Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-05-03

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that patriotism, TO find its justification.
The answer of the British yoyernment>o
the representations of the American minis
ter, respecting the attack on the frigate
chesapeake, and the seizure of several
seamen on board OF 1t, purported a disa..
Vowal OF the act, declaring it to have been
unautnorized, and profess ng willingness
10 enter INTO treaty upon the subject but
refusing to Connect it with any of the other
matters, which were in difference between
the two nations. The American minister.
not being instructed TO separate that case
from the others In discussion with the Ri
fish government, did not feel himself au-
thorised TO enter into any arrangements up-
on that point, distinct from the general
subject OF impressment. No negotiation,
therefore, was entered into between him
and the commissioners of the British gov.
ernment, relative TO that transaction
L hat government ecermined on the plan
OF sending AN envoy 10 the u. States The
departure OF that envoy from this place, as
well as his arrival, it is presumed, has
been generally known before this time,
1t is very questionable, whether there e.
yer did exist any serious intention i'm the
BRITISH government, that the envoy. whom
1t seat over, should negotiate to effect
ne contrary Inference, might be drawn
from the demand made of our government
! by that envoy, which WAS tina. the Presi
dent should revoke his proclamation of the
I'd day of July, ISSUED in consequence of
that very atrocious outrage on the Chesa-
peake,) inhibiting British armed ships
from our waters. This was required, as a
preliminary step, even before he would sub
NIT to the government any proposal of the
| nature or the PREPARATION intended altho'
the government was willing to receive his
proposal, and, 1t satisfactory arrangements
should be the result, the REGAL of the pro-
| clamation should bear date with the repa-
ration. This accommodation, more liberal
/ and conc 'iiatory than could be Justly Iequi-
red, was rejected. No proposal was ever
submitted; and the envoy declared his mis-
sion at an end Is there not 10 be discern
| ed IN TINS conduct, greater degree Of in
science, than OF real intention to treat with
fairness and sincerity? Surely there is -
| IL was an unwarrantable demand, and
| could not be acceded to without prostra.
tion OF disaity, incompatible with the Just
rights and appropriate character of an in
dependent nation. But this demand, was
| made In pursuance of instructions from his
government, VIII CHI had been given before
me measure OF the embargo was adopted.
ne following acts have also been passed
li'S SSSSiOil, VIZ -
An act, authorising detachment of the
militia OF the United States."--This act au-
thorises the president to require of the ex-
ecutives OF the several states and terrific.
rles, to take measures to organize, arm and
equip according to law, and hold in readi-
ness TO march at moments warning their
| respective proportion OF one hundred thou
| sand militia 1t admits the acceptance m
corps OF volunteers, as part of the said de-
lacnment, who shall engage TO continue In
service SIX months after they arrive at the
place OF rendezvous. The officers, both of
the detachment of militia and vountee RS.
are to be of the present militia officers or
others, at the option and discretion of the
constitutional authority in the respective
! states and territories. The detachments
are not to be compelled to serve a longer
time than six months, after arrival at the
place OF rendezvous. The president is au-
tnorised to call into service any part or the
| wnoie OF the SAID de tachment, when he shall
Judge the exigencies of the u States REQUIRE
it-and if part only, they shall be taken
from such part as the president shall deem
proper.
| An act, to raise for limited time an
additional military force. This act autho-
rises the raising of five regiments of infan-
| try-one regiment of rihemen-one regi-
ment OF light artillery and one regiment Of
light dragoons-to be enlisted for FIVE years
unless sooner discharged.
An act has also been passed to the follow.
| ing effect, viz ;--"That in the event of such
peace or suspension of hostilities, between
the belligerent powers of Europe, or of such
! changes IN their measures affecting neutral
commerce, as may render that of the Uni
TED States sufficiently safe, in the judgment
OF the President of the United States, he is
authorised, during the recess of congress,
to suspend, in whole or = part, the act
laying an embargo on all ships and vessels
IN the ports and harbors of the u. States
and the acts supplementary thereto, under
such exceptions and restrictions, and on
such bond and security being given, as the
public interest and circumstances of the
case may appear to require-provided such
suspension shall not extend beyond twenty
DAYS after the next meeting of congress.
In the foregoing narrative, / have endea-
vored to exhibit as succinct a view Of the
principal features in our exterior relations,
as the nature of them would admit of; and
nave su2joined statement of the most pro-
mlnent measures adopted at the present
session of congress.
Whether the state of our affairs be more
or less critical at this time, than il was a
the commencement of the session, is qnes-
ton extremely difficult to determine. Our
situation with respect to the powers at war,
is believed to be such, that, whilst we ought