Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-12-26

'"'S SV'c' u'1eHp Inu5t eXaC lY n his IN
struc.ions wilhoui the governments know
ing what they were. and in case of such
lucky hit, these proposals nigh be trans
mSted 10 The British government. and II
there also approved; why then MIR Jack
son might eventually be Invested with
powers to conclude convention, SC. So
much by way ofconieciure, as to Nc Jack
sons eventual pawsrs Nov. sir, let me
ask you what does he tell us, are his po-
sitive powersl Apower mercy to receive
and discuss. Why, sir, every gentleman
here presen; has that power and indeed
every lady too, sir, has the power to re
celve and discuss; and eventually 10 con-
clude convention, SC. But, sir, the pow
er merely to receive and discuss. is what
Is very p operly called, and is in fact, NO
power.
am oppriied that M. Jackson places
this subject upon ground some what DIFF.
feren, in his next letter; or at Ieas, i,
would appear SO, ifthat letter w re taken
by itself, but in fact, apprehend there is
no material difference ia the two state.
ments. Let me-, however, call your atten-
ton to his own words which will be found
in page II of the printed documeuts-jn
addressing Mr.. Smith Mr. J. saws:
81 am surprised at the transition nv
which it appears to you that this part of
the subject is connecled wi h the sutho.
riy empowering me to negotiate with
yoe' IL will not, dare SAP, hays esca-
ped your recollection tina inform,d Won
at very early period Of 7ur cpm nuoica
tons, that in addiiiont to the usual creden
tial letter, his majesty had been pleased n
invest me with a full power, under The
great seal OF his kingdom, for The express
purpose of concluding treaty or conyen.
ton"
Here sir, Mr.. Jackson in p.suIisri Y
2istYle and manner, says that his IN siasty
mas o1en Pleased to INVEST him with a full
power and for the express purpose of con
cluding treay, Sc. But here Mr. Jack
son omAs the mode Of conducting the ne
goclaioa, and the conditions upon which
ne would be authorised 10 conclude, Sc
bat' sir, he had been very explicit upsn
those points befsse; asd his sen.esce.
therefore, must be taken in eonneciion
with his previous 4sxplcit declarations IN
this respect +; or Mr., Jackson would BIZ r.
ducsd to the dilemma of a direc, contra
dicilon Therefore. sir, this ne decIara,i
on, IS nothing more than an eaaivoaue ga.
on me former; aud makes no materia;
variation in the first annunciatlon Of he
powers, and the mode pointed out for con.
Quoting the negotiations under Them. Es
Peciallyi sir, as he took the precaution to
underscore the word eventually, and there
tore cautioned Mr.. Smith to regard il az
he most important and Significant word in
the sentence. Let me here enquire. sir.
whether there is a single gentleman in
tue United States who now believes, TIA
negoc'>tIon comm ehced and conducted
under such auspices, could be highly in
teresting TO the Uaited States or to Grea
Britain Or that ii promised the email
est advantage to either? Still less could
any gentleman conclude, that it wa
Icauselessly or capricously broken off BY
the Executive of the T.. S. And if impres-
SONS to this effect were intended to have
been made on the American people, as Is
most obvious, then | am warranted ia
concluding that if This part of the appea,
S not both false and fallaclous il is a.
,east, false or fallacious, and thus iusi6.s
to The iud ex ent the expressions in the
resolution
beg now, Sir, to turn your attention ia
another part of this insidious appeal in The
following words:
" One of the facts alluded to has been
admitted by the secretary of state himself
IN his letter of the 10 h Oaober, viz. that
the three conditions, forming the substance
OF Mr.. Erskine's original instruction were
submitted TO him by that gentleman. The
other, VIZ that instruction is the only one
IN which the conditions were prescribed
to MIR. Erskins for the conclusion of an ar
trangement on tbe matter TO which il re-,
lated, IS known to MIR. Jackson by the in.
stfuctlonS which he has himself received"
now assert, that the facts here stated
arc not true.--If Mr. Jackson had peye,
made a ny other statement than the proceed
log, do not know, that any offence would
have been taken at it by the Execu.iyc
govern sent' The offensive insinua IONS
OF Mr. Jackson are fully explaine, BY Mr..
Smith IN his letter Of the 8lh November
IN the following, which could not have
been misunderstood by Mr.. jackson. -
In my letter Of the l9,h uItimo, /
stated TO you that the declaration in your
letter OF the ll,h, that the despatch from
Mr' Gaming to Mr.. Erskine of the 23d