Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-11-14

ccre'y desire the happiness and prosperity
oi other nations, 10 those who Justly calcu-
late that their own wei! beiag IS advanced
by that OF the majors with which they
have intercourse, i; viii be u satisfaction
10 observe, that the war. which was hgh.-
ed up III Europe httIc before our last
meeting, has not yet extended lis flames
TO other nallonS, nor been marked by the
cainrnuies which sometimes stain the foot
steps OF war. The irregularities too on
the ocean, which generally harrass the
commerce ofuem!ial nations, have in dis
tant parts disturbed ours less than on fo,-
! Iner occasions. But, in the American
seas, thsy have been greater iiom pecu-
! liar Causes; ADD even within our har,ors
and jurisdiction. ia.rirrcInents ON the an
thorl,y oil the laws have been committed
which have called for scTous attention.
The friendly conduit OF the governments,
from whose officers and subjects these acts
have proceeded, in other resneCls, and in
Z places more under their observation ANA
control. gives us confidence. that our re-
presentations on this subie0 will have
been properly regarded.
Whi;e noticing the irregularities com
United on the ocean by others, those or org
own Part should rot b. omitted, nor left
unprovided To-. Complaints have been
received, that tersons residing in the u
n!ied StStes, have taken on themselves 10
arm merchant vessel, and to force com.
mercc into certain pnrts and Countries in
defiance Of the laws az those countries.
; That individuals should undertake 10 wage
private war, independ :nily az the autiio
riiy OF tiieir country, cannot be permitted
IN well ordered society. Its tendency
tn produce aggression on the laws and
rights OF other natiouS, and to endanrer
the peace OF our own, i, SO obvious, that
doubt no, you viii adopt measures for re-
stra;nag it ele c(p,lly in future.
Soon after the passage OF the act Of the
last session, authoris;ng The establishment,
Of district and port of entry OH the wa.
tiers OF the Mobile, VIC learnt that its ob.
Ject was misundgrsioo1 OH the part of
Spain. Candid explanations were imme-
Gia,ely given, and assurances, tha,, resery-
ing Our Claims i'll that quarter rs Il subject
OF discussion and arrangem ant with Spain,
no act was ms:liiate>I in tic mean time
inconsistent with the peace and friendship
existing between tie two nations: and
that coniormaDiy TO these intentions wood
be the execution os the law. That go
vernmert had however thought proper 10
| suspend the ratification OF the convention
OF 1902. Br' the explanations which
would reach Them sUou after, and still
more the confirmation of them By he te
nor oil the Instrument establishing The port
am distri;,, may reasonably he expected
10 replace thep> in the dispositions and
views OF The whole subject which original
ly dictated the convention.
have the ssatisfa ,ti0n to inform YOU
that the objection, which had been urged
by That government against the validity
OF our lille TO the country of Louisiana
have been Withdrawn: its exact limits
however remaining still to be settled be-
tween Us, And to this is 10 be added that
having prepared and delivered the stock
created IN execution of the convention CT
Paris, OF April 3o,h, 1905, in considera-
ton OF the cesSiOn Of that country, we
have received from the government Of
France an acknowledgment in due form
Of the fu.filment Of that Stipulation.
With the nations of Europe in general
our friendship and Intercourse are nndjs-
turbed: and from the governments OF
the bslligerent powers especially, we con
tIme 20 receive those friendly manif-siati-
| ons which are Justly due TO an honest neu-
trality, aud to such good Offices consis
tea. with that, as we have opportunities
Of rendering.
The activity and success of the small
! force employed in the Mediterranean in
the early part Of the present year, the re
Inducements sent into that sea, and the
energy Of the Officers having command in
the several vessels, will, trust, by the
suierings &c war, reduce the barbar;ans
OF Iriro'i to the desire OF peace on pro-
per terms. Grcai injury however ensues
TO Ourselves as well IS to others interest.
ed, from the distance to which prizes
must be brought for adjudication, and
from the inpracticablIity of bringing hi.
ther such as are not sca.worhy.
The Bey of Tunis having made re-
QUESTIONS unauthorized by our treaty, their
rejection has produced from him some
expressions of discomfort. But to those
who expecl us to calculate whether a com.
phance lth unjust demands will not cost
Us less than war, we must leave as