Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-06-13
REMARKS IN CoNrrN0Ar1ox:

| Mr.. RANDOLPH, it would seem, wishes
20 De regarded as a conspicu 1us advocate
OF the new administration. He h.. ever
since the winter 1905, that Hnhahhy year
| V sch'sm, been boxing the political con-
pass nut 20 what particulsr poin, his ex-r-
nons viii now be directed i. is no ea.v
matter Co divine. The publication which
hehas suddenly undergone (if it NAV be so
ca'ienl las IN some measure startled his
friends, y awakened the surprise ofhi o.
ponehts. They did not suppose that he would
all at once, with an effort of maynanimity as
itwere, Danish from his memory the misera-
oIe ola Tazoo story, the celebrated charge
OF the 'llustrious firoteSters, togethsr with
ehat OF French fear and French influence.
ana salute the beginning of this Admins
sration as the radiant era of political re
.orH ana happiness That froa the most
unnamed state OF opposition, he should be-
come the author of a motion for a vote
OF appreciation to the very man who has
been the peculiar object of his reproach and
remuneration. But it is. no: our desips To
scrutlnize the motives of this gentleman.
out merely to look at the materials OF his
arguments
we nave already shewn that the causes
winch led TO the adoption ofthe non -impor.
'aIioh act, and the proclamation were re-
commented to US by the very first suyees,
lions OF common sense, and were indeed re
CURED by causes OF the most powerful ma
lure, which were totally without our own
control. 10th these measures az the time
Oh their adoption, received almost unani.
nous applause, except that, perhaps, the
peope at the particular time OF the attack
upon the Chesapeake, would have preferred
war tothe proclamation. lg is true that these
measures did not impress Great Br,t,in
with sense OF Justice, but it is true thew
preserved our seamen and our property.
! inese, 10 De sare, were important points to
protect. But Mr.. Randolph would induce
/ oelief THAI these acts were of the most
deliberate partiaiity, and intended 10 bear
with all their malice and hardship exc;u.
siveiy upon Great Britain. Aud hence
would ask, If ii were re isonable TO expect
thar Great Britain would come to any ,erns
of adjustment under such circum stances /?
: THIS is the same sUBrLErY OF reasoning of
which we have before complained.
/ The consequences are presented in their
full force, while the cause is Cautiously
withheld. W. do not pretend to say that
france loved US more, but we do say that
j she injured Us less, and that the same eau
Sos which required these self preserving
measures in reg ird to Great Britain, did
not bv aly means exist in even Compare
tive desree in regard to France. If it had
been the case, the innu nsrabe addresses
from the merchants of b tltimore, Phladel.
Phia, New York, &c. SC. 0uld unauesti
onably have complained Of France as well
as Britain, but they knew very well that
the Preach decree a. that time was not in
operation against US. WHY then should
we have adopted the non-importation act
and proclamation in relation to France
Without sufficient Cause would 1t not have
been Justly deemed an act of walton host
lily France had never entered orr ports
under all the appearances of friendship, in
suited our sovereignty and ade war upon
/ one of our national ships for the purpose OF
, forcing into their service our native born
citizens; she has never claimed the right OF
iinpressment she has never felt the same
commercial jealousay she has never en-
feavored to excite Instructions among us ;
and moreover, there is this undenia6le diff.
ference in the conduct of the two nations.
that the one has always given notice of the
orders they intended to execute, whereas
the other has always endcavored to effect
her object, before they were known, These
are certainly striking features in the pic.
| lures OF the two nations. But notwithstan.
ding these circumstances, according to Mr..
| *. IT would seem, that we ought to have
included France in both these measures
Upon what principle of justice or policy he
can justify this doctrine, we are unable tc
! conjecture.
| Here. then, neither the over weenins
temper of the British ministry, nor theii
infatuated partisins in this country, could
take the smallest offence. But to present
this subject in a condensed form. Greal
Britain, by her ceaseless interruptions oi
our commerce, forced us to adopt the non
importation. BY her attack upon the Ches.
apeake the PROCLAMATION. BY the con.
tinuance of her persecution and injustice
together with well founded belief of the or.
ders of council, ifBol a certain knowledge o.
their existence, the EMBARGO. Tae an.
commercial edicts and spolations %
France required the same measure and il
Was accordingly enacted But Mr.. Ran.
dolph IN spe aking Of the propositions sen,
by the late President in August last, which
proposed 20 take of the Embargo if Great
Britain would rescind her orders of codn.
cal, seems to think that he should likewise
have offered 70 suspend the proclamation
and non-importation which grew entirely
cut OF different causes. This would indeed
have been the most disgracsfu and un.
| qualified submission.
! IL must be admitted that these neaaoras