Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-07-28
FOR THE ARGUS.

on and profound contemplation. 1t
will be laid hold of by every body, and
lead to ten thousand different conclu-
sions, just as the hopes AMI the fears
of individuals prevail. II becomes us
all, however, in our criticismsupon the
conduct of the British Ministry to-
! wards the u. States, to divest ourselves
As far as possible, of the influence Of.
the passions, and treat the subject with
candor and with cal.nness.
With regard to the question, whe-
Their or not Mr.. Erskine was authori-
,ed to enter into the arrangement of
the 10th of April, 1909, vith Secreta-
~ Smith !? Lam inclined to the opini.
on that he was. 1t is a diplomatic
custom, well known to veteran minis
tiers, to engraft in their letters Of COR
respondence with the governments
near which they are resident, the very
words of their Instructions relative to
| that correspondence, as far as it is pos
sible for them to do so. If the words
of such instructions will not permit the
| ambassador to de so, still the point up.
| on which he is instructed must be so
explained to him that he cannot. by
any possibility, in case so plain as
that now before US, so far mistake the
meaning as to run exactly counter to
the letter and spirit of his orders. The
Earl of Liverpool asserted ia the Bril-
| fish Parliament that the arrange ment
proposed and ratified by MIR. Erskine
IN his official capacity, 6 was not only
unauthorissd by his instructions, bit
IN direct contradiction to his INSTRUCT
ons." Mr.. Erskine must, al any rate.
be man of common understanding
it we may judge by the circumstance
OF his having been permitted to remain
here several years by ministry to
which his father, Lord Erskine, is a
formidable opponent; and how can it
be recon lied with the least degree of
mental capacity, thata man of any un-
Outstanding at all should act Sin d.
rect contradiction to his instructions 2''
This is an opinion strongly corrobora.
ted by the second assurance of Mr..
Ersklne TO Secretary Smith, In conse-
quencc of the British orders in coun-,
Gil OF the 26th of April, 1909. where
IN MIR. +. declares that .the arrange-
ment "will be strictly fulfilled on the
part OF his majesty )" and observes, by
way OF Strengthening this assurance,
that II was given Sin consequence of
| oDfsiai communications sent TO him from
his majesty's government, since the a.
! doption Of the orders in council of the
2Sth of April last" Sapposing Mr..
Erskine to have mistaken his first in
struction5, coGld he have mistaken his
second instructions also? Would not
some sentence, some intimation, some
allusion to the true intentions of the
British ministry, have awakened him
to at least a faint view of his miscon-
duct !! Every man of candor and re-
lection will determine these questions
TO his own satisfaction for my part,
have no hesitation in declaring nv
belief that Mr.. Erskine was fully an
thorised TO act in the way he has act-
ed.
With regard to the declaration Of
Mr.. Canning that Mr.. Erskine was nor
instructed TO act as he did, no man can
place any reliance upon it; for we all
know the British foreign secretary
vas guilty OF most despicable falls.
hood in the session of parliament Of
1903, when he declared the American
government had not prote stcd against
the orders in council, although he had
at that very time the protest draws I'D
by Mr.. Madison in his possession.
Nor are his assertions entitled 70 the
more credibiIity, when we recoIlec. his
shutting conduct towards MIR. Pink
ney, our minister and the trick which
he played oft upon the Americans last
winter, when he caused his Insidious
letter to our ambassador at London To
be ciandestinely published at Boston.
From all which it appears that Mr..
Canning can, with equal facility and
insensioility, delude the people of En-
gland as well as the citizens Of these
United States.
What, then, shall be asked. could J
be the motive of MIR. Canning for IN !
ofrfctfn~ NJ Es.I..s