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Editorial
July 1, 1800
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes British seizure of American vessels by Capt. Pellew and warns against Jacobins exploiting such incidents to push for war with Britain and alliance with France, advocating measured response via envoys instead.
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OCR Quality
98%
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Full Text
COMMUNICATION.
After the success of Capt. Pellew, of the British frigate Cleopatra, in obtaining the condemnation at Halifax of the vessels taken off New-York, we had a right to expect, that he would not be very ceremonious with our vessels. The reasons for those condemnations have never been made public; but if we credit uncontradicted assertions, they must have been very feeble. If they were sufficient to justify the measure, it is important that they should be known. For whether they had a right to condemn those vessels or not, there is a party who would make the same use of the event, to enflame the people. In case of flagrant and inexcusable depredations on our navigation by the British, the Jacobins would not exhibit the same dove-like temper, as they have towards the French under the same circumstance. No: Government would then be urged to a hasty declaration of war—and not solicited to send Envoys after Envoys—and to elect such men as might please Great Britain. We lament and feel indignant at every instance of British depredation upon our Commerce; but we think the people should be guarded against the use which the Jacobins would make of such unfortunate circumstances. In affecting to resent British injuries, they would throw us into the arms of France, and endeavor to induce us to make a treaty offensive and defensive with Buonaparte.
After the success of Capt. Pellew, of the British frigate Cleopatra, in obtaining the condemnation at Halifax of the vessels taken off New-York, we had a right to expect, that he would not be very ceremonious with our vessels. The reasons for those condemnations have never been made public; but if we credit uncontradicted assertions, they must have been very feeble. If they were sufficient to justify the measure, it is important that they should be known. For whether they had a right to condemn those vessels or not, there is a party who would make the same use of the event, to enflame the people. In case of flagrant and inexcusable depredations on our navigation by the British, the Jacobins would not exhibit the same dove-like temper, as they have towards the French under the same circumstance. No: Government would then be urged to a hasty declaration of war—and not solicited to send Envoys after Envoys—and to elect such men as might please Great Britain. We lament and feel indignant at every instance of British depredation upon our Commerce; but we think the people should be guarded against the use which the Jacobins would make of such unfortunate circumstances. In affecting to resent British injuries, they would throw us into the arms of France, and endeavor to induce us to make a treaty offensive and defensive with Buonaparte.
What sub-type of article is it?
Foreign Affairs
Partisan Politics
War Or Peace
What keywords are associated?
British Depredations
American Commerce
Jacobins
Halifax Condemnations
Envoys To Britain
Alliance With France
Buonaparte Treaty
What entities or persons were involved?
Capt. Pellew
British Frigate Cleopatra
Halifax
New York
Jacobins
French
Buonaparte
Great Britain
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
British Depredations On American Commerce And Jacobin Political Exploitation
Stance / Tone
Indignant At British Actions But Cautionary Against Jacobin Warmongering And Pro French Bias
Key Figures
Capt. Pellew
British Frigate Cleopatra
Halifax
New York
Jacobins
French
Buonaparte
Great Britain
Key Arguments
Reasons For British Condemnation Of American Vessels At Halifax Are Feeble And Unpublished
Jacobins Would Exploit British Depredations To Inflame Public Opinion Unlike Their Leniency Toward French Actions
Jacobins Push For Hasty War Declaration Against Britain Rather Than Diplomatic Envoys
People Should Guard Against Jacobin Efforts To Align America With France Via Offensive Defensive Treaty With Buonaparte