Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-05-20

OF her agreements, as 10 spolia,ions> inf,
effect; and indeed the proprety of the Of
ter OF money a, the moment she was II
our debt, might we'll have been question:
co. and can only be tested on experience
Let what viii be said, it is from
France, we have any thing to hope o,
fear, on this subiect---the will of Bona.
parte is the law at Madrid as much as /,
Is at the Hague, or at Naples, and altho
there IS an ostensible Spanish govern.
me"t, and an actual division by the Pyre.
nees, Spain can make no bargain, she
can conclude no treaty, that has not the
sanction cfshc French emperor.
10 anticipate, therefore, how our diff.
terences with Spain will end, we mus,
consult what is the interest of France, no,
what are the wishes ofSpain.
At the time Spain was Citing out an
armament For the Floridas, she had the
countenance of France, because at thar
t'me bonapar,e had serious ground for
complaint, if not for actual hostility, a
galnst this country--our merchants had
carried on clande.,inc and illegal trade
TO 81. Domingo, which congress did not
inlerdict--we delayed to interfere, al.
though France deserved the nSt of Jus.
tice and policy at our hands, by it's mark.
ed respect for our rights and regard for
cur interests. Now, however, the case
is quite different, VIC have complied with
the reasonable demands of the French
government, and it has no longer com.
plant against US; it is its interest and DO.
hey to cultivate harmony. We have in
this respect, then, right 10 EXPECT its
good Offices.
There are other circumstances, that
will give US an influence with the French
government-France wants money. and
VIII aiu IN any measure that puts her
allies in possession of it, for the wealth
OF her allies is her own wealth. She
knows that there are but two mode, of
determining the question between us and
Spain, purchase or force; and no one will
suppose that, in the present state of
the war, she will throw away posi-
tive good, and accep, a certain evil. Tn.
less The negotiations lately dire 6,ed to be
opened with Spain, shall speedily and ss.
nsiaciorily terminate, nothing can proven,
on the irertsier from retaliation,
or cur government, from en- ploying all is
power Cor their observation-disclosures VIII
know this. and will not sulFsr Spain to
lose by snch means what she NAV Obtain
two millions for.
These considerations induce, the belief
that our differences with Spain will be
terminated IN an amicable manner. Ne
Sociaiions Tor the purpose could no. be
9pehed at more favorable moment,
france VIII view with JEALOUSY our pacific
with England it will Wit
ness the pains taken by Mr.. Fox to con
cllia,s this country, ard create an uni,,
OF interest; twill spprehend the conse.
qusnces OF a,c.oscr alliance between the.
onited States and Great Britain and il
VIII be careful to afford us no cause for
forming such an alliance il will not it.
SELL nor VIII 1t permit Spain, to commit
any ACT that would result in INCREASING
the power of England. Whilst, ,bsre.
io'e' we look with pleasure upon The ia.
sofaoie state ct our affairs with ENGLAND,
from this, ssnong other circumstances.
we may anticipate a similar understand.
ing with spain. We can conceive no ad
van,ages that Spain or France either
could obtain by hostility, but The disad.
every one can cnnceiye.
:. 80 49,