Virginia Argus — Richmond, Va., 1810-12-07 00:00:00, page 5

VIRGINIA A R G U S IRA
X 4 IIIth tear.] a tree p ess maintains the soVERreiGjitfY oi hie Pf oiiE. .\.. . . ^“Q lgl,G 1
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[Four Dollar* Per Annum—-Paid in Advance^ ^ .. , ,, ;t_ F R I D A T, Jp E C £ M ,B ER r, . 1810. .. _,„,,,. [12.1-2 Pentt Sipgje]
VrASHINGTON Cttt, Dec. 5.
The iVesident of the United States
this day communicared by Mr.
Jld. Coles, his private Secretary,
the following Message to Con
gress ; • v
ml Fellow- Citizens of the Senate, and
of the House of Representatives,
THE embarrassments which have
prevailed in hiir foreign relations, and
so much employed the deliberations
of Congress, make it a primary duty, in
roev'tingyou, to communicate whatev
er may have occurred, in that branch
of our national affaire.
The net of the last session of Con
gre«a “concerning the commercial
intercourse between the United States
and G. Britain and France and their
dependencies” have invited, in a new
form, a termination of their edicts a
gninst our neutral commerce, copies
of the act were immediately forward
ed to our ministers at London and Pa
ris ; with a view that its object might
be within the early attention of the
French and British governments.
By the communication received
through our minister at Paris, it api
peered, that a knowledge of the act by
the French government, was followed
• by a declaration that the Berlin and
Milan decrees were revoked, & would
cease to have effect on the first day
of November ehsuing. These being
the only known edicts of Franee with
in the description of the act, and the
revocation of them, being such that
4 they ceased, at that date, fo violate
our neutral commerce ; the fact, as
prescribed by law, was announced by
a j reclamation bearing date the 2d
day of Nov.
.. It would have well accorded with
the concilia ory vi« wg, indicated by
this proceeding on the part of France,
to have extended them to all the
grounds of just complaint, which now
remain bhadjusted wins ine U. States.
It was particularly anticipated, that, as
a furthei evidence of just dispositions
towards them, restoration would have
been jmmediaiely made of the proper
ty of our citizens seized under a
misapplication of the principle of re
prisals', combined with a misconstruc
tion of *a law of the United States*
This expectation has not been fulfilled.
From the British government no
communication on the subject of the
act has been received. i*o a com
nication from our minister at London
of the revocation, by the French go
vernment, of its Berlin and Milan de
cree*; it was answered that the Bri
tish system would be relinquished as
soon as the repeal of the French dc
' crecs 'should have actually taken ef
'iiect, and the commerce of heutral ng
t'fons have been restored to the con
dition in w ich it stood, previously to
'the promulgation 6f those decrees.
This pledge, although it dots not re
erssarily import, doVs not exclude the
intention of relinquishing, along with
* the orders in council, the practice of
those novel blockades which have a
like eflert of interrupting our neutral
corrn(ir*re. And this further justice
to United States is the rather to
h ilrwf fnr inaomiirh a: fVi»• I
tides in question, being not more con
trary to the established law of nations,
than inconsistent with the rules of
b!o".!tnde formerly recognized by G.
Britain herself, could have no altcdg
ed basis, other than the plea of reta
liation, ailed gid ns the basis of the
borders in council. Under the modi
ficitfion of the original orders of No.
Somber 1807, into the orders of A<
y) il 1809, there is indeed scarcely a
it >min?.l distinction between the 'rrders
S*t ;rt the hlccVnde*. One of those il
J. t 'bin-ate bh/dtadtr, bearing date ir
IVi, >v IttOtt, having been expressly h
vf't 'ed to be still unrcsclnded, and tr
he, in effect, comprehended in the or
clerf in council, was too disiincl)
1>rod C;ht within the purview of the ac
trf C ongres#, not to be comprehendet
in ih i explanation of ine requisites q
ft c >t -pli men with it. Hie Uririsl
g'»vi f .uncut was accordingly apprlz
ed ty our minister near it, that sucf
was ih e light in which the subject wa
to be . regarded*
On i e other important subjects de
pettdm between the United State
and thl . government, no progress ha
been ml Jcj ftom which an early am
niilhei ry result can be relied on.
