Virginia Argus — Richmond, Va., 1810-08-24 00:00:00, page 2

w—wwi■» jr
Boston, August 14. •
FROM FRANCE.
£xtract of a letter from Bordeaux, da
ted June 4, 1810, to a merchant in
this town.
41 Since I had the pleasure of wri
ting you on the 1st insf. I haVe"heaVd
that it is supposed and feared by many
Amt-ricans at ^ tis, who have property
depending, that an order on the part of
the government willbe issued to revoke
the decisions of the Council of Prizes
already made, where the compromise
hys been made with the captors, and
.prevent any future ratifications by said
C> uncil. It is said,*' that when the
Emperor was at Dunkirk, of late, he
saw two American ships preparing to
sail, inquired the cause, and fouud they
h id arranged with their captors, when
he ordered them seized immediately !
It would appear by this, that the giv
ing up any part of the cargoes to the
Americas is contrary to the meaning
and spirit of the late decrees. The a
nvsuut of the thiug is, that if the coun
cil cannot ratify the compromise, if
tried and not condemned to the cap
tors, then the government will seques
ter the property as they do those no.
bro’c in as prizes.”
N*.v Y itk, Aug 17.
LATEST FROM FRANCE.
Lest evening arrived at this port, the
•ship Dispatch, from La Roshtlle, which
port t>he tell on he 20.h of June.
Mr. Robert Basley came home in the
Dispatch, and is the bearer of Despatch,
es from Gen. Armstrong to the -Secre.
tail v of Stale.
Mr. Bailey informs ns, that ouraflflms
with the Pirrrh Covernmen', had no*
met with any favourab!e change, that the
most or tne Amtwcan vessels seized al
Si. Sebastians, bad ai rived at Bsy-nne,
and that it was rot known what time our
minister would leave France tor Ameri
ca.
We have seen a letter from Palis, of
the 1 tin of Juni , which states, th »t no
cider for lie ;ale of American vessels Sc
cargoes, had at ihat time been issued by
the French Government.
From the Boston Patriot.
SHORT READINGS
PREP ’.RATORT TV* THE ELECTrON OF
MEMBERS TO CONGRESS.
It has been said, & will bear repeating
fcs often as any truth that ever was told
—“ that Holland (so justly described
by Mr. Adams in his iertei g 1760—81)
presents a faithful mirror, into which
America, if she will have the courage
to look at this clay, will see the unflat
tering pic'ure of herself.” In his let
ter to his excellency John Jay, esq.
of Nov. 26, 1781 (see last Patriot) he
says—
*' The word peace is the charm that
dissolves VI their r.sentment and re
solution ; arc! there'i8 no tale too ab
surd, or too gross, to obtain immedi
ate belielf i* ii tends tc* that end.”
We ^et d no* be at a loss to deter
thine fdr the absurd tales of amicable,
adjustment tvitn the belligerents, put
in Circulation at Eon.ion, am! bebeved,
or affected w>!>c believed, at Washing
ton, before the r isinp of Congrt a« —
The cabinet of S*. j fne% kriew‘liar
the people of A nenca, most ardently
v. isneu f»r nonora. it peace—»n- ir min
ister and their agents here, knew that
the r* pr'tvt matiVes of the nation's fo!l\,
then yawning between ignoble sleep
ai d the iadhcit m hustle of unsyste
matic activity, wished as ardenth for
some plausible excuse to save a repu
tation already hut t o well established
—for doii g nothing.
A NEGATIVE EXAMPLE.
A member of the 10th and 11th con
gresses—once in hign repute, as an in
dependent A men ican and firm repub
lican-—stubborn and inflexible in ir
revocable resolves not to submit to
the injuries *nd the insults of nations
warring upon our rights—hut (alas !)
in-. Ited down to the meek submission
and charitable forgiveness, bv the ac
cumulation tf those very indignities,
says, and in an oration too delivered
•l>ofore his constituents on the anr.iver.
sury of our independence—[Mr. ba,
c'tn of Massachusetts is the person al
luded to.]
