Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-08-04
Dlrglnla Argus
K | c Ii M o n ..
-
FRIDAY, AUcUsr i, 1909.

Ertract ofo latter from Washington CT
fyto the edisor Of che .1rgas, dated .du-
gust lsf, 1909.
81 give you the rumors Of the day
as they are abroad in this place. MIR.
Coles arrived ia town yesterday from
France: He is said to have remarked
that our affairs with Napoleon wore
rather gloo NY aspect. Of this
have very little doubt, for they have
worn that aspect for long time. The
president, it is now asserted, will not
come to the city Immediately in the
mean time, however, he will probably
demand the opinions of his Secruta-
ries, in writing; which, you knew, he
is authorised to do by the constitution.
When we contemplate the situation of
our country, singly, affairs do, in truth,
appear critical enough bat, when we
compare the position we occupy,
with that which is occupied by o.
Their powers, there appears to be no
nation on the globe which is civilized,
t we except China, but what is con-
vulsed by the crimes and ambition of
war and usurpation. We are not on
ly free from war, but we are also ex.
empt from taxation and have. plenty of
food and raiment."
1T is probable that Mr.. Erskinc. like
certain other British officers, may be re-.
manded hcme, undergo sham trial, and
be acquitted with English honor. That is
the British ministry may keep UP a show
OF furnishing him until the affair has blown
over and we have forgotten IL a. we seem
to have done so manv other English outra
ges. In the mean time all our shipping is
afoat, exposed to the rapacity OF British
buccaneers. 1t is because our shipping is
afioat that / weuld receive NJ. Jackson ;
for rejection Of him would be caught at
as cause of war, and many millions worth
OF American property would instantly be
seized as lawful prize. The case of the
Spanish frigates ought to convince any man
that the British would do so. There is no
other solid reason for receiving Jackson ;
and the British will have an opportunity OF
Boosting that their villainy has extorted
from us what their virtues could not.
| With respect to the points which have
l koa eka -, 81.
Instructions OF Mr.. Erskine, have no doub,
that they were embraced in the INSTRUCT
ons /; but from Mr.. Erskine's conduct.
have also no doubt that in the event of their
being rejected he was authorised to make
other propositions, which, in all likelihood,
were the propositions upon which the ar.
rangement took place. l think too, that
MIR. Erskine must have made the previous
proposals to our government verbally,
| which must have been at once rejected a.
Incompatible with orr interests and with
our independence. Indeed, if we recur 70
| the circumstance OF that rapidity with
( which the notes between Secretary Smith
and MIR. Erskine followed each other, we
cannot faii to perceive that all the points
in the arrangement must have been discus
sed and fixed upon previously To any thing
| having been committed to writing "a mode
| VI proceeding WHICH, DelWeen nations thai
mean honestly towards sach other, is much
more becoming than the long, tedious, draw
ling, sophiStical mode Of Old times, wher
the great excellence of the diplomatic ar
was, not TO promote harmony, but TO Inven
quibbles which might, as the ambition O
ministers or kings required it, leave room
for new wars. Charles lanes Fox, IA name
reyered in England and respected in Anne
rica,) rs Bells Weekly Messenger yer,
Justly remarks, Invariably used The plain,
going style of business in all his negGciati
ons, and did not dress up his Official note,
in all the hummery of diplomatic gasco
made, like a scaool-boy's Grafton thar hat
been siuded for week. Our STYLE of liy
ing, IS well as our style of writing. has al
ways been matter OF censure for English.
men and they c9uqLsy condemned our sf,,k
loffyhting tn the rev tut,onary zvar. Blu
their abuse, is Only proof OF their envy, an,
full evidence the ability OF our ministers
Let US examine for moment the point,
offered in the articles which have bee,
published as Mr.. Canning's instructions. fol
J again assert that the United States mus
have rejected them.
The first point provides for the reeipro
cal abrogatioD Of the orders in Council ant
the emJargoes and non-intercourse. Thu
! would be "A matter Of course in the arrange
ment, it the conditions upon which il wa