In this new posture of our relation:
with those powers, the consideratioc
of congress will be properly turned to*
' wards a removal of doubts which may
occur in the exposition, and of diffi
culties in the execution, of the act a
; bove cited. .,, .
The commerce of the United State:
with the North of E-trope, heretofore
much vexed by licentious cruisers,
particularly by the. Danish hag, has
lately been visited with fresh and ex
tensive depredations.—The rtaeasures
} pursued in behalf of our ibjured citi
• zens not baying obtained justice^ for
them, a further and more format in.,
terposition with the Danish goVcrn
! ment is contemplated. The princi*
[pies which have been iraintained by
j that government in relation to neutral
commerce, and the friendly professi
i on's of his Danish majesty towards the
United States are valuable pledges in
favor of a successful issue.
Among the events growing out of
the state of the Spanish monarchy
our attention was imperiously attract
[ ed to the change developing itself in
that portion of West Florida, which
' though of right appertaining to the
| United States, had remained in the
| possession of Spain, awaiting the re
i suit of negotiations for its actual deli
; very to them. The Spanish authori
ty was subverted : and a situation
produced exposing the country to ul
terior events, which might essentially
affect the rights and welfare of the
union. In such a conjuncture, I did
not delay the interposition required
lor tHe occupancy* of the territory
west of the river Perdido, to which
the title of the United States extends,
and to which the laws provided for
the territory of Orleans are applica
ble. With ibis view, the proclamati
on, a copy of which is laid before you,
was confided to the governor of that
territory to he carried into effect. The
legality and necessity of thu course
pursued, assure me of the favorable
light in which it will present itiqlf to
the legislature; and of the promptitude
with which they will supply whatever
provisions may be due to the essenti
al rights and equitable interests of the
people thus brought into the bosom of
the American family.
. Our amity with the powers of Bar
bary, with the exception of a recent
-zee at Tunis, of which an ex
r.«*nntion is just received, appears to
j have been uninterrupted and to have
become move firmly established^
With the Indian tribes a’so the peace
and friendship of the United States
are found to be so eligible, that the
general disposition to preserve both
continues to gain strength,
I feel particular satisfaction in re
marking that an interior view of our
country presents us wiqjh grateful proofs
of its substantial and increasing pros
perity. To a thriving agriculture and
the improvements related to it, is ad.
dec! a highly interestin'g extension of
’useful manufactures; the combined
product of professional ocoupatidns,
i and of household industry. Such in.
deed is the«experlertce of economy, a;
well as policy, in these substitutes foi
supplies heretofore obtained by for
eign commerce, that in a nation a
view the change is justly regarded ai
ot itself more than a recompence foi
those privations and los-es reseltinf
from foreign injustice, which furnish,
eel the general impulse required for iti
accomplish ment. How far it mav b<
t xpedient 10 gua*d the infancy of thi
improvement in the distribution of la
bor,bv regulations of the commercia
tariff, is a subject which Connot fail t<
suggest itself to > our patriotic refiec
tions.
1 It will rest with the considera’ioi
of Congress also whether a providen
as well as fnjr encouragement wouli
• not he given to our navigation bv sue
regulations as will phxe it on a levt
■ of Ctmipe’itio > with foreign vessels, paj
l ticul rly in transporting the import.^
> and bulky productions of our own r,oi
1 'I he failure of equality and recipmc
-: ty in the existing regulations oath
> subject operates, in our ports, as
» premium to foreign competitors; an
* the inconvenience must increase •,
may be multiplied, under moi
« favorable circumstances, by the moi
1 than countervailing rncour.igcm en
1 now given them, by the laws of the
; respective countries.
