Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-06-22

!, hoph DTItiSii Sdrriso MS, Wnerewlth they we
i enabled to common &c that system of Sava,
warfare on our fIorltiers, which has been
All times mdiscrm mate in its effect, on a
ages, sexes and CO sIitions, ami so revoltn
To humanity.
: Your committee would be much gratife
IT they could close here the detail of Births
! wrongs; but 1t is their duty to rccite ano
tner act of still greater malignity. than an,
OF those which have been already brought t,
lyo-r view. The attempt to disnember on,
Union and overthrow our excellent constitu.
ton, by secret mission, the object of which
was to toment discontents and excite insur-
rection against the constituted authorities &
laws OF the nation, as lately disclosed by the
agent employed in it, affords full proof that
there is no bound to the hostility of the Bri-
fish government towards the United States
mo act, however unjustihable, which it
would not Commit to accomplish their ruin.
This attempt excires the greater horror from
the consideration that it was made while the
United States and Great Britain were at
peace, and an amicaole negotiation was de-
pending between them for the accommoda-
ton of their differences through public mn
listers regularly aushorScd for the purpose.
The u. States havebeheid, with unexam-
pied foroearance, this continued series of
hostile encroachments OH their lights and
interests, in the hope, that, yielding to the
force of friendly remonstranccs, often re-
peated, the British gosernment might adopt
a more just policy towards them; but that
nope 40 longer exists. They have also weigh
ed impartially the reasons which have been
urged by the British government in vindica-
| ton OF these 6nCroachments, and found in
| them neither justification or apology.
The British government has aliedged in
vindiCation of the orders i'm council that they
were resorted to as retaliation on France
| for similar aggressions committed by her OH
on neutral trade with the British domini-
| ons. But how has this plea been supported |?
The dates of British and French aggressi-
| ons are well Known to the world. Their o.
| r;gin and progress have been marked with
too wide and destructive waste of the pro-
| perry OF our fellow citizens, to have been for
gotten The decree of Berlin of Nov. 2lst,
| 1906, was the first aggression OF France in
| the present war. Eighteen months had then
elapsed, after the attack made by Great
| Britain on on our neutral trade, with the CO.
| lonies of France and her allies and months
| from the date of the proclamation of May,
1906. Even on the 9TH January, 1907, the
date of the first British order in council, so
short term had elapsed, after the Berlin
decree, that it was hardly possible that the
intelligence of it should have reached the
U. States. A retaliation which is to pro-
| duce its effect, by operating on neutral
power, ought not to be resorted to, till the
| neutral had justified it by culpablc acqui-
escencc in the unlawful act of the other bel
ligerent. 1t ought to be delayed until after
sufficient time had been allowed to the neu-
| trail to demonstrate against the measure COM
blamed at. % receive an and IN art
on 1t, which had not been done IN the present
instance; and when the order OF Nov. 18th
| was issued, 1t is well known that minister
| OF France had declared to the minister pie
| nipotentiary of the United States at Paris,
that twas not intended that the decree of
| Berlin should apply to the United States. 1t
is equally we'll known, that no American
vessel had then been condemned under it, or
seizure been made, with which the British
| government was acquainted. The facts
| prove incontestibly, that the measures of
| France, however unjastifiable in themselves
were nothing more than pretext for those
OF England. And of the insufficency of that
| pretext, ample proof has already been at
| forded by the British government itself, and
in the most impressive form. Although it
was declared that the orders in council were
retaliatory on Fracce for her DEGREES, it was
Il dlSO QGCldECO, dIll III tile OTQSTS themselves,
| that owing to- the superiority of the British
| navy, by which the fleets of France and her
allies were confined within their own ports,
| the French DEGREES were considered only as
| empty threats.
| 1t is no justification of the wrongs of one
power, thatthe like were committed by ano-
| Their; nor ought the fact, if true, to have
/ been urged by either, as it could afford no
| proof OF ITS love oil justice, of its magnanmity,
or even OF its courage. 1t is more worthy
the government of a great nation, to relieve
than to assai the injured. Nor can repe-
tition of the wrongs by another power repair
the violated rights, or wounded honor, of the
injured party. An utter inability alone to
resist, would justify quiet surrender of our
rights, and degrading submission to the will
| OF others. To that condition the u. States
are not reduced, nor do they fear it. That
they ever consented to discuss with either
| power the misconduct of the other, is a
proof of their Glove of peace, of their mo-
Iteration, and of the hope which they still
INDUCED that friendly appeals to just and
generous sentiments would not be made to
them in vain But the motive was mista-
ken, if their forbearance was imputed, Ell
Their to the want of just sensbility to theiI
wrongs. or of a determination, it suitable
redress was not obtained, to resent them
The time has now arrived when this system
of reasoning must cease. 1t would be insult
ing 70 repeat it. 1t would be degrading Il
hear 1t. The u. States must act as an in.
dependent nation, and assert their right
and avenge their gOrongs, according to thei
own estimate of them, with the party VIII
commits them, holding it responsible for it
own misdeeds, unmitigated by those of ano
ther.
For the difference made between G.. Britain
and France, by the application of the non-im