Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-12-04

enthusiasm" CT exalted genius and pure
Iatriotsn. You have not lived in vain.
iy exciting the genius and talents and in
'hgnaton OF Jchn THOMPSON you have con-
ierred an uniHtcried benefit on your coun-
try, and have added, TO the literary glory
OF Virginia, ray of luStre, which viii
shine, when even the splendor OF your ia
Tents and your crimes shall have faded Tor
ever When your volumes of apology for
british insolence and cruelty, shall be bu-
ried in oblivion, the {" letters of Curtius"
will tell posterisy shaf you cristed and
damn you to everlasting fame."
Your ingenuity i'll the interpretation of
the laws, and the discreet and useful ma
nagement of that sound discretion, confid-
ed To those who Ought to he the organs OF
the true intention and meaning Of the legis-
iator, and the impartial dispensers of JUS
ticc, have been reserved FOR an occasion
worthy OF their eXertion even by chief
justice, the friend and favorite OF John a.
dams.
| An opportunity of doing an essential SER
vice to the Cause of federalism so seldom
| occurs, that it would be an Injustice to your
understanding 10 suppose that you did not
! instantly perceive, and to your zeal that
| you did not improve, that which the pro-
IJects OF Burr has presented. But you have
even surpassed the expectation OF many
of your own party. This, attribute, not
only to the motives which have hitherto
| guided the movements OF that party, ard
/ yourself, out to the operation of feelings
strongly excited. / do not suppose. that
E, you weakiyyield to the etfuslons of tender
ness, or the cbuliitions of passion, when
they are opposed by your sober Judgment,
| but that, like wise man, YOU only indulge
them, when it can be safely done without
Iconnteracting the superior views of inter-
| est or ambition.
1t is natural that men, who have long
laborcd to effect the same purpose, al
though by different means, should sympa-
thise i'll their mutual sufferings, when dis
4 appointed and defeated. A similarity OF
pursuits, constantly causes concurrence
Iof sentiments and feelings. A speculative
difference III opinions is lost and forgotten,
in the pursuits OF a common object. Even
the leaders of opposed factions, can forget
their enmity, and'unite their forces, to re
Isist the cause of virtue, and TO repel it's
superior power when it threatens their
destruction. IL is not, therefore, strange,
that you should be affected by the suffer.
ings of Aaron Burr, or should feel dis
lposi;ion to alleviate them.
Nothing can more aptly illustrate the
principles of the federal party, or demon
strate their designs, than fair exposition
lof their conduct towards Aaron Burr The
naked deiormity of that conduct, has dis
lgustcd many who were delighted with the
shining robe which had once concealed it.
The worthy men OF that party, who had
: been deceived by the pretences and os.cn-
Isible motives of men, whose real designs
were not to "give energy to the govern
ment," but slavery TO the people, have
been awakened from the dreams of federal
intoXcation, by the severe shock Of trea-
son They have fed with the utmost pre-
cipitation.-For good men of every party
will unite in their deteStat;on of an action
(which, without reference to party, or tc
names. is III itself immoral, criminal, and
wicked
The spirit which fired the breasts Of the
federal leaders, and the unh..llowe ed Aame
that burnt the bosom of Burr, were seen tC
I approach the sphere OF each others attrac.
, ton. The similarity of their appearance
was marked, the same in colours, shades
and shapes, it was obvious that they were
, only separated particles of the same body,
ard would Immediately unite. Every atom
: of honesty, attached to federalism, instant
ly receded from the detestable union Re-
. wards Aaron Burri 1904, -recollcct your
own
Was he then their friend, would any one
of the party have then volunteered in his
defence? Would Lee, or HIurtin, have
been heard as his counsel, on an indict-
ment for the murder of Hamilton? Would
f you have bailed him, during his erami1-
alton, for that offence?
i What has Burr done since the commits
sion of that crime to atone for il? What
has been his "peace Offering :" answe r
Treason against his country.
Ignorant Of the satanic services he was
meditating, and counting the death of Ha-
milton clear loss they loaded him with
curses and excavations, whom they now
cherish and defend, and within few DAYS
have pardoned I
| You have eaten of the same bread, and
drank Of the same cup, after solemnly dc.
Gliding the probability of his guilt, and the
remembrance OF his former sins is lost H.
the magnitude OF his present crimes against
his coustry / The "small still voice. o
murder is not heard amidst the shouts o.
treason. Your party with the warmth of
sincerity, shake his band, stained, wet, and
chilled with the blood of former friend I;
all sense of prior attachments, and the
blacklist criminality, are overwhelmed by
the tide of gratitude for bold attempts to
divide the u. States, and to subyert tho
| government.
The general character ofyour party JUS
tfpd a suSDiciOu that the Drctccts ot Hur,