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

present administfatio should avail them
selves of every opportunity To embarrass
II IN its operations, and destroy IT'S popu.
larity, is no more than might be expected;
but at the same time il was presumed by
many that on some occasions .Amerircr feel
fngs would have prepondrrance over
those excited by the demon Of .Iacfion.
Unfortunately, however, this appears aos
to be the case. As proof Of which, Wit
ness the base and iiibrrai attacks on the
President, in consequence of the depreda-
tons recently committed on our com.
mercc and likewise in consequence OF
report that cur negotiation with Spain had
been broken of.
Aitho' the defensire measures Which
have been adopted by the Executive to
prevent refsnfion of those outrages
which have heen committed on our coass
and in orr harbors, are well known, and
although the report of Mr.. Monfoc's leag-
ing Madrid, without accomplishing the
object of his mission, may be without fouD.
dalton, still the g oftosifiou hofsers" have
applied the epilhet hnsiildnnaous TO the al.
rninistration, and have charged them with
an intention to sacrifice the dearest inter.
<~NS W thSit NSa'ttyt 0ibGl - 0rOtO ~
war, thro' fear that It might render them
unpopular. A brief review, however, OF
the measures which have been pursued BY
the administration, as respects our exter-
nal concerns, will, trust, be sufficient 10
convince every candid and unprejudced
person, that so far from evincing husiI.
Ianfnfops disposition, they have ON all oc-
casions suhforfed with henor and dfg,,ifr
the .1fnericnn character. h
. No sooner had Mr.. Jefferson been plaF
ccd atthe head of government, than'il Was
determined % chastise one of the Baibary
powers, who, notwithstanding The tribute,
which had been paid him by the two for
mer administrations, was committing de-
predations on our commerce with a view,
no doubt. TO extort a greater sum from
government than was stipulated by treaty.
The administration, howevers MOLLY relus-
ed the demands of these pirates, and to
the astonishment of Europe as well as
OF the Barbary powers, an American sqaa-
dron soon made its appearance in the Me-
diterranean, and although accident threw
one cf our frigstes into the hands Of the
Bashaw, yet our commerce inJthat sea
has been amply protected, and we have
every reason 10 believe from the impos-
ing force which we now have in the Me-
dnerranean, that this season will termnac
the war, and that too IN manner WORTHY
of our national character.
In the fall OF 1902, the Spanish Inten.
dant al New-Orisans refused our citizens
the right Of deposit a, that port, contrary
10 an article of he treaty of 1895. This
uRjustihable act excited much agitation
amongst our citizens, and aitbo' the party
IN opposition were for an immediate de-
claration Of war, the President, supported
by the republicans, was determined to try
The effect OF negotiation, before the nation
were plunged INTO war. The fnhortonf
acquisition u Louisiana is well known 70
have been the result of this pacific inca.
sure. Spain soon after this event began
to eyince an unfriendly disposition towards
the United States. This probably may
have proceeded from Jealousy, excited by
our obtaining so large and valuable pro-
vince as Louisiana. which she had so re-
Gently been obliged TO recede To- France.
and which she always considered as the
Key to the Fioridas and to Mexico, and
which she by no means was desirious of
scSNsS III tic Possession OF a young ana
en,erprising nation, BE this however asis
may, IL is understood that soon after the
cession of Louisiana TO the United States,
his Catholic majesty refused to ratify the
convention OF 1902, and likewise disputed
our right 70 West Florida, which our go
vernment contend is part Of Louisiana.
For the purpose Of Obtaining an AMIGA
bic adjustment ofthose important points in
controversy, citizen of kno4pn Eefrio-
fism, .jfyDnsss and fcltfas wss deputcc BIZ
the executive to the court Of Spain. What
has been the result Of this mission is not
Ms yet fully ascertained---if il he's been un-
asis reported let me ask With
what propriety can the executive be CEN
sured Is il no, an eyidence Of the firm
pess, not only Of the administration but
likewise of,he minister whom they select.
I'd Tor this negotiation, and proof ike
wise that they will never abandon our just
rights, however DESTROYS they may be to
preserve peace If the negotiation has
been really broken of, through the obsli-
NJ 80 ~ .f.t,,~,s~. Cal.