Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-05-09

I their powers. Bat the contcndiop o,ini.
ons upon the subject, and the censure,
whichwere promulgated against the sdmi-
nis,raiion. has induced Congress. 10 take
OF the iojunAion OF secrecy, SD that the
United STATE. will lose ii- benefit which
might have been derived by preserving
the secret. ". =. -. ir
Ia IS we'll known that these debates have
excited great uneasiness--,he public mind
was much agitated-there were many
who believed that some OF the public func-
tionaries had committed, either .tressons
or frauds, and that maiori,y Of congress
were disposed TO conceal them. .. But at
ter the injunctons, have been removed,
Nothing more appears than has been be.
fore stated, and either known or suspect
cd by those who reflected UPON the sub.
jeSt. :.,;,. -
1. That Spain did not sci! the Floridas,
&c.' 3. Shs did not mean 10 sell them.
;. She had.refused to surrender the coun-
try until vale * cesslon should be made.
=. France had positively declared, IN case Of
rupture on this account, that She would
take part with Spain, s., The president
OF the United States has been disposed to
tursue q, pacific. and honorable, course,
and 10 make overtures Tor the purchase.
ln,consequence Of these things $, the pre-.
sident has become the subject of censure
and elimination with thoss who wished a
war upon any terms with those who con.
sidered.the conduct Of the Spahiards. As
unsuitable causes of war and with those
vito supposed our national honor, 10 haye
been. insul,ed by the declaration Of The
French minister 49, 81 :: =,
1t It was at This time necessary 10 offer
arguments. concerning these things, it
v9nld be proper TO say good deal, in ia.
yor Of the pacific course which ha. been
adopted by The presidents. and. which has
met the appreciation OF great portion. of
the members OF congress-, but the ad-
tournament, the strong probability That, q
satisfactory treaty will be made, and the
invncible regard which the .presiden, has
manifested for peace and reconciliation,
affords reason 10 believe that III will be
settled without war. 1t rsnains there.
tore to b. declared by the @ii,er of This,
that the course, which has been adopted
appears 10 be most prudent aud more like.
iy TO ensure a respe Cable national Cha
raeter, than would be. acquitted by waginp
a,war for the. sole purpose Of dispoilng
our neighbors of their rights. Such con,
duct, surrey, would not be Suitable TO The
temper and pursuits of psople WHO say
that Justice is their motto. So.
| The Propiiety of purchasing the disput-
ed country, is not altogether question of
| ARITHMETIC. We sh.. I'd not immediately
calculate the value Of Inc unaPpropriased
lands, or the annual revenues, of the nc.
qnired cou"try. We should, examine the
| question by the influence which il will
hasr upon our general interests, the
1 permanent, connection between the cas-
tern and westsra. Inhabitants, upon
The establishment Of natural boundaries,
upon the unmoles;ed navigation of The
Niississ'Ppb and upon The general influ.
ence which that viii have upon our reye-
nue., & upon. individual prosperity; and
above all, upon the prospects, Of long
and permanent peace. 1wo or iflree mil.
lions OF dollars is certainly a,Iargr sum of
money, but when. they are rated against
all these important considerations, they
appear TOO ,rlffing to deserve serious
thought. .Lerit not be understood THAI
tbs writer means TO say that this or any
other sum ought to be given to SPAIN 10
Ipreserye good understanding, or 10 d.
vert The hostility OF France.-Fsr from it.
The argument lIss been intended 10 she "
that the Spaniards have right TO retain
the country, until, by "a future treaty, it
shall be coded to the United Statss-.,hat
the French minister acted with becoming
respect, and with candor which does no.
nor TO bis character, in having made an
open official declaration. And that Tho
advantages Which will accrue 10 the Unit
ledtSta,es, by the purchase, aud restoration
lot harmony, are much greater than the
value of the money which has beer, ap.
propfiated.
! These things will shew to readers, that
We ought not hastily 10 adopt opinions or
toreqoire measures which will lead to war.
Money, to be sure, will be demanded, bur
IN return, a very valuable Consideration in
actual domain & saleable property will be
received, aud we shall preserve the cha.
racer of fairness and justice in our trans.
actions with other nations.
| There are many persons who believe.
and many who assert it,, without belief.
! that tho declaration of the French mini
ster is an improper interference l., ~. r.