Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-03
oAYs,) By SAMUEL .PLEAsANTs, JUNIOR, p.
aid IN ANane] r.

Iple are pleased with the recollection
that they contribute to this prosperity
they find in return their compensation
in the general safety and protection:
do not mean safety and protection a
gainst any internal movements upon
that point I would agree with our cas-
tern brethren upon reciprocal abso.
luton from all obligation 1 mean
safety and protection against foreign
aggression. Under this plain and OBJ
}vious view ofthis partofthe subject, Mr.
President, I should be disposed to
thing. that our eastern brethren would
'e the last to desire to absolve them
)selves from the sacred obligations of
!the constitution.
In the southern states we feel no re-
sentiments nor jealousies against our
eastern friends. There are no induce
nents with us to foster and encourage
such unpleasant and mischievous feel
ings. The gentleman from Massachu-
sets, (Mr. Lloyd has.ventured to in
|terpose an opinion between Great Bri-
tain and France, respecting the cha
lracser OF the quarrel between them
ae has veutursd TO say, Sir, that
France is lighting Cor lawless domino
|tion; whilst Great Britain is fighting
for. her natal solum, for her national
Existence. Sir, in my opinion, it must
De inauspicious to the interests of the
people of the United States when their
rulers nat only feel, bat express SYM
|pathies in favor of one of the beilige-
|rens powers and surely, Sir, the gen
.leraan must feelno small sympathy
for one Of the belligerents, if he be-
|lieves the character of the quarrel to
6 such as he has described it.
In my Judgment, Sir, the United
states have nothing to do with the
Character of the qaarrel OF the bellige.
cents; but differ entirely with the
gentleman on this point. | believe
he character of the quarrel is precise
ny the same on both sides-thev are
both lighting Fer lawless domination !;
and believe that G.. Britain has full
Lac. much chance of conanssing France,
as France has OF eon9oering u. Bri-
Fan. The only difference between
ia-m consists IN the difference In the
2hJec:s OF their lawless dcininalion.
FRANCE claims dominion on me llad,
y. Britain on the water they are both
equally hostilc to Us.
The difference to us consists only in
the different degrees of force they can
bring 10 bear upon us--in this respect
o. Britain does Us most injury. We
are, thank God, remote from the infiu-
snce OF French POWERFUL the power
oil e. Britain extends to our shores.
France, when she can, seizes and burns
our vessels--G. Britain having more
power on the ocean, seizes and con6s-
Gates them. The only limit of their
hostility is the limit of their power.
Both are equally the objects Of our
just resistance aud punishment if we
possessed the power.
rejoice that have heard no apo
logist for France on this floor, nor any
where else. / feel, Sir, condescen-
tsion in introducing, for the purpose OF
denying, the idle and ridiculous tale OF
French influence, which has go disre-
specially and disgracefully to our
country, been circulated by newspa-
lpers. Sir, this idle and ridiculous tale
OF French influence, / have strong rea-
sons to believe, was originally suggcs-
ted by British influence. The tale was
1Proba5ly invented by the British Ca
binet about the same time Of the in
vention of the tale respecting the Sc
cret article in the treaty of Tilsit, that
the Danes had agreed to give up their
lleet to the French emperor to faeili-
tate his invasion of g.. Britain. This
tale [ btlieee lord Hutchinson has since
pronounced, in the British parliament,
TO be falsehood. About the same
period this same energetic British Ca
bInet probably determined upon the
destruction of American commerce,
although the orders for that purpose
were not actually issued for several
months afterwards. Some tale was
thought necessary for the justification
Of the act, and the suggestion 81
1 4. .. n.