• Whilst »t it universally admitted that a
well instructed peoples lone can beperma.j
nently a free people; arid whilst $t is evi
dent that the means of diffusing and improve
ing useful knowledge. form so small a pro
portion of the expenditures for national pur
poses, I cannot presume it to be unseasona
ble, to sprite your attention to the advan
tages of seperadding, to the means ot edu
cation provided by the several states, a se
minary- f learning, Instituted by the nati
onal legislature, within the limits of their
exclusive jurisdiction; the expence, of which
might be defrayed, or.reimbursed, out of
the vacant grounds which have Accrued to
the nation within those limits. •
Such an institution, though local.ln its legvV
character, would he universal in its beneficial
effects. By enlightening the opinions; by ex
panding the patriotism ; and by assimilating !
the principles, the sentimehts and the man* I
oers of those who might resort to this tempt'e
of science, to he re distributed, in due time,,;
through every part of the community i sources
of jealousy and.prejudice would be diminish
ed, the features of national character would
be multiplied, and greater extent given to so.
cial harmony. But above all, a well constitut
ed seminary, ip the centre of the nation, is re
commended by the consideration that the ad
ditional instruction emanating from it, would
contribute not less to strengthen, the fouuda.
tion, than to adoriwhe structure, of our free
and happy system of government.
nlining me commercial anuses still commit*
tejl under the American flag, $nd leaving in
force my former reference to that subject it
appears that American citizens are instrument
tal in carrying on a trrffic in enslaved A tricar s,
equally in violation of the laws of humanity, fit
in defiance of those of their own cour^ry. The
same just fii benevolent motives which produ
cedthe interdiction in farce against this criminal
conduct, will doubtless he felt by Congress in
devising further means of suppressing the evil.
In the midst of uncertainties necessarily con
nected with tiie great interests of the U. States,
pr udence requires a continuance of our defen.
sive and precautionary arrangements. The
secretary of war and secretary of the navy wi!l
submit the statements and estimates which
may aid CongTess in their ensuing provisions
fo. the land and naval forces. The statements
of thedatier will include a view of the trans
fers of appropriations in the oavalexpenditureg,
and the grounds on which they were made.
The fortifications for the defence of our ma
itime frontier have been prosecuted accord
ing to the plan laid down in 1808 The works,
with some exceptions, are compleated, and
furnished with ordnance- Those for the secu
rity of the City of New.York, though far ad.
vanced towards completion, will require a fur
ther time and appropriation. This is the case
with a few others, either not compleated, or
in need of repairs. .
The improvements, in quality and qu.intity,
made in the manufactory of cannon ; and of
small arms, both at the public armories, ar.c!
private factories, warrant additional confiden ce
in the competency of these resources, for sup
plying the public ex.genc.es.
These preparations for 'arming the mili
tia having thus far provided for one of the
objects contemplated by the power vested
in Congress, with respect to that geat »-u!_
wark of the public safety; it i? for their
crnS'deration, whether further provisions
are not requisite, for the dther contempla
ted objects, of organization and discipline.
To give to this great mass of physical and
noral force, tne efficiency which it merits,
and is capable of receiving ; it is indisptn
sible that they should be Instructed and
practised in the rules by which they are
to be governed. Towards an accomplish
ment of this important work, I recommend
for the consideration of Congress the expe
diency of instituting a system, which shall,
in the first instance, call into the field, at
the public expense, and for a given time,
certain portions of the commissioned and
non-commissioned officers. The instruction
and discipline thus acquired would gradu.
ally diffuse through the entire body of the
• militia that practical knowledge fie promp
titude for active service, which are the
great end* to be pursued. Experience has
rett no Qouot, either ot the necessity, or of
the efficacy, of competent military skill, in
those portions of an army, in fitting it for
the final duties, which it may have to per
form.
The corps of Engineer*, with the MUita
I ry Academy, are entited to the early at.
i tent ion of Congress The buildings at the
. 'eat, ffxt by law, for the present Acade.
, n‘?i are »o far in decay, as not to afford the
nrce«sary accommodation. But a revisi.
■ <>n of the law is recommended, principal.
