Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-06-10

When satisfied of this fac1s you viii
naturally direct your Indignation "a
gainst the disturbers of oue repose,
and exert all your energies to support
the cause Of your country.
1t has been the favoritc object of
the present administration, ard the
unequivocal wish of the people ofthe
u. S. to preserve 4 neutral character,
and avoid participation in the present
European war. Considerations not
less wise than humane, have dictated
this policy; considerations dear to e.
very man who prefers tranquility to
confusion prosperity to national ru-
in. In no instance have we departed
from the most Punctilious impartiality
towards all nations and if we have
been compelled at any time TO adopt
precauniary measures, they have been
indisputably pacific, intended to pre-
vent injuries unprovoked, often re-
peated, and never redressed. 1t is to
be regretted this department. has not
been reciprocated; but on the contra
ry, has excited feelings, inspired pre-
tensions, and produced designs hostile
to the peace, if not to the liberty of
America. 1 however trust, we have
still wisdom TO perceive, and firm
ness to pursue, a course, which
will ultimately extricate us from the
late of those nations who have fallen
victims to the seductive influence Of
foreign intrigues, or their own inor.
dinate ambition.
The commerce of the United States
has been occasionally harrassed from
1898, by vexations and restrictions,
inconvenient, but no absolutely ruin
GUS to it. Those restrictions have
upon proper representations been a.
>andoned; their recent renewal by the
British and French government to a
ruinous extent, little short OF actual
var, and other aggressions equally in
supportable, have reduced the United
Estates to the alternative of sacrificing
temporarily their external trade or en-
gaging in nostilities for its protection.
The conduct of Great Britain has
at all times furnished materials for
complaint, since the peace of 1888 /;
but particularly during the war
(which originated with the French re-
EVOLUTION; the various orders of coun-
ii, violating the law of nations the
Ipractice of imPressins American CT
tizens on board British ships, and the
insolent conduct of her naval officers
in our harbors and near our coasts,
have justly irri rated the people of this
country. On one occasion the peace
IT the two countries has been prolon-
5ed only by the moderation of our 60
yernment.
1t must still be fresh in your recol-
lection what occurred In ga, how
much the commerce of the Uuited
States suffered from British cruisers,
and the treaty to which we submitted,
conceding every thing on our part
This instrument, though faithfully ex-
ecuted by US, has not satisfied Eng
land she has continued to indulge
herself in new innovasions upon ou,
rights, to which she adheres with OBJ
stinacy. Aware of the consequences
which would result from those prac.
tees, the present administration en-
deavoredto form treaty, which would
adjust the differences, and define the
respective rights of the two nations.
This effort, conducted with zeal and
ability by the American ministers at
London, has failed.
The president on the 23d of March,
laid before congress the project of
treaty signed on the 3tst of Decem-
Der, 1906, by the American ministers,
which was sent back with instructions,
to renew the negotiation, and obtain
the insertion Of some provision against
the impressment of American seamen,
and the modification of certain articles
relative to the East and West India,
and colonial trade, and principles
Of blockade. | cannot pronounce
with certainty upon the merits of the
whole treaty, the documents are volu-
minous, and have not yet all been
printed. There are however certain
objections, which, if not utterly insur-
mountable. justify the refusal to rati-
ty it, unless changed.