Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-11-01
FROM TaE NA1tIoNAL IHTELEIcE ScGR.
" On eagles 7vings immortal scandals IN,
Hhitst Uirsxous actions are 6nt born 20 dic.''

! Although il is chimerical to suppose that
party spirit will ever cease to exist, in this
country, or that the most virtuous and en-
I iightencd administration will ever be with
! out its opponents, still at a crisis like the
present, it might be expected that the amor
hatiTe would have a preponderance over
the demon of/action. The critical state of
our foreign relations, which has been pro-
dlced by causes and events which the l;x-
ecutive could nor controui, has nevertheless
been seized with avidity :~the o!lhosition
PARTY, and has long been made the subject
! OF ScnrtfIoils and malignant attacks. ON the
President. A brief review, however, OF the
measures which have been pursued, stree
the change of administration Gas respects
/ our external coIccrns) win, trust, be SUI
hcient to convince every candid and UMPIRE
JUDGED person, that these denominations a.
gaihst the Executive are base, ilhbcra, and
unfounded. On My. Jeiferson's elevation to
the executive chair, the u. 5. were at peace
with all the world, except the Bashaw of
, Iripoii, who not withstanding the presents
which he had occasionally received from
the two former administrations, was COM
hitting dcpredatious on our commerce in
the Mediterranean. For the purpose of
chastizng this pirate. as well as for the pro-
lection OF our commerce, a squadron was
dispatched to the Mediterranean The re-
suit OF this spirited measureis well known.
The Bashaw, although in possession of 500
| of our citizens (Which accident threw into
his hands) was compelled to sue for peace
! to relinquish all ideas of tribute being paid
| him in future, and to restore our captive
| citizens for a trifing ransom.
| Our dispute with Spain next merits at
tentior. 1t is well known that during the
| late war, number of American vessels
were captured by French privateers, and
carried into Spanish ports where they were
| condemned by French tribunals. The Elk
ccutive with view to indemnify our citi-
zens for these los 5es, directed the minister
Of the L. ). at Madrid to open negociati-
| on with the court OF Spain, on the subject
OF these illegal concentrations After vari-
GUS delays convention was concluded lin
1902 whereby the Spanish government be-
came responsible for the aforementioned
| losses sustained by American citizens in the
ports OF his catholic majesty. But before
this convention was ratified, the Spanish In
| tendart at New-Orleans, BY I'm arbitrary
! decree, prohibited our citizens from using
the port of New-Orleans as a place of dc.
/ post. Il privilege which was secured to us
by former treaty with Spain.-Abcut this
time it was generally known tls,t Spain had
rctro-ceded Louisiana to France, and from
a desire to prevent having so formidable. a
power Tor ncighbor, as well as to obtain
this valuable province (through which flows
| the mississippi, the only outlet for the pro-
duce OF our western country q negotiation
was set on foot. by the Executive, for the
purpose OF securingto the g. S this impor-
tant territory, in which he fortunately sue
| cceded. The court of Spain, however, view
ed this transaction with a jealous eve, and
| from that moment began to evince an IN
1 friendly disposition towards the u. S. She
has refused To ratify the convention of 1902,
and has likewise withheld from us small
but valuable part Of Louisiana. These and
other acts of injustice have excited much.
indignation among our citizens During the
late session Of Congress, it is well known,
that some were in favor OF an Immediate
declaration of war-A large majority, how
ever, were for previously resorting to negoL
citation, and an appropriation was made TO
! enable the executive to treat for the pur-
| chase OF the f!oridas (that is, for such part
thereof as we have no claim toy which if
obtained would render our territories COM
! pact, and renote all future disputes res
lpecting the boundaries of Louisiana. The
Executive has accordingly opened neep-
citation with the courts Of France and Spain
on this interesting subject Various causes
have prevented this negotiation from pro-
crossing as rapidly as the Impotence of the
public seems TO require and although the
result is still uncertain, short delay cam
not prove injurious to the u. S. as govern
ment hasnot neglected any measures with
inis power 70 place the frontiers in state
of defence; which prccaution NAV be ne
cessary, in case the negotiation should ter
inmate unfavorably.
The unjusti6able conduct Of G. Britain in
! capturing our vessels and impressing our
seamen, has not been viewed with indiffer,
ence,by the executive. Some time before
the meeting Of the late Congress, our worthy
minister at the court of London, made spi-
rited rcmonstrances against these outrages,
and aith ough they were Intellectual, it was
not considered expedient by our national
legislature to resort to hostile measures
without another effort to obtain justice by
negotiation. The indisposition of Mr.. Fox,
the British minister OF foreign affairs, has
retarded this negotiation. Commissioners
however have lately been appointed TO treat
with our ministers, and there is reason to
believe that our differences with e.. Britain
win soon be amicably adjusted.
From the above statement of facts it must
appear evident to every person Except
III