Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-10-19

England, q measure Mt known In q.
Britain, when the orders on which
Mr.. Esskine was acting, were eiven,)
entertained doubts OF the adjustment
being complied with.
Scar ceiy were those sceptics pc NIT
ted to inter s,lable--they we're de.
clased to he men destitute Of principle,
who could for an instant entertain
doubts of he honor Of Great Britain,
20 fulfil 20 solemn an engagement
more particularly as she had conceded
nothing but what the United States
were in naked justice entitled TO; and
hundreds OF men, who are yet in the
British ranks, and advocate her injus-
tice, declared al that pe Rod, that II the
British government did not ratify the
eng cement of their minister, they
would be for Instantly declaring war
agains, that nation.
But now mark them,
When France, rot by trick of her
minister here, as was pfactised in
Easkine's engagement, but through her
minister at home, the proper organ OF
the government, declares all hsr de-
crees. of which we complained, to be
a6rq6ated, those men have the impu.
denee to assert, that the President
ought not to issue his proclamation
declaring the fact, although i, is enjoin-
ed on him by solemn law of the
land.
Innocent, honorable, humane G.
Britain! who had only attacked our
public vessels. and impressed & mur-
dered our fellow citizens, restricted
our commerce, and plundered US Of
our property on the ocean! she mus,
be scothed with acts of benehcence and
confidence, whilst the feelings of
France and her allies ave to be wholly
disre garded, nay insulted,
But France, it seems, cannot be
friendly or sincere, whilst she holds in
seque stratIon Am cream property, ssiz-
ed under her DEGREES. But may no,
France reply to the American gov rn
ment, BY asking " what proof have we,
that the United States will unequivo-
cally enforce her non-intercour. a.
gaint Great Britain, in case that nall
on does not virtually rescind her or
ders ir council. Let this engage inent
be fulfilled, and it will lead to com
plete adjustment of all points OF vsri.
auce between nus" 1t is perfectly well
known, that when differences arise be.
tween nations, thos1, Of the greatest
nnsSpitude are first adJuSed, and mi :
mol pr pecunisry aGairy deferred for
futnfe discussion and settlement.
When our administration made
their agreement with MIR. Erskinc,
which opened the intercourse win @.
Britain, was there any stipulation made
for the restoration Of OR property cap
tured under the British orders in counl
Gil? Certainly uct---and, what wa
ten thousand times of more importance.
to our national homer, and the COED
faith due to our own citizens, ths sti /
pulation was made for the release oil
our impressed seamen. The truth is.
that the injuries which we have sus-
tanned from Britain have been ten fold
greater than those which we have re.
ceived from France, whilst our con.
duct and the language OF our minister
Ia London, has been as submissive to
the former as the remonstrances of &c.
neral Armstrong to the latter have been
firm and dignihed.
Our citizens are now permitted, but
not forced, by our own laws and the
laws of France, to trade with the con.
tinent, and we are only prevented
from that commerce by the existence
of The British blockading orders in
council. The principle which these or
ders attempt to establish, would, If exc
tended by declaring all the world block
AIDED, conhue US within our own har-
bors. This principle we must resist,
or yield our pretensions TO the charac-
ter Of an independent nation. Great
Britain has no mere right to forbid us
the use of the ocean than she has TO de-
prive us Of the air we breathe, aud If
Americans have not lost the spirit Of
:heir forefathers, she will find it as diff.
6cuItto do the one as the other. IF we
wish for commerce, and for the safety
and restoration of our porperty, our
law Of the 1st of May must be actual
" enforced, and that immediatelv on