Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-09-02
FOR THE VIRGINIA ARGUS.
To JAMES MONROE, ESQUIRE.
LETTER w.
LETTER "

~
and determ nation. Whether you will think
OF the author, as many others think of some
OF your self-swoin advocates, as being pos
sessed OF too much arrogant importance, is
per ectly immaterial to him, and less so, to
the object he wishes. Whether his bosom
glows with an unfeigned desire for your well
fare, or the more holy flame of patriotism,
is question, sacred to the decision of his
conscience. You have now before you, per-
haps, a 7veak resemblance of your situation,
but If is hoped, thar so far from your becom-
ing Narcissus, that YOU will rather COM
plain with Richard, of being tcurtailed of
your fair proportion" 1t will be most tru-
ly and emphatically your own fault, if you
are discarded by the people. There ne
yer was an alternative so fairly proposed,
as that, which for tune has now submitted to
you, There is a degree of enthusiasm in
the anxiety Of the people, to know which
you Will prefer their esteem and reve-
reiice. or their contempt and denunciation.
Whether you will join the majority of your
country, or the little club of conspiracy
which is breathing defiance, and painting for
civil commotion Whether you will support
the administration, or help to demolish it
These are simple questions, upon which the
fate of a man is suspended, and it would, in
deed be the most eXtravagant kind of con-
tempt which should induce him to be con-
temp uouSly silent 1t is true that public
functionary would be highly culpable, if he
should condescend, like an Ewes Dropper,
10 listen and dispute every little incident
anlanecdote, which is whispered about him |;
but this is far different from your situation
The relations of YOUR character, are more
peculiar and interesting, than any which
has occurred since the formation of our re.
publ c. a thousand inducements urge the
peope to become acquainted with you, since
your return, and, as an individual, upon
whom there is no ministerial or diplomatic
restraint, they will insist upon it, until it is
fatty refused. Thus far they are willing
co so, in order to evince their high esteem
and political affection and surely, few men,
unless enrobed in divinity, could expect
more When you returned from your en-
bassy under a federal administration, you
did not hesitate then, to quiet the fears of
the people, by an octave work, although
the charges were not near so serious, or h lf
so plausible. A volume WAS required then,
when almost a syllable would be enough
now. Conscious Innocence, we are told,
needs no advocate. If you are entirely I'M
der the influence of this precept, it might,
in regard to yourself, be justiiable to be
mute, but when the Interests of your coun-
try requires a different course of con-
duct, you surely will be objectionable, if
you prefer to enjoy that indifference i'm re-
gard to yourself, rather than sacrifice it in
regard to your country. The interpretati-
on of this is nothing more, than that your
silence will give confirmation to suspicion,
and whether you really cooperate with this
an.i-ministerial party or not, the effect will
be the same. The people will believe it,
and the party will not fail to extract every
advantage from it. 1t is, hope, unneces-
~ eriu cfIf, IN Go
lures of the times; their inflammation is e.
nough 10 excite the trembling solictude of
every man. If we look to the north, we be-
hold the crest of insurrectioD, and if we turn
to the south, we shall find that the snake ia
only Scotched, nor killed, that something We
ny nearly alike choice shirts is casting its
influence about. The people are perfectly
willing TO view your late conduct at the
court of St. James, in the most favorable
light, and to believe that 1t was dictated by
the purest impulse of patriotism. They
have seen tina. you andthe government are
in perfect harmony, upon paper, and they
wish that you may be SO at heart. You
have admitted, YOURSELF that you went fur.
Their than your instructions allowed. This
transgression, you must be firmly convinc.
ed, would not have passed thus far, sub ST.
ientio, but FOR your known virtues, and APP
proved patriotism. Ifyou had been the mi.
mister of any other country, your conduct
in such an instance, would have fixed your
destiny. I'm order to be convinced of this
you have only 90 recollect diplomatic CO.
temporaries; men who were invested with
similar powers, and men, whoac ed ~ some
measure, similar to yourself. What would
the British government have said to the
Earl OF Yarmouth, when minister at Pa
ris, if he had forgotten the basis upon which
the treaty was TO be formed, according tC
his instructions, and if, instead Of cling.
ing TO the mi hosseddfis, he had admitted
other propositions They perceived that
Talleyraud's mastery genius of diploma.
cy, had, IN some degree, decoyed him from
his basis, and that he was leaning SO far, as
toiucliue to subStitute propositions. IN con
sequence of even this triajng variation
the Earl of Lauderdale was Immediately
sent to Paris. 1t was pretended that the
Earl Of Yarmouth was recalled, because il
was suggested in France, IN consequence o.
this new appointment, that they wished tC
take some unfair advantage, but the fact
was, that although he was recalled with as
much poiteness as possible, the true opera.
tive reason, was, that ne had hoated from
his buoy, hat he had lost sight OF h stint
qua non proposition. This construction is
confirmed, when sc rccoliect the high, un.
bending tone that WAS observed by is sue