The American patriot. (Savannah, Ga.) 1812-1812, April 17, 1812, Image 3

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    n , IS by France? Although war
that nation, would in a inan-
In’ merely nominal, yet it would
demonstrate to the world, that we
“ „ld feel ami act as freemen and
linericans.
* \Ve will here observe. that Mr. Ma
dison’s message, predicates its aggra
vations of the measures nf England,
entirely upon the execution of her
Orders in Council, the impressment of
seamen is not so much ns mentioned.
A -rood reason may be assigned for this?
fte wished Congress to aet unnn the
view he gave of oar foreign relations,
founded entirely upon the erroneous
basis of the repeal of the French De
crees. A mention nf any other promi
nent as item cause for hostilities, would
throw a shade upon the correctness or
propriety of the one he wished te he
adopted. His honor was interested in
maintaining the repeal of the Decrees,
he therefore makes the execution of
the Orders of England, the most con
spicuous feature of the message. Rut
the Committee of Foreign Relations
makes the impressment of our seamen
a |oint eause for war measures with
the Orders, very wisely thinking the
latter ground not tenable; and it is
rather surprising they did not ransack
the archives of diplomacy for some
other causes, or apply to the fertile
brain of Monticello. Their modesty
confined them, however, to the im
pressment of our seamen.
Tki3 charge lias invariably been
used by designing men, to awaken the
sympathies, inflame the passions, and
arcuSe the resentment of our unreflect
ing citizens. It is brought forward
w ith the sole view to paliate or excuse
the hostile measures against England.
When other ground of accusation fails,
this is thought invincible. All the ter
/r.pin gentlemen make the most doleful
allusions to this subject, in their creep
ing speeches; but the dungeons, the
chains, the indignities, the cruelties
and the barbarous hardships, which
are allotted to our unfortunate seamen
be France, do not exeite one emotion
of sympathy in their sensitive breasts,
truly because France “doves the Ame
ricans/’ In giving this subject a brief
examination, wo will observe that we
are as much alive to the fate of our
seamen as any citizen, but think it our
duty to expose the inflammatory exag
gerat’ons, to which our government
have thought proper to resort, to pro
mote their sinister views.
Great-Britain is lighting for her ex
istence as a nation. Her navy is the
grand bulwark of her safety Every
Consideration urges her to watch with
credulous anxiety the sinews of her
maritime strength. Her seamen con
stitute the yital portion of her re
source-. and if she allow Tier right to
these to be impaired, her power is un
dermined, and the w hole fabric of her
government w ill totter. France could
desire no greater or more important
service than to have the seamen of her
enemy inveigled from her service,
which would at once place tiie British
Isles within her grasp, and open to her
insatiable ambition the whole civilized
world. Our country would then pre
sent her soil whitened with the bones
and stained with the blood of her sons,
only perhaps to nourish the poisonous
tree of tyranny. The world would
fall prostrate before the corruption,
the intrigue, and the power of France.
The navy of Great-Britain is the har
rier to this deluge, and the rampart
of safety to the yet independent na
tions. Is it not then the urgent duty
of England to know well her maritime
rights and to preserve them inviolate ?
But what are her rights with respect
to seamen ?
The laws of nations sanction the
claim of every government to the ser
vices of its citizens. It is an essential
part of sovereignty. And if the Bri
tish government aeem the aid of her
seamen of vital importance, when the
safety of the whole nation is involved,
she has a right to call upon them.
The justice of this right cannot he
questioned. And besides, no nation
has any pretence to interfere in the
regulations of another, affecting its
own members. This being the ease,
England requires the services of her
seamen whenever the dangers which
surround her, render it necessary.
But it is said that she imprerses cur
seamen. There can he no hesitation
in .asserting, that if Britain avowedly
impresses American seamen, knowing
them to he such, it is an outrageous
aggression and violation of our l ights,
ami should be resented ; but is such
the fact? so far from it. that in the
exercise of her own acknowledged
rights, if our seamen are incidentally
impressed, upon ascertaining the fact,
they are invariably released, lias she
not also expressed a desire to conform
to any regulations by which the mutu
al rights of both nations might he se
cured, by identifying their own sea
men? And when she disavows any
intention to impress our seamen, and
has an undoubted right to the services
®f her own, where is the pretenee for
the clamor raised on this subject :
And is this a clear cause af war ? Is a
pretension sustained ’y any coloring
of justice, which asserts a violation of
right, atoned for upon proof of such
violation—upon evidence of the im
pressment of oar seamen and a conse
quent release ? The terrapin gentle
men must he very impatient for war.
when such is the best ground they can
find. But France impresses our sea
men. confines them in dungeons, and
inflicts upon them every indignity,
knowing them to he Americans. If
then this subject affords cause for w ar
against one nation, does it not exhibit
stronger cause against the other? But
we inns! not complain of France, for
the “ King and Emperor,” the incom
parable Napoleon, “ loves the Ame
ricans.”
