Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-08-12
FRENCH DEGREES.

When it was officially announced 20 our
government by France, that the French de-
crees were revoked, and the President issued
his proclamation in consequence thereof, the
federalists said this is not sufficient, we ought
TO ttesa .d.As.,aes ,,i.aI.tica>i-- ~ar,aai~I
Nothing could exceed theiprcfigate caluni-
ny heaped on the President and Congress.
The law of the last session was unblushinglv
declared 81 to be tourtIeG on LIE" and eve
nv means were taken to coercc the consttu-
ted authorities of the nation, to commit a
breach of national faith with France. The
Republican members OF Congress resisted
these efforts and preserved their compact
with France. What has been the conse-
qucncc!
The fcderalists now say the DEGREES are
not revoked, but only few vessels are re-
leased. They admit all the vessels in the
ports of France coming under the operation
of these DEGREES have been released. We'll,
but is not this what they called for during
the last session of Congresss Assuredly it
is ~! Now they ask for another formal re-
vocation. Would not such request be an
insult> Can the annals of diplomacy pro-
duce a single instance of reiteration of the
Revocation for public act for the same
purpose
We have now the official and Practical
repeal of the DEGREES, and yet the federal par
ty are not satisfied. The truth lies in small
compass, their hatred to France and love to
England overbalance their wishes for the
prosperity of their own country. When Mr..
Erskine announced the repeal of the orders
in council, the republicans congratulated the
suspicious event, no hatred of England pre-
vented them from enjoying the reflection
that the affairs of their country wore more
favorable aspect But that such pros
peot opens itself withregard to France chagrin
and modification seize the party ; they are
at first incredulous, when the official account
reaches them they would fain believeor atleas.
make others believe, no faith can be attach
ed either to the professions or acts of the
French government; and although this is a
national courteSy allowed to the AlgeriBe
powers, yet forsooth it must be denied to
France-Dem. Press.
| 1t is now understood pretty generally that
the British government will not be contented
with repeal of the French DEGREES 50 far
as regards the United States, but that we
must secure a general abstract revocation of
the same. The United States are at present
the only neutral nation, ard this requisition
| seems at first only to present formal obsta-
Gle, but on a closer inspection the sub
! ject presents itself in more important
I OuDDOSC OOulll [hI1CllCd Stloulu QC-
clare herself free, sovereign and indepen-
dent nation, and become neutral power,
the French DEGREES as they exist now would
iii such an event apply to and include South
| America. And we are now called upon by
Great Britain in case of such an event to
protect South America from the French re-
| gulations. &c What's HecH6o 10 him or he 10
| HecH5a." The same would apply to Russia
or any 9th er nation, but We have stated q
case not at all improbable. If we secure our
neutral rights from violation by France, Great
Britain can have no possible claim on us by
retaliation. The truth lies i'll anarrow COM
pass, Great Britain has no inclination to dc
us justice, and the sooner we prepare for the
contest, the less vulnerable we shall be. II
win assuredly come unless a change take!
place in the councils of Great Britair.-ib.
Every Indication of disposition On tn,
part of Great Britain for war presents il
self She pours troops into Canada, invites
the Indians to acts Of hostility against us
captures and condemns our vessels, impress
ses our seamen, blcckades our coasts, as
sumes the right of legisating over us and he
envoys insult our government, yet we arr
gaveiy told by Pickering, that Great Bri
tain with her loco ships of war has done IL
no essential injury Sun.
Mr.. PICKERING has wire-drawn himsel
to and through No. XIX, in his long talk " Il
tie Peohie ofIhe United States" rhroug'
the whole he exhibits the hiHmUira!e of hi
dominant passion-devotioz TO the fast an
chored IsIe''--hatred 10 F,unce-and con
temM Of his o7w government. "IHe robbie
ries md iiracics committed By The French En-
heror'-have now become the burthen Of hi
song. Here we would not interrupt his dar
ling tlIeme-he has truth on his side. Whe
he debases his understanding by an attack o
Commodore RODGERS, and through him on
government, in the a6iiir Qfthe !ittte i}eit
and bellies the boastcd integrity Of his hear
by justifying England in all her rank offence
against public morality and American right
The outrsges all decency--" One t1tfh Z
ono ie--do Tery rel .for Indiau''--said
savage, with better pretensicfs TO integi1t,
one truth, 10 f50o lies, is the most We can Gre
dit to the intentions, or writings Of the &C
knowiedgcd advocates Of the British cause.
BIS. Pat.
MERINO SHEEP.
A successful experiment has lately bee