“ And it may now b» pres cd tipon
• our cool consideration to judge whe
ther there is any system which has
been recommended by the wisdom of
political quackery, through the efficacy
of which ypu could entertain a reason
a’.le expectation of having accomplish
ed more ?’’! .
Has it really been the design of the
Managers of our political Drama to
arm >m»ce the tragedy to the public—
to give us a pathetic and heroic pro
logue—to prepare our min is for the
gw uroahe— to raise th* curtain and
har. <t.w our iusiahud Tellings and for
Teit aVl title to patronage and esteem'by
the ridiculous farce of “ Much-ado a
hout uothing!”
Here he adds in the same oration—
“ Now indeed the witness of tin: re
strictive system has, for considerations
which I need not detail,* been Tsufler
ed to expire, and your me. chants are
at last left to that free and* unlettered
trade, from which their political pro*
phets had taught them to expect so
; much. They have hoisted the expan
ding sail in quest of that golden fleece,
which they were told was withheld
from their grasp only by the unfriend-'
ly hand of their own government !
And is the nation now to be called up
on to reedeem them from the hand of
| ruffian violencs, which ha3 already
fallen upon them, in every port of con
tinental Europe, which is under the
sway of the modern conqueror of the
world ? Or irom the judii ial grasp of
every petty vice-admiralty jurisdiction,
which G. Britain has spread over the
highway of nations ?—We hesitate
not to declare, that this is a duty which
the nation does owe them; which nei
ther the means placed by providence
in our hands authorize us to attempt,
nor upon which either our interest or
our honor require us to commit our
fortunes and our happiness.*'
Well may we exclaim-..11 How are
the mighty fallen!”—We revere that
religion which teaches us to “ love
our enemies, and pray for them that
de'jpitefully use us and persecute
us”-- but can neither comprehend
nor forgive this revengeful, indiscrim
inate desertion of his friends in the
professed statesman, patriot and Chris
tian !
* The author may differ with his
constituents in this particular, and al
ter his opinion be lure the next elec
tion.
TEXT.
“ Resolved, That the United States,
j cannot, without a sacrifice of their
, rights, honor and independence, sub
mit to the edicts oi Great Britain and
France.”
[Representatives in Congress.3
C O M M E N T,
BY ONE or TIIE PEOPLE.
This is the first of the resolves, dis.
tinguished by the name of Campbell’s
Kesohiti mg, which accompanied the
report of the committee of Foreign Re
lations, (of which Mr C. was chair
man,") aid before the House of Repre
sentatives, Nuv. 8, and adopted by a
gteat majority, Dec. 3, 1808.
The two succeeding re olutions invol
ved no essential principle— hut prof s
*edl\ pointed out the measures which
ti e house thought it most expedient to
pur ue to meet the emergencies cf the
times.
The one in question after ample dis
cussion, met the approbation of both
republicans and federalists, and passed
with but two dissentient voices.*
I his memorable resolution was
once text for our representatives---it
is still so for their constituent*, and
will he, while the same or similar ag
gressions continue, pad while they re
tain n just sense ol the rights, honor
and independence ofthe United States,
rhe.question now is—Whether it shall
perpetuate the honor or the disgrace
of tlie American people, who once ap
proved with us much unanimity and
cerrainiy as roucn sincerity as the
members of Congress ?
