Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-05

much injury and in6ignity towardf friend
~ power; but no mention was made of
the causes of such measures being resorted
to, or even of the fact of their having been
adopted. In addition to the embarrass-
ment arising from these circumstances, and
the insuihciency OF the explanations SUBJ
sequently given to Mr. Canning; the intro
duct'.l of subject foreign TO shat of the
complaint, because the main impeachment
TO the success of the discussion which took.
place in London. When I had the honor
TO open the negotiation with you, sir, as /
had learnt that the Presidents proclama-
tion was still in force, it became my duty,
conformably to my Instructions, to require
its recall, as a preliminary to further dis
cussion had it not been in force, was not
ordered to have taken it into considerable
on in the adjustment of PREPARATION and it
was considered as hardly possible, that il
should not have been recalled, Immediately
upon the knowledge of his majesty's dsa-
vowal of the attack upon the Chesapeake,
as an unauthorized act.-But his majesty
could not suffer the negotiation to be carri-
cd on, on his behalf, under an interdict,
which even if justihable in the first mo-
nent of Irritation, cannot be continued af-
ter the declaration of his majesty's senti-
ments upon the transaction, except in a
spirit of hostility.
It might have deem fairly commended, that
IN the first instance. the exercise of such
an act of power, before PREPARATION was re-
fused or unduly protracted, was ncompa-
tible with the purposes and essence of pa
cific negotiation, and with 4 demand of re-
dress through that channel but such have
been his majesty's conciliatory views, that
this argument has not been insisted on, al.
rhongh it might now be the more forcibly
urged, as it appears that the government
of the u ). was from the first sensible that,
even had hostility been meditated by the
British government, it would not have
commenced it in such manner. But the
exception taken, is to the enforcement con-
tinuedup to the present time, of measures
highly unfriendly in their tendency, per-
sisted in, not only after the disavowal in
question; the promise of the proffer of
suitable reparatlon, and the renewed assur-
ances OF his maiesty's amicable dispositi-
oiis, but, after security has been gwen in
a puDlic instrument bearing date the 10th
o. October, 1907, that the claim to the sci
znre OF tue dc serters from the national ships
OF other powers, cannot again be brought
forward by his majesty's naval officer, it is
unnecessary TO dwell upon the injury and
indignity To which his maies.y's service is
exposed, both as touching the freedom and
security or correspondence of his agents,
and accredited ministers in the u. States,
or as resulting from a measure, which in
time OF war, excludes the whole of his ma
Wy from all their ports which ports are
completely ogen 70 the fleets Of his enemies.
Il VIII be sufficient to observe, that e.
ven where exemptions from it are granted.
they ave made subject to such conditions,
that Of the three last British ships of war,
which have entered these ports upon pub
tic business, two OF them, his maiesty's shin
sStahra, having on board minister sent
out TOR the adjustment Of the present differ
ences, and schooner bearing dispatches,
III consequence of their inability 10 procure
pilots, were obliged to enter their waters
without such assistance, and were exposed
TO considerable danger. Great Britain, by
the forms established, could repair the
wrongs committed, even 10 the satisfacti-
on OF the United States, no otherwise than
by the chaEnei or regociation yet she a
vowed distinctly, that wroGg was COM
mitted, and that size WIS ready TO make re-
paration Tor IT; il cannot therefore be con.
tended. that the unavoidable delay of actu-
al repatriation, subjected her to the impu-
tation OF persist'ng in an aggression, which
was dIsclalmed from the first If this is
true, however much she VIII regret any
impedlment III the adjustment Of a differ
ehce, In which the feelings Of this nation
are SO materially Interested, can she con-
sistentiy with due care other own honor
and interests, allow it to be concluded on
her part under an adherence to conduct,
which hasa decided character OF enmity in
the proceedings held towards her by the
other party.
know not inwhat view the perseverance
IN the Presidents proclamation, up to this
moment, can be considered, but in that of
MEASURE Of retaliation; or of self assumed
reparauon; or a. measure intended to com
pei reparation unless it be that which, if
rightly understand, you define it to be,
measure Of precautiou.
Is, when a wrong is committed, retaliati-
ON 10 Instantly resOrted to by the injured
party, the door to pacific adjustment is
closed, and the means Of Cancellation are
precluded. The right to demand repara-
ton is incompatible with the assumption Of
it. When parties are in a state of mutual
hostility they are so far on a footing, and
as such they may treat: But party dis
claiming every unfriendly intention, and
giving uHequivccal proofs Of an amicable
disposition, cannot be expected 70 treat
with another, whose conduct towards it has
The direct effects of actual hostility. II
then, the endorsements of the Presidents
proclamation, up TO the present moment, IS
measure Of self assumed PREPARATION, it is
directly Tcpugnant to the spirit and fact Of
amicsble negociation il 1t is a measure to
compel rcparauon, II is equally so and by
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