.
Under these circumstances, the Government of the
United States has used the occasion of your lordships
pacific mission TO review this whole subject and to
bring II To your notice and that Of your Government
II mas reflected on the past pondered the condition
OF The present, and endeayored 10 anticipate so far
as might be in its power, the probable future and
am now to communicate to your ordshp the result
of these deliberations
The American Government, then, is prepared to
say that the practice OF impressing seamen from
American vessels cannot he eater be allowed TO
take place. That practice is founded principles
which 1t does not recognise, and is invariably attend
ed by consequences so unjust, so injurious and OF
such formidable magnitude, as cannot be submitted
TO.
In the early disputes between the two Govern
ments on this SO long contested topic the distinguish
ed person to whose hands first intrlsted the
seals OF this Department declared that the simplest
rule will be, that the vessel being American shall be
evidence that the seamen on board such"
Fiily years experience, the utter failure Of many
negotiations, and careful reconsideration now had,
OF the whole subject at moment when the passions
are land, and no present interest emergency exists
to bias the Judgment have fully convinced this Gov
eminent that this is not only the simplest and BEST
but the only rule which be adopted and observed
consistently with the rights and honor of the United
States and the security OF their citizens That rule
announces therefore, what will hereafter be the
principle maintained by their Government In every
regularly documented American merchant vessel the
crew who navigate IT will find their protection in the
flag which is over them
This announcement is not made, my lord, to re-
vve useless recolections of the past to stir the
embeIs from fires which have been, in a great de-
gree, smothered by many years of peace Far other
WISE Its purpose Is to eNtlngush those fires etec.
tualy, before new incidents arise to fan them into
flame. The communication is in the spirit of peace,
and for the sake OF peace, and springs from deep
and conscientious conviction that high interests
of both nations require that his so-long-conest-
ed and controveited subject should be final
ly put to rest. persuade myself my lord that you
will do justice to this frank and sincere avowal of
motives, and that you will communicate your senti-
ments in this respect, to your Government
This letter closes, my lord my part, official
correspondence; and gladly use the occasion to of
fer you the Of my high and sincere regard
DANIEL WEBSTER
Lord AsHBURToN, sc. sc. &c.