Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-10-22
From ~ NAqIoNAL rM7,ELLIcENerR.
No. II.

i AeSc are admitted Oh all hands to be in
the highest degree aggravated, and to de-
mand redress. The government has adopt
ed that course which in It's opinion is best
calculated to insure it. They have not re-
sorted to war. Do you think that they
should have rcsorted to this extreme mea-
sure! 1t is believed that you will not
say they should. There are a few mad
men Who have recommended an appeal 20
the sword, but there is not sober mind
that has 2vowed its support cfsuch \ course
Admitting then this resort to be ineXDeii-
ent, what remains Nothing but neeocia-
ton in one shape or othcr Justice gave
us right to demand an indemnify for the
Spolintions committed on our commerce,
and on account of the suspension Of the
right of deposit at New-Orleans but did
1t give us reason TO expect that our de-
Inands, unconnccted with ether circumstan-
ces, could be complied with iii anv reason
able time Had we rot waited years in
TINS expectation, and had it within this
time even approached towards realization
30 Tar from tins being the case, 4 new
source OF Inference rose in the mean tine
the boundaries Of Louisiana, involving a
point OF the very first consequence to both
nations; point too mose inueriously re-
curing settlement, as on It's issue depend
nor only the rights OF CIR citizens on the
Mobile, but aJ&idrehtly the preservation of
peace On the whole frontier
On reSorung 70 negotiation all these sub
Jects were necessarily put 70 issue. IL be-
came impossible 10 separate them Policy,
on our part, strongly required their UNION.
We know that spain, Notwithstanding the
1crtiiity or her mines, was poor, and that
such WAS the pressing nature OF her pecuni-
ary wants, that there was scarcely sha-
COW OF hope of obtaining money from her
IN compensation for her spoiiations Pos
scs-ing, however, what we wanted, and
what IS intrinsicaiy Of no inccnsiderable
v5lue, 1t occurred to cur government that
the NOSE likely way of obtaining s,s6stq,
HdE indemnity was 10 take terrtory instead
OF money from her. The advantages of
tins course were these: First, Spain not
having money TO spare there existed no "a
itionsl hope On our part of getting IL: Sc
condly, having territory OF great impcr-
tlnce 20 us and OF littic to herself, there ex-
lsted rauonal expectation OF obtaining it
en- equitable terms: thirdly, by this course,
the pride Of Spain would be conciiiatcd by
Receiving nominal cUid FRO cRo, instead
oi being placed in the degraded LIGHT Of
acknowledging oiIat she had treated US with
injustice by entering into treaty cophBed 20
allowing Us an indemnity former spolations
tourthiy, similar course had been most
successfully pursued with France in the
purchase ofboui5ii;;:i.:.-, filthy, bythis course
peace would be preserved not onlv for the
present, bat likewise for a long period TO
come, rs it was probably contemplated as
an important feature in the negotiation to
settle ali subsisting differences on the sub
ject o. boundaries
These are the measures, these are the
views, which have put into molten the tor
rents OF abuse which have for some time
overwhelmed the nation. They are found
cd IN reason, and On that policy which
ought forever to characterize a free and
Just nation. But, even surprising them not
to DC as good as some other measures which
ought t. nave been pursued--tbough it is
Impossible TO designate any other short OF
wor-after they have been taken, when
they are at this moment at that issue, on
which the peace OF the nation probably de-
penis, does it become, or is It worthy of
any honest American to Use his excrtions
To render them abcrtive? Ought he not
to submit to the will Of his country. fairly
and uneluivccaliy manifested, however
repugnant to his own opinion? What should
We thlhS OF the officer, who, called TO
council ci way. atter his advice was over
ru'cd' should notwithstanding, in the face
Of the enemy, tcnaciousiy adhere to it IN
lrustratlon ct the plans OF his suceriors
Whatever cur opinion might be OF his mo-
uves, ne would not fail to ex9iate his Of
fence by the forfeit Of his lie. And where
IS the difference between the moral turni-
tude II an action which, By producing the
failHrc Of our arms, prolongs an existing
State OF warFare. and one which, bv indu-
cling a failure Of a depending negotiation,
actually causes a war that would not other
wise have existed?
But the word t,ibutc is brought ND before
cur imaginations in dread array. OF this
IN my next number.
TIMOLEON.
The adyices from Europe do not vet af-
ford any c"lntenance e. the expectation Of
speedy peace: tho state ~ the beilirerent
nations in their ioteTnal afflirs, is the onlv
circumstance which can give the rcuotcst
hofe ri any such event being likely to occur
III he course cf tie present wear.
The imrerious and irresistible power Of
France on the Europe N continent is de-
m'nsirated bY The cessation of the title O.
emperor NJ Germany, nj ofccursc Il the
eicctor lco.iegcs ~ thc Germ mic iedcrad-
On. The & rrien knot which bonnd thrt
body together for four ccHturies. WIS en-, at
Austeriitz b. tho modern Alexander