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

shSAA CCuISC VI tIdQts anu IN the
same spirit which had displayed itselfin the
recent outrage committed on the American
frigate, he not only INDUCED himself-in hos
tile threats, and in Indications OF hostile
approach to Norfolk, but actually obstruct-
ed our citizens in the ordinary communica-
ton between that and neighbouripg places
dis proceedings constituted in fact, bloc
kade OF the port, and as real an invasion of
the country, according to the extent of his
force, as if troops had been debarked, and
the town besieged on the land side.
Was it possible far the chief magistrate
of nation, who felt for its rights and its
honor, to do less than interpose some mea-
sure OF precaution, at least against the re-
petition eff enornities which had been so
long uncontrolled by the government whose
officers had committed them, and which had
atlas. taken the exorhitant shape of hostility
and OF insult seen in the attack on the fri
gate Chesapeake? Candor will pronounce
that less could not be done; and il will as
readily admit that the proclamation com
prising that measure, could not have breath
ed more temperate spirit, nor spoken in
more becoming tone. How far it has re-
celvcd from those, whose intrusions it pro-
hlsited, the respect due TO the national
authority, or been made the occasion ufnew
indignities, needs no explanation.
The president having interposed this
precautionary interdict, lost no time in in.
structing the minister plenipo;entiary of
the u States, to represent TO the British
government the signal aggression which
mad heen committed on their sovereignty
and their flag, and to require the satsfac-
ton due tor 1t; indulging the expectation
'hat ms Britannia majesty would at once
perceive 1t to be the truest magnanimitv,
well g hp ctri
that prompt and full expiation of an ac-
knowledgcd wrong which would re-estab-
lsh and Improve, both in fact and in feel
ing, the state of things which it had vio-
lated.
ms expectation was considered as not
only honorable to the sentiments of his
majesty, but was supported by known ex..
amples, in which, being the complaining
party, he had required and obtained. as a
preliminary to any counter complaints
Whatever, precise replacement of things,
IN every practicable circumstance, in their
pre- existing situation.
mus IN the year 1854, Bermudians and
other British subjects, who had according
20 annual custom, taken possession of Turks
island for the season of making salt, having
been forcibly removed with their vessels
and effects by French detachment from
the island of St. Domingo, to which Turks
island was alledged to be an appurterauce.
the British ambassador at Paris, i'm pursu-
ance OF instructions from his government,
demanded, as satisfaction for the violence
committed, that the proceedings should be
oisavowed, the inteRtion of acquiring Turks
island disclaimed, orders given for the i'm
mediate abandonment of it on the part of
the French, every thing restored to the
condition in which it was at the time of the
aggression, and PREPARATION made fthe tla-
images which any British subject should be
round 20 have sustained, according to an es-
timation to be settled between the govern
ors OF ut. Domingo and Jamaica. A compile
ance with the whole Of this demand was the
result.
| Again In the year 1889, certain English
merchants having opened a trade ut Nootka
Sound, on the north west coast of America
and attempted a settlement at that place, the
oPaniards, who had long claimed bat part of
the world as their exclusive property, dispatch
ed ti1g.te from Mexico, which captured the
two English yess is engaged IN the trade, and
, broke up the settlement on the coast The
! Spanish government was the first 20 complain
in this case, of the intpis:ons committed bv
the British merchants. The British govern
ment, however, demanded that the vessels "a
Ken by the Spanish frigate should be restored
and adequate satisfaction granted. Previous to
any ether discussion
Thi; demand prevailed the Spanish govern.
ment agreeing to make full restoration of the
captured vessels, and to indemniiythe parti.q
Interested il them for the losses sustained.-
They restored also the buildings and tracts of
land, nf which the British s:bjccts had been
dispossessed The British, however, soon
gave proof Of the little value they set on
the possession, by a voluntary dcrelction, On.
der which it has since remained.
The case which will be noted last tho of
date prior to the case of Nooika sound. l.
that OF Falkland islands. These islands lie
about 100 leagues eastv ard nj the sireirbts of
Magellan. Inc tie to them had been "A sub
lJcct OF controversy among several Of the ma
rltime nations OF Europe. From the position of
the islands, and other circumstances. the nre-
tension OF Spain bore an advantageous GONNA.
rlson with those Of her competitors In The
year l77O, the British took possession of PORT
EgmOnt, in one of the islands the Spaniards
being at the time III possession of anoth .r part.
and protesting against a settlement by.the Bi
ttsh. The protest being without effect, shes
and troops were sent from Buenos Ayrcs. h.
the governor Of that place, which f9rcihIy dis
possessed and drove OF the British sett,ers.
The British government looking entirely to
the dsposscssi0a by force, demanded AS a spe.
ct1c condition Of preserving harmony betwecn
the two courts, not only the diSavoyal Of ,be
Spanish proceeding; but that the affairs of
that scttl ment should be immediately re stored
10 the precise state in which thcy were preyi.
Gus to The act Of disposscssion The Spanish
government made some difficulties requirinae
rticdlnriy disavOwal on the part Of Great
Britmn, ct the conduct Of her officer at Falk