Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-06-20

secret, much doubt the right of withdraw
ing the confidence thereby reposed in MS
ct this time. Ifwhen the messages were
received we had determined not to hear
them, and withheld their con,ents from
public view, we should have returned
them with the seals unbroken but ii
is TOO lale alter getting them into our pos.
session under the injunction of secrecy
TO divulge them without permission. l
admit there are extreme cases in WHICH
we ought 10 communicate what we may
conhdentally acquire cases involving the
DESTRUCTION OF the constitution itself; but
this is not such one. lt.may be Eken.
ed TO The case of AN individual, who would
be secuted as dishonorabe man, il when
he received information in confidence, he
afterwards, without permission from his
informant, divulged it. This House re.
peat 1t, did not vote for the appropriation
under the idea that it was intended 20
make use OF France TO coerce Spain into
any measure. On the contrary INSTRUCT
ons have been sent to our minister resi-
dent at the court of France, who is an.
pointed envoy extraordinary, to negotiate
with the court of Spain for the purchase
o. this country; the idea Of coercion thro'
the fundamentally a. France was repel-
led by the gentlemen himself; he decia-.
ed that Bonaparie. with revenue of leo
millions, besides what he could squeeze
rom his dear allies. would disden 10 lie,
nribed by sum only euua, 10 two weeks
expenditures. Thee can be nothing,
therefore, excep.ionable in the measure,
ana II the assertion made we're CORE =
and our candid opion was that4he money
'hus appropriated would ultimately
so INTO The Golfers OF France there
would be nothing improper il it as
lar as we are concerned. FRANCE and
SPAN are connected together by a trea.
y ot alliance offensive and defensive.
he one cannot go TO war without inyolv
Io5 The ether. France would be con,pel,ed
10 take part with Spain aaless she violat.
ca her latin 10 her and believe Bona.
patte has never been charged with q wan;
oil laith TO his allies and This well ac-
counts for the answsrJo our minister ma,
they were bound 10 take Part with Spain.
or, tins IS national honor according 10
BRUSH doctrines, anu the gentlemen viii
admit them. The ministry FIRE ouentlv
boasts IN Parliament that their con,ioen-
Ia! allies will not forsake them, and ,ba,
on separate treaty will be made. NO
settlement of differences nor ARRANGE
ment OF territorial limits will be entered
Into without their appreciation. There
can, therefore, be nothirg improper in
SPANS consulting France in Chs bust.
ness which relates to the transfer Of do.
main as large an Spain Itself; and if she
Pleases, giving France the price Of the
purchase. The proposition was for the
purchase oil a country all important 10 us.
90 important as to have received The
sanction of this House in 1902, under a
declaration that we must have il b, con.
quest, or purchase at fair price. Ii
was determined 10 pursue pacific course
lhen--the character of the nation reouir.
ed il, not only at home but abroad. For
II we mad determined 10 make incest the
rule OF national right, and resorted to
force, because our interest dictated il, The
powers OF Europe Justly alarmed by spi-
r't oil ambition and ACKNOWLEDGMENT which
threatened themselves and their denen,
denotes with destruction, would have
made common cause 10 crush ne. The
same course has been resolved on now.
ior The same wise reasons and we de-
termined 10 purchase such part Of the Flo.
rldas as did not belong TO US for it was
acknowledged by the gentleman, (Mr R.)
that we have not foot east Of the her.
vile and the Lake Maurepas and poncha,.
train. Bot admitting this point to be
questionable, there was no impropriety
in purchasing the territory acknowledged
10 belong to Spain, and settling the boun-
DIARIES and extent cf doubtful right in the
bargain. For my part l have no doub,
that the measure in every point OF view
IN which it can be placed was recon.
mended by the soundest policy and the
best interests of this ngiion. But we
were told amongst other strange ASSERT.
ons' mat by this vote Of money we have
Violated our neutrality, that neutral ma.
ton can do nothing beneficial to a bellige.
rent, as money is the sinews of war, we
cannot on any account supply it. Whe.
Their this is not advancing British pretensi-
ons under British influence, it is for the
sober sense Of the community to deter.
mine.
Debate TO be. concluded in our 7ert.
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