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BY THOMAS JLFFERSON,
President of Ihe United Gluten oj .Imcriia,
A PROCLAMATION.
During the wan which, for some time, have
prevailed among the powers of Europe, the
United States of America, firm in their princi
ples ol peace, have endeavored by justice, by a
regular discharge of all their na ional and so
cial duties, and by veiy friendly office their
situation has admitted, to maintain, with all the
belligerents, their accustomed relations ol
friendship, hospitality and commercial inter
course, Faking no part in the question which
animate these pow< is against each oilier, not
permitting themselves to cr.tcitaiii a wish,hut lot
the restoration of general peace, they hate ob
served with good faith, the neutrality they as
sumed, and they believe that no instance of „
departure fiom its duties can be justly imputed
to them by any nation. A free use of their har
bors and wateis, the means of refitting and ve
f r'-shincni, ol succour to their sick and suffer
ing, have, at all times, and on equal principles,
been extended to all, and this too, amidst a con
stant recurrence of acts ol insuboi dmation to
the laws, of violence to the persons, and ot
trespass on the property of our citizens, coin
tnuted by officers ol one of the belligerent par
ties, received among us. In truth, these abuses
of the laws of hospitality, have, with lew excep
tions become habitual to the commanders ol
the British armed vessels hovering on oui
coasts, and frequenting our harbors. They
have been the subject 4 repeated representa
tions to their government. Assurances have been
given, that proper ordeis should restrain them
within the limits of the rights and of the respect
due to a friendly nation ; blit those orders and
assurances have been without effect; no instance
of punishment for past wrongs has takenplace.
At length, a deed transcending all we have
hitherto seen or suffered, brings the public
sensibility to a serious crisis, anil our forbear
ance to a necessary pause. A fiigate ol the
United Stales, trusting to a state of peace, and
leaving her harbor on a distant service, has
been surprised and attacked by a British ves
sel of superior force, one of a squadron then
laying in our waters and covering the transac
tion, and lias been disabled fiom service, with
the loss of a number of men killed and wound
ed. This enormity was not only without pro
curation or justifiable cause, but was committed
with the avowed purpose of taking by force,
from a ship of war of the United States, a part
of her crew, and that no circumstance migh
be wanting to mark its character, it had been
previously ascertained that the seamen demand
ed were naive citizens of the United States.
IU ving effected his purpose, he returned to
anchor with his squadron within our jurisdicti
on. Hospitality under such circumstances
ceases to he a duty ; and a continuance ot
it, with such uncontrnled abuses, would tend
oi>ly by multiplying iojniies and li illation, to
bung a rupture between The two nations
This extreme resort is equally opposed to the
interests of both, as it is to assurance of the
juost fiiendly dispositions on the part of the
British government, in the midst of which this
outrage has been committed. In this light
the subject cannot but present itself to that go
vernment, and strengthen the motives of an
honorable reparation of the wrong which has
been done, and to that effectual control of its
naval commanders, which alone can justify the
government of the United States in the exer
cise of those hospitalities it is now constrained
to discontinue.
In consideration of these circumstances, and
of the rights of every nation to regulate its
own police, to provide for its peace and for the
safety ot its citizens, and consequently to refuse
the admission of armed vessels into its harbors
and waters, cither in such numbers or of such
descrip'ions, as are inconsistent with these,
or with the maintainance of the authority
of the laws, I have thought proper in pur
suance of the authorities specially given by
law to i sue this inv Proclamation, hereby re
quiring all armed vessels bearing commissions
under the government of Grcat-Britain, now
within the harbors or waters of the United
States, immediately, and without anv delay to
depart from the same, and interdicting the
entrance of all the said harbors and waters to
the said armed vessels, and to all others bearing
commissions under the authority of the Biitish
gevernment.
And if the said vessels, or any of them, shall
fail to depart as aforesaid, or if they or any
others, so interdicted, shall hereafter enter the
harbors or waters aforesaid. I do in that case
forbid all intercourse with them or anv of
them, their officers or crews, and do prohibit
nil supplies and aid from being furnished lo
them, or any of them.
