Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-05-10
LETTER
70 the Hon. HdRRIsoN G OTIs, Esq.
By JOHN .. ADAMS.
/CoucI,,ded


maintained this supposed right of adding
that new instrument of desolaton To the
horrors of war-it was distressing to her
encmy-yet. Had she adopted the practice
OF dealing with them in poison-Eiad MIR.
Fox accepted the service of the man who
offered To rid him OF the French emperor
by assassination, ai'd had the attempt sue
ceeded, IL would have been less distressing
to France than this rule OF the war of 1856
and not more unjustihable. Mr.. Fox had
too fair "a mind for either, but his compre-
hensive and liberal spirit was discarded,
with the cabinet which he had formed.
1t has been the struggle of reason and
humanity, and above all of christianity, for
two thousand years, to mitigate the rigors
Of that scourge ofhumanity. war. 1t is now
the struggle of Britain to aggravate them.
Her rule of the war of 1856, in itself and in
its effects, was one ofthe deadliest posons,
III which it was possible for her TO tinge the
weapons of her hostility.
In itself and in its effects, say--for the
French DEGREES of Berlin and of Milan, the
Spanish and Dutch DEGREES OF the same OR
the like enor, and her own orders Of Janu-
AIRY and Observation-Disclosures alterations ofli-
cenced plllage, this eager competition be-
tween her and her enemies for the honor Of
giving the last stroke 10 the vitals of mari
TO their assumption and exercise of this sim
gle principle.-The rule of the war of 1855,
was the root, from which all the rest are
but suckers, still at every shoot growing
ranker IN luXuriance.
In the last DEGREES Of France and Spain,
her own ingenious fiction IS adopted and
under them every neutral vessel that sub
mits to English search, has been carried
into an English port, Or paid tax 10 the En-.
giish government, is declared 9etationaH-
zed, that is, to have lost her natioftal char
acter, and to have become English proper
ty. This is Gael in execution ; absurd in
argument 70 refule it were folly, for to
the under standing of child it refutes it.
self. But it is the reasoning of British ju-
rists. 1t is the simple application to the
circumstances and powers of France, of the
rule OF the war OF 1855
am not the apologist of France & Spain !;
have no national partialities no national
attachments but TO my own country. shall
never undertake tojustify or palliate the in
suits or injuries of any foreign power TO that
country which IS dearer to me than life. II
the Voice ofreason and Justice could be heard
5y France and Spain, they would say-you
have done wrong 10 make the injustice oil
your enemy towards neutrals the measure
or your own II she Chastises with whips,
do not you chastise with scorpions. Whe-
Their France would listen TO this language,
know not. The most enormous infractons
OF our rights, h.herto committed by her,
have been more in menace than III accom-
plishment. The alarm has been Justly
great; the anticipation threatening but the
amount of actual injury small. But to Bril-
tain, what can we say! II we attempt 10
raise our voices, her minister has declared
to Mr.. Pinkuey that she will not hear. The
only reason she assigns for her recent or
ders of council is, that France proceeds on
the same principles. 1t is only by the light
of blazing temples, and amid the groans OF
women and children perishing in the ruins
OF the sahctusries of domestic habitation at
Copenhagen, that we can expect our re-
monstrances against this course of proceed
ing will be heard.
Let us come to the third and last of the
causes of complaint, which are represent
ed as so frivolous and so unfounded-s'th the
unfortunate affair of the Chesapeake The
orders of admiral Berkeley, under which
miscarriage was committed, have been disa-
vowed by his government. General profes
sions of a willingness TO make PREPARATION
for il, have been lavishcd in profuslon; and
we are now instructed to take these profes-
sions for endeaUors to believe them sIn-
cere, because his Britannia majesty sent u
a special envoy and 10 cast the od uH
upon our own government.
have already told you, that l am not
one of these who deem suspicion and dsrust,
IN the highest order of political virtues
Baseless suspicion is, in my estimation, a
vice, as pernIcious in the management OF
public affairs, as it is fatal to the happiness
of domestic life. When, therefore, the
British ministers have declared their dis
position to make ample PREPARATION for an
injury OF a most atrocious character, COM
mitted by an officer of high rank, and, as
they say, utterly without authority. should
most readily believe them, were their pro-
LESSONS not positively contradicted by facts
Of more powerful eloquence than words.
Have such facts occurred ? / will not q.
gain allude to the circumstances of Mr.
Roses departure upon his mission ut such a
precise point of time, that his commission
and the orders of council Of 18th Novem-
Der, Enisht have been signed with the same
pen full OF iDS. The subjects were not i'm
mediately connected with each other, and
his majesty did not choose to associate dis
tinct topics of negotiation. The attack up.
on the Chesapeake was disavoWed and
ample reparation was Withheld, only be.
Cause with the demand for satisfaction up.
on that injury, the American government
had coupled demand for the cessation Of
others alike in kind, but of minor aggrava.