Thus it is evident to any unprejudic
ed inind, that as far as the edicts of
the belligerents, and the impressment
of gcamen are concerned, equal if not
more cause of war exists against
France than England.
But in addition to the cause of war
equally against France, must be enu
merated the various causes arising
from the Rambouiilet and Bayonne
Decrees, the burning our vessels on
the high seas, and her outrageous in
sults—too humiliating to mention—
where is the spii it of the nation! why
is not the Imperia. Tyrant punished!
AMERICAN PATRIOT.
SA VANNATL APRIL 17, is 12.
XVHCX anv thing dark and gloomy is to
be done at Washington, then the same men
who formerly reprobated secrecy in Repub
lics, conscious that their deeds cannot bear
the broad glare of day, retire into secret con
clave, and pass laws highly injurious not only
to the prosperity of our cilizeus, but the
general welfare, and national interest. Thus
has it been in the present caae. The embar
go law was confidentially recommended.—
And although immediately affecting so valu
able a portion of community as the mercan
tile, was hurried through the House of Re
presentatives; rapidly passed the Senate and
quickly signed by the President, is now in
operation It produced a lamentable scene
to an American eye, previous to its actual
enforcement, to observe the general anxiety
and eagerness to have vessels with their car
goes on board not complete, free from its
withering grasp, hastening down the river,
and hurry ing front their own ports, endeavor
ing to escape from their own country, to avoid
the loss incident to its operation : and gene
rally bound to the only market open to their
free and secure reception. Tiie scene was
rendered nigniy interesting, MV u ... r
eriy adverse wind which detained several v h
sols ready for sea, and forced them into the
clutches of the terrapin. The Upas sheds its
vapor through the Union, and as it is wafted
from the tree, arrests commerce and dead
ens industry.
NO consideration however benevolently
recommended by’ sympathy, suggested by
pity, or excited by’ contempt for the un wort by
conduct of administration with Florida, can
reconcile it an honorable bosom. Every re
flection upon this disgraceful subject, adds a
deeper tinge to its color, ’till at length in the
language of the celebrattd Junius, its base
ness darkens black itself, and the mind Sick
ened with its meaness, disgusted with its de
pravity, and startled at its low unworthiness,
looks around fer a retreat from such a dreary
scene; but none alas! is to be found; the
same striking features present themselves in
every act of administration. In whatever
light tills subject is viewed, under whatever
circumstances considered, the dishonorable
stigma it affixes upon the Amt rican charac
ter is indelible ; an age of generous honor and
liberal magnanimity could scarcely efface the
foul blot.
Let us for a moment suppose our country
situated ..s Spain, struggling for her liberties,
fighting for her existence,and bravely resist
ing with heron valor the sanguinary savages
of a relentless Tyrant, aided by the profuse
generosity and dignified magnanimity of a
nation. Let us suppose ourselves, as tiie
Spaniards now are, compelled to abandon the
silent c ottage, the hospitable roof, the endear
ing and lovely objects of warm affection and
friendship, to hurry to the field, and rally
around the standard of Liberty, and fight for
all that is dear and valuable in life, against
the ravages of howling tygers, and the depre
dations ofpeif.diuousmonsters: In such a si
tea’ ion, v.'hat would be not only our sensations,
but tiie indignant feelings of every generous
breast, to behold the administration of a fret
nation, professing to be guided by justice, and
regulated by pure equity, at that eventful and
awful moment, ncr recognising her exist
ence as an independent nation, and presenting
their claims for previous injuries if such exist
not sympathising in her cause, nor extending
to her aid the hand of friendship, but in an
.nsidious and unworthy manner exciting dis
m buncos in her distant possessions, in order
■o produce some base excuse for seizing upon
a defenc elt ss province. Where is the man
whose passions would 1 ,•
deceitful and infamo’
would not be influr
tompt at such degrading conduct! Yet in
such a manner has the administration dis
graced and insulted this unfortunate country
Even allowing the territory of a foreign na
tion adjoining our shores to be agitated with
intestine commotions, originating from her
own disordered state, and not caused hv the
intriguesef external pusillanimity; in such a
oit-o what right hove we to interfere! none.
