Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-02-26
THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF.

In the present interesting situation OF our
country, III respect to its foreign relations.
and Its internal organization, il is a matter
OF indispensable public importance, tina,
those who are in authority should possess
the confidence of their fellow citizens. Di-
vided as we are, into political and opposips
parties, II is scarcely to be expected. thai
any citizen, in a high and responsible sta.
ton, should enjoy the good opinion Of BofL
parties; but it IS surely not hoping unrea-
sonab!y or requiring too much, that such an
oihcer should at least, possess the confidence
OF one party Those considerations become
deeply important, which on the probable
eve OF war, they arc in their application
directed toward the commander in chief.
1t seems not a little remarkable, that a
man, who, according to his own public ac-
knowledsement, has been "the Victim OF
suspicion for thirteen years." should con
tent himscifto remain in that situation. and
should never have embrace a favorabIe
occasion 10 exhibit 10 the public, comnetent
proofs of his innocence, If such hrooG z,e,c
IN his Possession. 1t is not less TO be won.
dered at, that when accused, he has ,ouebt
shelter in';he accusation of others, and an
peared GO think that the best and shortest
way to demonstrate his own purity of cha
racter, was to endeavor to blacken that of
his accusers
There are some facts respecting this ce-
iebrated character, which / should be elad
to hear satisfactorily explained, ard shall
therefone state them, as concisely as posi-
bic F''''
During the last year of the administrati-
on of General Washingfox, a bill was Of.
Tered for his signature, the object of which
was to reduce the army, and to retain MI
kiHsoH in command The President refn-
sed TO sigu it, and stated his reasons. which
are TO be found on the journals Of Congress
they appeared 10 be Of such a nature. AZ
excited very general surprise and Induced
a belief, thai General Washington had sou,r
other, and more substantial objections 70 the
bill, which he did not chusc to avow. When
II was returned to Congress, an ATTEMPT was
made to pass !; by two thirds, which failed
a bill was then passed, which, as far as
possible, obviated the objections avowed bv
the President, but either from neglect or
design, it was not enrolled and offered for.
his signature, until almost midnight, when
he was actually going to bed, and not more
than an hour before MS term Of office exDir-
ed. Upon this occasion, he exhibited much
more warmth than he was accustomed to
display, and exclaimed, that IL he was nor
about to become a private citizen in the
course OF an hour, and consequently felt de-
sirous 70 part with the legislature in peace.
he never would put his hand to such a bin
Ills signature, however, was thus obta ned,
and Wilkinson continued in his command.
This occurrence took place when "WAsH-
fNGToN's Suspicious WERE WIDE A.
wAEt." and when the British and Spanish
treaties, which were about to strike the
death blow to the western conspiracy, eau
sed Wilkinson to exclaim. IN that letter Of
his, which has lately been revealed to light,
" }pbaf an a7v NJ crisis Is hhis I"
J should also ike to hear il satisfactorily