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


been the subject of much anx;etv ami
speculation, in the public mind, Cor a verv
long time. Our complaints against Fin,
gland were of long standing, and proun.
ded upon acts of great national in;us,ics
ana violent private abuse. Our com
plants against Spain were gilmore recen.
origin, ou, OF considerable magnitude and
sconplexity. ~
AS described in the presidents mes.
sage, the wrongs committed by both Ha.
tons were OF the most grievous nature
and the interposition of the legislature
was deemed indispensable for the preser.
va,ion of NATIONAL honor and PARTICULAR
welfare. Certain it is, indeed, that we
had as much to complain of from Spain,
as from England, and that the means OF
redress for the one ought TO have been IA
strong and adequate as those for The o.
ther.
The legislature, however, acted in a
manner not in consonance with wha, was
conceived to have been recommended by
the presidsnt-after long discussion Of
partial non.importstion act was adopted
xgainst England. whilst no steps, even of
defensive nature, were taken against
SPAN. The measure, carried against
Eogiand, We approve Of; it was calculat.
ed, let what will be said on the subject, to
make serious Impression upon the ma
nuiaetu!;ls interests Of Great Britain,
and that II did make the impression is
now fully eyident--bu, no stroog mea.
sure was taken against Spain, which we
regret.
The only sifset, that was produced by
the Impressive observations in The presi.
dents hrsi message, was the appropriate
ing two millions of dollars 10 purchase
the floridas would rejoic: in the pur-
chase, bot We regret that no measures
were adopted to protect our country from
ansult and our frontier citizens from ruin,
IN Tie event OF our offer not being acccp
ted.
The two measures. however, the politi-
cal non,imporation a6t against Britain,
and The Offer to purchase from Spain,
mus. be judged of from their eGsets. ii
affords us saiisfaS action, and we are pursua.
ded it must AFFORD equal satisfaction 10
our readers, 20 know, that The measures
adopted against the former have had the
most salulaTy eFecls--dispatches fror
our respectable minister breathe the
most pleasing assurances OF the pacific
and accommodating disposition Of the
new ministry, and the public prints as
well as private letters fully inform us of
the stale OF alarm, into which the minds
OF the land holders aud manufactures
were driven by the communication ef our
decided attitude. Every thing, in fact,
teaches US to anticipate wha, is ccnfor.
Dable to the wishes and interests of both
people, reciprocal and honorable ac-
commodaisn.
AZ the moment, when these atly:ces
had confirmed the anticipated result of
our measures, the murder committed al
New York occurred, and for an ins,au,
Suspended public judgment. II was an
act o. gross insult, and violation of all
Dstlora! RICH 8, il merited the ird enation
and execfalIon that it Produced I'VE re-
gretted IT, on account OF the individual
VctfD--but rehection ha. taught us to
view this occurrence. as one of he most
fortunate thai could have taken place, in
national point OF view. II has produc-
ed an mauimons expression of abhor.
fence--sA parties have joined in repro.
oauns II; and can any one nisiake the
effects In England, can any one doubt the
feelings that It viii excite Ia Tie minis
try. 1t wiIl enable Mr.. Monroe 10 axe
tse bo'dcstgroprd, IN maintain his posi-
tons, and peFsevere in his demands and
II VIII IN all probability hasten 10 ier,ni
nate The perdin5 negotiations. Brua,n
cannot 90 beyoad the infieiion of death,
she cannot heap sny more indpnities ur.
on US and We have declared cur willing.
ness to sDbnit TO any privalions rather
than suffer longer. The state of Europe,
and the internal condition of the country,
WI complete what The circumstances Of
onr government and the clamours of orr
CITIZENS have commemorative result will
inevitably, and we think rot remotely, be
perfect good under! landing.
IL IS not SO easy TO anticipate how or
when our differences with Spain are 10
end---the oferoftwo millions .naypo duce
The efecl, but 1t is still very questionable.
40 have given an effect to The offer, it
would have been well, perhaps, had con.
gress ordered the raising and employing
sufficient force, in case of refusal-at
present, Spanish officers violate our rights
with impuEity, they threaten the exercise
r.. Il