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Editorial
July 16, 1796
The Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
Ironic Philadelphia editorial claims British impressment of American seamen benefits the U.S. by preventing wage drops, offering naval training on British ships, and preparing seamen to fight Britain later.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
PHILADELPHIA, June 22.
It is wonderful that Americans should be so blinded by false notions of honour and national gratitude as to find fault with the impressment of their seamen by the British. In the first place if we were not thinned of our seamen as fast as we lose our vessels by adjudication, the wages of that valuable class of citizens would fall inconceivably; surely then it is the interest of these very seamen, to be liable to British impressments. Besides, is there a better school for naval discipline than a British man of war, and ought we not to be extremely happy, that our seamen are so well situated on board those vessels for a thorough training by the time our frigates are built. The British, the fools, are working their own destruction by their impressment of American seamen; they are teaching them gratis that discipline, which may one day be a formidable weapon against them.
AURORA.
It is wonderful that Americans should be so blinded by false notions of honour and national gratitude as to find fault with the impressment of their seamen by the British. In the first place if we were not thinned of our seamen as fast as we lose our vessels by adjudication, the wages of that valuable class of citizens would fall inconceivably; surely then it is the interest of these very seamen, to be liable to British impressments. Besides, is there a better school for naval discipline than a British man of war, and ought we not to be extremely happy, that our seamen are so well situated on board those vessels for a thorough training by the time our frigates are built. The British, the fools, are working their own destruction by their impressment of American seamen; they are teaching them gratis that discipline, which may one day be a formidable weapon against them.
AURORA.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Foreign Affairs
Military Affairs
What keywords are associated?
Impressment
Seamen
British Navy
Naval Discipline
American Frigates
What entities or persons were involved?
British
Americans
Seamen
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Ironic Justification Of British Impressment Of American Seamen
Stance / Tone
Satirical Endorsement Of Impressment As Advantageous To America
Key Figures
British
Americans
Seamen
Key Arguments
Impressment Thins American Seamen Supply To Prevent Wage Falls
British Ships Provide Superior Naval Discipline Training
Impressment Unwittingly Equips American Seamen To Fight Britain Later