Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-06-25
[12 II Gems Siagle.l

less So II not wholly uniavorable, befor 2
! Congress could decide on the measure.
He then suggested as 4 matter Of deii6e-
ration, how far It might be advisable to
anticipate an appropriation, by instruclipe,
the minister Of the United States, to en-
ter Into negotiation immediately Cd The
basis of purchase. After some discussi-
on the subject was dismiss, d, with the
determination 10 wait the decision Of Con-
gress. By the oficial declaration of the
Secretary OF the Treasury 10 The HOUSE,
OF Representatives, i; became certain, lhae
the member was entirely under mistake,
as to The laet of the application 20 thar
department., a mistake, which il appear
ed himself and two others had been led
into, by an Imperfect communication or
comprehension OF the occurrences | have
stated, in a conversation with that officer.
The question of appropra,ing money!
10 purchase Florida, was discussed in Sc.
cret, for the obvious reason that to nro-
claim the intention of making bargain.
not only renders it more difficult to insure.
advantageous terms, but exposes the par
~ 10 The Vaccinations of all who have IN,
interest TO defeat his design. In this par
tcular case, IL was manIieslIy the ipte rest
oil Great britain 10 rsnder The design abor.
tive, Tor she would thereby, rot only hin.
der the Golfers Of her enemy from being
replenished, but might evsnius,ly cause
10 lail INTO the scale against hun, Il weight
by no means insignificant in The estima-
ton OF either. Diplomatic confefences
too, which are the materials OF debate, ard
the ground work OF measures IN all oi,es-
lions relating 10 Foreign affairs, have al.
Ways been deemed. from their nature.
confidential between governments and the
publication OF them 10 the world. wh;ls
the characters concerned are IN p way In
De affected by II, IS apt to produce stroDp.
reseainlemt m Europe. And while The
great powers oi The earth continue To b.
under the absolute command Of simple
men, who are governed b. their passions,
aud swsyed by their transient feelings.
there W,.l be room. for apprehension. t6ag
he unguardSd language OF the iRdiscreet.
or The violence or warm ispppafs. may
mar The best prospects and F5teuce ex-
cite1ients destructive oil the uanouilty us
nations. Besides, 10 insure That freedom
in debate, which IS requisite 10 fair dis Gus.
SON. 1t IS absolutely necessary when a
great foreign power is The obieEl Of the
measures proposed; 10 debate IN private.
The Tear of eZcitlng uGfayoIabfs feeliags
abroad by expressions uttered from a 30.
dy which holds the sword and purse Of a
nation, will otherwise prove pernicioug
restraint upon the minds OF The Discreet
thus while the observance of secrecy AZ
10 the communications from The Exscu-
i've OF foreign correspondence, and Is 10
the measures contemplated, il di@ated
by prudence. privacy ofdebate on certairs
occasions is Dol oaly consistent with the:
spirit OF popular government, tut is dec
msnded by rs most essential principisss
AT lhe same time, however, those psinci.
pies IInperiously demand The eapiisst D 90
mitigation which the cousidegations s,atea
will admit. and It Cannot be neeleesed or
delayed wnhou! an unpsrdoneble violation
OF them. In this case although the inT-
.s.IoB from the Executive to privacy net,
no opposition, and was adopted without.
hesitation, yet very soon eXeT;ions weTes
made 10 g,ve premature publicity to the
measure determined on, the sentiments
uttered du,iag debate, the CONFIDENTIAL
COMMUNICATIONS of the President, apdthe
ioE4AD correspondence on NIX (SuNjrCtP
which succeeded as to The frs, and OF
course the second, though they f,>iled as
10 ,he remainder. Privacy of Legislative
10 popular governments vas
pioDoinced sltogetlier inadmisslblg, arS
determinations were proclaimed to opposes
all lu'ure orders Of secrecy on whatsoever
ground they nigh, DC proposed Il was
said that already, from the slack obser-
vance by the members themselves of the
order ct the House, by the vigisnt and
dcxierous cunning OF certain foreign
minister, and by the ardoT of tie edtorS
Of gazetes 70 crafty pubic curiosity, the
whole substance the secret proceedings
had transpired. An assertion by no means
altogether unfaunded, YET afording no ar-
gument al all TO defend formal pfomul-
CATION OF The whole proceedings at such
an unreasonable time. tcr ,he public
had wha, Information OF tie subir6t il
possessed entirely on TIE Goc.irg u con.
lecture, too vague 20 excite The igaousy
Of Great Bcitaln, or 10 nllame. Che NAL
Of I4cuisiapa, who had become
quiet al length, from the stronger hope.
perhaps, which they cherish d Of reuniou
with Spain, and from whose despair events