Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-09-11

iuHuCuCC VI faWfSrs VI CouulTys tua0 Tue
application of the Spanish minister to a
few individuals in the profession on the
subject ofthe Spanish claims. Was there
ever before m instance when a diplomatic
character presumed to state question to
private citizens, on which the respective
nations were celebrating through tho me-
dunn of their official agentsl Ills hrece-
denf, which ought to be reprobated by O.
very civilized power ia Europe. Could
the Spanish minister presume that his
COURT would be controlled by the decision
of the American lnwyerss in this point OF
view, he deserves the censure Of the king
his master. Admit that Eve lawyers had
said, that The claims ought to be. allowed,
would The government of Spain have thot
themselves bound by such determination.
On the other side, will the United States
consider themselves obliged TO surrender
their claims on the mere opinion OF men,
who are probably feed for their imperti-
nens inserferencei ~
What have lawyers to do in this BUSH
ness, more than any o:her class of oiti-
zrnsf The Spanish minister might with
a. much propriety, have requested the o.
pipon OF the merchants, who, probably,
would have decided in favor of the claims.
He mign, have requested the opinion the
executive of a particular state, or the le-
glsiature of C.nneetlcut In short, be
might have gone to certain influential per-
sons IN any part of the union. What
would DC the situa ion of any country
should foreig, minister's attempt by fecs to
gain an sscsndancy in their favor through
the interference of Interested men, who
may be bribed 10 their purposes!
The decision Is Of so novel q nature, and
so pregnant with evils, that the United
States and every other nation ought to re-
probate the measure by some pointed re-
solutions, TO prevent the same frsm being
d me in any future negocia,ion. Thecon-
sequences may be fatal; Tor should the
controversy lay between TWO foreign pow
ers, as TO the demands Of the u. States the
ministers of each nation may fee lawyers
on both sides and involve the country
by their various opinions in serious diff
culties.
In what a predicament mustit place the
President in his foreign transactions, if an
appeal is 10 be made in secret manner,
to few select lawyers, on the question
he is settling in their respective courts;
and tbsir opinions are to become auihori-
ties TO counterfeit those decisions which
had previously been determined on by his
diplomatic agents When MIR. Genet
talked of appealing to the people, great
hue and cry was raised against him but
IN The present business il seems the Span.
ish minister has appealed 10 FIVE lawyers,
on whose ipss dixit the fate OF the hme-
fican commerce is suspended.
The procedure demands legislative In
vesiigatiob. inthc next congress |; and eve
ry nation 10 Europe is Interested in the
question.-For we may annihilate both
executive and legislative interference on
all national concerns, if body of lawyers
arc TO become The umpire on 30 interesting
a decision. When our minister appearsin
span, how great must be his modification
tofnd pare, handed bautindifeSt oppup-
nation 10 his mission; s. instead Of ground
ing his plea on treaties, and documents Of
the president he is TO oppose the opinion
Of men who possibly are feed 70 thwart
his mission Thisis a subject Of solemn
nature, and will be considersd more fully
in subsequent remarks.
For the present we would only observe,
that in the investigation of this business,
we shall notinvoiye the general character
OF lawyers in the controversy; we shall
cndeavor TO draw line between aa at
tempt to give this "order" a suprema-
cy over other classes of citizens, and the !
assumption of political Importance which |
IS designed by some TO be appropriated !
10 their interference. We esteem some
m me frefes5cn; as men of honor and |
integrity; we reverence their character |
and admire their incorropubility. BUTT
has become necessary 10 arrest the pre-
Of their combined weiglf, and !
even 70 teach q foreign minister such dis.
erection as not to intrudc the sentiments /
Of private citizens, as voucher to coun-
Iersct the diplomatic determinations Of his |
master, or the just claims Of the govern
ment OF the United States.
We will venture 10 place this subje9 on
he extensive ground, that il any power
IN Europe had been bsfiied in their claims
BY the secret operations Of FIVE unautho.
Used citizens. the voiee Of me nation would