Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-11-09

very face of a solemn Official deelara-
ton, that she will not hereafter change
her course, when she explicitly says
that she will? The seizure and Sc
ques,ration of our property, although
it is highly reprehensible, and will I'm
question.tbly present solem-. point!
OF discussion on aor part, were long
anterior to the declaration revoking
her edicts; and these very acts, SO IA
grantly in violation Of our neutral com.
merce, are those, among Others, which
by her declaration she pledges herself
to cease committing. If, alter her
declaration, she had continued to seize
and sequester our property. correct
suspicion would have been excited, and
it might well have been doubted,
whether she would have carried her
promise into effect. But she is not
charged with any such conduct. 1t
has moreover been seen, that the terms
of the act of Congress are broad and
Imperative looking entirely to the
future, and not clogging any arrange
ments, calculated TO secure respect
for our rights hereafter, by any past
conduct, however atrocious. On this
head, therefore, the President, being
vested with no discretion, could exer
else none.
There is another question, one per-
tectiy distinct, which it may remain
hereafter to settle with the French go
vernnent. BY her resembling her e.
diets and our Withdrawing our restric-
ions, the question of stquestered pro-
perry is not put to rest. 1t will still
remain in its full force, and our claims
on her justice and honor will be una
bated. May they not, indeed, be
strengthened
The Circular of the Secretary of the
Treasury discloses the next step taken
IN this intere sting concern. 1t de-
clares the stale of things, which will
three months hence exist with re-
gard to G. Britain, in case she 6 shall
not have revoked or modified in ike
manner her edicts violating the neu-
trail commerce of the United States -
according to the same act of Congress,
which prohibits t'both the entrance OF
BRUSH vessels of every description
INTO the harbors, and waters of the
United States, and the importation in
to the United States of any articles
the growth, produce or manufacture
OF the dominions, colonies and depen-
denotes of Great Britain, and of an,
articles whatever brought from the
said dominions, colonies and depen-
! dencies."
| This was result too important to
be passed over In silence by a gov.
erpment instituted for the protection
OF it's citizens in all their lawful pur.
suits. AS so large portion of our
ordinary trade is carried on with G..
britain and her dependencies, it was
proper that whatever went to suspend
1t should be clearly stated, that every
doubt on this head might be removed.
Prompt as this notice is, it will bare
iy afford time for the merchants to
! give the requisite Instructions to their
agents in England, and 10 the ner-
chants in England to avoid the penal
ty attached to an infraction of our laws.
- NN'N oatt ostetAl NO tCbOhC ICI ).
This official notification was further
important, as it announced to c.. Bri.
tain and France the determination oil
the Executive to carry the act of Con
gress with scrupulous good faith into
effect. To the former it carries sc
rious appeal, claiming the same re-
sPect for our neutral rights as we hao
experienced from, her enemy while
to the latter it is proof of our rigid
impartiality, and purpose to act to.
wards her as we did to her enemy un.
der circumstances in some measure an.
alogus.
Thus has the present Chief Magis.
trate, in the short period of eigh,eer
months, had an opportunity by tee
most emphatic and striking displa, {
of impartiality to shew his unbiased
and kinhexible regard for justice to-
I wardsthe two colossal powers, whose
deadly feuds sofdeeply disturb the re-
pose of;ike world. In the arrange
ment with Mr.. Erskine this DISPOSE
ton was shewn towards G.'Bri;ain II
is now similarly exhibited towards
France. The same measure that was