Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-08-25

uothd hsT w lcn 1Sf armies were
driven from Spain, have the notes OF
her minister t9 our government brea-
thed any thing bat spirit of C ,uci!ia-
ton; but upon the partial success of
the Austrian arms on the Danube and
of the patriots in spain, were not tine Of
ters Other minister disavowei
But he had exceeded his instructi-
ons, and u. Bri.ain is not in the habit
Of violating the acts Of an accredited a.
gent.
This is not true, She violated the
engagement OF her admiral at Toulon.
He resigned, and shortly after resum.
ed his employment. CORVALLIS the
then viceroy, and the prime minister
Pitt, in his celebrated letter on the
Irish Union, both promised in the
name or their Sovereign, emancipati-
on to the Irish Catholics. The Ca.
tholics were gulled, the Union was car.
ried, and the promise was disavowed
by the King. Pitt and CORVALLIS re-
tired from Office, to yield to the storm
OF popular indignation it passed "a
way, and they once more returned to
public life. And yet with these fact.
staring them in the face, her pander. in
this country, have the effrontery to
talk of the inviolability of British faith.
But Mr.. Erskine was imposed up
on.
Ifso, Hood was Imposed up On, Pitt
and CORVALLIS were imposed upon.
But 1t is not more probable, as minis
tiers now adays, like women, of easy
virture, learn to make a sacrifice of
character to their interest or their pas
sions, chat Mr.. Erskine and Mr.. Can
ming had previous understanding on
this subject? 3esiIes, Mr.. Er,kine is
not man of that feeble understanding.
to be imposed upon by silly piece
OF diplomatic sophistry. And really
without detraclng from Mr.. Canning's
reputation for cunning, artifce < mis-
representation; the instructions ofthe
Esd of January, from the pen of one
bred up, in all the wiles of the English
cabinet, are at best but clumsy per-
Torrance.
Neither would it be a sufficient mo-
tive to ruin Mr.. Erskine, because his
friends are wings and members of the
opposition.
The opposition party TO which Mr..
Erskine is said to belong, were never
so powerful for the ffty years of the
last century as they are at present. En-
gland has been lately agitated by sue
cessful prosecution OF prince of the
blood by member of their party the
people are in commotion from the de.
veloPement Of the corruption of the go.
vernment: of the sale of public Offices,
and OF the inadequacy of representati-
on. This, therefore, is not the period
for minister to make the hazardous
experiment. Of prosecuting an obnoxi-
Gus individual of powerful party. 1t
Is true that Admiral Byng, to whose
invention the English navy owes those
naval tactics which at present give &C.
lebrity TO its operations, was sacriG-
ced, and the Instructions by which he
could have justified himself, torn fro m
him; but let it be remembered this
was done when the clamOrs of the peo.
pie were in hostility to Byng, and in
favor of the ministers. Were a SINH
lar attempt made in the case of Frs
kline, the clamors of the people would
be in his favor, and ministers are sure
OF being overwhelmed by the strength
of his party.
1t is, therefore, much more probable
that Mr.. Erskine had two sets of in
structions adapted to the revolutions
which the fortune Of war might hap.
pen to give to the affairs of the Euro
pean continent. Should it appear DO
lltlc, either of them could Be disavow-
ed at pleasure and Mr.. Ersline could
resign like Hood, Pitt, and Cornwall
lis aud be secure of being gratifed
for his compliance by subsequent pro.
motion.
There are other circumstances that
corro5orate this supposition. 1t has
been we'll observed, \ that Mr.. Can.
ming in his instructions to Mr.. Frs
kline, makes mention of two acts of our
government, which inaueaced him to
open negotiation the interdiction of
our lrbOT3 fO the vesasIs IS (,~a.. u,