Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-26
TRIALOGUE.

Betlveea Mr.. Ru.seH, Lord Cdstkereagh, and
Mr. Hamilton.
Scene, Lord Csstlereagh's House, London
' Time, nine o'clock at night.
Lord Casttereagh and Mr.. Hamilton are
seen sitting at a table loaded 7vith dmeri-
can Documents. Enter 20 them Mr.. Rus
sell
r. My lord, I come once more to offer you
the olive branch; may hope that it will not
be rejected
C. All! true. wish to see you Mr.. Rus
sell before laid your last communication be-
fore his royal highness. The nature of your
powers, Mr.. Russell Il ~
r My lord here is the letter of instruct
ons from Mr. Secretary Monroe.
C. I'm e-e-a-um-(r reading the letter.
Mr.. Russell as your late functions have ceased
this is a soanty affair to act under.
r. But, my lord, the authority is good; ;
and as it will bind my government, your lord
ship surely will not hesitate from mere ETH.
quette.
e. Aye, aye; yes, yes {; but, then, sir, the
extent of your powers, Mr. Russell /; the e..
| tent Of your powers, sir. Why here, now, I
shall be acting with you in my capacity of Sec
rotary of State, whilst you will act merely UNI
der such letter as this. There ought to be
an equality, sir
r My lord, am Simply charged to con
ter are sufficient for that. l ask your lordship
only to commit your government as far as I
commit mine. In this, my lord, there will be
perfect equality. '7
C. Impressment, Mr.. Russell this Impress
ment is weighty affair. You would not be.
lieve it, but pledge you my honor that the
people of England fond of impressment
that we dare not abandon it. There are great
many charlottesville law officers must be con-
81 n a., 80
turn us all ont of Office. ~ =.
R It is, however, very certain, my lord,
| that Great Britain once very near rein
gushing the practice and doing us justice;
e.. Never As 1 hope to be saved, never
| I suppose you allude to the case of Mr. King.
Poor man, he mistook our civilities for an iuten
ton to abandon impressment. Why, sir, we
never meant such thing :" Our friends in
! Congress" are very much mistaken on that head
| Ant they Hamilton b
IT, Very much so, may it please your lord
ship. &
| r. Then, my l. ord, j can only say that it !!
very difficult to tell when you are in earnest
| for any OF her man as we'll as Mr.. King, woulC
conclude from tho whole correspo ndence, tina
! Great Britain had been about to abandon tn,
practice.
| C. twas all a hum--alI hum, sir. Wan
it Hamilton
| II, MI hufns lnucttly ~ lutl.
r. To be brief with your lordship, I offe
! on the part of the United States law prohibi
ting the employment, in their public and pri
vate armed vessels, OF the subjects Of Grea
Britain, ifyour lordship will pledge your gov
eminent to do the like, and to reiinquish tn
practice Of impressment.
| g. No!
| r. I do not ask you to relnquisl impress.
mcHt till we have passed our law.
G.. MOI
r. I offer, moreover, that in future VIC wi
employ in orr sea-service no naturalized BIRTHS
subjects.
C.. MOI
IT. will the U. States give up those 81
has naturaliIed
C.. No o, beg pardon. Damn II, Han
! ilton, it was you that spoke. thought il "
! another proposition from Mr. Russell.
r. Such an act IA that implies, Mr. Ham
{ ton, would do Bgiitin no good and dishonor {
\ y. Statese