Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-07-26

! ficb:d monarchy.
But the situation Of Spain at this day,
IS proveroialiy impo.ent and abject. Her
, wealth, her possessions, her navy, even
her darling mines, are now at the mercy
instructions at ST. Cloud. She dares not
adopt the mos, trivial measure of exier-
nal negotiation or internal arrangement,
without the permission of Bonaparte.
She is reduced 20 The miserable condition
Iof a province. | caanot adequately de-
scribe her present condition, without Dor
rowing the Language ofthe same eloqusnt
member, who made the charge agains,
the secretary of state. He has told us
tina, there s.is no SPAIN" "There are
no Py-ennees," and that whatsoever the
instructions of the Spanish minister shall
DC viewed, they will be signed "Charies
Maurice Ta.ieyrand." SPAN therefore, ia
MS eyes, is u Mere noneniify. With
what consistency then Can inc condemn 4
proposition 10 engage in our interest the
only power, who CAN give efficiency TO a,iy
negotiation with Spain! IL must be al,
parent 10 every man who comprehends
that treaty made with SPAN would be
dissolved by single nod OF the Fiei.ca
Emperor. Where then is the POLITICAL!
iniquity of practically recognizing fact,
OF which the Whole world are convinced,
and which even Spain herself does not al.
tempt 10 conceal? Ii purchase is to ba
made, the bargain must be valid one !;
aud II 1t caunot acquire validity without
the consent Of France, it is immaleriai
whether the whole Or part OF The pur
chase money is paid TO France or Spain.
a Certain sum must be paid, aud it The
y. D. &c; the ccuntry,it is matter OF no
moment, who makes The ttIe.
Ii is easy for man ofgen,us, TO change
the whole color OF transaction, by the
language ~ which lie describes 1t. Gail
1t "MrinS France 10 Gully SPAIN and. The
mind reyoi,s with Indignation from The
thought; term Ii, contract between .A,ne.
RIGA, France and Sllam, for thc cess,on Of
the F1oridQs, (and such it really is) and
we are amazed that any man should have
found any thing TO censure. Must Anne.
RIGA engage III a contest with France in
maintaining that Spain is independent,
when Spain herself surrendsrs The point ?
Such conduct, as it could only originate
in folly, must end in disappointment and
derision. -.<
Nations, in their intercourse with cacl,
other, have at all times been governed by
considerations OF interest. Those nice
feelings which ought to charae,erise the
department OF individuals in society, and
which contribute SO much TO the refine
ment and happiness ofcommon life, have
never exercised momensary iDfluence
in the negotiations governments. How
ever arden,iy we might wish 10 see more
liberal maxims introduced, IL is beyond
the power OF any nation to carry such "a
reformation into effect; and the u. s. by
making the attempt, might gain the Gre
dit of good na,ured honesty, while they
would meet The fate which usually attends
that amiabie tho despisod gnality-impo,
sition and contempt from all the world.
Since we must be involved in European
politics, The most obvious prudence de.
mands, that we should sdopt in some
measure, their own principles, add with
out paying too punGtilious regard TO ab
stract opinions ofpropriety, avail ourselves
of these favorable junGlufes, which The
ever.changIng scene ofihe old world may
present to us. To observe "lhe FONTS
and ilsxnres Of affairs" was the naxim
OF one of,he mos, enlightened politicians
that ever existed; aud he who neglect,
this important duty is unworthy Of The
name of statesman.
Si,ce therefore the opinion OF Mr.. Ma.
olson, has been also the sentiment of 4.
merica from The first moment of her ma
tional existence ; since II is the only wise
and prudcns course to be pursued ia the
present situation of affairs, it is. much 10
be regretted, that lie should have been
publicly ceBsuTed, in a manner, which
none but the most signal delinquency
could justify. When rHan vino has
grown hoary in the service of MS country.
and preserved an unbIemishcd character
thro' all the conflicts of party, is arralgn.
ed and impeached a. the great bar OF pub
lie opinion, il is due 10 justice to excul.
pate him from an unfounded accusation.
The Dame Of MADISON will be re,ercd, as
leng as this country shall retain grateful
remembrance of It's greatest benef8etors.
Born with an ardent love of hber.y, and
devoted to her Cause from his earle $.
youth, bis while life has been dedicated
TO The noble objeGt of securing to his ma
tive land her inestimsbIe benefits, and