' ly witn a view to a more enlarged cuPiva
> tioti nnd diffusion of the advantages of such
i institutions, by providing professorships foi
all tiie necessity branches of miliary In.
‘ struction, and hy the establishment of ar
' additional Academy, at the Seat of Go.
) vusnro-nt, or elsewhere. Thfc rtieati* hj
. which war, as well for defence, as for ot.
!ence, are now carried on, render them
scho Is of the more scientific operations ai
/idispensable part of every adequate ays.
' , ifm. Even among nations wh1 se larg«
J I standing armies and frequent wars affori
every other opportunity ot instruction, thesi
I ^establishments are found to be indispins*
ble (or the due abatement or the branche
of military science, which require a regu
it l«r roorse of study and experiment. In i
I. governmem, happ*!y without the other op
j. portunnies, seminaries, Where the elemen
|g taiy principles of the art of war can b
tiUihl without actual war and w.thout th
j expense of extensive a. d standing armiei
fl l ave the precious advantage of uniting a
is f'senti^l preparation ag unst rXternal dai
•e ver, with a scrupulous regard to incerui
stfeiy. Iu no other way piobubiy can
pr< vision of equal efficacy for the pubt
y i.efeoce he nude at so little expeost <
ir ; more consistently with the public liberty.
J l he receipts into the Trea*.urr> ti\»
ing the year ending on the 30th of
Sept-last and amounting to more .‘har
(-eight millions and.a half of dollars;
have exceeded the .current expenses
pf the Government, including ;thc in
terest oh the public debt, Fpr the
purpose pf reimbursing at the end o!
the year 3,750.000 dollars or the prin
cipal a loan as authorised by law, had
been negotiated to tha.t amount: bu*
has since been reduced to 2,750,600
dollars; the reduction being permitted
by the .state of the Treasury in which
there will be a balance, remaining -at
the end of the year, estimated at 2,
000,000 dollars.. For the probable re_
ccipts of the neit year, and other de
tails, I.refer to statements which will
be transmitted irom the Treasury,
and which will enable you to judpe
what further provisions may be neces
sary for the ensuing years.
Reserving for future occasions,
in the course of the Session, whatever
other communications may claim ,our
attention, I close the present, by ex
pressing my reliance, under the bleed
ing of Divine Providence on th<* jlidg-'
ment and patriotism which will guiJe
your measures, at a period particularly
calling for unite ! Councils, and inflex
ible exertions f r the w elfare of our
country ; and by assuring you of t >c
fidelity and alacrity with which my
co-operation will he afforded,
JAMES MADISON,
LOOK'S cMmh
Is served up in fine style in the Fe
deral Republic in of Saturday. The
British ministry send Burr to France
—he proposes a partnership between
England and France in domination &
plunder, and partition ; Fouche lis
tens to it, and sends an agent to Lon
don. Bonaparte spurns it, banishes
Fouche and >mp, isons the agen*. Then
he officious L-- happens to b • in
London ; where he went 44 to h"g a
peace. He is introduced to the moct
noble the Marquis of Wellesley,” wnr
finding him credulous pahvera him
handsome’y sure enough ; at'd tells
• him—-44 there exists in my office pr->
posals made to chis government hj
* that of France for partitioning youi
country !—Then home comes th<
44 celebrated” I.ogan—and he whig
' pers Wellesley’s deception to his fe
. Irral friends, and the F deral Repuh
. ficab transposes the whole matter an<
: publishes it just as t'» t- British Cabine
! would wish. See what a preiy man
, oeuvre 44 the British party in Ameri
k ca” c*n execute !
- Ba't. Whig.
I rnrn»m.mim ■ ■■ ■
From the Aurora. •
t We fird the following attic L in th
i, Philadelphia Gazette of yesterday,an
n• conclude it niust Have been copie
from a paper, that is connected with
particular friend of the Wa>4:iia rropi
ic who was formerly the ptn
>i PcuW friend of R Bert Liston an
Pe er Porcupine. T he clue findet hs
*i .dwa^s been a bun^l r, and we mu
mistake, if he has mot bero caught in
t trap purposely laid for him, by the
■hrewd editor of the Whig*
FRANCE •• IN LOVE WITH AMIRI'S*."
