Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-07-19

foreign world. The calumniator artfull,
calculates on producing qualified belle
of his SANDERS at Gisfance, however des
picable they may appear here. VIVA
should we say of the passenger on board
ola ship. who during the rage Of storm
should, from personal auimosity, throw
the captain overheard, and expose The
whole crew, composed for the greater
part Of helpless women and children, &c
the ungovernable fury of the ele msnts
Would not our charity lead us at frs,
thought 10 pronounce him mailman OF
a fool: and if compelled by more deli.
berate examination to disrobe him of this
mantle, would not our feelings Of abhor.
renee for such monster in depravity rise
TO the highest pitch! And ye, this case
is, as far as it goes, perfectly analogous TO
that under consideration while The latter
in aggravation traDscends the former,
as much as the interests of millions ex-
ceeds that of small number of indvdu-
ais.
These remarks are applicable generally
to the whole circle of our foreign relati.
ons. No means are used for preserving
ers--,hat are not vehemenuy denounced.
No man, however distinguished for his IA.
Tents, or revercd for his virtues, j, ap.
pointed to a foreign embassy, without be.
coming the victim Of federal calumby.
No pending negotiation which is not
grossly misrePresep,ed (; no obje@ effect.
ed, that is not condemned. Were we 10
credit what We daily read in the public
prints, we shoald be led to think that the
public agents. from the President down
to the lowest organ of power, were among
the most wicked and weak members oil
the community.
| In the further remarks We shall offer,
! 1t is not, however, our purpose to go
! more into detail, except on a single point.
| Tie insoience of foreign power has la'e
( ly been exhibited in aGis unusually fia
grant. British ships of war have fired OH
and Captured our vessels, murdered one
of our citizens, menaced our towns, and
impressed our seamen. Riding in proud
triumph before our most important com
niercial depots, they have blocked rp cur
llrade, and bid lawless defiance TO every
principle ofjns,ice and humanty. Why
is not he naval force OF the nation called
forth To ayenge these wrongs, 10 chastise
Ithose that commit theml This is the
lcry Ct federalism from one end of the
continent to the other. 1t is in vain thai
we are lold that the legislature of the uni
oil mas not placed at the disposition of the
government such force the legislature
I is declared to be the humble tool ofthe
CT n(e,, n Co..
presented as the sin of the Executive.
| This ia the topic to which we ask the
attention of the public.
Is il then true that the omission to pro.
vide what is deemed an adequate naval
force is to be laid 10 the door Of the Exc.
cutivc Federalism may, with some piau.
sibility1 urge this charge but republicans
cannot give ear to il without forfeiting
their respect for the Executive members
Of their government. That the disciples
of John Adams, who made tho British
system Ills study and model, should con
slider the President of the United States
as the source OF all power is extremely
natural (; but il would be libel on the
creed proiessed by the friends Of Thomas
Jefferson, who has made republican prin-
lciples bis study and guide, for a moment
to consider the question whether we shall
have navy, and how large that navy
shall be, as under his control and sub
jcct TO his will. This is altogether lie.
gislatve question a question that is de
peDdent exclusively OF the Congress of
The United States. The president may
recommend the establishment or increase
of navy ; bat it rests alone with Con
gress TO decide whether such establish
ment shall be made--the number of YES
sells that shall be built, and the sum Of
money which shall be applied to their sup
,pori. Such is the theroy of the government I;
and such ought 10 be its fractice. Such
| ~ ~ truth ito Practice. IL there ever
was man, clothed With high and COM
mandIng pc eefs, giving hima vastinau-
ence over public opinion, and by means
Of it. on the councils OF the country, who
has made il religiously part Of his duty
not TO step over the lines assigned him by
the constitution and the laws, that man
is Thomas Jefferson. 1t may be conf
IDENTITY affirmed that he has in no instance
Of any consequence trenched upon the
I powers Of the other departments. IL he
/ is bIamsble on this score, It is for having
I so studiously avoided an interference