Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-10-30
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The federal editors are loud il their clarncufs
against the administration, because the, BRITISH
captive cnr vessels They dexterousy shift
the blame from their English FRIEND. to our yos
vernmens. When the English adjuiica,ed 500
American vessels in "a and '95. in the Wds5.
irgron oa,ninisyafion. they were about rs hum
bic as Spaniel dogs. Retaliation was never
thought Of by federalists at thar time they
seemed to kiss the rod thar whipped them. Mr..
Jay was sent to London, and had the honor 10
kiss his rnajesty's hand Tor great toe, it is noe
recollsaed which) once or twice. and treaty
was the consequence. Ten years afterwards, we
got [pdn] payment FOR these adjudications, aud
received about four millions OF dollars upon pay.
ing neatly three millions for tory debts, &c un-
der article of tre treaty which the fel-rclists
said would no, cost US cent. Our merchants
who had suffered, il is meant such ~ kncv
their interest. liked the treaty, because i, held
out decentralization for their losses, but they
overlooked the commercial disadvantages aud
restrictions which the treaty eniaied upon their
country. -four Eur trade was left open to Bri-
fish speculation. and citizens exposed TO-
the fury of the Indians, set on by British a.
gents .A.
The treaty enlarges the list Of conuabanti ar
tioles to Az aa unknown before. Provisions
were authorised to be seized in certain cases.
American ships in the East India trade were
nor permitted TO go 70 Europe fient India bus
forced 10 come directly to America, with their
cargoes, however inconvenient THIS might be.
Bloekatss were left uncertain We bound our
selves TO lay no additional dulles on Eng,ish
goods. &c. except such as were common to ali
other nations, and then the British reserved the
right 10 countervsil us--and above alt we en-.
gSged not 70 eon6scate British property or debts
in our country, in case of war breaking our. fku,
by the way, major Russcl has lately told Us thar
II IS mere moon sb9ne, FOR he agrees thar war an
Ill - r..
these injurious articles, Mr.. Jay stipulated thar
we should not export any sugar. eofee. cotton
or coeoo from, ,be United States in American Ses-
ses. 10 any Pa's Of fbe void, seasonabie .castorer
eseepfed!! Here we might pause, and assert.
that the late British captures bear a strong re-
scmblance to this provision CT thar hard ,reaty.
What American vessels NOT carry any cot,or.
sugar or coffee, 10 Europe. because it suited the,
British policy The article CONTAINING This
monsrous provision was abolished, but the
mere insertion of il shews how little Mr.. Law
was acquainted with the interest of his country.
and how iil-disposed TO assert her rights TO ..
free commerce.
But the worst is not yet detailed The treaty
was silent on several important matters. IL pro-.
vised no security for captures after its ratiiica-
non, and we saw the consequences which fol-
iowed--a wide spread depreciation of our pro-
perty on the ocean, and it was severely fell from,
her cruisers from '95 20 the peace of Amieas.
The improvements of our seamen was no, mo-.
tleed, and 2 or 5000 brave men were left ON
boasd British men OF war and guard ships 6 or;
years, to SIGHT the battles OF George the Sd.
without the two federal administrations do;ng-
rnues, it aay thing, TO procure their release.
The trcaty-profesaed TO give reciprocal advsnta.
ges were all on the side of England These,
, things are now only mentioned, 10 point on, the
inconsistency Of some of the federalists. who
are vocifsrors in condemning the present atmi-
| nissra'ion NJ tins time. on account ef the late
English captures. when il is well Known Mr..
Jefferson is doing all in his power tc arrest rhs.
mischief, by proper and energetic repre,en,a,;.
ons TO the British government. But the charge,
sgainst the Te6erzlisrs is this they pal,iated
and excused the British during Gen. Wsshing-
tons xad Mr.. Adams admin. ssrarions. for lie
| sare things they now charge upon Mr. Ieaer.
sons administration. Wmle the republicans
have been uniformly consistent in these .,articu.
lars; they boldly spoke against the former can.
! lures, and they as loudly and IS iustiy conds,u,
those OF the present period. They have never
whired and cried 20 the British court TO tale
the consmerce of the country into their p.o;eai-
cn.--They have written no letters TO ask con-
voy Tor merchantmen, and then experienced tie
modification OF seeing the ships Of their coun-
try plundered before their eyes, by the vr,seIs
OF war engaged TO afford them protection. Is
losses have happened 20 our trade by the French.
Spanish or English cruizers, il has nor been
owing 10 treaty with either, who sacrificed the
best commercial privileges which neural na-
tion enjoyed. When federal ssiiiors arraicn the.
conduit Of the present administration IL would
be well for them TO cast their eyes back upon
me condna of the two others which preceded IL.
Wi.h respea TO neutral rights, the voice of all
republican America cannot be mistaken. We
are justly entitled 10 free trade, IN our native
as well as foreign articles, no, coptraband Of
war.--We have right to supply all the belligc.
rent nations and their colonies with innocent and
lawful merchandise. and 10 receive in paymenr
their manufactures and proouce, which we have
also the right to dispose of afterwards in anv
foreign market most convenient 70 be visited by
our trading vessels. When The belIigersnt ma
mons violate iheee rights they Commit aggres-
SONS which we may oppose with force. Ke,a.
liation may be employed, when Justice is iefas.
ed or negotiation may be justifaoiy resorted
TO- and II this fails, the nation may redress the
wrongly debating war, or by retaliating IN any
miIder way, as policy or pTu{epce may dictate.
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