Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1798-11-30
Fer the VIRGINIA ARGUS.
Nvmozs I.
To GSrzssl ET5RSTELL.


leader Of that party in this Hatc who arso-
gat, to themlclyes the executive mcof Fe-
dc l,lts, Wilde thcJ demouarate thenfederal-
;ir' by a fcryac attachment to che adminir-
tra,ion, by rancorous perfecutiou of every
enlightened republican, and by atdacious es-
forts 20 erect monarchy OF arilocracy up
on the ruins of our free conltintior. The
energy ofyour mind, and the violence OF your
zesl have exalted YOU TO this &c bad erninence.n
The boldneTs and ability with which you
have defended the moarepreheniible neafures
OF she federal government, recommended you
TO an adIninntration who have never failed to
reward ,beir mott Jealous adherenrs with the
highcft offices and honcurs. 1t would have
hetn TRANCE If fuch profelyte as you had
been neglected, wher the humble fervicss of
Lee and Pickering, have been gratefully
rewarded. IF you had employed your ia
Tents in defence Of the people with as much
zeal as you have manifeleed in defence Of the
administration, you would have received re-
ward much more exquiiite and much more
glorious than the adulation of parry, or the
confidence Of a government Your hiitory
would have been read in nations eTeS. :"
md though You would not have received the
5rigufing hattcry with which the enemies of
Liberty and peace hailed your return from al
nniucceisful milton, you would have erioy-
I'd the appreciation aad eiteem of all the wife
aad the viTtaous. 1t mua be extremely NOR
tifying to man Of your fenfbility, to find
that notwithstanding the loud and eStrava-
gsat applauies OF your Friends, you do not
poaeis The confidence of the people OF Vir-
ein:a. The admiration Of party, and the
favour of an Administration, cannot confole
mind Ike yours, FOX the diiapprobation and
averhor of your native country.
The Pomp Of Office and the pageantry of
powsr arc no compensation for the fufpicion
and jcalouty Of i free and virtuous people.
The administration will exalt yo to the mot
fPle did honsurs, which they can betow,
but they cannot render you invulnerable to
the jan repro chcs of an indignant repubii
Gao II mutt be admitted that lone Of your
friends are good and patriotic men. But if
you are indeed 4" an American in heart, and
il .-utiment," 'yoa ;Duit be deeply mortified
when you obferve that the perions mott We
b INT m your praiie are the partizans Of
Great Britain, and the inveterate enemies of
onr independence. IF you are indeed g an
American IN heart, and IN fentiment," YOU
mat be atonifled and afflicted, when YOU
perceive that your principles arc uioR warm
y admired by perfons who are Englihmen
g IN heart and in fentiment." You have
been dePuted 90 a milton which involved the |
peace ard Happiness, and perhaps the exia- |
tncc of your country. ! do not intend to |
rSamine the proPriety OF your conduct, dur
'nS this important milton. do not intend |
10 caquIre whether YOU ever were animated
with the iPirit Of peace, and whether Won di-
gelted yourielf of that rancorous hatred a.
saidit France, which your party has felt from
ne commencement Of her evolution. and
which YOU felt in 4 very eminent degree when
eon accepted the office Of Cinifter Of peace.
I" hsa | avoid thele enquiries it IS rot from
! conviction, that the relult would be honour
'bIe, or favourable 70 you. 90 not with TO
our controversy with France with
tn iubi eets Of diiculIion upon which the a.
people differ. The administration
lave adopted this policy with fuccefs NOT
1attefing TO them, and mott fatal 70 ,hcir
The name OK France has been the
"a aijfie word by which they have lilenced
al oPPoiItion, aad accomplished every ,n,s-
rc. Our unfortunate rupture with that
Re 1bl'c has gwen an unnatural popularity to
"a. frie rs OF ariaoc. acy and monarchy. I,
has enabled them to propagate PRINCIPLES
witch were once heard with difguR and hor-
'or, aud It has enabled them TO accomplfb
3eEsns which could not have been at,erno,-
"a two years ago, without producing an inns
nediste and gnivefill iaiurre6tion of the oeo- II
is. Your party have exaggerated the cru.
..ties and cnormities Of the French revoIp- I
ION ~ order TO excite IN excelIive and fran :
ic indignation againf France. and then
hey have arifully svaied themfelves Of tbe
iugry psiiioas which they kindled, in order
9 6uns d1:cttatioH upon republican princi-
pes. When they have excited an abhorre,ce
81 French principles, they are enabled bv a
'e'J r-turAl afiociation OF IDEAS, 10 produce
y abaorrcucc Of republican PRINCIPALS.
, fu.e theic ate the avowed, r not The
acted principles Of the French nation
Boz % was not fufficieot To- tive purpoles q
your party to bring republican opinions into
Ii was nseeAary t. qlifv and 70
pc'iecute the no9 able add illnlrioYe i, cen.
d,rs Of thcfe opinions. The pubHta,;on IS
your diipatches, and the hapry evc-.;r.. - /