Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-03-10
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
RIG H NJ o n d:
-
TUESDAY. MARCH 10, 1907.
BRITISH TREATY.

1
signed by our Ministers P,enipotentiary at
the court OF Great Britain, has been rcceiv-
ed by the President : but we are truly sorry
| TO inform our readers that the terms are
such as in his opinion are totally inadmissi-
bic. 7sAaa
| itappcars that the articles which were at
first agreed upon between our ministers and
the British commissioners, were as favor:,-
bic to the United States, as our most saw
guine hopes had anticipated The protec-
ton OF our seamen from being carried into
captivity by the officers of his majesty's
ships of war, was one of those articles:
ard the grand principle for which VIC con-
tend, that C free ships should make free
goods" was another. The dispatches from
Messrs. Monroe and Pinckney, which in
formed the President that the terms were
settled, according to which the treaty was
TO be prepared and Concluded in few DAYS,
were written and sent off before the news
had arrived in England OF Bonaparte's de-
cree OF blockade. Unfortunately, after the
treaty was ready for signature, it was sub
united to the examination of the Lords of
the Admiralty, who struck out the clause
tor the protection of American seamen, de-
ciaring that the interests of Great Britain
would never permit her acceding 20 IL; and,
| IN consequence of the decree of the Fmpe-
EIlNlSil iSAGS III
| state of blockade, farther difficulty pre-
scented Itself to prevent the conclusion of a
treaty. The British commi ssioners insisted
that the effect of that decree would be to
subject to capture by crus ers belonging to
| the enemies Of Great Britain, all American
vessels trading with her, or with any of her
possessions and, that If the United States
submitted to such treatment from France,
| Great Britain would be compelled to reta-
| late, by treating in the same manner all
| American vessels trading to France, or to
any place under her dominion. They there
! fore annexed to the instrument, which had
! been intended TO be executed as a treaty,
memorandum that the article, declaring
that free ships should constitute free goods,
should be void, in case the United States
should acquiesce in the blockading decree.
! Under these circumstances, our ministers
were obliged to send over the instrument,
not as an absolute, but as conditional
treaty. We presume that they consented
TO sign 1t at all, only as plan, submitted
I tor the consideration of our government,
and Containing the best terms which they
( had been able to obtain from that of Great
/ Britain.
J 1t is said that the President, regarding It
not as a treaty, but only as n ,irojef, sub
ject to be modified by farther negotiation,
+ does not intend to lay it before the Senate.
! The situation in which our country now
| stands, is delicate and alarming. We seem
! driven othc alternative of taking part with
one or the other of these belligerent pow
ers, or of relinguishing all trade with them
both, until they shall return to the princi-
! pies Of justice. in a former number of the
trguS, on the supposition that the event
! might possibly happen which is now announ-
! ced, we assigned our reasons for being of
! opinion, that the latter would be the proper
! policy % be pursued by the United States.
! We shall, In a future number, consider the
! subject again; and trust it can with ease
be demonstrated, that we ought to avoid
war and all its calamities, by a strict and
| undertaking neutrality and that this can
! be done only, BY refusing to carry on any
| commerce with either Great Britain or
! France, until both of them shall soiemnly
recognize the just rights of neutral nations.
! Il list Of ACI'S PASSED during Tie second
session Of the Ninth C9ngrcss
! An act to suspend the operation ofthe
act, intituled " An act to prohibit the inn
portation of certain goods, wares and mer-
! chandlze," and To remit the penalties in
CURED under the same.
| 2 Making appropriations for the support
OF the navy Of the United States, during the
! year one thousand eight hundred aud seven.
3 Making appropriations for the support
| Of the military establishment Of the United
States, during the year one thousand eight
hundred and seven.
For the relief of George Little
To alter the time of holding the Cir
cult and district courts in the district of
North Carolina.
6 For the relief Of Seth Harding, late a
captain in the navy of the United States.
Z For the relief of William Hearn.
g To provide for surveying the coasts of
the United States
9 Authorizing the erection of certain
lighthouses, and the fixing of stakes, buoys
! and beaCons at certain places therein named.
10 For the relief OF sufferers by fire in
the town of Portsmouth, Hampshire.
IL For the relief of Emund Briggs
y supplementary to the act, iutitulcd
An act making provision for the redemp-
ton Of the whole of the public debt of the
United States"
II To annex certain shores and waters
to the district OF Mississippi, and to autho-
rize the building Of a custom house at
New-Orleans.
u To extend the power of granting writs
Of injunctions TO the judges Of the district
courts Of the United States.
Is Establishing circuit courts and abridg.
ing the jurisdiction Of tho district courts in