Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-11-10
CURTIUS.
No. XIV.

having seen the manner in which the
financial, the war, and the navy cepart-
nents have been conducted, we arc bro't
10 view OF the operations Of The DE-
PARTMENT of STATE, more impor-
iant- perhaps, in its effects than oil the
others. 1t is these operations that trv the
talents OF the government, not on the IL
mited theatre of the Uuptcd States, but
on the extensive theatre Of the world. 1t
is to them that we are indebted for the
wise treaties framed, for the impolitic trea-
ties avoided, for tbe faithful execution Of
thc &c that exist, Tor avcrtirg al! lust cause
OF complaint TO foreign nations, and for
The consequent preservation of peace and
prosperity. In these operations the FRESH
dent is understood to participate rs well
IN detail as in The outline and although
many OF the subordinate measures arc fe-
qnentiy taken by the secretary Of the de-
Partment without bis advice, yet it is most
consonant to the spirit of the government
to consider him, equally with The head OF
The department, answegable for all its mea-
sures.
When Mr.. Jefferson was eIc0sd Pre-
sldeDt, he found the public opinion much
divided on the extent to which prudence
required the carrying our foreign re!ari-
ons. On the one hand the commercial
part OF the community, with a view 10
'Ae'r own Grandisement. espouscd their
extension 10 very great length. View.
ing the vast ascendancy of men Of their
profession in England from which country
many OF them had recently emigrated,
and with which they we're united bv ties
oi interest, relationship and friendship, IN
iucnced by blind spirit Of imitation,
they sought, in the conduct Of that NATL
on, models for the United States, without
reRcctinG on the dissimilar situation Of
the two nations.
This class Of men, though powerful
from their wealth and numbers, would
probably have but little influenced the ma
tional sentiment, had they not been ioin-
ed by body of citizens of no mean ia
Tents, who, from habit, prejudice or prin-
cplc, were solicitous to draw the United
States into close imitation Of Great Bril-
tain. This body was composed Of men
OF advanced age, whose early associations
ana feelings had made them the strenuous
advocates of the British system and whose
sentiments had become too confirmed, az
the aera Of independence, 10 undergo any
radical change, & Of those, who, from prin-
ciPie or ambition, were dssrous Of era,
dual'y building up a system Of govefnS
ment more energetic in the Executive
than that OF the United States. This last
description Of men have generally denied
their attachment 10 monarchy; but there
IS not doubt that their principles neces-
sariiy lead 10 this result.
On the other hand, the great agricul-
tura and manufacturing interests were
hostile to an extension oc our foreign re-
lations They believed that their own
prosperity, and consequently that OF the
whole country, depended upon peace, and
that peace depended upon our avoi5inp aIh
unnecessary cntanglemeuts with Furope-
an nations. PercciWng the inyariabl=
( connection between extensive wari.kc es-
Establishments and thc subve. sion Of libcr,v.
/ hey were anxious TO insure the latter bv
avoiding the former.
/ According to The prepopderance Of
.hcec conflicting sentiments The corsI..zxi-