Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-01

sable then is it not, in every view, forthem
to enter into an arrangement which shall
provide an adequate remedy for their res
pective injuries which shall bind the ho-
nor of each government to do what is just
and right in respect To the other, and enlist
the feelings of each nation on its side, than
to suffer things to remain longer in their
present state How much more advanta-
gcous would not such an arrangement be
likely to prove to Great Britain, in the par
ticular object which she has In view, than
her adherence to practice which rejects
a mean which could not fail to be more pro-
ouctive; practice which cannot be MAIN
tanned in principle which leads by immu-
table causes, that ought to inspire different
sentiments in the parties tn each other, to
great and constant abuse, and which is also
considered by the u. 5 as subversive of
their rights, and degrading to their char
actcr as an independent power.
So much ] have thought It proper to state,
IN order TO place in a just light, the conduct
ct my government on the present occasion,
on this great and very interesting subject
OF imprcssment Well Knowing its desire
TO cultivate the most friendly relations with
Great Britain, on Just and honorable ccn-
ditions, it would be highly improper that any
doubt should be suffered to exist On that
point.
You inform nc shat his majesty has de-
terinined, in case my instructions do not
permit me 10 separate the late aggression
from the general practice OF impressment,
10 transfer the business to the U. S. by COM
uniting 1T to a minister who shall lie sent
there with full powers to conclude it. To
that measure am far from being disposed
to raise any obstacle, and shall immediate-
iy apprise my government of the decision to
adoptit. Under such circumstances, per-
fectiy agree with you in the opinion, that
ut would be useless to pursue discussion,
which it would be impossible for me to bring
to satisfactory conclusion.
1T is still my duty to give the explanation
which you have desired, of the motives
which induced the President to adopt the
measures announced in his proclamation,
of the I'd July last. However great the in
jury which the u. S. had received by the
aggression complained of, it is Just that it
should be shewn that the President did not
lose sight in those measures OF the friendly
relations subsisting between the two pow
er5. When the hostile nature of the attack
on the Chesapeake, is taken into view, and
the general conduct of the British squadron
within the waters Of the u. 5. before and
after the attack, am persuaded that there
was no limit to which The President would
not have been justified in going, which he
might have thought essential TO the honor
and safety of the nation. Before the attack,
the British squadron had violated the iuris-
diction of the U. S. by the impressmept of
men within it, whom the commander had
refused to surrender; and after the attack
the attitude shich he assumed continued to
be OF very menacIDg and hostile charac-
ter. An act or hostility, it must be admit
ted, Justihes any act of a like nature tow
ards the party who commits it. The Pre-
sident, however, did not believe that his
majesty 5 government had authorised the
conduct OF the british squadron, and his
measures were evidently founded CIT that be-
let; They were marked by no circumstance
of hostility, or of relation towards Great
Britain but were intended simply to pre-
serve order within the jurisdiction of the u
>. to which end the removal of the British
squadron without their limits became iudis-
pensahie. After the acts of violence which
had been committed by that squadron, it
was impossible that it should remain Ion
ger there without increasing the irritation
and widening the breach between the two
nations, which it was the earnest object of
the President to prevent. There certainly
existed no desire of giving preference in
favor of the ships of war of one belIigerent
party to those of another. Before this ag-
gression, il is we'll known, that rs Britain
rec majesty's ships lay within the waters of
the Chesapeake, and enjoyed all the advan-
tages of the most favored nation; it can
not therefore be doubted that my govern
ment will be ready 20 restore them to the
same situation, as soon as tcan be done con
sistentiy with the honor and rights of the
u. States.
cannct conclude this communication
without expressing my earnest hope, that
the differences which have unhappily ari-
sen between our governments may soon be
settled, on conditions honorable and salts
factory to both the parties. To have COO.
Perated with you in the Accomplishment of
80 great and useful work, would have been
highly gratifying TO me. The disposition
which you have brought 10 the discussion.
and the sentiments which you cornmuui,...
ted on the principal TRANSACTION, when the
first intelligence Of it was received, have
inspired me with great confidence, THAI we
should soon have been able to bring il to
such conclusion. To have been party
to it, would have terminated my mission to
MS majesty in the mode which have long
and sincerely desired.
have the honor TO be, &c.
(SigHedJ JAMES MONROE.
TO Mn. CANNING.