And I do declare and make known, that if
any person from, or witli.n the jurisdictional
limits of the United States, shall afford any aid
to any such vessels, contrary to the prohibition
contained in this proclamation, either in repair*
ing any such vessel, or in furnishing her, her
officers or crew, with supplies us any kind, or
in any manner whatsoever, or if any pilot shall
assist m navigating any of the said armed ves
sels, unless it he for the purpose of carrying
them in the first instance beyond the limits
and jurisdiction of the United States, or unless
it be in the case of a vessel forced bv distress,
or charged with public dispatches as hereinaf
ter prov ided for. such person or persons shall,
on conviction, suffer all the fines and penalties
by the laws provided for such offences.
And 1 do hereby enjoin ami require all per
sons Rearing office civil or military within or
under the authority of the United States, and
all other citizens or inhabitants thereof, or bc
jii£ within the tunic, vvuli and promp
titude to exert their respective authorities, and
to be aiding and assisting to the carrying this
proclamation and every part thereof, into lull
effect.
Provided, nevertheless, that if any such ves
sel shall he forced into the hat hors or waters ol
the United States by distress, by the dangeis ot
die sea, or by the pursuit of an enemy, or shall
enter them charged with dispatches or busi
ness from their government, or shall be a pub
lic packet for the conveyance of letters and
dispatches, the commanding officer immedi
ately reporting his vessel to the collector cf
the district, stating the object or causes ol en
tering the said haibors or waters, and confor
ming himself to the regulations in that case
prescribed under the aulhoiity of the laws,
shall he allowed the benefit of such regulations
respecting repairs, supplies, stay, intei course
and departure,as shall he permitted under tie
same authority.
In testimony whereof, I have caused tin
seal cf the United States to He affixed
to these presents, and signed the same
Given at the city of Washington, the se
cond day of July, in the year of our
(Seal) Lord one thousand eight hundred and
seven, and ot the sovereignty and iucie
pondence of the United Stales, the
thirty-first.
TH: JEFFERSON.
By the President,
James Madison,
Secretary oj State.
INSOLENT MENACE.
NORFOLK, July 6.
The agitation which our town was thrown
into by the recent outrage had in some degree
began to subside, and our citizens wailing in
calm expectation for the measures w hich our
government might adopt, wueti on Friday a
movement of the British ships again excited it.
On the afternoon of that day, the Beliona, Tri
umph, Leopard and Melampus came up from
Lynhaven Bay, and anchored in such a man
ner, as evidently proved that they designed
something serious. On Saturday a pilot boat
came up to town, the master of which reported
that he had been brought to by the Beliona,
and charged with the following letter from
commodore Douglass to the mayor of this
place :
His Majesty’s shift Beliona, Hampton
Jloads, July i, 1807.
Sir—l beg leave to represent to you, that
having observed in the newspapers, a resolu
tion made by a committee, on the 29th ultimo,
prohibiting any communication between his
Britannic majesty’s consul at .Norfolk, and ins
ships lying at anchor in Lynhaven Bay ; and
this being a measure extremely hostile, not
only depriving ihc British Consul from dis
charging the duties ot his office, hut at the
same lime preventing me from obtaining that
information so absolutely necessary foi his ma
jesty’s service. lam, therefore, determined,
it till, inhmgement is not immediately annulled,
to prohibit every vessel bound either in or out
of Norfolk, to proceed to their destination, un
til I know the pleasure of my government, or
commander in chief on this station. You must
he perfectly aware that the British flag never
has, nor will be insulted with impunity. You
must also be aware, that it lias been, and is still
in mv power, to obstruct the whole trade of
live Chesa[eukc, since the late circumstance—
which l desisted from, trusting that general
harmony would be restored Respecting the
circumstance of the deserters, lately apprehen
ded from the United States frigate Chesapeake,
in my opinion, must be decided between the
two governments alone. It therefore rests
with the citizens of Norfolk, either to engage
in a war, or to remain on terms of peace.
Agreeably to my intentions, 1 have proceed
ed to Hampton Roads, with the squadron un
der my command, to await your answer, which
1 trust you will favor me with, without delay.
