Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-07
Fell0's- CNi=enq effhe S. nate, and
0fthe House Of Renresenfgti,,eo

'.'''S oSrH required, Yielded TO conSidcra-
lions drawn from the posture of our foreign
',''''lis' and IN h:iTg the present, for Your
tme OF meeting, regard was had to the pro-
liability Of further Developments of the mil
ICY of,the bclligerent powers towards this
Country, which might the more uni-e the
n't'onat councils, in the measures to be pur-
sued.
AT the close Of the last session of Congress-
II was hoped that the successive conhrma-
lions OF the extinction ofthe French DEGREES.
so far as they violated our neutral commerce,
would have induced the government OF Great
Hritain TO repeal iss orders in council, ana
snelrby authorize removal Of the existing
oostruclions to her commerce with the Uni
ted States.
Instead Of this reasonable step towards
satisfacSion and friendship between the two
nations, the orders were, at a moment when
least to have been expected, put into more
rigorous execution and It was commnnica-
ted through the British Envoy Just arrived.
That whilst the revocation of the Edcts Of
france, as oticially u1adc known TO the Brit
ish government, was denied II have taken
place; It vas an indispensable Condition Of
the repeal Of the British orders, that COM
merce should be restored TO footing that
would admit the productions Of manufac
lures Of Great Britain, when owned by neu-
trails, into markets shut against them by her
enemy the United States being given to UNI
derstsnd that, in the mean time, coDtinu-
ance OF their nou-importation act would lead
TO measures of retaliation.
~ = later date, it has indeed appeared.
that communication to the British govern
ment, of fresh evidence Of the repeal IF the
French DEGREES against our neutral trade,
was followed by an animation, that it had
been transmitted to the British Plenipotenti-
AIRY here in order that it might receive full
consideration, IN the depending discussions.
This communication appears not TO have
teen received: But the transmission Of it
hither, instead Of founding on il an actual
repeal of the orders, OF assurances tiiat the
repeal would ensue, would not hermit us TO
rely on any effective change in the British
cabinet. To be ready to meet with cordiali-
, "a satisfactory proofs OF such change, and
to proceed in the mean time, in adapting our
measures TO the views which have been dis
closed through that minister, will best con-
salt our whole duty.
In the unfIiendly spirit cfthose disclosures,
indemnity and redress for other wrongs have
continued to be withheld and our coasts and
TIL mouths OF our harbors have again wit
messed scenes. not less derogatory 5othe dear
est of our national rights, than yeXatious to
the regular coarse of our trade,
Among the occurrences produced by the
conduct Of the British ships of war lowering
on our coasts, vas an encounter between enc
Of them and the American frigate comman-
ded by Captain Rodgers, rendered unayoid-
able on the part OK the latter, by a FIRE CON-
menced without cause by the former; whose
commander is, therefore, alone chargeable
with the blood unfortunately shed in main
tanning the honor Of the American Gag. The
oTs re-
b. Capt Rodgers, are communicated to-
getAer with tho correspondence relating to
the occurrence between The Secretary Of
State and Ills Britannia MajeSty's Envoy
To these are added the several COITespon-
dences which have passed on the subject Of
the British Orders in Council and to both
the correspondence relating to the Floridas,
IN which Congress will be made acquainted
with the inteYposition which the government
Of Great Britain has thought proper TO make
against the proceedings Of the u. States.
The Justice and fairness which have been
eYnced On the part of the United States to-
wards France, both before and since the re-
vocation Of her DEGREES, authorised an ex-
pectation that her government would have
followed UP that measure by all such othei S
as were due to our reasonable claims, as well
as dictated by its amcab!e professions. Nc
proof, however, is yet given Of an 4htention to
repair the other wrongs done to the Unite
States; and particularly to restore the great
arsount Of American property seized add
condemned under cdicts, which, though not
affecting our neutral relations, and, therefore,
not entering into questions between the UIi-
ted States and other Belligerents, were pc
vertheiess founded on such unjust principles,
that the repasatiou ought to have been
prompt and ample.
In addition to this, and other demands OF
strict wight On that nation /; the United Statcs
have much reason 20 DO dissa tshed with the
rigorous and unexpected restrictions, to
which ther trude WIKI the French domiri-
ons has been subjected, and which, If rot
discontinued, will require az least cores
bonding restrictions on importaticns ire III
France into the I. States.
On ali those subjects our Minister Plcni-
pc,entiary, ately sent 70 Paris, has carried
with him the necessary Instructions; the re-
suit Ct which will be communicated 70 YOU
nnd by aycertaining The ultef1ur policy ofthc
French government towards the y. states
will enable sou TO adapt to il, that Of the u
States towards France
Oar other foreign relations remain with
out uufayorable changes. With Russia, they
arc ON the best footing Of friendship. TIE
ports Of Sw edenhaye afforded procisofincnd-
iy dispositions towards our commerce, in tPe
ceocls Of thar nation also. And the info
nation from our special Minister to De1-
snark shcws, that the mission had been al