Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-07-26
FOR IKE VIRGINIA ARGUS.
MS PLRhsarrs.

public attention, as the severe animadver
sion OF conspicuous member Of the
house OF representatives., on certain OPT.
Mons ascribed TO the secretary of state.
To great part of our conr trymen, who
had only viewed the measures of govern
meni at a distance, and were ignorant of
the secret movements which dictated
Them, nothing could be more unexpected
and astonishing, than 10 see the apparent
harmony which subsis,ed, disturbed by
the bursting of a storm, of whose approach
they had not received the most distant in.
timation. The EbeIs which are daily
thrown out in the public papers, on all
that is great aud virtuous in our country,
are scarcely worthy of a momentary at
feniion; butte charge proceeding from, so
respectable source, involving the Sha.
-racter OF so distinguished an officer, and
emphaiical!y made on the floor of the ma
fional legislature, must excite the cLriosi-
~, interest and anxiety Of all. II is in.
deed species of iniormai impeachment,
before the people of The United States,
which may prove Injurious to the refuta.
tio'a, if it cannot affect The office, of the
party arragned. Many, who have been
long accustomed 10 hold the character of
that gentleman in peculiar reverence
We're equally surprised and mortified at
hearing SO. unqualified denunciation !;
and while they determined to suspend
their opinions until they could be formed
upon the best grounds, they resolved TO
yield him as victim TO the Just indigna.
ton of his countgy,i if any sentiment could
m tod To l, ~. IF
rican bosom. Possessed of these feelings
and aauated by these motives, the author
of this communication offers a few re-.
marks to the public.
The crime imputed TO the secretary of
stste, is, that he approved Of The plan of
hiring France 10 bully Spain; or in other
words, that he thought it polite in the u.
>. to procure by money The influence of
France "a, aid Of our contemplated purchase
Of the lloridas. This is the otiinion which
has called forth the Indignation of gen.
. t-man of no humble name. and for which
The secretary OF slate has forfeited for c.
Yer his confidence. This is the heiasus
cDcncc which is to obliiera,e from the re.
collection of America, the great services
which that officer has rendered to his
country and for which he is 10 stand at.
tainted IN the public estimation.
When an. accusation is made in terms
OF peculiar acrimony, we naturally expect
that the crime is of a nature singu-
larly afrocicus, and not a mere opinion
which the person accused entertains in
common with the great majority Of his
teiIow- cilizens. But lift should further
appearihattbe accuser is the veryfrsf man
who has ever Censored The opinion in
Question & that in direct opposition to The
concurrent voice Of every man of enligh.
tened mind, and Of all parties, however
discordant they may be on other subjects,
The prosecutor seems 10 change places
with the accused, and The public involun.
tari!y look towards him for his defence.
do not mean 10 say, that any concur.
renee c. opinion, however strong, is con.
c,Asiye proof TO establish the correctness
OF frincihis; but il certainly excopates
any individual who may have fallen into
the prevailing error. We willingly pay
homage 10 the genius Of Shakespeare and
Milton, altho', in many instances, they
imbibed the corrupt taste of the age in
which they lived. We pardon individual
examples Of faDaticism, while we exc.
crate the fanatical rage Of the period
which produced them. 1t is enough to
admire those singular minds which rise
above the prejudlces OF ihe times when
lhey occur; bat II would be irrational 10
demand IN all cases this superiority of
endowment, which nature has SO penuri
ously scattered among the sons OF men.
Taking the subject III this point of view,
1t viii not be difficult to shew, that the O.
pinion noY under examination is not ne.
cnlIar 10 Mr.. Madison, but that il has been
adopted by s'l preceding administrations,
sanctioned by the appreciation of the
first names of which this country can
boast, and sealed with the scouicscence
OF all orders of men. AS this enquiry
may reject light ON the present subjsa,
and, at the same time, develope the uni
form policy OF this country with regard to
Spain, 1t will not be fruitless waste of
time, TO enter a little into detail.
When Mr.. Monroe was first sent to
France, It was among the objects speci-
ally committed to his care, TO secure the
free navigation 1T the Mississippi. I'm
page of his Instructions it is said: g A.
"mong the great events with which the
p" world is now teeming, there may be an
"opening for France 10 6aeome insiruoren-
{" tai in SecuriuO 10 no fJ. e. e. ,,o..,<.,:s.