Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-07-27

As>SSS'cay a. thde titiC C'tHSf 10 aDan-.
don all idea of resistance, -or to deter
mine to adopt measures of hostility
against both belligerents, which could
not be carried In the last Congress aud
therefore are still less likely to be a.
doptd In the new, which will consist
of a larger number of members averse
to such desperate and unayailing
course.
The Secretary of State (Mr Robert
Smith) repeated the sentiments which
he had often expressed TO me, when
Secretary of the Navy, of regret that
his maiesty's government seemed not
to believe thatthe United States would
resist the DEGREES Of France. He
thinks the correspondence between the
American minister at Prais fGen-
erai Armstrong; and the French GO
vernment, prove the. determination
of this government, not to submit to
them. He declared to me also that
he knows that war would have been
instantly declared against France, up
on Great Britain's relaxing her orders,
which he said were Issued before the
United States had an opportunity of
ascertaining the illegal Interpretation
which France meant to put upon her
DEGREES he added, that he was con-
WINGED that even now measures of ac-
tual hostility would be adopted against
France, without hesitation, should
Great Britain relax in her orders so as
to afford the United States an opporsu.
nifty of eoingso with honor; but that
l. would be impossible that they should
single out France as an opponent, while
Great Britain contrary to her own de.
clarations, enforced her orders before
any acquiescence en- the part of the u.
States in the French DEGREES had been
proved.
He acknowledged that it might be
difficult to bring on state of actual hos
tility between this country and Great
Britain upon the grounds of any sub
sisring differences, but that he was
DESTROYS that an amicahle uuderstan-
ding should prevail between the
two countries, which the present state
Of their relations would entirely pre-.
vent.
He added, that he was afraid the ir.
ritations which were likely to be pro.
duced by capture under his majesry's
orders IN council might lead to serious
consequences, which be said he should
deprecate as he was unwilling to see
the United States thrown into an ALI
ance which ne thought already TWO
powerful for the interest OF the world.
He did not pretend to entertain
any Partially towards England, but
considered that the interest of the
United States was the same at the pre-
sent moment with that of Great Bri.
tain.
These sentiments, as expressed to
me by Mr. Robert Smith are, L believe,
very sincere. / have been much ac-
quainted with him, and cannot think
be mistaken in the opinion which /
have formed of his disposition and
feelings upon that subject.
Both the President and Secretary
OF STATE are 1 understand, much of
tended at the appointment of admiral
Berkiey to high command, pending
the serious complaint preferred against
aim by the United States they have
not mentioned the subject to me, as
no authentic account of the fact has
been yet received; but l expect to
hear strong representations upon the
subject, should it prove to be well foun-
ded.
As have already had the honor to
convey to you my sentiments upon the
subject of the non-intercourse law, in
several preceding numbers of my dis
patches, as also upon the general as
pect OF affairs in this country, 1 will
not trouble you with any further re-
marks, but beg leave to refer you to
the enclosed extract from my No. 10.
which was sent in his majesty's pack
ct with the mail of last month as it con-.
tains my opinion upon those topics,
which are unchanged.
This dispatch, as also my Nos. Id
and Is, will be carried to England in
the American dispatch vessel Pacific,
which will sail from hence in few
days with messenger, Lieut.. Read
annfhar syao..I =