1 have the honor to be, sir,
Your obedient humble servant,
J. E DOUGLAS.
P. S l enclose you two letters, directed to
the British Consul at Norfolk, which you will
he pleased to forward him.
To Richard E. I.ee, Esq. IMayor
o/JYorfolk, Virginia.
The mayor convened the recorder and aider
men, vvlien the following was agreed on, and
ordered to be sent.
ANSWER
Norfolk, July 4.
Sir—l have received your menacing letter
of yesterday. The day on which this answer
is written, ought of itself to prove to the sub
jects of your sovereign, that the American peo
ple are not to be intimidated by menace or
induced to adopt any measures, except by a
sense of their perfect propriety. Seduced by
the false shew of security, they may be some
times surpi ised and slaughtered, while unpre
pared to resist a supposed friend; that delu
sive security is now, however, passed for ever.
I’he late occurence has taught us to confide
our safety no longer to any thing but our own
force. We do not seek hostility, or shall we
avoid it. We are prepared for the worst you
may attempt, and will do wha'ever shall be
judged proper to repel force, whensoever your
efforts shall render any act of ours necessary.
Thus much for the threats of your letter, which
can be considered in no other light than as
addressed to the supposed fears of our citizens.
In answer to that part of it, which is particu
larly addressed to me, as the first judicial offi
cer of this borough, I have but to say, that you
must be aware that the judiciary of no country
posseses any other powers than those confer
reu upon n. by the law.
The same channel through which you have
derived the intelligence stated by youiself,
must have also announced to you, th t the act
of which you complain, is an act of individuals,
and not of the government. If this act be wrong
and illegal, the judiciary of this country, when
ever the cast is properly brought before it. will
take care to do its duty. At piesent it hath no
judicial information of any outrage on the laws,
and therefore will not act.
If you, sir, please to consider this act of indi
uiduals as a measure “ extiemely ho-tile,” and
shall commence hostility without wailing the
decision of our two gov ernments, although you
youiself acknownowledge that it propeily be
longs to them alone to decide, the inhabitants
of ‘ orfolk will conform to your example and
protect themselves against any lawless aggres
sion which may be made upon their persons oi
property; they therefore leave it with you,
“either to engage in a war, or to remain on
terms of peace,” unlii the pleaure of our ret
pective governments shall be known.
Your letters directed to the British consul at
tliis place, have been forwarded to him.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Your most obedient servant,
RICHARD E. LEE, Mayor.
To John E. Douglas, Esy. commanding his Bri
tannic mujesty’e ships in Hampton Roads.
We do not knowhow to reconcile the friend
ly declaration of commodore, Douglass, with a
fact of which we are well assured. A boat
from the commodore’s ship was employed a
considerable time on Saturday in sounding the
channel of Elizabeth river almost up to Crany
island, about tour n.iies below this place.
WASHING FON, July 1.
The following is a copy of the letier addressed
hv the officers of the wardroom of the Che
sapeake, to the secretary of the navy.
Late United States ship Chesapeake, Hampton
Roads , June 23, 1807.
Sir—The undersigned officers of the late
United States snip Chesapeake, feeling deep
ly sensible oi the disgiaee which must be at
tached to the late, (in their opinion) prema
ture sur render ol the United States ship Che
sapeake, of 40 guns, to the English ship of
war Leopard, of 50 guns, without their pre
vious knowledge, or consent, and desirous of
proving to their country and the world, that it
was the wish of all the unde signed, to have
rendered themselves worthy of the flag under
which they had the honor to serve, by a deter
mined resistance, to an unjust demand ; do re
quest the lion, the secretary of the navy to or
der a court of enquiry into their conduct. At
the same time they are compelled by impe
rious duty, by the honor of their flag, by the
aonor of their countrymen, and all that is dear
to themselves, to request that an order may be
issued for the arrest, of commodore Janies
Barron, on the charges herewith exhibited,
which the undersigned pledge themselves to
prove true. viz.
Ist. In the probability of an engagement,
for neglecting to clear his ship for action.
2ndly. For not doing his utmost to take or
destroy a vessel which we conceive it his duty
to have done.
