Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-06-20

" TO the constitution of this commonwealth -
OF requesting, in an orderly and peaceable
manner, the Legislative body by addresses,
petitions or remonstrances to redress the
wrongs done them, and the grievances they
suffer-" no rational objection could have been
urged against them on the contrary, their
conduct, il it had even resulted from mista-
ken zeal, would have been Justly applauded.
But their open avowal Of hostility TO the GOV
eminent of the United States demands ofus,
in support of it, as a sacred official duty, an
ingenious and efficient line Of conduct.
The measures referred to were predicated
on assertions that our " ancient and respec-
table metropolis "was the first to encou-
rage commercial enterprise :" that this was
agreat source of g cur national prosperity !"
that its inhabitants have been distinguish
ed by their quick discermment of and their
vigorous opposition to all invasions of their
rights" that at the risk of their lives and
fortunes they had opposed the encroachments
of arbitrary power" that they had expec-
ted ga domestic government which would
protect them in the lawful exercise of their
rights ;" that "amongst these, the NEST in
valuable was protection in the pursuit Of COM
mercer" that 1.-THE government of the Uni
ted States has for many years past manifes-
ted disposition alarmingly hostile to COM
MERGE" 'most enliuentty by the late act of
Congress" which under certain pretexts,
'iinilicts a deadly wound on our commerce -
that 'the only remedy short of an appeal to
force is to change'cur national rulers :" and
that " this important measure can only be
effected, by q correspondent change in the
administration Of this state
In regard to these positions it is presumed,
that this "assemblagev will not assume al
the merit of encouraging Commerce, OK Of OPP
position to the invasion ef our rights, or of
opposing, at the isls of Kfe and fortune, the
encroachments of arbitrary power; but, will
admit its fellow citizensofthe metropolis and
of the state to equal honor with them
selves on these subjects. Audit is believed,
that /" the assemblage," in whatever light it
may view the federal government, win not
deny the sovereign right OF its fellow citizens
OF the United States TO exercise their iudg
ments on the conduct of that government;
TO declare their conviction, that it is wise,
just, impartial and patriotic goveraRsnt !;
and their testimony, that instead of ind fFsisir
| it has warded off by every possible Iss5Sa q
deadly blow, aimed by foreign pqasers Oh
+ ON. commerce and TO applaud, sresere and
| SUPPORT thcir government, iisefEesition 20
| thoseFwho have proclaimed Islsips aft lection
to it, have prescribed it, aaG dafned i to
| destruction.
The F" assemblage." IN their firstaresoIa-
| ton, declare & that having reyiewedWith i'm
| partially cur foreign relations, they are un-
able TO discover any alteration in TIE con-
| duct of foreign nations, winch can justify, Oh.
even apologize for the late measures of the
Government OF the United States" Admit
| ting the fact, that the assemblage could not
discover any such alteration" still it may
have EXISTED and it did exist in regard to
France, in the opinion of the sole c0nstitu-
tionAl Judge, the national Government and
generally of the State Governments.-Th
measures alluded to were the Presidents
proclamation of the Cd of November last,
and the act of Congress Of the I'd of March
last: And when it is considered, that the
Emperor of France, by his official declara-
items of a revocation OF his Berlin and Milan
DEGREES, had rendered indispensable that
proclamation that the neglect to issue it
would have given just cause ofoifence To the
Emperor, and have hazarded a war that
had this been the result no apology could
have been offered for the President that
even if the emperor had been strongly sus-
pected o. intentional perhdy, the proclama-
tion was wise and polite as it was revoca-
BILE in such an event, and would thus have
| placed him constiicRousky in the wrong
| When these things are considered, where
was inc HHpODCy OF injustice OF issuing the
| proclamation, or OF renewing our CONNER &C
| with Francel But have the United States
and Great Britain, or either Of these powers,
authorised this assemblage" to be their um-
pireI HBot, by what authority did it sit
| In judgement on the relative measures of the
| two nationsS 1t constitutes perhaps one part
| in four hundred of the federal electors and
is so small portion, to govern the whole !
| The assemblage had a right by the Federal
| Constitution, not to pass such resolutions, but
ito Petition for a redress of grievances -
| and 1t is the greatest of all absurdities, and
| destructive Of all order, TO admit that three
! thousand Of our fellow citizens, having only
| equal rights with the rest, can be authorised
in proclaining that cur national rulers, in
relation to a foreign power, cannot justi-
| fy or even apologize for their ccnduct."-Did
this " asscmblagc" manifest quick dis
ccrnmcut,' pending aneguciation on which
may rest our future peace, thus to condemn
our national government, whist supporting
our Just claims; and to encourage a foreign
power IN unjust demands, which if persisted
in will inevitably produce a ruptwel Can
it On any ground, Justify or apologize" far
such imprudent conductl And how will it
be viewed when the measures OF Great Bri-
tain towards us for series Of years have
been marked by every species ofinsult, inja-
~ and injustices
The "assemblage" affirm, "thet the first
/ fragrant violation Of our neutral rights was