Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-03
1b,rglloia Arau9.
RIG II NJ 0 N d /:
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1909.

TUESDAY, JhNOA Rf 5, lS09.
1t is justly observed in the Norfolk Ga
zcr,e and Public Ledger, that-"it used 10
be the practice for nations TO publish de
clarauon, containing the reasons for going
to W.T., by way of apology to che wor'd-lt
is new he Practice TO strike first, and make
the apo,og, afterwards"
Notwithstanding this admission, he i'm
putes misconduct and impropriety to our
national councils, because they have jud ).
ciously deferred publishing our diplomatic
documents unit we are i'm better state 1T
preparation for war. The publication of
ihese papers. without tins necessary pre-
caution. might have Invited Great Britain
to play this modern me upon us, and Is
tia ahoiocg CONES afterwards. she might,
with some pis,us biiity, have said, III t from
the tenor # the sc papers, she was induced
to apprehend declaration of war, and that
therefore, IL was her policy to strike first.
1t would. indeed, have been an act of un
exampled folly. if these papers are ut the
character we conceive, to have blazaned
them forth, before the consequences had
been cslcua ted, and before some system OF
defence had been dgested. The people
are MOI to he deceived by such articles, or
ALARMED 5y such wanton clamors. This IS
exactly the course which John Randolph
mmenced in 1906, to njure the admin
SIR lion, when he exultinglv observed
"Let them take off the iniupct,on of secre.
cy-they dare not-they are sfra'd and a.
shamed to do it," The same idle effort te
en.barrass the administration is again re-
newed, and notw'hs,dnd ng the co-opera.
ton of federal editors, will again be treat
ed with merited contempt-Cease vihers,
gou bite against a tile.
The address of Bnnaparte to the legisla
tufe, (inse, ted in This days Argus, may be
locked upon as complete developement Of
the celebrated convention at Erfurth -
There is one Distinguishing trait in the pc
Icy OF Bonapar,e, which IS very prominent
upon this occasion. Tha whenever he me
ditates any grand design he always endeaf
-vors to proposes he mind in favor of is
Justice and necessity, 1t is unnecessary 10
enquire whether there could have been any
sincerity in his wish for general pc c.
but so it is, he has induced the Northern
powers to believe it, and they have promis.
ed TO concur In his designs BY tais con-
yention. he has reposed every turbulent and
unfriendy feeling, which WI give him an
opportunity of withdrawing troops from
Germany and Prussia, sc. wi hnut any fear
o their taking advantage of the consequent
wef kness Of his .orce.
he federal editors have asserted, be-
cause the following rema K rs contained ;n
the address, thai Bonapsrte considers the u
States, as having com6ined for The hur-
nose QffurfhsriHg fhe Viegvs, and o6cying
fhr gviH of France, that The Americans
will continue the embargo, and would ra.
ther lose the emoiuments of commerce
than recognize the slavery of the seas -
TnIs is nth ng more nor less than our de-
Termination, but because Bonaparte has Said
SO, how can il lie inferred ha, be think zve
are virtually promoting his ends? / is the
inference of folly and wickedness If this
is the true state of things, We may look for
ward TO tAe most Intere sting and tragicai
scenes in Span. Bonapar;e seems deter
mined upon he conquest, and there Can be
bu. little doubtas to his success.
Yesterday the General Assembly Of this
C@m."onweallh proceeded by JOINT ballot
o 10Th houses to the removal IF TWO Mem.
bers of the Pryy Council or Council of
State. On counting he ballots it appear
ed that ALEzAnDKR M'RAK, Esq and
Gen. JOHN CUsRRANT. mad a majori,y of
tn votes. Those gentlemen are consequent
Is Re moved from the Council, agreeably to
tbl Constitu ion of the state