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

tive tor his conduct may be mistaken!
What, SIR, can be more derogatory to
the character What more injurious
to the interests What more insulting
to the understanding of the American
people! Yet, sir, we are told there
are no causes of war;! We must
wait for more degradation Sir, Mr.
Canning tells us he thinks this is no
mean motive of policy for continuing
these orders after the original causes
ceased. Sir, I will not pretend to
think against Mr. Canning upon this
subject; but, sir, think, and know
that 1t will be mean, aninfnitely mean
motive of policy on our part to submit
to his injuries, his insults, and his de.
gradations. as well as his absurd and
sophisticated ex2 position of his motives
Tor them. But. sir, permit me again
to ask if the United States had not
right to judge of the extent and mode
OF resisting the French DEGREES -
'Ihey certainly had, and did so and
after having made their decision in
those respects, a contrary hostile. de-
tcision by Great Britain, was an act of
war against the United States. and ac-
cording to her own principle of retail
alton, the proper act of retaliation on
their part was an act of war, not Indeed
thro' the ribs Of a third Innocent unof-
tending party, bQt directly back upon
herself, and il ought instantly to- have
been resorted to upon her refusal to
revoke her hostile orders.
But, sir, PERM, me to put this doctrine
m still stronger point OF view. The
right of retaliation, ] presume. is equal
and reciprocal amongst all nations. and
@hso The British ministry ventnrea to ie.
taliaie upon their enemy through us, they
adoped that policy upon their own res
pnnsibili,y, they subjected themselves 10
all rs consequences we certainly had
rIShs 10 adopt Communicating policy
Wac would have been The natural, legit-
innate and correct ACT Of retaliation. But,
sra suppose l were now in apisit o I nit
lsated retaliation, toprnpose 10 pass a law
imposing duty equal 10 one half OF The
value OF all the original productions OF
Great Britain, and direct all her vesA
se's sailing with such productions either
20 spanish America, or any OF the An.e~
ican Indies or isles, or TO any other place
under the protection of The laws Of ma
IONS, should first call at some poei OF
the United States, either Boston, N. ,Yo. k,
BALTIMORE or Charleston, and there pay
the tribute; and if they failed or refused
SO 10 do. to authorize our armed ships, to
capture and bring them in for condernna-
uon would not the proporsilion be
.nousht extravagent and, monsircps
ne proposition of a Inadman! Yet, sir,
]. would be more reasonable than the or
Gers OF Council, which are the same in
SUBSTANCE, but were adopted vi bout pro-
vocation or pretext. Yes, sir, the preteyi
IS false, il is insjncere. The real ground
OF he orders Of council will be found in
the settled determination of the British
caoine'. 10 nj nopoiize the commerce OF
the world, or 10 render II subseryient 70
tpe'r o@n vie~s and interests, and par
'iSnia'l y to involve in this geberai desiruc-
ton, the comrnefce II The y. States.
Pr , drew his conclusion not only FROM
Wy. Canning own prevaricatipg letters,
ard sophisticated exposi;ions but from
yarioUs lnlirnaions 10 that effect by the
brush inrisis, ard particularly from
late pamphlet, written j. is said, under
the direction Of HE ministry, ard for the
express purpose Of preparing the British
nation ard the world for the monsircus
pretension' Indeed the production is as
cr'bed Ia he elder Mr.. Rose, one of The
most influential advisers of the cabine,
ard IT'S extremely probable We sb u see
the doctrine openly avowed in lhe British
parliament nov expected 70 he in session.
The pamnhlet is entitled " Hints TO both
Parties" from Which beg TO read few
extracts:
The orders in council have been site
maiized, as being at once absurd and
contemplate in reiinquishirg the nrin.
tiple OF right on which their justifica-
zion is founded for paltry consideration,
ct pounds. shillngs and pence. Put
how can that measure be deemed alb.
sufd, which at once urites interest and
policy And so far from rendering
/ Great Britain contemplate how can she
possibly assume more digni6ed
character, than in thus shelving the
world that Bonsparte, with all his de.
pendent kings, are bu, her tributaries
| that they can receiVe m, article e;ther