New-York daily tribune., 1844-11-04
Americnn seamen!

Do you remember that HENRY CLAY was the
great Champion of Sailors Rights against the
sgeressions Of Great Britain DO you recoIIeei
how nobly he vindicated your claim to the pro.
lection at all hazards of your Country against
the Right Of Search, Impressment, and other
expressions of British tyranny Read again the
following extract from his Speech in 1913 in de-
with Great Britain:
"We are told by gentlemen in the opposition,
that Government has not done all that was
incumbent On il to do, to avoid just cause OF
complaint on the part Of Great Britain; that, in
particular, the certificates of protection author
ised by Congress, are fraudenty used. Sir, Go
yernment has done too much in granting those
paper projections. / can never think Of them
without being shocked. They resemble the passes
which the master grants to his negro slave. let
the bearer, Munso, pass and repass, without mo-
lesta,on" What do they imply That Great
Britain has a right to seize all who are not pro-
vided with them From their very nature, they
must be liable to abuse 0n both sides. II Great
Britain desires mark by which she can know
her own subjects, let her give them an ear-mark
The colors that float from the mast head should
be the credentials OF our seaman. 1t ls lmPossi
BILE that this country should ever abandon the
gallant tars who have won for US such splendid
trophies. Let me suppose that the Genins of
Columbia should visit one of them II tbs opn-es
sor's prison, and attempt TO reconcile hir - MS
,orlorn and wretched condition. Shn ,yonlG ny
to him, in The language of gentlel. n on The
other side, Great Britain intends YOU n harm !;
she did not mean to impress you, but oua Of her
own subjects; having taken you by mistake, l
viii omonstrate, and try to prevail on her, by
psaceable means, to release you, but cannot,
nv son, fight for you II ne did not consider
this mere mockery, the poor tar would address
her Judgment and say, You owe me, my coun-
try, projection owe you, in return, obedience.
/ am no British subject am native OF old
Massachusetts, where live my aged father, my
wife, my children. / have faithfully discharged
nv duty. Will you refuse to do yours 2 Ap-
pealing to her passions, he would continue, |
lost this eve n fighting under Truxton, with the
Iosureente; | got this scar before Tripoli; /
broke this leg on board the Constitution, when
the Guerriere struck" There was something in
the impassioned gesture and pathetic tone of ut
,erance says his biographerl which distinguished
this appeal that the feeling which dictated 1t
passed iror. man TO man, as II one mysterious
chain OF sympathy connected every bosom.
The Editor of the National Intelligencer de-
clales that the pathetic effect produced by the
appeal, admits not Of description. Although the
day was extremely cold, 50 cold that MIR. Clay,
for The only time in his life. was unable to keep
himself warm by the exercise of speaking, there
were few individuals in the house who did not
bear witness. by ,hoir streaming eyes, to the ora
tors control ovef their sensibllities. Members OF
bo,h political parhes-men whose patriotic souls
had been sustained by his eloquence,a and those who
had been writhing and agouizng unde, his ndig.
nation-forgot their antipathies and wept to-
gether.
Brave tars OF America. Your great champion
is candidate sor your sufffages tomorrow, and
for the last time. If you do not testify your grat:
itude then, you viii never have an opportunity
Speak te your brother sailors. and ask them to
give glorious support to the great champion OF
American Independence and Sailors Rghts!