Fur as long as there is no danger of invasion,
us long as there is no War exists against the
nation whose colony tints situated, to seri
ously pretend to tin* right of interference,
and act upon that unprincipled idea, would be
justified on the same principle as Buonaparte’s
exciting disturbances in lamisiana, and seiz
ing upon that territory. II • whose ntind is
strongly biased by prejudice and injustice as
to advocate the one, will be base enough to
justify the other.
Mr. Qu ncy—Tiie Navy question
has excited considerable interest, anil
lias been ably discussed. It is a sub
ject of primary importance to this
country, as a decision upon it involves
a deliberate determination to protect
or abandon commerce, and immediate
ly effect the welfare of the planter,
artisan, ami every branch of society.
Yet congress have refused to increase
our naval establishment, on pretexts
the most unsound—calculated for the
meridian of obscure ignorance and de
signed to operate upon the passions and
and prejudices of the people.
The speech of Mr. Quincy which
we this day commence publishing is
entitled to the most serious perusal;
it is beyond eulogium, not only for its
analytic ingenuity, solidity and com
prehensiveness of argument, but for
classic purity of style. He ably de
velopes the disastrous consequences
likely to ensue from a policy systemati
cally abandoning the most valuable in
terests of one section es the Union ;
and suggests to the mind a train of re
flection, big with great events. He has
done honor to himself as a statesman,
and to his country as an American.
The pusillanimous abandonment of all
force, and a resort to unworthy expe
dients, being the cause of the present
state of affairs, as they encourage in
sults and depredations and refuse to
resent them; the remedy to (he evil is
pointed out in a naval force with a firm
resolution to employ it. Such an ho
norable and manly measure would but
little comport with the shameful ig
norance and blind prejudice of con
gressional demagogues. Let the peo
ple look well to those men who pre
tend to he alive to the character, the
honor, and interests of the nation,
whilst their measures disgrace the one,
abandon the other, and invite w ith the
prospect of impunity, encroachments
upon the rights of our citizens.
FRENCH FRIENDSHIP.
THE following extract from a late
London Courier exhibits a further in
stance of the “ love’’ the “ incom
parable Napoleon” entertains for our
countrymen.
Plymouth, March 4. “ The master
and crew of the American brig Han
nah. of New-York, Dawson, master,
captured off’ the Start by the Persian,
36. which arrived yesterday, were most
cruelly treated bv the crew of the pri
vateer ; the Commander of which
stabbed (lie American Captain in two
places, and ordered his crew to cut
the Americans from stem to stern,
which they did most brutally , and
when the privateer’s Captain found
the Persian had taken possession of
the Hannah, he forced them ali into
a leaky boat half full of water, and
turned them adrift without water, com
pass, or provisions, and left them to
the mercy of the pi less waves.—
Luckily the Persian sa.v their sinking
state, and bore down upon them ami
picked them up, almost perished with
cold and hunger.”
Almost every arrival from Europe
brings fresh evidence, of the burning
of our vessels, on the ocean, and the
savage, inhuman treatment af Ameri
cans, by the express orders of Nano
lean—and yet, notwithstanding this
piratical warfare on our commerce,
our government pretend we are in a
state of amity with France, and her
Decrees repealed. The present in
stance is characterised by such an un
feeling ferocity and hardened viola
tion of natural humanity; that it can
not hut awake the warmest sympa
thy for our hardy, abandoned and dis
tressed seamen, while it must excite
xlarni at the infatuated and singular
use of policy, pursued by our gov
inent w ith regard to this Tyrannical
Nation. What ! not content, with
burning, confiscation, imprisonment—
hat must stub a defenceless Captain,
one of oui citizens, not once, but“ in
two places.” And then as if a taste
ol blood had inflamed their savage
appetites. “ direct their unfeeling cru
elty to honest unarmed seamen, and
cut the Americans from slem to
stern!!! ‘ Heavens! what barbarity!
