Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-10-07


duce the attention which is paid to official
Importance il is commended that Mr.. Mon
roe ought to be preferred to Mr.. Madison,
IN consequence of his superior frni,ess.
Truth, we are told lies in definitions, and
t the author Of that essay should possess
any leisure from his ku6ic duties, and
would condescend from his high station, to
give US clear, distinct, and perspicuous
meaning of that word, we should be much
obliged to him, as we should then be able
to understand him Here are the premises
upon which that decree is issued against
Mr.. Madison. That he, Mr.. Madison, in
conjunction with Mr.. Gallatin, (who is so
much admired of late by Luther Martin,
and about whom not word is said and
MIR. Lincoln, recommended n compromise
upon the subject of the Yazoo business,
which they 1T the same time admit to be
incorrect in principle. Hence this syllo-
gistical author infers that Mr.. Madison
wants hrmness
| we will presume to say that the same
cause produces the same effect, and the
same premises the same result. Observe
then, the application to MIR. Monroe. This
truly worthy and amiable man was sent to
Great Britain with given and defined in
structions, from which he was not to depart,
and from which he was not to be frighten-
cd by the bullying system of the British nil
nlstry. For some considerable time after
his arrival, he held fast to the anchor OF
his instructions, and would not form any
treaty which did not make apt provisions
upon the subject of impressment.
This was business of the most awful
Importance, and required all the stability
and energy offrmness. But we find in the
sequel that he departed from his original
ground, and entered into a compromise or
informal understanding (call it what you
VIM with the British cabinet. Here then
ne made compromise contrary to his in
.tructions, upon a subject which involved
he dearest interests of the United States
Would noe these premises warrant the same
conclusion in regard to Mr.. Monroe. that
he wanted frmness and vet no advocate
OF Mr.. Madison has ever been heard to ad .
vance this pititul charge against Mr.. Mon
roe. Such reasoning Can answer no pur-
pose hut to evince the weakness of the cause
and the I'll temper and prejudced opinions
OF the advocate.
The f deralists say, that as they cannot get
President who /, truly federaiist, they will
compromise with their feelings and opinions,
ana advocate Mr.. Monroe, whom they think
lessePposed to them than Mr.. Madison This
IS exactly the doctrine advocated by the arch
federal editors
We cannot believe that the repubiicanism OF
Mr. Monrot has yielded so far, as to produce
this Cancellation This however, is the Inference
ct the people, and MIR. Monroe stands in most
precarious situation. The great objection
which the federalists assign to Mr. Madison
IS, that he IS under the influence of French at
lection Now, 1t is very well known that this
has b. en- the gree political characteristic of Mr.
Monroe That he was appointed b. Mr. Wash
lngton as a minister to France, because his
friendship for that country was well known,
and because It was thought that he would be
most acceptable to the French court. OF
course then, this charge against Mr.. Madison
has no more foundation in truth, than it has in
regard to Mr.. Monroe
II may be asserted with truth, that the fedc-
ralists advocate Mr.. Monroe. not from any rca!
consistency OF principle, not from any respect
and affection for the man, but merely through
spirit OF opposition TO The present administra.
ton. the principles of which, they saw, will be
inyioiably preserved and pursued by Mr.. Ma
Olson.