Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-11

awakened 60 the duty and true policy of reA
voking their unrishteous edicts That no
means might be omitted to produce this sa-
lutary effect, lost no time in awaiting my
self OF the act authorship a suspension, in
whole or in part, of the several embargo
laws. Our ministers az London aud Paris
were instructed to explain 70 the respect
i've governments there. our disposition to
exercise the authority in such manner
as would withdraw the preteXt on which
the aggressions were originally founded,
and open the way for renewal of that
commercial intercourse which 1t was alleg-
ed on all sides had been reluctantly obstruc-
ted. AS each of those governments had
pledged its readiness to concur in renounc-
ing a measure which reached its adversa-
ry through the incontestible rights of neu-
trails only, and as the measure had been
assumed by each as retaliation for an as
serted acquiescence in the aggressions of
the other, it was reasonably expected that
the occasion would have been seIzed by
both for evincing the sincerity of their pro-
fessions, and for restoring to the commerce
of the United States its legitimate freedom.
The instructions to our ministers with re-
spect to the different belligerents were me-.
cessarily modified with reference totheir
different circumstances. and to the condi-
ton annexed by law to the Executive pow
err of suspension requiring degree of Sc
curity to our commerce which would not
result from a repeal of the DEGREES of
France. Instead of a pledge therefore of a
suspension of the embargo as 70 her in case
of such a repeal, il was presumed that n
sufficient inducement might be found in o.
Their considerations, and particularly in the
change produced by Il compliance with our
inc lie k, hp1tf nd
fusal by the other, in the relations between
this other and the United States. To Great
Britain, whose power on the ocean is so as
cendant, it was deemed not inconsistent
with that condition, to state explicitly, that
on her resembling her orders in relation to
the United States their trade would be o..
pened with her, and remain shut TO her en-
envy, in case of his failure to rescind his de-
crees also. From France no answer has
been received, nor any Indication that the
requisite change in her DEGREES is contem.
plated. The favorable reception of the
proposition to Great Britain was the less TO
be doubted as her Orders of Council had
not only been referred for their vindication
to IN acquiescence oil the part fthe United
States no longer to be pretended, but as the
arrangement proposed, whilst il resisted the
illegal DEGREES of France, involved moreo-
yer substantially, the precise advantages
professedly aimed at by the British Orders.
The arrangement has nevertheless been
rejected.
This candid and liberal experiment ha-
wing thus failed, and no other event having
occurred. on which the suspension of the en-
barge by the Executive was authorised, it
necessarily remains in the extent original
ly given 20 it. We have the satisfaction
however to reflect, that in return for the
privations imposed by the measure, and
which our fellow citizens in general have
borne with patriotism, it has had the im-
portant effects of saving our mariners, and
our vast mercantile property, as well as of
affording time for prosecuting the defen-
sive and provisional measures called for by
the occasion. 1t has demonstrated to TO-
reign nations the moderation and firmness
which govern our councils, and to our citi-
zens the necessity of uniting in support of
the laws and the rights of their country,
and has thus long frustrated those usprps-
tons and spoliations which, if resisted in
volved war, If submitted to, sacrificed
vital principle of our national independ.
ence
Under a continuance of the belligerent
measures, which in defiance cf laws which
|consecrate the rights of neutrals, over
OCCdU VIII udlikSTy u Will rest
with the wisdom of Congress to decide on
the course best adapted to such state of
things; and bringing with them, IS they do,
from every part Of the union, the senti.
ments ct our constituents, my confidence is
strengthened that in forming this decision,
they will, with an unerring regard 10 the
essential rights and interests Of the nation,
weigh and compare the painful alternatives
out Of which choice is to be made. Nor
should do justice to the virtues, which on
other occasions have marked the character
of our fellow citizens, If did not cherish
an equal confidence, that the alternative
chosen, Whatever it may be, will be main
tanned with all the fortitutle and patriotism
which the crisis ought to- inspire.
The documents, containing the cores
pondences on the subjec; of the foreign
edicts against our commerce, with the in
structions given. to our Ministers at Lon
don and Paris, are now laid before you.
The communication, made TO Congress
at their last session, explained the pos ure
in which the close Of the discussions reIa
tive to the attack by British ship of war
on the frigate Chesapeake left subit & on
which the nation had manifested so honor.
able a sensiblUy. Every view of what
had passed authorised a belief that imme-
date steps would be taken by the British
government for redressiDg a wrong, which
the more it was investigated, appeared the
81.