» • •' ; BAi^ona^ N0v 17.
An American g. ntleman, just re
turned from England, whose character
entitles him to the most entire credit,
Hus authorised us to say, that in con
versation .with lord Wellesley,„ the
British secretary, qf state, that*noble- *
man expressed his surprise that any
portion .of our people, should continue
to cherish,an attachment to France:
lor, continued h.-, ** there exists in n*v
office proposals made to this govern
ment by that of, France, for partition
ing your country !! J» We make this
[communication to the public with all
the deliberation due to its importance^ '*
and with a solemn sense of responsibi
lity we owe to qur fellow citizens for
its truth, .The name of our informant
we do not give, because for the pre
sent, he has from becoming motives,
laid, an injunction upon us. Our go
vernment his been apprised of it in
an authentic manner, but the ohiy pub*
lie and visible effect it seems to have
yet produced is an ungrateful ami scur*
rilous attempt in the ministerial pa*
pers, the Aurora, and its sattelite ih»
W>g, o attribute the origination of
r-c plot o that very goVeraraent whica
reisct"fl and i, ’*
No v t ere can be no doubt that the
marquis Wellesley hurl id his posses
sion the plan laid by Aaron Burr br
lore Foucbe, and for the transmission
of vhico Foucbe was removed front
one of the highest stations of confidence
and trust, in such a government as that
•>f France ; from the head of thie po
L.oe al.no t of alt Eurr»oe. But we
are about to state a locher fact. We
•ssert, tnit when our minister at Lon
don applied to Marquis Wellesley on
the subject, that his lordship, with his
usual frankness assured M t. Pinkney*
that it was the first time he had ever
heard of su^h a thing, tlj^^he
lover received any such p^^
tnd that if he had, he entertuC ,
high a d-grecof consideration fo,
Pmkn-v, n it to have communis
• t to him at once".
And what is m^re, Mr. Pinkney
wa' » > weak as to declare in L ndnn*
and ichong others, to a pers n who
knew that the communication had.
ocen made by pQuche * Mr. Pinkney
declared that there ivaj no truth in it*
tiiat no ■'.uch overture ever had come
from France.
We rep; at it, this is true—whether
our government knows the facts or not*
we hive no ,ort of knowledge* and
can only io.er fr^m the respectable
cnaracter of our informant in London, ,
that the government m .i t have learn
rd it ; and must know, as well the
ruth of Burr’s presenting the project
•-U bouc'-ie* and Fuuchc’* banishment
hi ■ Jtvequence, as well as the extra
►r inury ignorance of Mr. Pinkney oft
his subject.
The article in the lialtimr're paper
is therefore a fabrication of irs author
only calcula e 1 to render more con
spicuous, the lolly or the wickedness
u/Kitrn hi* u/itiilrl nailer.
siuhjiKaeador at the court of L od >n,
when that rovcrnmcit can obt-in
iuch ascendancy r»v- r him as to blind
him and prsuade him agiirst the bo*
lief of such a acncuie of partition of*
.bis country.
What a condi ion must he feel him-*
i selftn vhen th*. vers attempt by his Bat
• imore friend to exhibit him as a con
. firiential man w-ith the British ctbiiet,
■ must prove ti him, that he has been
Jonf
• J j'" ' '
- told Mr. Pinkney that no such thing
. had existence.—We have repeatedly
t brought things of this obse tre nature
t to light, we p'edge oursclv-s to the
. country for the truth of what we here
, date. ihat the Ms qms We'lesley
pferemptr rily denied the tVtnrnce 0f
any such plan, wnd tha. Mr. Pinkney
icli ved him.
Why Mr. Pinkney remains in En^
land, is not to be accoun ed for on
c pr loci plea of policy or reason which we
" can fathom however perhips we
l! shall think otherwise when we aeo
** more of the ground.
w——i—nvwmeaL”1.1 — sm^sm
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