Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-08-29

well as Tor the violated rights OF all man
kind, must be totally eXt;nguishcd, and can
only he alive To the supposed injuries that
may befall Il swollen, piratical and doui-
rccring navy. Suppose one of these gen.
tlemen should be told that it was absolute
" necessary TO tolerate and even encourage
the depredations of the wolf, in order to
keep OF those ofthe fox that it was neces-
sarv for his farther safety, to lay aside his
guns and hounds and appoint Mr.. Wolf
guardian of his shccp-fold, who although
he might make rather free with his NUT
ton, would eifcctually guard him against
the encroachments Of lesser animals. His
sc,f-interesr would immediately dictate to
him the absurdity of such language. He
would know that If he gratiiied the advo-
Gates of the wolf, the fox would put in his
Claim to the custody ri the poultry, and he
would soon have all the vermin of the forest
upon him, He would know that he must
depend upon himself for the protection OF
his properly, upon his hounds, his steel
traps and his spring guns. The English
navy the protectors OF our safety. The
UTMOST protection We could expect from
them, would be such one as the English
squircs extend 10 their game, they would
kCcpuS for theirOwn sport and emolument
by the bye, ifthey are So sol citouS 20 pro-
tect Us, why TO they not assist Us in exter-
mina.ng the CorSa'rs cf Barbary instead
OF acting the part ut efficient, defensive all
lies OF those enemies Of mankind, by at
taciSing and disabling one ofour ships in the
commencement ofan expedition undertake
ell for tho avowed purpose OF suppressing
them.
But the general and irrefragable answer
10 ali arguments, however forcibic, which
are founded on cxpcdiency III opposition to
right, is, that they should ne applied, at
different tins and on a djsSarcnt occasion.
1iit were made question, whether an ar
Icle of treaty should be adopted, stipulat-
ing for the mutual surrender of descrtcrs
from the service ofthe respective nations
1t then might be relevant 10 urge (aiIhOugh
II could nCc be urged with tru.h) that the
frequency of desercion from the British na-
Wy, had become seriously alarming, in con-
sequence OF the facility with which deser-
tiers could make their escape and obtain
sanctuary on our shores, az on board orr
vessels. That it was due to the good un-
Gerstanding and friendly intercourse, sub
sisting between tie twO nations, to adj ut
some regulation calculated TO prevent a re-
currence of the evil, and providing anade-
guate remedy for future Gases. Not one
ofthese positions would he true III the pre-
it m ght be proper To provide by treaty for
the restoration OF future Gesertcrs Even
treaty, could nUs be made to affect cases
OF previous dcsertiou, since our constitution
places laws aud treaties on the same foot
ing, and expressly ioro.lS thc cnaction OF
erEoSt fQCfo laws.
Until some convent Onll regulation shall
have changed the law Of nations as well as
the present municipal institutions OF this
country, our Executive authorities are not
only under no obligation to make coerc we
restoration of tugitves of any kind, when
demanded by a foreign government, but I,
compliance with such demand is imDnssjblc,
without criminal usurpatiOn of power
Ii IS we'll known that, except for a special
clause in the constitution, no power won d
have existed to transfer fugitive criminals,
from one state to another and even that
power is not vested IN the general govern
merit. When the Gear u Russia demand
ed Of the British government to send him
the heads OF the persons who had arrested
his Ambassador IN the streets of London.
it excited no surprise because the Car
was ignorant that there existed in any
country, a system otlawS paramount TO the
will of despot. 1t would MOI be matter of
surprise, should one OF the piratical despots
OF Barbary, demand Of our government, the
restoration Of his fugitive slaves Blu. the
regular, limited government OF civilized
and enlightened nation. boastful OF her lree-
dom, which processes to be like our own,
= government of laws, ought to know,
that the Executive authority Of This coun-
try is only competent to enforce existing
and established regulations, and not arbi-
Irarily to create them.
To person possessing the feelings of an
American, it is truly nauseaiing to hear
persons in the characters ofAmerican prin-
ters, who should be the vehicles Of correct
Information to the public, and have the eff
frontery too, to stile themselves Coinm6ian
CenfiHeis, prefacing their stupid, nsidious
apologies for the British outrage, with
such nonsensical reservations as, If the
seamcn were British subjects, IF they were
demanded Of the President, II he refused
TO deliver them up and III Great Britain
6eHeUcd them to be British subjects, sc.
when they ought TO know, Tint after grant
ing all their IFS and as many more as they
could invent, the attack on The ChcSapca Ike
would still be as far removed from any
standard q just AID honorable conduct, as
their own writings are, from truth, candol
and common sense.
n COLUHBIAN CENPTNEL.
Bur nat Of Bo8tcn
Albemarle County, Aug. %, 1907.