Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-05-13

! II was on the basis of this report, and
inc resolution 1t recommended, that the
purchase OF Louisiana was made.
I. This measure has passed the ordeal of
investigation, and has been sanctioned by
vast majority of the nation. lit was
correct, can measure then right be noy
wrong; FOR though the negotiation that
cnsued issued in the purchase of Louisia.
na,',he whole tenor of the report shows
that the real oJcet was the purchase of
The Flordas.
Let us very concisely compare The cir.
cumstsnces attending the appropriation
IN 'ooo' and those attending the appro.
pr'aiion IN 1906, to determine whether
they are or are not sufficiently alike to
justify the conclusion that if the FIRST an
preparation was correct, so likewise is The
last.
10 1905 an undisputed right, RICH, &c.
tnally possessed, was violated under cir
cumstances of peculiar aggravation. An
important right was taken from us, which
we actually enjoyed. This was. there
fore, an acl of perfect hostility. and wv.
should have been justified. SO far as rela
TED TO Spain, in applying force to force.
hu' true 10 ourselves, and paying less re
gard to the 0sages of other nations than
20 oar own Interests, we determined IN
negotiate FLOR what? For the purchase,
ct The Floridas, and Nczv Orlears. W.
then considered it no violation of nation.
al honor, though oar undoubted right 10
deposit was violated. to negotiate for re.
medyihg this evil. an conn rc.ion Win tie
oO'ain'ns another i'nfortam acquisition.
just SO IN the present instance. Spain
mad invaded our territorial rights-had
kept possession of what ne deencd ou,.s
mad violated what she ACKNOWLEDGED 10 by
Ours For the redressing these evils, for
he asoeriaising disputed boundaries, for
'hee dpieable adjustment Of differences.
we say'st2 Spain, we Offer YOU "a certain
sum ot money Tor the amcable adjust.
ment oil differences, we say 10 Spain. W.
nfter you certain sum OF money for The
undistufbed enjoyment of wha, We consi-
der csrselves righJully entitled 10, in
connection suith another imjiorfanf acoiasisi.
on Agree 10 boundary TO the. north,
ana cede to US the Fiofidas, not mereIy
West Florida. already in dispute between
us, but both the Floridas, and we will nav
you proper price for them.
30 lar The cases run parallel. In both
we ask to be secured in an invaded RIGHT.
and negotiate For the acquisition of new
rights, on the payment of stipulated
sum ol money.
Other differences. it is true, exist 1T
present between the u. s. s. Spain snch
as he spo!iaiions on our property and
The irjrry derived from the suspension of
the right Of deposit.
oi1ilar differences, TO certain extent.
however. existed in 1905; and as 10 the
purchase OF Louisiana, in which the ne.
goc'a'ion then issued, part of The price
pad oriha; country vas appropriated 20
the payment Of our ci,izens as an ;ndem.
nifty for the violation of ;heir rights: Go
ID the present instance, should the nero.
c'l,lop Snfcef q, u IS extremely probable
| q IKE repsration will be- made in The same
way.
10y The measures pursued in 1903, heoce
wos preserved. The same result will,
follow from the present measures, if tsey
terminate IN the like success.
his short view is a sufficient answer
70 the charge OF pusiiIsnimity brought a.
gainst the administration. If The mes-
sures OF 1908 were not considered pusllla.
nimous, can those Of 1906, so similar 10
hem, bSar this construction The rehub.
iicans IN the formet year said, let Us in
the first instance resort to neeoc;a,ion.
and let us offer 10 make bargain ON The
terms OF fair reciprocity :--they say the
same thIng now. ] he result was then
successful, and The administration receiv-
ed tie thanks Of their country. The re.
suit IN the present instance may likewise
be successful, & a grateful nation NAV be
equally lavish ofits thanks.
10 making these femrks il is not our
intention TO crimina,e the motives OF thero
VINO voted for measures different from
those adopted. We know full well that
on th's point 81 honest difference Of obi.
mon may have prevailed. Nor are we in.
sensible OF The many strong arguments
which might be urged in favor of
Strengthening our southern frontier a.
gainst posSfbLe expressions. We know
iull well that the fiiaxims of Justice are
mol the invariabIe guides of those with
whom our foreign relations are condne.
ed. But we are, nevertheless, FIRMLY of
the opinion, that in the first instance. in
lrnpnrltanct. NTH ~. ~