Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-22

4
any negotiable subject viii, any power in
Europe. As to the merits of their con.
! tract with France, they set up no pre,en-
sions to the power of working miracles on
! the mind of the FIRST Consul, or OF max
ing him believe that it was his interest to
sell Louisiana, when il WAS otherwise -
they ahccl no necromantic talent of con-
juring the territory of other nations out of
their possessions, how cON5eniai socver it
may be with the ideas OF some Iaen con-
Corning acuteness of genius and diploma
tic talents,--nor do they wish to persuade
US, that they have tricked the First Con-
sui GU, oil a capital bargain,-nor do they
call upon us 10 eXiol their skill at the ex-
pense ot their hones,y. Let il be admit
! ted, that in other circumstances, the consi-
as no temptation 10 sale. At tha. mo-
men,, it was no lloub, considered as ge-
nulne ald valuable consideration. The
neritos oar government consisted being.
ready TO availi,seif of that IN ment. Their
being ready. implies That they anticipated
! IL: II proves that, IN those general views
which are taken By well informed and com.
prehensiyc minds, Of the state of things
Acthaliy existing and Of the relations OF
foreign pD"ers TO one another, the federal
executive Calculated Oh the possibility oil
a rup ure between England and FRANCE
tpat,hs Calculated The operation OF such
an event on The mird Of the First Consul
and thatnotwithslandiny the known soil
| citude ot BonaparJe to establish u splendid
colony; the President OF The United States
cnnr,-IpeAI tn h,.td Il u e
proposing a purchase OF Louisiana, at the
criucai instant, when the course OF events
shot a afford a probability that such pro.
position would be received with attention
Here then was AN exhibition of genuine
I policy: here WAS knowledge of the re-
ia,ions existing between different powers {:
here was IL mastcrly calculation of the ef-
tcct-of these On future circumstances /;
here Vas readiness to improve them TO
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF his country: here
was tia. guarded, conduct, that dignii.d
reserve wItiirespGGt 70 The misunderstand-
in5s between other na,ious, wbjch opened
( the way TO free and confidential inter
Course with eIth>r, IS The interests OF the
peoplc he presided over might render exc
| pedieht This is The policy, for which,
feaow citizens, your government is so dis
'nga'shed-whIci has been so eminenily
advantageous 10 the Union, and which
| so fully comports with the character OF
those at the helm OF state, as hone st and
enlightened men. As to that kind Of POI
/ hey which consists, no! in wisdom bnt IN
Canning; a, to that kind OF olicy which
consists not in open sincerity bu. in low
intrigue; which consists not in studying
I the substantial interests Of neighboring
nations, and adapting your negotiations
/ 20 them, but IN prying into the slate OF
political factions, which consists not in
respecting the authorities in power, but in
blowing up the flame of itiernal discord,
t!--not in truth, in prudence, in honesty, in
/ tdeiity--but in cabal, in ilattery, in cor
rupuon, in treachery, and in assassination,
( We make no preiensions TO tive grant
the full monopoly Of il to the kings * no
oIes, the popes and pre!ates, TO the minis
teiS and ENJOYS, 0ItEc .,asteln continent /:
we leave il ali 10 heir Machiavel -
iheir Richlieus--;hcir Wapoies-their
- but lorbear, lest by coming
! too close on modern times, AID ailudnp
70 recent events, should in this public
manner, though. addressing you as a pri
vale Individual, pass beyoud that line of
neutrality, which it is our duty TO observe
and invite you TO intermlnglc with too
much ardouT, yulir minds i'll the politics
! OF Other counties.
Ii is time, fellow cilizens, should draw
( this long addresito aconcIusion. But le,
me previously congratulate you on having
such an administration atthe head of yonr
affairs. Their conduct is daily acquir-
lIng new admirers, and distinguishing the
/, remaining emhers of faction, There is
at this moment, probably, as large pro
portion OF the whole United States in "a.
vOr OF genuine republicanism, as there
was OF the State of Kentucky, above six
years ago. AZ that time our PRINCIPLES
insulated-us as it were from the rest of
the ion:--but the LILLE leaven hath now
leayened the whole lump. Fourteen
States are decidedly republican the o
Their three are fast becoming so. We
have nothing now to dread, but that our
republcanism will degenerate. Some Oh.
position TO the will of the majority may
be necessary: for the purpose of keeping
them within the bounds of reason, Of JUS.
tice, and Of consislency.-When parties
. harr,s,f &,