Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-15


IN such case /? BY agreeing TO pas. over
n point of such vast importance in writ
ten Contract, point on which cur govern.
ment, under three presidents, for a period
or eighteen years, had laid the greatest
stress, and which was the cause Of eternal
chickering's between the two nations, we
virtually waved the topic, and left the Bril-
tlsh In complete possession of the contested
right, on their mere hositiUc assurances
OF good behavior. This was in fact mn new
arrangement: Such assurances had long
before been given, and we had learnt by
innumerable and gross violations of our so
Tenn projections granted to mariners, CT
tizens of the United States, sailing under
our flag, what little faith could be put in
these nioSt fositive professions. The A.
merican negociator might have found in the
past conduct of the British marine, facts
sufficient to destroy all the reasoning which
the Kings commissioners adduced 10 caiole
hlm INTO an opinion that we should experi-
ence better demeanor in future. They told
him' as he informs us, that instructions had
ocen given. Yet the effect WAS precisely
the same as if such commands had never
gone forth: Aud TO assure us, however no
stively they might do it, that the same in
structions should be reiterated and enfor-
ced, was to us no safeguard whatever.
we were still subjected to the humiliation
or unceasng complaint fer seizure of our
seamen, even by the most contemptible of
her priyatcers or letters of maroue. to say
nothing of the vcxatious and insulting con.
duct OF the commanders of her national
ships of war. The same forms OF demand.
proof, and delay as before, were 70 be en-
countered by the United States in regain
ing her citizens practically taken ont OF her
merchant vessels. The proposition to host.
fione the article rciative to i7ihressnent
was sufficiently explanatory, | should sup
pose, to have initiated Col. Monroe into the
whole policy or the British on the question.
In a business as importans as any other TO
this country, they meant 10 wheedle us by
delay, whilst in every thing interesting to
Great Britain they were anxious to press a
dehnItive treaty as rapidly as possible.
They were willing to bind us up to what
ever comported with their welfaTc; bur if
orr commissioners urged subject in which
the dearest immunit;es of this country were
involved, they were met full in the f. &C
with sophlStical evasion, and, with the
most overstrained professions of amend.
ment, pcstponament of any formal tr-
whatever was insisted on. They
very loudly of the difficulties
of forming any determinate plan 10 the ss-
of both parties But who opposed
those difficulties? The United States has
always been willing to come to any reason-
able understanding which might barely Sc
cure our Legitimate rights; but in whate-
yer form we have proposed an adjustment,
1t has been met by the government of Great
Britain with excuses, objections, and pro-
crastinetion, in ali the possible shapes of
delusion aud ins.nceri,y.
70 &c. ~.
ordinary things imaginable, how man of
considerable intelligence in public concerns
generally, as presume col. Monroe to be,
could in the FIRST place become the dupe Of
promises so himsily made, and afterwards
IN order to justify his own credulity turn
advocate for the integrity oi Il British mi
nstry! The colonel not only suffered Kim
self to be imposed oil, but very triumphant-
Iy advances as a circumstance in pail alton
OF his own acquiescence, that as a motfve
sor the postponement of the article relative
to impressment, and The condition of il, he
was assured that the British commissioners
were instructed stall 10 entertain the dis
cusSlon of any plan which could be devised
20 secure the interests of both nations with.
out injury to the rights of either. phis We
ry assurance of future discussion would, to
my miad, have been ample evidence OF a
disposition t. evade the question by putting
IL of indefinitely. 1t was complete pre-
which, taken in connection with
the declaration that the king was not pre-.
pared to relinquish the right OF Impress
ment, spoke as emphaticaliy as words could
speak, that they would, indeed, entertain
as with negotiations on the subject as long
as VIC pleased; but as to going any further, |
Dr. putting pen to paper by way of security |
to US against future encroachment, we need
not in the least expect it.
With regard to disputed right, where
the Interests Of two parties clash. it is GER
tainly nothing but reasonable, chat both sides /
should give way a little for the purpose of
accommodation. But with respect to the
Impressment Of citizens Of the u. >. the Bril-
Lish government has never yielded a single
point, but has invariably coniended to the
nttermost for the privilege to examine the
crews OF all merchant vessels, and to Seize,
on naked suspicion, such persons as in the
opinion ofthe most inferior officer might be
aiiedged tobe English subjects Consider
Ing the small foundation on which that 90.
builds its claim TO such seizures,
even OF her natural born subjects, there was
solid reason to expect from IL the exercise
OF such power with more moderation and
discretion than she has usually evinced
For the claim which the British monarch
lays in such forcible way is not sanction,
ed by the laws o. his realm, as they now ex-
ist, with regard to allegiance. In times