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

winch could properly follow the actual re- !
paration only. They cannot amount TO more !
than disposition, or at most promise, to
do what the aggressor may deem fulfil |
ment OF his obligation. They do not prove
even disposition to do whatmay be satisfac-
tory to the injured party who cannot nave less
than an equal right to decide on the sufiicien- |
cy of the redress.
In dispatching special minister for the
purpose OF adjusting the difference, the u
nited States ought cheerfully to acknowl-
edge all the proof it affords on the part
OF his Blitanic majesty. OF his pacific views
towards them, and of his respect for their
friends ship. But whilst they could not, un-
der any circumstances, allow TO the mea-
sure more than 4 certain participation in
an honorable PREPARATION, it is TO be recol-
lected that the avowed anG primary object
OF the mission was to substitute for the more
extended adjustment proposed by the Uni
ted States, at London, a separation of the
subjects, as preferred by his Britanic ma
jesty; and you well know, sir, how fully
this object was accomplished.
With respect to. the persona, conviction
which you have expressed, that the terms
which you decline to disclose, would be sat-
isfactory to the United States, it is incum-
bent on me to observe, that with the highest
respect for your Judgment, and the mostper-
feet confidence in your sincerity an iAs.p
able objection manifestly lies, to the accept
ance OF personal and unexplained opinion,
III place of disclosure which would enable
this government to exercise its own iudg-
ment in case affecting so essentially its
honor and its rights. Such course of pro-
ceeding' would be without example; and
there IAN be no hazard in saying that one
will never be afforded bya government which
respects itself as much as yours Justly does
and therefore can never be reasonably ex-
pected from one, which respects itself as
much as this has "a right to do
forbear, sir, to enlarge on the intrinsic
lncongruity of the eXpedient proposed.
But must be allowed to remark, as an
additional admonition of the Singular and NOR
htying perplexity in which a compliance
might involve the President, that there arc in
the letter OF Mr.. Canning, communicating to
Mr. Monroe the special mission of the United
States, pregnant indications that other oues-
tons and conditions may have been contempl.-
ted, which would be found utterly irreconcila-
BILE with the sentiments of this nation.
If neither any nor.all OF these considerations
can sustain the preliminary demand made in
your communication, it remains to be seen
whether such demand rests with greater adj
vantage on the more precise ground on vii. cir
you finally seem to place it.
The proclamation is considered as a hostile
measure, and a discontinusnce OF it as due to
the discontinuance OF the aggression which led
to 1t.
1t has been sufficiently shewn that the
proclamation, AS appears on the face of It,
was produced by train of occurrences ter
minating IN the attack on the American
frigate, and not by this last alone. To a
demand, therefore, that the proclamation
be revoked, it would be perfectly far to
oppose demand that redress be first gi
ven tor the numerous irregularities which
preceded the aggression on the American
trigate, as well as for this particular ae-
gression, and that the effectual control be
interposed against repetitions of them. And
as no such redress has been given for the
past, notwithstanding the lapse of time
which has taken place, nor any such secu-
rity for the future, Notwithstanding the un
diminished reasonableness of IT, il follows
that continuance OF the proclamation
would be consistent with an entire discon-
tInuance OF one only OF the occurrences
from which it proceeded
But it is not necessary toavail the rom
ment OF this view of the case, aithougf. of
Itself entirely conclusive Had The pracla-
nation been founded on the single sggres
SION committed on the Chcsapeake, and
were 1t admitted that the discontisuance
OF that aggression merei,, gave claim to
the dlscoDtInuaRce of tie proclamation, the
claim would be defeated, by The incontes
table fact, that that agsressioa has not been
discontinued. 1t has never ceased to exist:
and Is in existence at This nom. MT. Need
L rem nd you, SIR, tia, the SEIZURE and as-
portatlon of the seantn belonging 60 the
crew OF the Chesapeake, entered INTO the
very essence of that aggression; that with
an exception of the victim to q trial, for
bidder by the most solemn considerations.
and greatly aggravating the guilt Gifts au-
thor, the seamen in question are stu re-
tanned, and consequently that the agrees
sion, If IN no other respect, is by that act
alone continued and in force?
Ii the views which have been taken of
The subject have the business which they
claim, they will have shcwn that on no
ground whatever can an anuulment of the
proclamation Of july ID be reasonably re-
CURED, as preliminary 10 the negotiation
with which you are charged. On the con-
trary, 1t clearly results, from "A recurrence
to the causes and object of the proclama-
ton, that, IS was at first animated. the
strongest sanctions of Great Britain herself
would support the demand, that previous
to discussion of the proclamation, due
satisfaction should be made 70 the II States
that this satisfaction ought 70 extend TO ali
the wrongs which preceded and produced
that actj and that even limiting the mer-
its OF the question TO the single relation of
the proclamation to the wrong committed
IN the attack on the American frigate, and
deciding the question on the urinCiDIe thar