THE GROUND WE STAND ON,
is simply this.—Our servants have
virtually submitted to a sacrifice oi
j the rights, honor and iudepcnd nee of
j ihe nation. The appeal is from the
j servant to the sovereign—•'from the
i representatives, to the yet free, ir.de
i pen ent and uuuhniayed people of A
| m« rica. fhe adversary has discon
cert d our lexle s, and d iven us to
tne last and S'l import nt post of h n
»r. Ihe point to which our atten
tion is" cr.n'td, and on w >;.h wc must
decide the question cf our rights and
of onr reputation for -©.ursHves and
probably tor our posterity---!* simply
this—
* Yc ■», 21—Nays, Messrs- Cardi
nier and floge. The latter of these
gendemeu has never.been conspicuous
and there is no reason for making him
io. The former, Hlo the late Chief
Magistrate of this State, is entitled to
a peculiar compliment which ought to
keep him in perpetual remembrance,
lie has never, as a statesman, betray
ed an inconsistency of character by
even the appearance ofpatrioitsm when
England advanced pretensions hostile
to the interests of his country. It has
i ot been owing to a want of fidelity
to his real constituents', or exertion
to make his calling and election sure,
th i* his friend Mr jack-son, failed in
•©curing t ie important post of New
York in Me last electioneering cam
It
T)o we approve the acts of our re
presentatives; aiul shall we ratify the
shameful surrender of our vital inter
ests in tbedast congress, by saying at
the approaching election, «* well done
thou good and faithful servant,” tc
those who deserted the standard oi
their country, and subvert those con
spicuous laud marks of its rights whict
they hud driven down with their owr
hand, and pledged whatever they hac
of honor, of wisdom, of consistency
and of spirit, to defend to the last ex
tremity ?
From the Boston Chronicle.
OPEN ENEMIES AND INSIDI
OUS FRIENDS.
The constant strain of abuse anc
calumny which is bestowed on the
Prteident, and certain others of th<
AcMtinistration, is a proof, that Ho cor
Idiality can ever be expected to subsis
i be-ween republicans and federalists
j Whatever is done by republicans, evei
though to effect the very purposes re
commended by the federalists, stil
they will be exposed to their censuri
and disapprobation, The last Congres
d>d every thing in their power to kee]
peace with England. They submit
ted to almost every indignity whicl
the British thought proper to imposi
upon us. They seemed-to aim atnO
thing more than to dismiss Jackson
yet notwithstanding all their attempt:
ro gain the friendship of Britain, anc
disposition to put up with the indigni
ties offered our nation by killing ou
seamen, and violating the solemn ne
gociation made by Erskine, still w<
find, that the federal faction are nov
equally as opposed to the adminiq&a
tton as ever. How then can the re
I---- ~ v ikl/cvv wv VIK
! friendship or approbation of the fede
raliats ? What more could the repub
licar.s have done, than what they have
The federalists could not have die
tated to them more humiliating mea
sures towards Britain, than what the’
ihave adopted;, yet the same rancor i
exhibited towards them—the sam
scurrilous epithets are used ; the sam
dispositions to divide the Northeri
from the Southern States. In short
they are disposed to do as much mis
chief now, a3 during the embargo
What then has been gained by the re
publicans, by attempting to reconcil
the federaliststo their pacific measures
Although we have placed England an<
France in one predicament, and hav<
adopted the same line of conduct to
wards both, yet not one concession i
made of our impartiality, and the oh
story of “French influence” is propa
gated from one end of the continent t
the othtr. Will not the republican
learn a lesson of wisdom from this.
We will not, however, censure to
severely the republican members o
(Congress. The President acted wit
a becoming fortitude, while he fount
there was any dispositions in Congres
to support his propositions. He ha:
] acted like a wise, prudent and cautiovi
| magistrate. The heads of the depart
i men s have done the same. So a!s<
were the m ajority of Congress dispos
ed to give energy, to their measures
and to restore the honor and reputati
on of the A nerican nation. But th<
evil has arisen from a source which h i
prov d the most fatal. Open cnemie
and insidious friends in various p.irt
of tne United Scaten. dpfl kv th? ihirit
'debat 's. Iiutead nf a cool and dolv
|berate decision on questions, they hat!
a tendency to tWce the republican
. members to decide .mere from their
fears than from their judgement.
These false-hearted, timid, nominal
republicans, did more mischief by de
ceiving the majority of Congress, than
i Timothy Pickering, or the whole Es
i sex junto* For under the mask ol
friendship, they paralysed the Ameri
, can government; and our present cora
• mericiat embarrassments must be laui
principally to their misconduct.
