History of the American privateers, and letters-of-marque, during our war with England in the years 1812, '13 and '14. Interspersed with several naval battles between American and British ships-of-war. By George Coggeshall.

REPORT. XXVii
Great Britain every thing is lawful. It is only in a trade with
her enemies that the United States can do wrong. With them
all trade is unlawful.
In the year 1793, an attack was made by the British government on the same branch of our neutral trade, which had nearly
involved the two countries in a war. That difference, however,
was amicably accommodated. The pretension was withdrawn
and reparation made to the United States for the losses which
they had suffered by it. It was fair to infer from that arrangement that the commerce was deemed by the British Govern
ment lawful, and that it would not be again disturbed.
Had the British government been resolved to contest this trade
with neutrals, it was due to the character of the British nation
that the decision should be made known to the government of
the United States. The existence of a negociation which had
been invited by our government, for the purpose of preventing
differences by an amicable arrangement of their respective pretensions, gave a strong claim to the notification, while it afforded
the fairest opportunity for it. But a very different policy animated the then Cabinet of England. The liberal confidence and
friendly overtures of the United States were taken advantage of
to ensnare them. Steady to its purpose and inflexibly hostile
to this country, the British government calmly looked. forward
to the moment, when it might give the most deadly wound to
our interests. A trade just in itself, which was secured by so
many strong and sacred pledges, was considered safe. Our citizens, with their usual industry and enterprise had enmarked in
it a vast proportion of their shipping, and of theei capital, which
were at sea, under no other protection than the law of nations,
and the confidence which they reposed in the justice and friendship of the British nation. At this period the unexpected blow
was given. Many of the vessels were seized, carried into port,
and condemned by a tribunal, which, while it professes to respect
the law of nations, obeyed the mandates of its own government.