Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-03-03
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tPeopie have no desire TO enter into the:
compelition, but are per 'ectiy conten.
, TO permit their esstern friends TO take
the trouble of carrying. their product
ons to the markets of their consaIrp,i-
on, and to enrich themselves from The
fruits OF their labors and their speou-
lations yet notwithstanding all these
things, and Notwithstanding we al
know the horrible consequences of di-
visions, we still witness alarming diff
4 ferances OF opinion, which have not
only encouraged and invited the utter.
J ferance of a foreign nation in our poll.
teal concerns, bur have also peryaded
social intercourse, and even materially
lessened the enjoyment of society.
And after all, Mr.. President, permit
me emPhatically to ask you, to whose.
or to what good? Why, sir, our 70.
reign adversaries may profit by our di.
visions, but they are equally destruc-
tive to the real interests of all parties
amongst ourselves.
Sir, without pressing this subject
further, may not be permitted to In.
dulge the flatterins hope, that when
these solemn truths shall be presented
to the serious ref ction of all the peo-
pie OF the q. States, in every quar-
ter and section, that they may be inn
PEELED by sense of common interests.
&c. &c. to unite heart and hand against
our common adversaries and notwith.
standing present appearances, that our
unfortunate differences of opinion may
| finally ayanfuaea
reciprocal Kindness, confidence and
friendship!
Permit me now, sir, to enquire into
the pretexts, upon which the British
ministry undertake to Justify these ex-
traordinary orders of council, and I
viii venture to assert, that they will be
found, both false and insincere. The
Pretext set up for the justification of
these orders, is suggested to be foun-
ded onthe right liberalization upontheir
enemy, the enemy the right TO retaliate
through the u. S. IS said TO be founded
on the culpable neglect of their govern.
meat TO resist French aggressi ms up
( on their neutral righs, BY which It is
pretended that G. Britain has sustain.
ed an injury, and thus claims right
to counteract the injury through the
United States. Upon the same pre-.
text France claims and exercises what
she calls the same right in consequence
OF the cuipable neglect of the u
niSed states in not resisting the agrees
sions OF q. Britain. The suggestion
Of each is false in fact. Tue United
States have not been guilty of any cul-
Pable abandonmenls of its rights In re-
alton to either Of the aggressing bell
ligerents. The government has con-
stantly interposed all reasonable resis-
ance to the aggressions of both, Of
which reasonable resistance, it was the
proper Judge, at least it was entitled
10 rs tull share in the decision, and q
ny torcible resistance to that decision
when made. was an act OF war. ! do
not therefore propose TO enter into the
question whether G.. Britain or France
hrst commenced their aggressio.s.
since both were properly and reasons
oily resisted. But, If were to express
an opinion upon this question, should
nave no hesitation in saying that G..
britain trst began, and so far France
las more pretrexts for her conduct.
There were many acts of the most Sc
rlous aggressions committed by Great
Britain under pretended blockades. be-
tore the Berlin decree; and the I'M
lpressmenti of American seamen. was
cotemporaneous with the CONNIE nee
ment OF the war. This was not, and
IS not the less an act of aggression, he
cause 1t is stale, has been long practi.
sed, and because we are habituated IN
1t. B'J 1t was not acquiesced in. 1t was
met by reasonable remonstrance & re-
distance, & therefore is no Justification
OF the French DEGREES, but at the same
time 1t takes away even the shadow of
OF pretext from G.. Britain, uDon the
question OF who began to do wrong
hrst! tor there is a reciprocal condem.
nation of each other, and SO far a Joint
exculpation of US, at least from the
commencement ofthe wrong 10 either.
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