Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-05-19

ing that respect and decorun, which ought
always TO be preserved between nations
and governments, even in declarations OF
war. The practice was asserted to be not
only incompatible with every principle of
justice and every feeling Of humanity, but
wholly irreconc,iea5le win all thoughts of
continuance of peace aaa friendship be-
twec the two nations. The effect ofthe me-
mortal was, an Immediate order 20 the
commanders of the navy to liberate the
dc nan,ied men. shall say nothing of Mr..
Iefferson's adj ninistration, because the ne
igoc'ations already made public sufficient
| ly shuw,'tla he has not been behind either of
mis- predecessors in his zeal for the liberty
f, OF American seamen. During all this time,
excuses aud apologies were made, and me-
cessiLy was sometimes hinted bur no seri-
Gus pretenson of right was advanced. No.
| The first formal claim was the kings
proclamation. With what propriety then,
can this be called right, claimed and ex-
ercised for ages, and during the whole of
the administrations of Washington, of Adj
ans, and Jefferson
| Is there any reason why another procla-
nation should not soon appear, command
| ing all the officers Of the army IN Canada
aud Nova-Scotia to go over the line, and
take by force all the kings subjects they
can find in our villages: The right would
stand upon the same principles (; but there
| is this difference il would not be executed
with so little danger.
From the Boston Patriot.
The sins of the late PRESIDENT ApANs
against the BRITISH FACTION in America,
will never be forgiven--they will be Uis.
tied uton the children 10 me third and
|. fourth generation. The same vindictive
spirit winch begun the persecution of the
father by artful insinuations and IN alicious
whispers, openly and boldly assailssthe son
with all the rancor of aspersion. The let
ter of the hon j. Q. Adams, yet fresh in public
recollection, has furnished the evidence OF
the charge Of spostacy from what now pas
scs as orthodoxifederalism. The little cri.
tics of the day have worried down them
selves in hunting for those defects of COM
position which were to disgrace the Pro.
lessor OF Rhetoric; but neither his feeble
nor his mighty antagonists have deigned to
polnt out an unsound principle, OF the shad
! ow otinconsistency in the statesman. These
we know to be the sentiments of such as
have not disgraced the federal cause, by
renouncing whatever is substantially re-
publican. The following letter from Pre-.
sident WASHING TON, will shew in what
estimation that great judge of character,
/
MIR. Adams.
| "Monday, Goth Feb. 17o7.
"pKAR SIR,
| 81 thank you for giving me the perusal
of the enclosed. The sentiments do honor
to the head and heart of the writer and
/ if my wishes would be OF any avail, they
should go to you m strong hope, tn 1T you
4 will not withhold merited promotion from
Mr.. ]. Q. Adams, because he is your son.
For without intending to compliment the
father or the mother, or to censure any o.
Ithers, give it as my decided opinion, th at
Mr.. Adams is the most valuable public
character We have abroad--and that there
remains no doubt in my m nd, that he will
prove himself the ablest of all our deplc.
| matte corps.
"If he was now to he brought into that
line, or into any other pubic walk, could
not, upon the principle which has reguIa-
ted my own conduct, disapprove of the eau.
| ton which is limited at in the letter. But
he is already entered.--The public, more
and more, as he is known, are appreciatiIg
his talents and worth-and his country
would sustain a loss, If these were to be
checked by over delicacy on your part.
"With sincere esteem and affectionate
regard, am ever yours.
! GEORGE WASHINGTON.
"Vice- President"
When 1t was understood by the Junto.
that President Adams was about to nego.
eiate with France, Mr.. j. Q. Adams, who
was then one of our diplomatic corps in
Europe, (and allowed by the Junto TO have
been the ablest,) was suspected by this pa
triotic faction to have had some concern in
communicating the treacherous informati-
on OF the pacific aud honorable intentions
of the French cabinet towards this country.
On sudden, the son dwindled down to an
indiscreet, beardless boy" in the estima-
jtion of the Junto. The father progressed
with rapid strides, and passed all at once,
the rubicon of even Noah's food, in all the
headstrong weakness Of old age while the
] Presidents lady, whom they had long noted
1 on their calendar, as the Z" old woman"
was thought to be at precisely the right
point of age and influence, to save the ma
ton from the horrors Of peace, and the
disgrace of independence.
| FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS.
Mr.. JEFFERSON.
This ilustrious statesman has retired from
the scenes of public life, but the malice of
the Essex Junto, follows him In that seclud-
/ ed situation. Mr. Sfehhsu'a &C By;f;,6