Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-18

i"PiVPSi hishiuatlonS, as one paragraph OF
Your letter would appear TO imply, am
most unieignedly sorry for it, as entertain
the highest respect for you personally and for
your government, and could only have meant
what wrote in the way of argument, or for
the purpose of contrasting the proceedings Of
France in her conduct towards the Il. States
with that of Great Britain.
In reverting to the extraordinary and I'M
precedented situation of things that has arr
sen out of the war in Europe it would seem
needless to repeat the evidence there is that
the lawless and unbounded ambition of the
ruler of France has been the origin of it, and
II cannot be a secret TO the United States
government that his plan has been, and a
vowedly continues to be, not to scruple at the
violation Of any law, provided he can there
by overthrow the martinez power of England
Is it not therefore reasonable in G.. Britain to
distrust an ambiguous declaration of his hav-
lug suddenly given up any part of system
which he thought calculated to produce such
an effects You say however that the DEGREES
OF Berlin and Milan are revoked. America,
as not being at war and therefore not seeing
so nearly into the views of France, may be
less scrnpulous as to the evidence necessary
to prove the fact; but sir, it surely cannot be
expected that Great Britain, who is contend
ing foreveiy thing that is dear to her, should
not require more proof OH point 50 materi-
nj TO her. 1t is undoubtedly very desirable
thing for the United States to havea free and
unrestricted trade with both belligercnts, but
the essential security and most important in
terests or America are not involved in the
question as are those of Great Britan-
France has levelled a blow which she hopes
will prove deadly to the resources of c. Bri-
tain, and before the British government can
with safety 4
Ii consequence adopted by them, very strong
proof must exist Of the cessation lSy France
OF her novel and unprecedented measures.
! confess, sir, with the sinccrest disposition
to discover on the part of the ruler ofFrance
return to the long established practice Of
warfare as exercised in civilized Europe, |
have been unable - succeed and if the
French government had really meant to
withdraw their obnoxious DEGREES, it is in
conceivable why, instead of allowing their
intention to be guessed at or inferred, they
should not openly and in plain language have
declared so--the DEGREES themselves having
been clearly enough announced on their en-
actment, why should not their revocation be
equally explicit.
While however numerous declarations
have been made on the part of France of
the continued existence of the DEGREES and
have occurred, q few of the American YES
sells seized since Nov. l. have been restored,
& the foregoing, a very small part ofhis plum
der, is desired by Bonaparte to be consider
ed as a proof OF the sincerity of his rcvoca-
ton by America but it must be recollected
that besides the object Of running the British
resources by his own unauthorized regulate
ons, he has also that of endeavou,ing to OBJ
tain the aid of the United States for the
same purpose, and herein you will, as had
the honour to remak in former letter, be a.
bic to observe the cause of the apparently
contradictory language held both by himself
and his ministers.
shall be extremely happy, TO receive from
you, sir, the information that ina frank and
unambiguous manner the Chief of the French
government had revoked his DEGREES. Why
he should not do so is inexplicable if he
means to revert to the extraordinary rules
Of war, but while he exercises such despotic
sway wherever his influence extends, to ru-
in the resources of England, it cannot be ex-
pected that Great Britain shall not use the
means she possesses for the purpose of max
ing him feel the pressure of his own system.
There is every reason 70 believe that ere
long the effects on the enemies of Great Bri-
tain will be such as iricsistibly to produce
change which will place commerce OF its
former basis. In the mean time, sir, hope
you will not think il extraordinary if should
contend that the seizure of American ships
By France, since November l, and the posi-
tive and unqualified declarations of the
French government are stronger proofs Of
the continued existence of the French de.
crees and the bad faith Of the ruler of France,
than the restoration Of FIVE or six vessels, toe
palpably given up for fallacious purposes
or in testimony of his satisfaction at the at
titude taken by America, is proof of their
revocation, or Of his return to the principles
Of Justice.
Twill only repeat, sir, in answer to your
observations on the late condemnation OF the
ships taken under His Maiesty's Orders in
Council, ws>lt have already had the hon
ouI to stateto you, that the delay which took
place in their condemnation was not in con-
sequence of any doubt existing in His maies-
TVS government, as TO- whether the French
DEGREES were revoked, as YOU seem to ina
CINE, but IN consequence OF its being thought
that the American government, upon its mp
pearing that they We decided by France,
would have ceased their injurious measures
against the British commerce. A consider
bic time elapsed before the decision took
place or those ships, and there is no doubt
but that had the United States government
not persisted in their unfriendly attitude to-
wards Great Britain on discovering the III
faith of France, spirit of Cancellation in h;s