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Editorial
August 26, 1813
Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
An editorial sarcastically criticizes a federal newspaper's argument against using torpedoes on British ships, claiming it would kill impressed enslaved Americans. It argues this logic would halt all naval engagements and reinforces the fight for sailors' rights, referencing Decatur and Rodgers.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
A PRECIOUS CONFESSION.
A federal paper alledges as an insuperable argument against the use of Torpedoes as a mean of destruction to the British ships molesting our coasts and harbors, and threatening to hurl the instruments of death, fire rockets and destruction, at our seaboard towns--that each of those ships have, more or less, impressed enslaved Americans on board--and that it would be wicked in the extreme to make use of such means as the Torpedo to take the lives of our countrymen! By the same rule, our Decaturs and Rodgers's must desist from fighting a British frigate, because forsooth she has impressed Americans on board, and possibly some fatal ball may take the life of one of those unfortunate men compelled to point the cannon against his own countrymen.--Does not this circumstance more than ever enforce the necessity of contending for "Sailor's rights?"
N. H. Pat.
A federal paper alledges as an insuperable argument against the use of Torpedoes as a mean of destruction to the British ships molesting our coasts and harbors, and threatening to hurl the instruments of death, fire rockets and destruction, at our seaboard towns--that each of those ships have, more or less, impressed enslaved Americans on board--and that it would be wicked in the extreme to make use of such means as the Torpedo to take the lives of our countrymen! By the same rule, our Decaturs and Rodgers's must desist from fighting a British frigate, because forsooth she has impressed Americans on board, and possibly some fatal ball may take the life of one of those unfortunate men compelled to point the cannon against his own countrymen.--Does not this circumstance more than ever enforce the necessity of contending for "Sailor's rights?"
N. H. Pat.
What sub-type of article is it?
Military Affairs
War Or Peace
What keywords are associated?
Torpedoes
Impressed Sailors
Sailor Rights
British Ships
Naval Warfare
What entities or persons were involved?
Federal Paper
Decatur
Rodgers
British Ships
N. H. Pat.
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Torpedoes Against British Ships Despite Impressed Sailors
Stance / Tone
Sarcastic Pro Naval Defense And Sailor's Rights
Key Figures
Federal Paper
Decatur
Rodgers
British Ships
N. H. Pat.
Key Arguments
Federal Paper's Anti Torpedo Argument Is Flawed As It Ignores Impressed Sailors On British Vessels
Same Logic Would Prevent American Naval Officers Like Decatur And Rodgers From Fighting British Frigates
Circumstance Strengthens The Need To Fight For Sailor's Rights