Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-12-21
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
RI CT III q VI:
MONDAY, DECEMBER II. 1879.
To the Hon. LANG DON CHEYES.
December l4th, 1912.

NOI UiNC imposed upon yourself
The merchants who imported goods con-
trary to law, subjected those goods TO for
fixture. Had the law been enfurced with
severity. the srkoic would have been taken
from the importers.
But the importers were permitted to bend
them; some at less, some ~ a greater,
but urne at their saie05le value.
The importing merchants now demand
that these bonds shall be cancelled and you
are tlleir advocate.
In the eye at commcn sense, the mcr-
chnnts who imported goods in defiance Of
law, were offenders. You, nevertheless. re-
verse the fact, and represent the government
as the aggressor. One would supD, Sc
from what you are aliedsed tn have ut
tered. that the oGcnding merchants were
not suers for lenity, but professors -
gainst tyranny And what is your arSIi-
ment in their favor?
WHY, you assert that these merchants
in contempt of the regulations Of the
government, have conferred benefit on tia
country. This, you tell US, is taking a stand
upon constitutional principles. Let me test
your doctrine.
Ii, in any case, where the interest OF ira
ders is concerned, and the comfort OF por-
ton of the community is conveniently pro-
vided for. those traders may with impunity
violate the laws, ask you who are the
rulers /? the traders, or the constituted au-
thoritiess And where will this doctrine
lead U.S. To fixed principles of action !.
To regular and stable government? No,
Sir! To the corruption Of the statutes to
fluctuatiDg legislation; and to total aban-
donment OF the concerns of the nation into
the hands Of a set OF specializing merchants.
You cite, as an example illustrative of
Nf p,.fo Ia, ~,
resembling her orders in council. Sheyield-
| ed, you tell us, TO the clamors of the manu-
| facturers and why should zve not assent TO
| the demands of our merchants? Such is
| your reasoning
The cases, Mr. Cheves. are altogether diff
| {erent. Great Britain, by her orders in
| council, had starred her manufacturers into
insuwcc,ion. It required an army to pre-
vent an open rebellion. Policy, therefore,
dictated to her, Immediate attention to the
calls of her subjects.
! Bat, Sir, did the American governrl ent
compel the merchants to speculate in Bri-
tish goods? Did this administration reduce
! the merchants to their present dilemma
You kao7y it did NOT. They yentured OH
their own responsibility: 1t was their own
voluntary act. Theirs was to be the gain !;
| and theirs the peril.
W Y on tell us, that from Mr.. Russeli'S OH
e7iion, and Mr.. Monroe's decLq,ution to Mr..
| Foster, the merchants had right tn infer
the suspension of the non importation law.
1 will not contest the RIGHT Of any man &c
! draw an inference nor will YOU derry that
| whoever preslgies a fact, ard acts upon 1t,
| does it at his own risk. He that trafIicks
upon the events of futurity, can only blame
! himself when he is deceived. II by the an
;icipation of individuals. in London, the A
4
bandon its policy, it wnuld be vain and f,l-
| tile for the people to eject representatives,.
! Oar law-giVeis might be sought on the
banks oft Thames.
| Bit, itseems, you contenn, and you have
descended to ridicule, the hoiicy of the ad-
| ministratoD in relation to commerce. 1t
| has been, YOU conceive, cGGr!cious.
| Suppose admit the fact; upon whom
| ought your ridicuIe and condemnation to
| falls Upon the administration? No. Sir.
Il ought to fall on TIE .faifhicss merchant
Upon that class of men whom nc policy will
| satisfy; who, from the very commencement
ofthe unhappy differences between the u
| nited States and Great Britain, have be-
sieged government with their outcres; who
| have pledged themselves at one moment to
| stand By the constituted authorities, end in
| the next have abandoned them who will
4
! profits; aad who will admit no law TO be
! wise that does not increase their gains. Up
| on these, Sir, vent your vein of ridcuie
upon these, pour forth tho vehemence OF
your passion. But let me caution you a
| gainst future illusions to q comet. IT would
| force us to tue melancholy reelection, how
| many politicians there are that resemble
| such Giraffe bodies, who, suddenly appear
ing in the atmosphere of our public councils,
surprize us for time by their glare va
nish, and are forgotten!
The very course you recommend is the
cause of the capriCiousncss you reprobate
Congress pass law; the merchant vio-
lates it, and soicits forgiveness. Another
law is enacted, and the merchant sins again,
and again asks for pardon: Again it is
granted. The policy of government ob-
strHcts luis trade; the merchant buiics the
government and defeats the policy. This
is the history of our commercial regulations
and you, instead of being, as YOU suppose
the opponent, are the friend of the caprice
4 law ofthe government IS once more 20 be
given up to Mammon. Behold the mer-
chants at their post, with you for their cOun-
sellor! Permit me to tell you, Mr.. Cheves
that it is to such traders as you viiidi
cate, and to such IDEAS as yop inculcate,
that all the yICisstudes of our foreign poll
les are owing do not wish to offend you
but will deliver my opinion.
The benefit which the importers have
conferred upon the country, merit, yot
think, generous indulgence. You tall
much at your ease. Do YOU imagine Lhel
nave NOT exclusively consulted their owl
intercstsP Is there human being that be
l ! ieyes these merchants had a thought fo
AAhe country No, indeed Fruit is thci
NJ