Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-12-06
ELIZABETH-CITY, Nov. 2e.

Extract of Il letter from Lemuel Saw
yer, Esq. member of Congress, TO
Messrs.' Garter, Butler, Grice and
Gregory, merchants in this City, da-
ted
Washington, Nov. 10, 1908.
r WE have just got thro' with the
reading of the dispatches from Messrs.
Pinkney and Armstrong, which ac-
companied the Presidents message.
They consist of a regular series oflet-
tiers, part of which we're private ex-
tracts, and being confidential were
read with closed doors. Icannot give
YOU a thorough sketch in the compass
of letter but the sum of these COM
munics,tions is that both powers have
been triiins and prevaricating with
our Envoys but were determined not
to relax in their monopolisiuy and an
ti-neutral measures in single degree.
1 don't know which TO admire most
the talents or the spirit of our minis
tiers. they discovered share of
both highly honorable to themselves
and to their government. They how
ever seem 70 differ with regard to the
policy of the measures OF our govern
mcnt, particularly the Embargo.
Armstrong thinks the value OF the
measure entirely over rated; that we
ought to think of some o.her weapons
than Important words; and recon-
mends an armed commerce. His
notes to Champagny inregard to some
captures under the Milan decree, are
severe in the extreme, though equally
just. Pinkney considers the policy of
the embargo, unquestionable and that
1t must have its desired effect. His
letter of the 2tst September on that
subject gives a most able and lumi-
nous exposition OF the true line of con-
duct we should observe towards En-
gland. He advises the continuation
OF the Embargo and total non-inter-
course in the strongest terms. He
condemns the idea of any attempt 10 o.
pen any trade with Spain and Portugal
Ia the present state of affairs. Thinks
1t would return no equivalent advan-
rage: That it would create an enyi-
Gus distinction between our various
productions: Some ofthe states fur
nishing articles suitable and the others
not: That the trade would have to
go through the hands of England and
then involve us with France and that
by the time our ships and cargoes made
their entry into those kingdoms Boz
naparte would be in a situation to en-
force his DEGREES against them, and
expose Us to the charges of cupidity
and Unsuitable avarice. He thinks
there is no doubt but that Bonaparte
will carry his point before that time,
and advises us above all things to adj.
here TO our present system. He de-
clares that it pinches England very
hard Notwithstanding they pretended
not TO feel it.-Their harvest is cut
short, their raw materials nearly ex-
hausted, and that they are merely
buoyed up with the forlorn hope that
we were incapable Of longer self-de-
NAL. Another fact he mentioned, not
Immediately connected with the sub
ject was their shipping of large guam.
NittIS ot Ch(NiIo W Sdldtldy TOT lIiG puF-
pose of being smuggled into the u.
States. Both OF their opinions will
be espoused by different persons on
the floor but that those Of Piuknev
will prevail have not doubt. His
being on the spot, and being thought
a federalist 10 politics will lender
them free from the suspicion Of preju-
dice or error by his own party. They
will be published, trdst, for your in
formation, when you will be able to
judge for yourselves. In the general
scope, of my conduct | shall eudea-
your TO support the peace, without
forfeiling the honor Of the nation, and
shall be particularly attentive 90 any
local advantage that may occur for re-
heving the present privations Of our
district, BY proposing some means to
get OF oar present heavy stock of pro-
duce to tue West Indies. all Of which
you shall have timely notice.
+" Being engaged at present on con-
sideration of resolution offered by
Mr.. Chittenden TO repeal the embar-
go, have troubled my private secre-
tary pro TEN. TO copy my original let
-, ,C ..,1..cL a.