And is tliir lie “ love” and friendship,
and justice, Democratic Demagogues
boast of! How long shall our coun
try continue thus deceived and iusuit
eii on the one hand, whilst its unof
fending citizens are maimed and mur
dered—and their property plundered
or burnt, on the other by their savage
cruelty.
But even yet their ferocity was not sa
tiated—tin? American ('ap.tain and sea
men after being “ stabbed” and “ eul”
w ere “ forced into a leaky boat halffnll
of water, and turned adrift without
water, compass or provisions, and left
to the mercy of (lie pitiless waves.”
Thus by an exquisite refn-.ement in
cruelty, and ingenuity in torture, were
\meriran citizens, mangled, bleeding,
and distressed, abandoned without
nourishment, or means of preserva
tion. to the dangers and inclemen
cies of the boisterous ocean in a sink-
ing boat.
The annals of uncultivated and rude
barbarism, can not produce more fre
quent occurrences of hideous enormity
than disgrace t his boasted age of civili -
zation, for our city, and numerous
evidence, attest a frequency of inhu
mane outrage by commissioned assas
sins, neither can the records of any
country unfold a more astonishing aud
deprecated policy w hic-h so tamely ac
quiesces in such a career of insult, bar
barity and piracy, thereby encourag
ing their repitition, and inviting their
continuance.
COMMumrsPED,
FRENCH PIRACY.
Extract from Lloyd's List,furnished by
a Correspondent.
Dover. Feb. 13th 1813.
Yesterday evening two Ame
rican seamen (Richard Hewet and
Thomas Dennis) landed at Sand
Gale, from an open boat, in which
they made their escape front
France the 11th inst. they state
that they belonged to the Ameri
can brig Cornet of New-Bedford,
capt. Prince Allen, with timber
from Savannah, to Chatham dock
yard, and on the 27th ult. they
were taken by a French privateer,
and carried on the 29th follow
ing into Fecamp, the brig was
lost near the harbour, cargo sav
ed.
Our correspondent further in
forms that he has received advice
of the American brig Shakes
peare, capt. R aul of Newbury
port, from Amelia for Chatham
also with a cargo of timber, hav
ing been captured and carried in
to France.
COM ; tfU.YICJ TET).
An accounlby the lust Northern Mail states
that in Baltimore, the Cartmen and Draymen
were receiving One Dollar per Lrr.d, for trans
porting- produce along the wharves, in order
to facilitate tiie dispatcli of Vessels previous
to the EMBARGO; and that Seamens Wages
had risen to Fifty Dollars per month. A
Correspondent wishes us to ask for what ports
these vessels are dt si.nyd ; whether, as we
have chosen our enemy, they are cleared All
an enemy’s or a friendly port. On this sub
subject we believe that the clearances will
shew, that Nine-Tenths are cleared for Great-
Britain, or ports over which he lias con
troul. What then is to be the fate of our
Commerc.al Men, in case of War with that
Country should take place. The answer is
evident to every man of discernment, and we
wiLltold the reply.
pCT* The words ‘scraped together’
in our remarks on Amelia were not in
tended to reflect upon any individual,
as is supposed by some.
|CP A volunteer, is too late for
this day’s paper, hut shali appear in
our next.
ERRATA in the. MORALIST, No, l.
Lines 28 For -with read -worth,
■ 92 For drugs, read dregs, for beet,
read lees,
- 103 For there read them,
MARINE NEWS,
PORT OF SA r A NNA 71.
High Ipatev This Day, 2 k. Bhi.
ARRIVED,
Ship Quincy, Glover, Liverpool 27 and.
Sunuel Sk Charles H iwant; ballast.
Lcander, Drummond, Waterford, Ire
land, 35 and.
Resolution, , Charleston,
Mudulena, Williams, Greenock, 80 and.
Brig Somerset, Bartlett, Plymouth, Mas.
America, Uoekius, Philadelphia,
Idler &. Perrv.
CLEARED,
Russian Ship Nicholas, Ad. lph, Tyson, Am
sterdam, It. Richardson.
Wmitred, Swinburne, l.i ert 001.
Brig Hetty, Coffin, do.
Portugese Schooner, El. PyA.ssel.ti, Kingston,
Jamaica.
Minerva, Reed, Baltimore.
John, Ives, Aim ha,
Dusty M Her, Spalding do.
Stoop Jane, Hollos, Boston.
