Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-12-09

md favor on all, restraining no man m the
pursuits ofhonest industry, and securing to
every one the property which that acquires,
2 would not be supposed that any safeguards
couid, be needed against .insurrection or en-
uerprise on the public peace or authority.
The laws however, aware that these should
lot be trusted TO moral restraints only,
have wisely provided punishment for these
crimes when committed. But would itnot
ne saluta;yote give also the means Of pre-,
yenting their. commission Where an ca
terprizc is meditated by private. inaividu-
as against foreign nation, in a,nity with
the u. ). powers o. prevention to q certain
extent, are given by the laws. Would they
not be as reasonable aud useful where the
enteI'prisc preparing is against the u. S
While adyerting 10 this branch of law, it
is proper TO observe that in enterprises me-
ditated against foreign nations, the ordinary
process ofbinding 70 the observance of the
peace and good behavior, co,tid it be ex-
tended {, aossto be done out the iurisdc-
tion OF the u. S. would be ctiectnal in some
cases, where the oiTen-icr is able to keep
ont OF sight every indication of his pur-
pose, which could draw on him the cxcr-
else. Of the powers now given by law.
The states Of Che coast of Barhary seem
generally disposed at present to respect our
peace and friendship. With Tumis alone
some uncertainty remains. Persuaded that
It is our interest to maintain or peace with
them on equal terms, or not at all, pre-
pose to send i'll due time a reinforcement
into the Mediterranean unless previous
information shall shew il to be unnecessa-
nv.
We continne to receive proofs of the
growing attachment OF our Indian neigh
bors, and of their disposition to place
| their interests under the patronage OF tho
! United States. These dispositions are in
! spfed by their confidence in or Justice,
| and in theAincere concern we fselfor their
weltare.-Aud as long as we discharge
these high and honorable functions with
the integrity and cool faith which alone can
catitic us to their continuance, re may ex-
/ poet 70 reap TIE just reward i'll their peace
and friendship.
The expeditions of Messrs. Lewis and
/ Clarke, for exploring the river Missouri,
! aud the best communication from that TO
| the Pacific Ocean, has had all the success
I which could have been expected They
4 have traced the Missouri nearly to its
soorce, descended the Columbia 70 the
Pacific Ocean, asccrtained with accuracy
the geography of that interesting communi-
racter of the country, of its commerce and
Inhabitants, and it is but Justice to say that
i Me-srs. Lewis and Clarke and their brave
Z companions, have by this ardaous service
( deserved well OF their country.
The attempt to explore the Red River
under the direction of MIR. Freeman tho
conducted With . zeal and prudence me-
riting entire appreciation, has not been c.
/ qually successful. After proceeding up il
| shout six hundred miles, nearly as far as
! the French settlements had extended while
the country WAS in their possession, our geo.
! grapiers were obliged to return without
completing their work.
Very useful additions have Also been
made to our knowledge OF the Mississippi,
bYlicntcnant Pike, who has assembled it to
its source, and whose Journal and map, ~
lug the details of his journey, will shortly
be ready for communication to both hou-es
Of congress. Those Of Mcssrs Lewis,
Clarke and Freeman, will require further
time 20 be digcstcd and prepared. These
important surveys, in addition 20 those be-
fore possessed, furnish materials for COM
menceiny - accurate map Of the Mis,isip-
pi, and its western waters. Some princi-
pal rivers however remain still tobc e1-
plorcd, towards which the authorization Of
congress by moderate appropriations, will
be requisite.
| congratulate yon, fellow citizens, on
the approach Of the period at which you
may intcrpose your authority constitution
ally,to withdraw me citizens Of the United
5tates, from all further participation in
those violations OF human rights, which
have been 50 long continued on the unoifen-
ding inhabitants Of Africa, and which the
morality, the reputation, and the best in
tcrests Of our country, have long been ca
ger to pppscribe. Although no lsw you may
pass can take prohibitoly effect till the frst
day of the year one thousand eight hund
dred and eight, vet tie Intervening period
is not too long to prevent, 10y timely notice,
expeditions which cannot be completed
befor c that day.
The receipts az the treasury during the
year ending on the 3Oth day OF September
last, have amounted to near fifteen milli-
ons OF dollars, which have enabled us after
nee ting the current demands, to pay two
millions seven hundred thousand dollars Of
tho American claims, in part Of Tic price
of Louisiana to pay of the funded debt
upwards Of three millions OF principal and
nearly four OF interest, and in addition TO
reimburse in the course Of the present
month, near two millioas of five and an
half per cent. stock. These payments and
reimbursemeBts OF the funded debt, with
those whichhad been made in the fouryears