With the highest respect,
We subscribe ourselves,
Your’ most obedient servants.
Benjamin Smith , \st lieutenant, William Crane
2 d lieutenant , W. H. Allen , 3d lieutenant, S.
Orde Creighton , 47i lieutenant , Siilney Smith,
sth lieutenant, Samuel Brooks , 5. M,
The honorable Robert Smith, Secretary
of the United States Navy, Washington.
[The prece ling articles were publ-fhed in an ex
tra Iheet iitu id from this -ffice. yesterday morning,
but are republtfhed n the Republican to-day, for he
informarion of dillant readers to whom the Extra
wsnotfent.] Edit. Rep.
TRIAL OF COLONEL BURR.
FEDERAL COURT.
Rich Mown, Saturday, June 27.
The court took up the following order on the pofl
ponement of the trial.
Aaron Burr, late of the city cf New-York, and (fate
of New-York, attorney at law, who Rands indidfed
for treason, was this day brought to the bar in custody
of the marftial of this ditlridt, and thereof arraigned
and pleaded not guilty to the indidment, and for his
trial put himfelf upon God and the countiy, whereup
on he is remanded to jail. And as the trial of the said
Aaron Burr cannot be had in the county of W ood,
where the offence is alledged to have been committed,
without great inconvenience, it i ordered rh.it a venire
facias issue, to the marthal of this dilti icf to be direc
ted, commanding him to fummoti forty-eight fit per
lons qualified as the aw directs, twelve of whom from
the laid county of Wood, to appear here on the third
day of Augutl next, as a venire for the trial of the said
Burr.
Monday, June 29.
Mr. Hay laid the following order of the executive
counsel before the court :
In Council, June 29,f507
The board being informed that an affidavit has been
filed in the circuit court of the United States, for the
Virginia ditfrift, which (fates that the jail for the coun
ty of Henrico and city of Richmond is imouvenient
and unhealthy, and lo crouded with Rate offenders and
debtors, that there are no private apartments theiein,
for the reception of persons Charged with offences
againß the laws of the United States ; it is therefore
advised, that the governor be requeßed to tender the
laid court, (through the federal attorney of the dillrid
of Virginia) apartments in the third Rory of the pub ic
jail and penitentiary house for the reception of such
persons as (hall be directed under the authority of the
United States to be confined therein.
Extract from the minutes.
Danl L. Hylton, Clerk of Council.
The following was the order of the court on this
fubjedt;
“ Which tender the court doth accept for the pur
pof* above mentioned.”
The final cectfion of the morion to commit A. Burr
to the penitentiary, waspoltponed till lu-n. arrow.
Tuesday , June 30.
The motion to commit A. Burr to the penitentiary
was tenewed.
It was objedied to by his counsel on the ground—
(and an affidavit was made hy them to the fame affedt)
that in so importantacafe.it was essentially neteflary
for the moR uninterrupted intercourse to subsist be
tween the priftner and his couniel; but that the dis
tance of the penitent ary, combined with their own
piofeflional avocations, would nectflarily narrow and
interrupt this inte course. It was also (aid,that by
particular regulations of the penitentiary, the custody
of the prtfoner would be transferred fiom tleniarihal
to the fuperintendant ; and that the communitatiot s
of the priloner with his counsel would be limited to
the tery short period which was allowed to the other
viimnts; that is, from 11 to I o’clock.
The Attorney for the United States repelled these
obirft lor s
Tie Chief Justice said, when there was a public
jail, lot utireafonably distant, or unfit for the reception
ol th> priloner, and when the court was called upon
on th; part of the Ui ited States, to commit a prisoner
to its keeping, that he conceived himfelf bound to
cornfly with the requisition ; that when he had given
the ir, er for his removal from the jail to his own lotlg
mgi it was under an expe&ation, that the ttial would
be polecuted immediattly, and the intercourse between
the piloner and and the counsel would be necefiarity
incefant; but as a postponement has taken place, such
an utercourie would not be absolutely necessary; un
der mch i ircumftanccs, therefore, he should direift the
removal of the prisoner to the penittntiary, if he was
still to continue in the poffeflion of the niarfhal, and if
his counsel were to have a free and uninterrupted accels
to him.
