Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-15


lwhether,,h the plan devised for her des-
truction has or has not either com
pletely failed or been unequivocaiiy
abandoned.
These considerations compel his
majesty to adhere to the principles o,N
which the orders in council OF the 9Th
| January and the 18th November are
founded, SO long as France adheres to
that system oy which his maiesty's re-
retaliatory measures were occasioned
and justified.
1t is not improbable, indeed, that
some alterations may be made in the
orders in council, as they are at present
framed; alterations calculated not to
abate their spirit or impair their prin-
ciple, but to adapt them more exactly
to the different state of things which
has fortunately grown up in Europe,
and to combine ali practicable relief to
neutrals, with more severe pressure
upon the enemv.
But of alterations to be made with
this view only, it would be uncandid
to take any advantage in the present
discussion: however it might be no.
ped, that in their practical effect, they
might prove beneficial to America,
provided the operation of the embargo
we're not TO prevent her from reaping
] that benefit.
1t remains for the undersigned, to
take notice of the last paragraph of
Ir Pinkney's letter. There cannot
exist on the part of Mr.. Pinknev, a
stronger wish than there does on that
of the undersigned, and of the British
government, for the adjustment of all
|'he differences subsisting between the
two countries.
His majesty has no other disposition
than to cultivate the most friendly in
rercourse with the United States.
The undersigned is persuaded, that
! Mr.. Pinkney would be one of the Inst
to imagine, what is ofteniidly asserted :;
that the depression of anv other coun-
try is necessary, or servieeable to the
prosperity of this. The prosperity
of America is essentially the prosperi-
ny of Great Britain, and the strength
land power of Great Britain are not
for herself only, but for the world.
When those adjustments shall take
Iplace, to which, though unfortunately
not practicable at this moment, nor
under the conditions prescribed by
Mr.. Pinkney, the undersigned, never
ltheless, confidently looks forward !;
Ut viii perhaps be no insecure pledge,
tor the continuance of the good un-
Outstanding between the two coun-
tries, that they will have learnt duly
to appreciate each others friendship
and that it will not hereafter be impu-
ted to Great Britain, either on the one
hand that she envies American iudus-
try as prejudicial to British com
( merce, or, on the other hand, that she
IS compelled to court an intercourse
with America, absolutely necessary to
her own existence.
His majesty would not hesitate to
contribute, in any manner in his pow
! err, 10 restore to the commerce of the
United States, its wonted activity and
II 1t were possible 70 make any sacri-
lhce for the repeal of the embargo>
without appearing to deprecate it as
measure of hostility, he would gladly
have facilitated its removal as mea-
sure of inconvsnient restriction upon
the American people.
The undersigned is commanded, in
conclusion to observe, that nothing is
said in MIR. Pinkney's letter, of any in
tention to repeal the proclamation by
which the ships of war of Great Bri-
tain are interdicted from all those
rights ofhospitality in the ports of the
United States, which are freely al
lowed to the ships oil has maiesty's G.
nemies.
The continuance Of an introduction
which, under snch circumstances, amounts
so nearly TO direct hostility, after the will
lingness protested, AID the attempt made
by his majesty, TO remove the cause on
which tia, measure had been originally
founded, would afford bot an inauspicions
omen Tor the commencement of a system,
OF mutual cancellation and the omission
Of any notice of that measure in the pro.
posal which Mr.. Pinkney has been in..
sructed 10 bring forward, would have
been OF itself a matetisI defeat in the O.
venture of the President.