Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-25
COMMUNICATION.
SHALL A MINISTER FROM SPAIN
BE. RECEIVED p?


question, before the arrival of such NIL.
mister; but as there is every probability
that the event viii! occur, il caunot be i'm
proper.
We are well aware that federal sympa-
thy for Shariish Patriotism, will be touch
ed u2on the highest key, and that we shall
hear n1thirg else but the grating notes of
French fear and French Influence Ifthere
is any mind t!iat can, alter studying the
documents submitted to congress, retain
these impressions, we must, without hest II
tation, pronounce That IL either has too much
stupithtvto understand, or TOO much Aory-
ism to believe. That there are many of
this description, there is too much reason
To fear. Men who are bent on accusation,
and Minos- like, determined to condemn.
Are such men organised in the true tone of
patriotism ! Are they in truth, politically
honest! When oGr country is in n critical
and embarrassed situation, in regard to TO-
reign powers, and when we hear native
born citizens lecrYing Cur executive, as be-
ing debased with fear, and too timid to pur-
sue that course OF policy which tenls to Sc
cure our honor and our rights, we can but
say, that although they do not comhaSS
treason, they are 10 all intents and purpo-
ses, aiding AMI d6etting. Where is the
difference between such men, and that ex.
ecrable traitor Aaron Burr? 1t any, il is
this, that he is operating abroad whilst
they are doing the same thing at home
He has already found bis way into the ca
binet of Great Bcitain. and has induced them
to believe, that the people OF this country
are in a state of distraction about the EN-
barge, and that the Eastern States will be
likely to revolt, 1t ii IS NOT repealed.
Here it requires NOT much sagaclty to
trace The mole. The surface begins to
], Iscc =
There is All unity Of action and design, so
very apparent, that doubts Can no longer
remain. hnt that Burr " the minister of the
Essex Jurta.
But We NAV be asked, where is this uni
~ OF action and design. We reply that
Burr has been dew sing, while they haze
been performing and that both the design
and pcrfprmance have had the same
end in view. While one would speak OF
distraction, the other won d threaten and
excite II: IS the minister wu'ild conduct the
deception abroad, they would give CORE.
spending evidence at home as he would
point 10 the uneasiness of the Eastern
States, elaborate pieces would appear,
she wing the advantages OF their secession
from the union. The move !hents OF AN Au-
tou'atoD could NOS more perfectly CORE
spond with its construction, than ;hose of.
Barr, with this celebrated Jmta. They have
bcen contendng for trade with Portu-
gal and Spain, we'll knowing that it would
be virtually collateral trade with Great
Britain; and Burr, in order 20 facilitate
their views, has been advising minister
from Spain to be commissioned 10 this coun-
try they have been loudly ciamorous about
the expenditure OF money in the purchase
of Louisiana, and Burr mas induced the Spa
nish comm:ss orcrs in England, to believe
that twas fraud. Uader these circun-
stances, we can Nut repeat the question I'm
der iutini'eIy better auspices than in 1903
"ShAli Shan:sh Minister be received from
Spain"
IL wuuld be nefftbie arrogance to pre-
tend Ia pres=rihe the Course which ought
TO be pursued, hut as we have always been
in the habit af sfieaking OR minds, unfa-
shioned ny others. anl undrected by call
cuatinns. we sht -. presume 70 answer in
the negative. Aad why . Because, unlike
Great Britain we are not disposed 10 re-
ceiyc the pert messenger of every little
Juuta. Because, unlike her, we are not dis
posed To hug and carcss every traltor, who
may pretend to be invested with Ininiste
rial powers, and chiefly because there is no
given established form OF government in
Spain which could be represented by a mi
Mister, or winch could confer treaty making
powers upon lts representative Before, in
fact, minister or commissioner could ar
rive IN this country, the successful party at
his em1arklt'on, mi rhJ be vanqulshed and
subdued before his landing.
Ii weuld, uoquestion ,bly, be contrary to
the express law of nations, and excessively
absurd in the policy NJ this country, to re
ceive a minister without power, froGi ma
tioD without existence. Aud surely the fe-
deraiists, whose phian,hropic bosoms glow
with the purs iltme Of sympathy, for those
Immortal patriots, who are struggling, Tor
what Tor a Change OF masters, wal not,
for moment, contend that they possess a.
ny higher stand among the society Of natl
ons. dian mere dehendeHcy. Every DO.
dy knows that they are entangled in the iii.
piomatic tolls Of Britain, and that the knot
which binds them, will not be cut, until the
sword OF B0uaparte flourishes in Spain
That country is evidently IN that state o
revolution, when no government exists, anC
when no system # laws can he SAID legally
90 b. obeyed. Oh course, then, no N uistc'
can be accredited by any foreign nation
IF she cannot form treaty as dehenden
cy, and has no ex steuce as a nation, TIT
object OF such a mission would be to EN-
barrass our government, and If possible, L
furnish additional lue to dlscOrd, which
the Essex Iunta are perfectly prepared Z