Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-10-18
FROM THE ENQUIRER.
PACIFICATOR.
ITO be continued. }

Amongst the various means adopted 5y
party spirit and malice, for the condemng-
ton of Mr.. ]. Randolph, and those republi-
can members, who thought and acted with
him, du ing the last session of Congress
not the east m!ounded and important, is
the fabr Gated story, that he was disappoint-
cd in III expectation ofbeing sent under d.
plomatic appointment to Europe: and that
a fricn of his, Mr.. Clark, carried about a
pa erl st winter, to obtain subscribers to be
presented to the executive for this purpose.
The whole of this is base caiumny.
The foilowingnarrativei is a true statement
of the whole transaction and in order that
ii may be presented in its proper point of
view, it must be rccolectcd that in the
course of the last session, many remoIstran-
ecs were sent to Congress from almost all
the large commercial cities, against tn con-
duct OF the British government, in permit
ting and encouraging their cruisers and
prize courts, in the capture & condemnation
of American vessels, and recommending
various expcdients for obtaining redress for
these aggr ssions. Some of them particu-
larry from Boston strongly advised an ex-
traordinary mission TO the court of St.
James's aj the most ccnciiiatory and eiiica-
cious.
About this time too, a resolution passed
the Senate, countenancing this course Of
procedure. 1t then became topic Of &C.
neral conversation at Washington, that n
m mister extraordinary was to be sent TO
London. And the conjecture was, who this
would be. The, superlative talents of Mr..
Randolph, his high standing before that
time with the executive branch OF the 90
yernmcnt, knowing the general wish, and
possessing the confidence OF the people,
the great services lie had rendered his
Country, the ar,lol'~& igiAexiblc integrity Of
his mind, with the Importance Of the cmbas-
5y, all combined to point him out as the pro-
perest person for the station.-rhc men,
bers Of c ongress, who anXiously wished an a.
mcabIe adjustment of differences with Bril-
tain, could rot be Indifferent to the expected
appointment. The deepest interest of their
country was the stake, and they felt a cor
responding solicitude; the eyes O. many OF
them was naturally turned to Mr.. R.-Of
this number was Mr.. G.. He mentioned
the subject to several of the most conspicu-
Gus members, most, ii not all Of whom, APP
proved the measure. Mr.. G.. then endca-
vorcd to ascertain whether it was the in
tention of the executive to pursue this
course intending il 1t was, to mention to
the president, how agreeable it would be to
the republicans, to give Mr.. r. the appoint
no thought Of increasing the mission, as at
that time there appeared but little hope of
Terminating the dispute By negotiation;
that the fullest confidence was reposed in
Mr.. Monroe, our minister resident, who
was competent to any emergency. The
subject Of Mr.. RS. appointment was then
entirely dropped.
This is all that ever was done, and this
done, without MIR. RS. appreciation or
knowledge. AS this matter WIS talked of
for several DAYS, and in mixed companies,
Mr.. &. thought it his duty to hint TO Mr.. Il.
the circumstance, not with view Co draw
from him any expression Of his opinion, but
merely that he might BE informed what was
contemplated. Mr.. r. turning TO his friend,
replied, Elf did rot know you so well,
tsshould suppose you we're sent to me by TIE
"executive, 20 buy OF my opposition, which
"thcy fancy must take place from the
"course Trey pursue" Mr.. {. explained
the reasons and motives Of the suggestion,
and nothing further past.
This aflir never having assumed any
shape but mere conversation, was supposed
incapable of being misrepresented, or the
cause of serious accusation but what will
not faction, party spirit, and prejudice do
For long before the session ended, and afs
ter the circumstance had happened; after
Nr. r. had come openly out, and had used
bitter aspcrity towards some of the mem
bers, gentleman one day came to Mr. e.