Seniir. m ?, Rose, Prtn .deuce n. r.
Orlando Ward, Si. R irtliolomems.
M.d.er Sc Norris.
Confidence, Jones, Amelia, XV. Mein
Thomas, Win c, Si. Marys.
Mercy, Holies d>.
—— Paeki t, Luce, Darien,
—— Delight; Beecher, Charleston.
Port of Charleston, April 11 t/i. —Arrived,
Shi]) Naiitdm, Vincent, Amelia Island 1 day.
Revenue Schooner Gallatin, M‘N ;1! 1 day
rom do. Schooner South-Carolma, 1) sbrow,
New-Vork, 8 days. Schooner Industry, Phil
bps, 5..ti11., Geo. 4 dais. SloopGolden-A*re,
Phelps H .vatma 10 days. Cleared, Sch’r.
Young, Soa-Ilo: so. Fowler,N. X. Sch’r. Ports
mouth, Carter, Providence. Sch’r. Mary
\nn, Sinclair, Boston. Scli’r. Marv-Palmi r,
B.tsset, Baltimore. Sloop Packet, Lombard,
Baltimore.
. irmed April 13. Ship Bellona, Thomas
Liverpool 28 days. Ship Hindostan, Cozens
Gr , nock 38 and .ys, and 32 d.a s from the Clyde
—Ship Juno, Crocker Liverpool 43 days -
Schooner F.l.za M'Tllliennv, Washhigton, 3
days. Schooner F.tti|)* i'or, Houston Plymouth,
N. C. Schooner Ab.gul, Anion, N. C. 4 days.
Schooner American Coaster, Pa kcr, N. I’i 4
days. Sloop 11 pc, (of Phil.idrlpliu) Wai
ling, Trinidad (Cuba) 18 dai s —C ared —.
Ship Gn. Washington, Smith, N. Y. Sloop
Ruby, Ross, Newport, U. I.
OFFICE FOR THE SALE OF
NEGROES.
? EMIK SUBSCRIBER having lorn
0 been in the habit of disposing of
NEGROES, and being well acquaint
w ith those persons most likely to pur
chase in the states of South Carolina
and Georgia ; flatters himself that he
can obtain fair prices and speedily ef
fect sales* His services are tendered,
with an assurance, that candor will in
ill cases be observed as to any enquiry
made regarding the character and qual
ifications of Negroes in 1 is possession,
ami cure will be taken to investigate
tittle as far as in his power, that impo
sitions may be avoided and as he has
made it a business will inform himself
of the true situation of that species of
property, liis attention will also he
directed to the sale of lands, houses
ami lots am! every article of merchan
dize and produce.
D. POLOCK.
?V. H. A comfortable house, ami a.
person to take charge of Negroes is
provided at 18-4 cents per day till sold.
Have now for sale several valuable
house servants, and field hands, singly
anil in families.
April 17 law tm 2
FOR SALE
N\rw landing from brig Mart/'and,
73 Idols, tyen-Orleans SUGAR
73 coils hale ROPE
2 Hawsers, On liberal terms.
DUNNING & ( LAY.
April 17 p
ATHWVATE SA i~l~
lit Idols. W. I. Rum
1.5 pipes Brandy
13 hhds. Sugar
30 pipes Gin
80 barrels Loaf Sugar
30 kegs FF Rag Powder
30 hlnls. y, H. Rum
13 do. Whiskey
100 bags Coffee
’ 60 boxes mould Candles
7 Idids. Molasses
8 chests Hyson Tea
2 do. Imperial do.
50 barrels Apple Brandy
30 piece* Kentucky Cotton Bageimr
4 elegant Gigs S
2 Mahogany square Tables
15 pipes Wine, Ike.
DUNNING &. CLAY.
April 17 3t 2
HpHE SUBSCRIBERS have e -
fi. tered into partnership as prac
titioners of Law, and opened their of
fice in a part of the building lately oc
cupied by Doctors Proctor and Bartow
ou tlie Bay, a few doors west of Mr.
John Moorelieads store.
WILLIAM LEIGH PIERCE. ~
JOHN DKYBDALE Junior.
April 17 4t 2
Persons having Demands against
•Ship Palinurus,
Ship William Carleton,
Ship Caroline,
Ship Franklin,
Brig Rebecca,
Will Please present them this Day to
8, & C. HOWARD,
April 17 2