The New Hampshire Gazette

Impressed Seamen!
The impressment of our seamen by
Great Britain, is the most prominent
in the catalogue of injuries of which
we complain against her and one
which the government must not over.
look in an adjustment, if such an event
should take place. Our federalists
seem to think this "no essential in-
jury," or at least one that should not
stand in the way of an amicable ar-
angement with her. — What says the
spirit of the nation? It is almost dis-
gusted with the snail like pace in which
Congress proceed in preparation for
what must be the inevitable result of
the posture of affairs, unless speedily
changed by some honorable advances
from Great Britain. The spirit which
glowed for a moment within the hall
of Congress, appears to have evapo-
rated, and a deathlike torpor to have
succeeded, similar to that which per-
vaded and forever disgraced the 10th
and 11th Congress.--How must that
nation be degraded which can talk of
peace, while
6257
of its citizens are held in bondage by
the very power with whom a few trai-
tors would league our destiny!--
Where is patriotism fled, when the
loss of a few cargoes of goods is esli-
mated as a greater injury, than the
enslavement of 6257 men, whose lib-
erty the government is bound to guar-
antee!
"The President in compliance with
a resolution of Congress, communi-
cated documents, which prove, that
there are known to be six THOUSAND
TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY SEVEN IM-
pressed American Seamen, in the na-
val service of Great Britain! 200 of
whom have made application to our
government for their release since the
5th of March 1810, the date of the
last report to Congress on the subject.
Besides this great number, there are
many poor impressed American tars,
who have never had a chance of mak-
ing known their deplorable condition
to the government or their friends.
Balt. Amer.