Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-03-10


to him for the vice presidency at the
late election. The federalists gave
him all the votes which were at their
disposal. The next agent on the part
ofthe United States was Mr. Monroe.
From late occurrences it cannot be pre-
sumed that Mr. Monroe is in possession
of the knowledge of any circumstances
ofinsincerity against the administration
which he would withhold from the pub
lie. Mr. Monroe has in fact written
book he has told all he did know.
Although some time since we often
heard it sail he woulI tell, more than
he could tell. But no evidence Of in
sincerity has yet appeared. Our pre-
sent agent is Mr. Pinkaev. He is a
fcderalist: an intelligent, honorable
and respectable federalist. Some con-
hdence, it is supposed, might be paid
to his opinions, and Co nmunications.
Yet tits known Tint he approves of the
measures Of the administration, as far
as they &C, bat he would go further.
If he yeyer, sir, gentlemen dlsresDec. the
testimony OF all these witnesses, let me
present them with anhthe:, to VIII IN upon
lt,.'' point at LEASE, they will certainly yield
SOM ,-~spect. l. is Meaning. Al,ho'
his desire 10 cherish and encourage this
dslusion may clearly be seen, through the
prevar,cations OF his two last letters to
Nr Pinkney, yet he expressly tenders Mr.
Pinkney the homage of hf, respects for the
caodor and liberality Displayed by Mr.
Pinkney in conducting the negotiation,
and 1t is very easy to discern that he is
compelled to aspect the motives WINCH
dictated MIR Pinkney's Instructions. But,
Ir it was Placed completely in Mr. Can.
|ning's power to pu the sincerity of our
government to the test, by accepting, in
stead ofrejectng the frank and reasona,
BILE props itIon offered to him by Mr. Pink.
ney. His -jeGtion of it, is proof positive
tnat he did no W SIN to put thu sincerity
OF our government TO the test--Again, sir,
It m; oes your attention to another con.
sideratt'n Whatever rors the political
opponents Of tn President may fancy thew
see in his general character, their prein
dices could never carry them so far. as
not t, EXEMPT him entirely from the p,s.
sions OF political anb too. and personal,
aggrandizem -ny. His voluntary retire.
ment from his present station, i, irresist;
Bile proof his exemption fr I'm these mas.
SONS. In very few days he goes into a
chosen retirement, to enjoy the blessings.
IN common with his fellow citizens, which
his wise administration has spread over
This extended country and, sir, in his On
II ude' hope he will enjoy all the hap.
piness, which is the just reward of the a.
mlabieness and philanthropy of his char
acter. But, sir, under such circumstances
What possible inducement could he havr
tor any act oil insIncerity in condu6lioe our
f1reIgn relations! What possible indrca
ment could he have to involve his conn
Try unnecessarily in war? In his re,;re
nent ne will be as much subject to the
good or bad consequences of his own
measures, as any other citizen; il is no,
therefore, possible to conceive that he
would adopi ruinous measures, whilst he
himself would be subject to all their ron
equsnces. No, sir, this suggestion of
nsnoerlty is nothing more Than a mis-
cradle delusive vision, mere catch of the
human mind, to indulge itself in its own
passions and Prejudices, when there ;s mn
Juj'ihcaion that can be derived from more
subs ant al considerations. 1t is the resnI,
ot forced suspicion, f,r the want of some
document or paper, as justification for
the indulgence of their unfortunate nae.
ons. Observe too the inconsistencies
& absurd con radicuons ofgenllemen labor
ng undef h infiusnce Of these passions
In the sane breath, sir, they accuse
the president of such devotion to a
vain philanthropy, and speculative phi
iosoPhy as to disqualify him for the
rugged duties of politician, and OF
IAN insincerity in conducting our TO-
reign relations, with view of invol-
wing the United States in war, in di.
rect opposition to the habitual and do
minant passions of his mind. No, sir.
the president is the lover of peace. and
tear, that his amiable and anxious So
licitude to preserve it, NAV have had
some tendency towards rendering war
indispensable. Sir, these preiudices
and JealoIsies, so causelessly INDUCED
10y gentlemen, may have, it is feared,
the most unfortunate influence upon