The Enquirer

NATURALIZED SEAMEN.

The London Prints say, that the British Government have suspended all exchanges of Prisoners, because the U. S. have claimed such British subjects as were naturalized by the laws of the U. S.--The same ground has been taken by some few of the Federalists: while others have disclaimed the abominable idea of violating the faith of their country as solemnly pledged to the naturalized Citizens.

Ere the Federal Government was formed, most if not all the States, were in the habit of naturalizing citizens. The Federal Constitution expressly gives Congress the power "to establish an uniform rule of naturalization"

Gen. Washington recommended it to them to put this power into execution. A law was passed under his administration, and from that period to this, the natives of other countries have been admitted to the rights of citizenship.

They have gone before the tribunals of our country, and in the most solemn manner they have abjured all allegiance to other countries and contracted a new faith and allegiance to the government of the United States. The clerk in administering this oath of fidelity, does not reserve their allegiance to the country of their birth--there is no reservation, no exception, in the solemn ceremony--on the contrary, they most particularly swear to renounce their obedience to the government to which they once owed allegiance. What is the effect? Allegiance and protection are reciprocal. They are bound to obey the laws and serve the interests of this country--while this country has bound itself to protect them. The idea of naturalization implies a participation of the rights, privileges and advantages of citizens"--the first of which rights is protection. How then can we absolve ourselves from this obligation? or how could we wash away the stain which the violation of our faith would stamp upon our character?

And the best of the Joke is this, that while G. B. denies this doctrine in theory, she maintains it in practice. By her statute of George 2. ch. 3. she pledges herself that any foreign seaman, who "has faithfully served during the time of war for the space of two years (only)--shall to all intents and purposes be deemed and taken to be a natural-born subject of his majesty's kingdom and have and enjoy all the privileges, powers, rights and capacities, which he would have enjoyed, in case he had been a natural born subject of his majesty, and actually a native within the kingdom of G. Britain."

What think you, now, of British consistency?