Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-06-17

Z Daddy at one ume looked upon as DrOba-
bic scene of operations
! Here, then, is evidence upon oarh, that
! the administration of the British govern
ment had concerted with Miranda the
scheme for attacking South America and
that the "coast OF South America, in the
vicinity of Trinidad, was to be the scene
OF operation" Yet, they considered it
fneShedient TO "comarit themselves Jitiiy"
III the affair at the time. Now, what can
possibly explain the operations and mystic
rious conduct of Miranda more complete
ly than this testimony! What can more
clearly point out the cause of Miranda's
having bills OF credit when he arrived at
New York on certain persons friendly TO
the British government What mere par.
ticuiar exposition need there be required
OF the cause OF secrecy on the part of Mi
randa IN the preparation ofhis enterprise
1t was not "e.rhedient" for the British go
Vernment "To commit Themselves fitiLy,"
and the government OF the United States
were to he kept in the dark for fear of de-
lection and discontinue. But twas deem
ed necessary by the British administration
10 7gaEch tire frogreas Of Mirahda'S oIie-
r0ttoHS and TO make use Of them" Hence
they furnished him with monev-rhey
wlnked his movements in the West lu-
dies, and promoted and countenanced him
after the defeat OF his project. And was
not "the coast of South America, in the
vicinity of Trinidad" the very scene of
his operations" agreeabiy to The testimo-
ny OF Lord Melville What can be more
fu.l, more explicit, more decided? Lord
Melville goes further than to say that the
administration of Great Britain concerted
the scheme with Miranda: Tney actually
appointed Sir Home Popham TO a ship III
order to cooperate with him-Hear what
| the noble lord Says
81 believe Sir II. Popham was appoint
ed 10 that ship zvith the viezv of co-ohcrai-
ing 9vith gen. Miranda, to the extent OF
taking advantage OF any Of his proceedings
which might tend 10 our attaining posi-
ton or the continent of South America, ia
yor0ble to the trade of this country, but |
do not recoltect any specific place being fix
ed upon"
And when the question was pushed
home to him by a precise interrogation,
lord Melville pc ntcdly confirmed it
&c. Your lordship has said you had ma
ny confidential conversations with respect
TO general Miranda's plans and views and
| that the result OF those conversations was,
an opinion that, although it might not be
wise or essential, or perhaps within the
means of this country, at that time, to
commit themselves fully to the extent of
hiS-projeCts, it was of the utmost inpor-
tance to the interests of this country, so
tar to watch the progress of his operation,
as to make use of them, if they could be
made subservient to the purpose of open
ing the South American market TO the
trade and manufactures of this country
was that the object your lordship lad in
view 1t that time, when you appointed sir
Home Popham to the Diadem; and did
your lordship continue to entertain the
same objects, to the same extent only, dur
ing the remainder of the time you presid-
ed at the admiralty /?
ga. IL was with view, mentioned in
the question: that appointed Sir Home
Popbam to the Diadem, and | do not re-
collect that during the period afterwards
while remained at the admiralty, govern
ment had in contemplation any plan upon
a more extensive scale"
1t after this, any doubt could exist, the
following question put by Sir Home him
self, with the answer oflord Melville, must
completely silence it
go. Does your lordship reoolIect direct
ing me to attend MIR. Pitt, at Wimbledon,
some time in the month of October 1901
when there was nobody present but your
lordship and Mr. Pitt, to explain all gene.
raj MiramGa's views, and discuss the OBJ
jects to which he was ANXIOUS 10 call the
attention of ministers?
ga. / remember perfectly such CONVEX
sation having taken place, but / cannot
charge my memory with the particular
month"; recollect perfectly well having
} received memoir, being very glad &c
!, know the full extent of general Miranda's
I views"
Where now are those american citizens
} who, being acquainted with Miranda S re-
sources and whole scheme, could yet be
: base enough to lend their aid to embroi
their own country with Spain, in order tc
: serve the views Of Grea. Britain Ifthere
; were drop of honest blood in their veins
it would rush TO their faces and color
) their cheeks with the bushes of shame
But they have none of the compound cha
racter about them; they are so far gone
in turpitude that such detection and expo
sure merely serve to anger them. lie
them chafe, then, whilst scorn, and pity
with contemptuous finger, point at then
as examples of infamy to be avoided by thC
rest Of their fellow countrymen.
OF USEFUL CITIZENS.
The following is letter from Thomas
Paine to The late Henry Laurens Of South