’ While therefore we regret the pu
sillanimity of Congress, yet wc are
{disposed to view their conduct with
■ candor, and instead of blaming them
so greatly as some republican editors
I do, we are willing to confide their
: integrity and patriotism at the next
' session. The President and others of
• departments, we are confident will ne.
t v€r forfeit their reputation, but will
. join m such measures as will restore
i the honor and reputation of our coun
. try—aware however of tru3tiug to
1 men who represent in the State Le
: gi si at ore Republican counties, whde
» nothing but commercial gain infla
y ences, their conduct. We must duly
. appreciate characters, if we ever ex*
» pect to'establish the honor of Ameri
■ ca, separate from commercial gain in
• connection with a federal copartner
: ship—For it was declared at Wash
> ington,that there was a firmness in the
1 northern republican members till cer
. tain nominal republicans arrived. Be
ware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.
New York, Aug. 15,
r s9^r\ Agenoria wc have re
• ceh^fol the proclamation of the Mar.
• quismf Somegrelos, Governor of Ha
; vannl; orderfBg th* execution of Man
- uel Redrigtfez Alekanny Pena, a na*
- tive of Mexico. comTfcted nf hirrh rrf*s«
?. son against his Majesty Ferdinand 7th.
It appears that he arrived in Havan
- nalrom Norfolk a short time since and
7 was arrested on his arrival from some
3 information wh>ch had been communi
j cated respecting him. Papers, it is
; said, were found in his possession,
i which proved him to be an emissary of
, Joeeph Bonaparte*—The object of his
■ mission is said to have been the sepa<
. ration of the people ol Guha fro n their
- allegiance to Ferdinand 7th. Monday
: the 31 st July was appointed for the
day of execution.
1 -_
; New York, Aug. 15.
IVTanttel Rodriguez Alemannv Pena,
» has been apprehended -as a spy at Ha
1 vanna, tried and ordered to be execut
- cd. We have seen a letter from Ha
> vanna dated the 23th isle, which states
s that this person was about the age ol
27 years, of a respectable family in
3 Mexico—was some time in Europe.
F and there imbibed the vices and vil
i lanies of the French school. He was
1 capable; and king Joseph gave him a
s com miss on >o promote all in hb power,
> a revolutionary spirit in the Spanish
s colonies, in favor of France. He ar
- rived at Havannn about the 13th ol
> fitly from Norfolk ; and, as the govern
- ment had pre viously advice of him, he
, Was immediately seized and put into
- prisok; and son fry papers evidently
: shew%g his business there, being found
3 about him, he was, after several days
> examination and trial, condemned.
s This affair has made a great noise at
t Havanna—and the guilt of Pena was
- so apparent, that the sentence was ge
a nprilltr nnnrAu«>/l /-.T
-J —r (
» A proclamation was issued by the
- governor exhorting the people, under
i. j?t.m ot immediate apprehension, to
» preserve tranquility and order on the
day of the execution, and particular
. ly to refrain from offering either insult
> or injury to the unhappy criminal,
i whose misfortune it was to forget the
t sacred principles of patriotism, and u
* nite with the enemies of his country.
r mm L_
5
Plf IL ADELP IIIA , Aug. 15.
1 Extract of another letter from Havan
na, dated July 30th.
“ Don Manuel Rodriguez Aleman
P ny Pena, in conformity with his sen
tence, was executed this morning, ve
[ ry much pitied by ail the citizens. He
was a young man of 20 years of age, a
native of Mexico, and a very genteel
P family. He left bis own country in
t company! with signior Aranza, late
viceryof that kingdom, who, it appears
poisoned the uuiortunate young man's
’ mind.”
Baltimore, August 15.
» The termination of the suspense, in
t which tome were held, respecting the
, state of American property in the
: Mnrtfi of Europe, Is at length arrived.
Both Sweden Prussia luve deques
, terefl it, and Denmark has prohibited
, the American trade, doubtless as a
i measure which is to lead to the con
, demnation of what was already there,
i it appears, that these recent te'rzures
| were compelled by menaces of military
force from the French Agtmts, ami
f iey must have been of a formidable 1
( uuracter, since the local position of 1
I the principal part of the Swedish do- • I
minions, secures them from the fear
cf French invasion, and such a step,
considered as a neMr evidence of sub'
mission to France, might attract ac
tive measures from the tremendous
naval force England has before the
doors ot the Swedes.
