Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-05-27

France has candidly and Justly complain
ed, because the inhabitants of that ISLAND
are declared By that government TO be in
rebellion Great Britain complains, be.
Cause the American bottoms, by the con-
triyances just mentioned, convey the pro-
dnce of that island TO the ports of France.
If thc<pdependence of St. Domingo was
acknowledged, neither of these nations
would have any right to complain. But
1t IS well known that France claims S.. d.
miDgo,Sr that the meritorious Ferrand, The
governor general for Fraace, has issued
Proclamations, inhibiting any trade or sup.
port from any nation whatever, To the re-
VOTERS.
Although the notorious situation of the
island might have induced The British go
vernment TO have relaxed, in the general
construction which they give to such COM
merce, yet they have pursued different
poicy-and the Americans ca6noL say
that the privileges of neu,raIs en,ltIe them
to trade freely, while the trade is not to.
lerated by the British cabinet.
In the last essay, good deal was said
in relation to the policy of this trade--and
now we find that it threatens to involve
us IN disputes upon contradictory princi-
pies, with two of The most powerful natl
ons ct the earth and altho' The grounds
ottheir complaints are dissimiar, they are
so we'll defended that the Americans can
not pretend to insist upon a further pro
secu,ion, unless the beiligerent nations
should consent.
Inns important question has been
frequently brought before the public
and has been the occasion of much solici-
tnde and irritation. The minister of The
French empire has made an open official
complaint ID the American government.
l ms has been submitted to congress and
an act prohibiting further trade, has
passed. Not SO has been the conducl oil
Great Britafn-That government was TOO
proud and naughty to prefer complaint
lacy have resorted to force-their ships
OF war have been their negocia,ors. They
have captured American ships, while the
owners we're deludeG in the opinion tba,
they had given 10 the commodities, the
quality of neutrality, by the icloDs which
have been already noticed.
BY this means the British government
have exercised mary acts CT oppression,
and irritation against fair traders-and
they have lost glorious opportunity Of
acquiring the confidence and affections of
the Americans, by aching with reasonable
forbearance and candor, by an open and
manly deciaraiioD, that they should consider
such trade as an Indirect co operation in
the war against that nation. They have
lost this opportunity, & will now, perhaps,
under the influence OF stronger measures,
perform what might have appeared to be
the ehect of honor and generosity. Once
more they have reused the slumbering
discon;ents of the Americans-and our
imaglnations carry US back through all
the scenes of the revolutionary contest. In
the death Of Pierce, we are reminded of
the conflagratons of Charleston, (MIass.)
New London, Norforik, Manchester,
Richmond, &c.--and lhere are some per-
sons, who well remember, the liquid tor.
rent OF fire which rolled through a par;
OF that city where this essay is publish
eds
1T the cabinet Of London had thought
proper TO make ihis question a subject of
negotiation, and had instructed their a.
gents to have said that they should consi-
der continuation To Justify the capture
and condemnation of orr vessels, the A.
mericans might have then considered the
merits, before they were ciouded and OBJ
scured by the angry passions-but the ca
bibet OF London have abandoned this fa-
vorable position. in qualification OF an in
tolerable and indefensiblc pride. Thus it
is, they have given new issues to old
wounds, and these they have irritated by
acts of public insult, and private injury.
But IT is now ve'y likely that the battle Of
Ausieililz, ard the treaty Of Presburg,
have taught them that it was more wise
TO concIlIate than 10 continue in course
OF aggression, but little short of open war.
The trade TO St. Domingo presents TO
the mind the strongest contradictions
France, to whom the island belongs, de.
MES TO the United States, right OF com
mesee with The Inhabitants, because they
are in rebellion, and have assumed and
claimed the island for themselves. Great
Britain, as an enemy to France, seizes and
conhsca'es the produce of ST. Domingo,
when taken in American bottoms, because
IT is the produce of an enemy. America
has not acknowledged The independence
In the year 1871, when Arno.d came to
,rE- Z.