Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-08-18

sot believe the American nation W oald have |
acquiesced in it il it had. But 20 what RAJ |
uonal motive can we ascribe this allegation !
OF Mr.. Canning, surprising Mr.. Erskv,e not
to have authorised II. To the same no..
tive, we reply that prompted MIR. Canning
soemnly to declare the foor oil Pariia-
ment, that our government had not offered
to remove the embargo so far az it affected.
England on her revOking her orders, when,
in truth, the offer had been long SINCE
made To the same motive that prompted
the more recent publication in this country
of his celebrated letter to Mr.. Pirkney,
without publishing the reply; both of which
steps had the effect for time of nagrantly
mfsre presenting the opinions and conduct
of our government. AS in these two ins,an.
ces, So III that now under notice, Mr.. Can
ming has calculated upon instiling into the
minds ct the American people sNspicions of
the virtue or hrmness OF those who admin.
lister their affairs and certainly nothing
could more admirably subscrve his purpose
than the general belief tina, Messrs. Madi-
son, Galatin Smith and Pnkney made the
propositions imputed to them.
Mr.. Cannlngno where expressly declares
that this note was hewholc instruction given
to MI. Ersklne even relative TO the orders
in counciI. Hcsays, "you are at liberty to
communicates tins dispatch IN exteGso 10 the
American Secretary of State" For what
purpose ! Doubtless, to obtain, il favored
by circumstances, recognition OF the three
stipulat ans made essential conditions of the
revocation OF the orders. A government
so constantly in the habit of yielding to cir
cumstances as that 81 g Britain entertained
hope that events in this country would ar
ise that might lead unr government to Weld
even m thrse humiaIing terms. Their
friends here, no doubt, advised them, that
our people were OH the eve of rebellion, and
their cove rnment on the brink of destructi-
on. was Judged that no price would be
deemed too great that should avert these
awfu caiamities. Under this state of things
Mr.. Ersk.ne was authorised to communi-
cate this dispatch to the Secretary of State.
Did he communicate it No.
Why Because, different state of things
existed from that it Contemplated state of
things which he must have we'll known,
would have rendered its presentation in the
highest degree insulting; state of things,
which justified his acting under some other
Dispatch, framed TO meet different events.
events which manifested the triumph of
princip,s aud the abortion of British hopes
in this counlr y.-" For this purpose" say S
Mr. e.. 'fyou are AT liberty 10 communicate
This dispatch" What purpose TO OBTAIN
adstnct and ofhcial rec aguition of the a.
bDye degrading conditions from the Amcri-
can government Wcl---li this purpose
could have been answered by communca
ting this dispatch, Mr. Erskne would have
communicated it. His not having commu-
nicatcd il, is proof that II could not be eff.
fected=-and If { could not b.. eff .cted he
was not AT liberty 10 communicate it. Tins
view OF the case acquires no mean strength
from being the only one which satisfactori
ly accounts for Mr.. ErskIne's not having
communicated this Dispatch.
Ii we suppose that there was another dis
pasch suited 20 other circumst ances, all diff
feulty vanishessz,he more than Egyptian
darkness Is dispe led, and we are enabled
to reconcile 'he correspondence and ar
engagements Of Mr.. Erskine. The lofty s.
inso,ent tone OF the note of the 23d of Jan
frcm ITS no being communicated, presents
no obstacle 20 an adjustment--and the nu /.
merous Inconsistencies and contradictions
between this note and the propositions of
MIR. ErskiDe no logger stare in the face.
where's, supposing thIs TO he the OILY in
sruction, we perceive nothing but opposition
and inconsistency. - lr instance 80
Mr.. Ersejne's Srst letter to MIR. Smith
breathes spirit of anity and confidence to-
wards the American governmenc--Mr Can
nmg's dispatch. on the contrary manifests
nothing but disSrust, and taun,ihsiy Offers an
opportunity to our government, 10 give proof
OF its sincerity.
lac phtCu tHC fiCTQlCtiOn OF
French ships Of war from the waters of the
United states, topic on which Mr.. Frs
kIn'e letter is totally sIrut.
The dispatch commands The extension of
the nonjmport4tIoh act' TO the other BEL
IgerentsY adding ~ these measures remove
these preliminary objections, which must
otherwise have yreclnied any useful or am-
icSble dicussioD." Not final agreement,
but merely dIoassion. Mr.. Efskine, in his
correspondence and announcement, is again
silent on this b, al, and does nos even ~ ke
All eHIrt for what is pronounced indispensa-
bic even 10 amcable discussion.
The dispatch says, Z" In this state Of things,
Z is possible for Great Britain to entertain
(not defnitvely adopD propositions" of
the hum.liatlns complexion we have stated.
Mr.. Erskine, without scruple, ds GHiuvely
agrees and pledges his government, under
an authority vested IN MIN for tli Il express
Purpose, to proposIt ons, totally different and
equally honor be 10 10th governments.
The dispatch Us, Oh receiving an official
recognition Of he alone degrading terms,
"his majesty will ose no time in sending to