Fed. Rep,
\ -*
4 i . ... August 16.
A letter received in town from Bed- 4
ford county (Pa.) dated Aug. 5, states
that in consequence of continued raiqs
for two weeks during harvest, ail the
crops of wheat have been spoiled; and
but a small proportion of rye is expect*
ed to be saved. The hopes of the far
mers rest solely upon the crops of corn
and buckwheat, which at present bear
a very promising appearance.
American.
Baltimore, Aug. 13.'
We hear, from Wan king ten,
That the dispatches lately brought from
Mr. Pinkney in the Tamahamah, have
been forwarded to the Secretary of
state,—but are quite unimportant:
i’hat accounts are received from Pa
ris, of the intercession of the emperor
of Austria with Buonaparte in favour
of Ferdinand VII & that the emperor
w6uld give him his second daughter in
marriage—provided Napoleon would
restore him to the throne of Spain, or
otherwise provide Tor him ;
1 hat Buonaparte meant to propose
terms of peace to England.
On these topics there was much
speculation ; some pronouncing it im
possible that Buonaparte
would degrade his brother Joseph to
raise a Bourbon in hia stead; others
arguing the contrary, from the cir
cumstance of the monument decreed
to Louis the sixteenth ; that, if the
young empress and her family had ob
tained Buonaparte’s consent to that
measure, they might carry their inati
ence farther.
We will wait for facts, rather than
form opmions on conjecture and ru
mour*
Whig.
Washington City, Aug. 20.
Extract of a letter dated Fort Stod
V^rt, (Mobile) July 1, 1810.
y arn sorry to inform you that our
meafhbors at Mobile have for some
weeks past been in much alarm under
the apprehension of a predatory expe
dition frc.-n this settlement, und»r
colour of avenging our wrongs, and
liberating the citizens of the United
S.at..s in this quarter from the pay
ment of Spanish tribute. They think
that they have demonstrative evidence
of the ex.stence of such a conspiracy
among us. For my own part l nave
doubted it, because I have seen no ex
ternal evidence of it.
“Possibly, however, the idea of
forming a confederacy for the purpose
of attacking xMobile, m^y h ive existed,
or may now exist; but I do not be
lieve that men of property will pu:
their all to so much hazard ; nor Jo l
think that they will be readily led a
way by a doctrine advanced here, that
as toe Floridas are not possessed by
any prince now acknowledged by the
Federal government, to attack th-:in
will be no violation of the law nrnhi>».
iting expeditions against the territo
ries .of powers with which the United
States are at peace. Be this however
as it will, the Spaniards have very im
prudently collected, as I am told, a bo
dy of 400 Indians; the consequence
of which inevitably will be, that if any
depredations should be committed by
them upon our settlement, even peace
able and prudent men will he drawn
into an indirect support of the wicked
machinations of the lawless, ar.d will
in defence of themselves and their
property fefcl impelled to take ven
geance on a^ie savages an l their em
ployers.,- 1 am in hopes, however,
i that toft Indians have no serious
I purpose, beyond that of eating Span
ish beef.
“ oome Frenchmen and othrrshave
been apprehended and confined ia the
fort at Mobile, under suspicion of be*
J ing hostile to the Spanish government,
I know Rome of the men and belie**/
them to be innocent. B it thus it i,
tint weak men drive harmless men i,i
to g'lil
Cn arlsstov, Ao ;iv>t 6,
CAPT. BOYCE, OF THE MO iP.U..’v
I h's is the same gentleman, who i.
J bout three yesra and a half since, wan i t
i this; nity, and in return for Chaileilui
j h:>»pY»«»«r* w*tb his companions, officer*
like iiiiiuelf, biavcly and gallantly at,
tacked some ladies in the street, who ijfc
rescued from (heir civilities by a
of young gentlemen of the city, who give
his ciptainship and comnani in* a se
vere diuboui* j they were‘then, lor ti s.r