Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-07-25
R,lasA Disavos,el Of tie late Negotiation.

ORR WUcu tntS wrong mas Dccn nelSn-
tened by insult, and that backed by
false and hypocriticai offers of satisfac-
ZION, which as soon as accepted are a
gain recalled, whilst an individual
wants language to express his feelings,
the nation should SPEAK to this indig.
nifty from the mouths OF it's cannon.
G.. Britain has disavowed the nego.
citation entered into with Mr.. Erskine.
We do not believe that that gentle
man exceeded his powers: we do not
think so poorly of his head nor so bad
ly OF his heart as to attempt it. Mr..
Erskine knows tina; such conduct
would have thrown stain across the
escutcheon OF his name which all the
hlazonry of British coronet could
not hide. No! This has been the
deed of the British cabiuet-a cabinet
known for centuries, for deeds oil blood
and perjury.
History will record the wrongs
which we nave suffered from the Bril-
fish government, aud the torbearance
which we practised. Embassy after em-
bassy we were deceived, and still trea-
ty succeeded treaty: blockade has
followed blockade aud orders OF coun.
Gil To orders of council and every
subsequent offer of redress tor prece-
ding suHerings will be evidence TO pcs
terity Of the wrongs Ne suffered; tho
they have been arguments to them III
support OF subsequent acts OF injustice.
Bat there is moment of torbear-
ance beyond which the mildest animal
will no longer suffer: the nganimi-
ty of the moralist or the patience of
the christian would have bern all x
hausted by the inaignities we have en-
dured.
There is hardihood of daring in
the commission OF certain crimes,
which, though we may detest Their au-
thors, we cannot look upon the men
with contempt. The manly aud open
conduct displayed by the highway
man does not make the heart shrink
with that instructive horror which the
act Of the man does, who in the hour
OF general repose, digs his way thro'
the walls of our dwellings, or poisons
the victuals that are served up on our
tables, or forswears his honor in a
court of justice.
When the government Of country
Boosting of civilization, of morality,
snd the warmest attachment to reliei-
on, disavows the instruction which We
know she has given to her ambassador,
we must either carry on eternal war "a
gainst her or reduce her to that situa-
ton in which her sense of danger viii
suggest to her the necessity of the OBJ
servance of the laws Of nations. She
has demonstrated that she Cannot be
bound by honor; and it becomes
us to guard our gates and watch that
attack which is ever sure to follow
when there is no longer time given
for the concealment of her machIna l.
ons.
But what has she gained by this
practice OF bad faith (? She has gained
every thing advantages that are in.
nunerable. She has supplied her ar.
senals with bread and naval stores |:
she has sold the produce of her ma
nuiacturcs and has applied them
with raw materials: She has supplied
her w. India Islands with provisions
and lumber and Ireland with fax
seed; and finally, from the duties ari-
sing from our exports, she has recruit
ed the empty Golfer of her revenue.
And what have we lost If the
augmentation of the pow r of an en-
envy be a loss to the other belligerent
then we have lost all these. We have
besides opened our ports, disbanded
our volunteers, stopped our recruiting
service, laid up our navy or discharg-
ed or diminished their crews we have
taken of the Embargo, because it pro-
duced necessary pressure upon our
commerce, and which by silent but
sure operation would have reduced
our enemy to our own terms.
Shall We again have recourse to a.
mother Embargo! Our enemy, for
ar 1 s,a,,of NOW coll &C., I...... r.