Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-05-20
FOR THE ARGUS.
TO THE people, OF rnE UNITED srArxs.

/ SoNSbNNlNC TIE ST. DOMINGO TRADE, AND
Jusr1rIcATIoN OF THE EXECUTIVE, re
LATING TO LATE EVENTS.
EVERY intelligent reader will discover
that The tendency of the preceding es-
says, has been, to guard the Americans
against the dangers and issues Of an Eu-
ropean confederacy, and particularly, to
prevent the execution of any measure,
which, at this time, might make the u
nited States parties, either with Great
Britain or France, in the quarrel which
has so long existed between them. And
although the general temper OF the PEG.
pie, is known to be opposed TO a co-ope.
ration with either, against the other; yet
lthere seemed to be much reason TO f.a
! that something would be done, in relation
TO our disputes with Spain, which France
would resent. This would lead 10 a war
with that power, which would not fail 10
terminate in coalition with Great Bri.
tain.--
Fesbleindeed mustbe the understanding
OF that man, who does not foresee that q
war with Spain, will, in faci, be war with
France; and that prudence and safety Will
then dictate, and without delay. an ALI
ance with Great Britain. If no such alti
| ana; should be formed-and PEACE should
take place between c.. Britain and France
before cur disputes were settled, The U.
| niled States would be then Jeff alone 70
wage an unequal contest with the poyer.
sui navies and armies OF France and Spain.
In such contest, what would be our pros
pects! Or rather, in what estimalion
would our rulers be held, when il VI as IN.
derstoCd that their pride or their CAP, ice
had urged them into war, for the pur-
pose ct taking by force, properly which
did not belong to the United Safes. IN
preference 10 negotiating ard giving is
I iair value This, Americans, is TIE real
/ question. Our claim to the Fioridas is
insupportable. We have not purchased
(, them, nor have the ,Spaoiards directly OF
4 indirectly, received an equivalent Car ,hcn,
Iii this be true, wherefore q it, tba, We
can claim either the title or The poss..ssi-
on until the rightful owners are satis6.
| ed?
The opposition which he Standards
have made 10 the professions OF the u.
States, has depended upon iaetswhich can
not be obscured, & upon principles which
cannot be changed; and although the a [.
americans at one tme, hsd coed reason to
entertain Different opinions yet upon in.
yes.ieation, these opinions are discovered
TO be erroneous, and The executive of the
United States has found it necessary to
i yield TO the influence cfiru,hs which couId
mot DC controvertcd.
Ii is admitted or all hands, that there
was misunderstanding, Hence, it has
happened, that the bargain, though good
one, is not as good as was. al frs. .ypeet.
ed. The question then for consideration
is this--will the United STA es annnl the
whole contract, return Louisiana and New
Orleans, and-take back the dollars which
have been paid, or viii they go on and BUR.
chase the FIoridas at their value?
I 1t IN Is admitted that the l'loridas can
be purchased, and the French government,
IS wiling to use its influence for that pu,-
pose, ur,n Just and reasonable terms,
: ought II not rather to be a matter Of ioy
'han anger, that we can by the means of
the money, which can be spared, get pos
session ct valuable country, which will
not only repay the money, but insure TO
US many great political and commercial
advantages Morris there any reason to be
! dissatisfied with the interference OF
France, when the minister has not SAID or
limited at any thing which appears to be
unjust or unreasonable. So far from
beng dscontepted with that government,
we ought to rejoice that an interference
so powerful was likely TO aid the United
States in negotiation Of so much i'm
4 pottance.
( In addition to these things, il is known
that France has long had cause of com
plant, against some of the merchants Of
the United states, on account Of the an.
authorised trade which they have carried
on to the island Of St. Domingo. This
trade, it France sought pretence for
rupture with the United States, might be
easily extended to the whole people, and
OF course To the government. There is
no man of common perceptions who does
not see the terrible consequences Of this
oeious and indelensible traffic.
1t is true that congress have iBterfered.
and the trade is now forbidden but until
this interference was made, did rot every
man who sent supplies to that island,
know well that he indirectly waged war
against France That he assisted race
OF people, who deserved the universal