Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-06-20


struot our minister TO open negotiation
Tor the purchase OF the FioriJas upon The
supposition ,ha, Congress worldappopri-
ave the money when they met but that
Congress would make the appropriation
and he added that this proposition did
not come from the secretary of state, but
from the President himself. This has
been tortured by Misrepresentation INFO
an attempt to draw money out OF the trea-
sury without the sanction OF an app,opri-
alton by law--when The main charge a.
Sainst the secretary of state is SO desi,ute
oil truth and foundation--mark the ex.
preston, say it is destitute OF truth; it
Is not necessary that the other should be
repelied, namely that he told my col,
league Mr.. Randolph interrupted 8 am
not The gentleman's coleague"l Very
well, that he told John Randolph-lthe
speaker SAID it was out of order to call
gentlemen by name.1 Sir, know of no
more appropriate appellat.on unless il is
The descendant OF Powha,an--whom he
tod that France would no, permu Spsin
10 settle her differences with US, that
france wanted money and if we did not
give II We should have Spanish and
french war---Now admitting for argu-
ment,.what do not admit in fec,, that
the preJudiced mind Of The gentleman was
not controlled by determination to mis-
construe what he heard and that he was
informed there was no doubt +. ance would
get the moray, has he not said the same
thing IN effect! he repeatedly declared there
sh2 Span, nc Pyreoees--,hat France would
no' permit SPAN 20 settle her differences
with us, and if the dispatches of the Mar.
gus Yrujo could be drawn from his pri-
vale packet, they wouldbe found with the
signature OF G, NJ. TaIIeyrana-he has
declared that il is evidence of political
weakness TO aci on thing as they Dug n, 10 be
d'sregsrdIng the knowledge of what they
are. Wei all this was known, that Spain
mad placed herself under the protection &
control OF France, would it not have been
preposterous to speak of Spain as if she
were totally independent OF her ally
Would 1t not have been absurd 10 ,shut
our eyes TO the truth But was, it ever
suggested by the secretary of state ;-i,
i'as hot even been urged en- this floor, that
u was--apd l should moi believe il il /,
were so urged, that we were TO give this
money TO France to coerce Spain? The
gentleman has declared that France can
compel Spain TO take such measures as
she sees til, and that it is dishonorable
ID us TO take advantage Of the humiliation
OF opsin. This is a complete vindica,ion
oil the conduit Of the executive and of
congress in the measures they have ia.
Ken to purchase this country, which is on
all hands admitted TO be so important to
us--as 1t is surely more honorable 10 buy
than to take it by force from its infeeble d
miserable owner, incapable of protecting
1t. Although it has been decided 10 be
out Of order to disclose the secret com
munlcations, the gentleman from Virgil
ma (Mr. J. RandoIph,) has declared that
france SAID ii we gave Spain one blow,
she would give us Two or ten in return
and others have declared France threat
ebed us with war. Sir, assert there are
no such facts contained in the secret dis
patches sent to US. Iregret cannot pur-
sue the course in which Other gentlemen
nave BEEN INDUCED by stating what are
ne JacIa IN contradiction Of " hat they are
declared TO be and though this should be
=" 'N"N'N" VI OiuSFS u WOulu perhaps be
proper, as a disclosure has been provoked
by gross misrepresentation TO repei
them, & justify ourselves TO the people by
stating the information itself. ! will there
fore undertake to say that all the infor.
nation we received from the documents
on this point, was in answer 10 the en-.
curry, what their conduct would be, if we
declared wsr against Spain, TO which
they replied they we're compelled TO take
part with Spain (there was here a loud
call to order by Mr.. J. Randolph and o.
thers.} Mr.. J. continued. | shall al.
ways respeet the calls 10 order from the
Speaker and the House, but not from that
person, 81. RaudoIPh) After some con.
yersalion relative to the point Of order,
Mr.. j. proceeded---Sir, wish 10 know
whether il it is in order for the gentleman
from Virginia 10 affirm that France de-
clared she would for every blew we gave
Spain give us two or ten in return; il is
not in order for me TO correa the mis-
tatement, and If neither is in order, TO ask
where was the .estal vigilance of the
Speaker, ~hen he mir. Randolph) pros,
,Tated every rule of order and decorum.
MIR. Speaker, have said and repeat it
to day, should rejoice if all the secret