Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-05-02

countries and to offer such councils to YOUR
government as may tend to remove the OBJ
stacies that will oppose themselves to a re
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES you now President of
the United States, should not address yon
this letter, because, not knowing my incli-
nation for the tranquility of a retired life.
you might think that was seeking place
or had some farther object in view, than
he simple one OF promoting peace between
the two republics. But I hope, under pre-
sent circumstances, that you believe NV
motive to be pure and unmixei and that
the object of my letter is to call your at.
tention TO the true state of facts.
Perhaps few men, who canot pretend to
have been in the secrets of e ,ther govern
ment, are in a better situation than myself
TO judge bf the motives of both To assign
the true causes, and trace cut the progress
of their unhappy misunderstanding, or to
appreciate their present dispositions, pre-.
tensions and wishes. am certain there is
none who labors more sincerely for the res
toration of harmony, upon terms honorable
to- the United States and advanta geous to
the cause of liberty.
will not in this place, go over the his
tory of past transactions. Itwould be oflit-
tie use. The object is TO seize the maiady
in its present state and try to arrest its
progress. The dispute at this moment
may be characterized simply and literally
speaking, a misunderstanding. cannot
persuade myselIto give it aharsher name,
as it applies to either government. 1t isl
clear that neither of them has an interest in
going to war with the other, and l ana e..
qually convinced that neither of them had
the inclination; that is, believe tile ba-
lance of inclination as we'll as of interest,
on both sides, is IN favor OF peace. But
each government, though sensible of this
truth with respect to Itself, is ignorant Of
it, with respect to the other. Each be-
| lieves the other determined on war, and
ascribes ali i,s conduct to a deep rooted
hostility.-Tne least .hcy can do therefore
under this Impression, IL TO prepare for
An event which they both believe iRevita-
BILE, While they both wish to avoid It But
by what fatality is it that n calamity SO
dreadful must be rendered inevitable be-
cause il is thought so! Both governments
have tongues & Doth have ears. Why will
they not speak Why will they not listen ?
The causes that have hi,herto prevented
them are not diff cult TO ass gn. could easily
exp ain them, as believe, TO the sat slaction
OF both parties & without tn owing ST. much
blame on either government, as each of
them at present ascrIbes to the Other. -
But Will avoid speaking of any past pro-
vocation on ei,her side. The point that 1
wish TO establish in your mind IS, that the
French Directory il At present sincerely
des rous OF restoring harmony between this
country and the United States, OH terms
honorable and advantageous 10 both par
ties. j wish to convince You OF this, and
through you the h,nercan government, be-.
Cause that government being deslrous of
the same thing, would not faii 10 cake such
steps as would lead Immediately to the o.
Ijeot.
In offering you my proofs of the present
disposition on this SIDE, you will permit me
TO observe, that some of them are from
their nature incapable OF being detailed, s
others improper TO be trusted to the Ca
sualtes of letter. But i will mention n
few that are ostenslble, and so far as they
go, undeniable First, the Directory has
declared that twill receive and treat with
any Minister from America, who shall APP
pear To be sent with a sincere intention OF
treating and terminating existing dlihcul.
ties. ! have no doubt but ,his was the IN
tention when the last ENJOYS were sent
but from some unfortunate circumstances
the Directory did not believe II. Second,
as preliminary, IT has been declared that
in the negoci alton there shall be no ques.
ton of loans of money, or apologies tor Of
fensive speeches pronounced by The exc
cutive on either SIDE. Third, all commits
sicns gwen 10 privateers IN the'-sFe ear IN
dies are recalled, and when new commas
sions are issued, the owners and comman-
ders are to be restricted, under bonds, to
the legal object of capture. Fourth, an
embargo that was laid on American sh ps
within the republic, in consequence OF a
report that war had been begun on the
part Of lie United States. was taken of as
soon as it was ascertained that such war
had not been begun. And new decIars~
ton was at the same time sent 10 America
of the wishes of France 10 treat. These
facts will doubtless come to your know
ledge through other channels, before you
receive this letter. But there are other
facts which in nay mind are equally clear,
though TO you Will be destitute OF corrobo-
rating circumstances and must rest on my
own information and op Mon. Isl. That
this government contenplates just in
demnity for spojlatiOns ON American cOm-
merce, To be aseertained by commits, Ioners
in manner similar to the one prescribed
in our treaty with England. Cd, That the
legislation will soon be changed ere with
respect 10 beutrals, and that all Aags win
be put OF the footing of the law OF nations
3D., That public agent would have been
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