Sme difficulty having thus occurred on these points,
the executive councf was immediately convened. In
a short tune the fohovuig letter was submitted to the
court:
Council Chamber , June 30.
Sir—ln putfuance of an advice of the council of
state, I beg leave, thtough you, to mfoim the circuit
court of the United States now fitting, that any perfess
who may be confined in the jail and ptuitentiars-haute,
on the part of the United States, will U considered as
in the custody and under the foie conticul of the mar
shal of the diftridt—that he will have authority to ad
mit any perion or perlons to visit the conhned that he
may think proper ; and that he will be authorifed to
letetf for the purpose aforelaid, any apartment in the
peniten iary, now unoccupied, that tie may deem mod
conducive to fatety, health and convenience.
I am, with great relpedt,
Sir, your obedient lervant,
WILLIAM H. CABELL.
George Hay, Esq.
The court then came to the following order:
In consequence ol ti.e offer made by the executive
of apartments in the third Itoiy of the penitentiary and
ftaie ptrfon, lor perlons who may be confined therein
under the authority of the United States, and of the
foregoing letter from the governor of this common
wea th, it is ordered, on the motion of the attorney tor
the U. States, that so loon as the apartments in the
lecond story of the public jail and penitentiary (hall
be fi for the reception and late keeping of Arron Burr,
he be removed thereto and lately kept therein by the
matlhai, till the lecond day ol August next, when he
lhall be brought back to the state pnfon wheTe he is
now placed, there to be guarded in like manser as at
prelent, uuti. the further order of the court.
<i—
WASHINGTON CITY, June 3.
At unmnetous meeting of the inhabitants of
the City“of Washiugton, convened at the Thea
tre on Wednesday the Ist instant. In conse
quence of a notification of the Mayor.
Robert Biient, mayor of the city, was un
animously called lo the chair, and Lewis Ford,
appointed secretary.
The chairman opened the meeting by de
claring the object for which it was called.
He then laid before them a letter from the
meeting at Norfolk, containing a statement of
their proceedings, which were read.
Colonel Van Ness then rose, and delivered
an address of considerable length, painting in
strong colors the atrocity of the conduct ex
perienced by the ship Chesapeake, and inviting
the citizens to such an expression of their sen
timents, as should evince firmness, dignity and
decision : andconcluded by moving the appoint
ment of a committee to draft such resolutions
as the occasion required.
V hereupon, Resolved unanimously, That a
committee of five citizens be appointed to draft
such resolutions as in their judgment the oc
casion requires.
The following persons were unanimously ap
pointed. John P. Van Ness, Samuel H. Smith,
Daniel C. Brent, Thomas Munroe, Joseph For
res. The committee having retired, in a
short time returned, and presented to the meet
ing the following resolutions, which were unani
mously adopted.
Resolved unanimously, That we have heard
with a surprise, only surpassed by our abhor
rence, ol me late atrocious outrage offered by
by me commander oi the British ship Leopard,
to ilie rights ol Americans and the honor of
men country.
Resolved unanimously, That we are ready at
a moments warning to obey the call of our
country, hy any resistance it may require, or
sacrifice it may enjoin, to obtain redress for
wrongs, which can no longer be endured with
out a total prostration of national character.
Resolved unanimously, That having fuil con
fidence in the wisdom and patriotism of our go
vernment, we pledge our lives and fortunes for
the support ot such measures as shail be adopt
ed, calculated to convince our enemies that we
are, and will forever remain, a free and inde
pendent people.
Resolved unanimously , 1 hat we warmly ap
plaud the patriotic spirit ol our countrymen,
as already expressed in various parts of the
United Slates, and will cheerfully and zealous
ly co-operate with them in such further mea
sure as the crisis shall require.
Resolved unanimously, That at such a crisis
it becomes the whole of the people of the Unit
ed States, decisively to express their sentiments
and promptly to offer their set vices to their go
vernment, that the world may see that on such
occasions as the pi esent we are an undivided
people.
Resoled unanimously, That the fore oing re
solutions be transmitted to the IJresident1 J resident of the