Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-09-15
FOR TIE ARGUS.

WAVING all other points in dispute be-
tween the two political parties in the Uni.
ted States, it may be confidently asserted
that among the candid men OF both sides
there no longer exists a solitary DOUBT OF
the sincerity of the American admnistra-
ton in its invariably avowed disposition to
restore good understanding between this
country and Great Britain. In corrobora-
ton of this assertion we may appeal 20 the
singular fact, that the Boston Federal
pr hts, so prone TO justify the conduct of
the English ministry, have refrsined in this
instance from their usual vehement vindi~
cation of the G abinet of London, being ap-
parently struck with amazemcnt at its re-
fnsal to fulfil the solcnn stipulations of
MIR. Erskine: And at Charleston, the
capital ofSouth Carolina, Ca state which, in
these trying times, has been gloriously dis
tinguished for its unity and firmness,) we
find the names of Pinckney, Smith, and sc
veral distinguished Federal gentlemen, "a
mong those who have stepped forward in
this conjuncture of affairs TO support the in
terests, the honor, and. the dignity of their
country.
This blaze of patriotism. so honorable to
the American name, and which has burst
forth in defiance of the sinister efforts of
few bad men, has unquestionably been pro-
duced by the irresistible force of truth,
which has at last found its way Co the
public mind; and which has derived ad :
d,tional strength from the violation of
national faith by the British government,
and the arrogant terms which Mr.. Can
ming is DESTROYS of debating to the Ame-
rican people. These terms are con
tanned, as the reader knows, in dispatch
from Mr.. Canning to Mr.. Erskine, which
has been published as the instructions of
the former to the latter, but which every
body now believes to be a garbled and par
tial representation of the matter.
Terms, such as the English minister
proposed, are substantially demand for
the surrender of our most lucrative COM
mercial right, and for the abdication of the
independence of the Uni,ed States 1t is
an attcmpt precisely similar 10 that whic h
Casharine II. so successfully made upon
the Poles, and which ended in the destruc-
ton and division OF their unfortunate re-
public.
Against one of these terms, viz that
tie citizens of the United States should a.
bandon the carrying trade the whole bo-
dy of commercial men in this country De-
sitioned Congress some years past; it is
what Mr.. Timothy Pickering, with all the
Ohltcu OSUdtOTS, ADVISED FTSSt
dent not 10 surrender; and which, in truth,
never can he surrendered without virtual
ly yielding the most legitim ate and prosps-
rous branch of cur trade 1t is the carry
ing trade which has enabled our mechanics
70 thrive and hou sish our merchants TO
carry on their business with success; our
| farmers to sell their grain; our planters their
tobacco and cotton for good prices and, in
Tact, it is the carry Dg-trade, in its effects,
which has enlarged and adorned our cities,
| improved our agricultural condition, and
spread plenty and comfort over our coun-
Try from Maine to the Miss ssippi.
Another Of those terms was as insulting
as il was Unprecedented IL was a de-
rland that the British navy should be per-
-mitted to enforce the laws of the United
States. This would be effectu lily to re-
| duee Us TO colonial state ence more, with
the mere privilege of an old IRISH Parlia-
ment, VIZ: that we might make laws, but
that our masters should execute them. To
submit to a proposition like this, would be
TO surrender ali that was gained by our re
volutienary war. 1t is what the British
ministry in 1776 would hardly have pre-
sumed to propose to us.
In resistance Of terms like the preceding,
it is not extraordinary that men of all par
rise up and unite. II is only following the
dictates of their hearts: The wonder is.
! that there should be any one found even
hating in opinion. Yet such persons few
1 indeed) there are and the slngularity of
| the fact excres much curious speculation
Whilst federalisis are combining with
( republicans in almost every quarter of the
union resist the unfair pretensions OF the
English VIXEN eventhe Boston Repertory
is siien;; iSO0 haherS at BQt;tmore CONT :
nue. to sisnalize themselves by supporting
the claims OF the British Cabinet against
the rights, the interests, and the honor of
their Own country. To what cause shall
w attribute tnis! What is the motiUe 2
What the object? Vino are their ha-
irons
FOR The ARGUS.