Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-26

vi government, correspondents ct GuitOrS OF
federal prints, should have it in their power
to subject the federal party to the suspicious,
which naturally attach to them from the pub
locations to which we have alluded
Henry's papers were first declared to be
sorgeries This WAS 4 willful untruth, be-
cause no one who heard or saw them but
was convinced of their authenticity; and it
was soon found necessary to abandon this
subtcrfuge.
Allied to this suggestion was that against
the character of MIR. Henry. This might as
well have been spared, by the federal editors,
| as by Mr.. Foster. We Cannot but admire at
the rapidity with which Henry sunk iii their
affections, Immediately after ne had deve-
loped the infcrnallsm OF the project or Great
| Britain TO destroy US, after he had done our
country an invaluable service by detecting
the foes to its existence, by exposing the CALI
ker III the bud; we Could not but admire ,nv
rapid change of sentiment, we say, when we
reflect that Mr.. Henry has in times past
been most strenuous supporter of the fedc-
raj party; that he has been received by them
with open arms that he has been feasted at
their private houses in the neighboring cities
nor did they cease TO entertain him until
he exposed the schemes in which he had
been an authorised agent. IF Henry had been
OF CCf OUU d man, WOuiu UdNC OCSn I'd
ressed, as we know he has been.--wouid he
have held intimate correspondence with most
respectable federal gentlemen, as we have
seen acknowledged in federal prints ??
But it is said that Henry has grossly abu-
sed Mr.. Madison and alithe democratic par
ty, in his letters, and therefore is not to be
believed. This is singular reason to be urg-
ed by federalists, because it would equally
prove that they themselves are unworthy of
credit. But the argument amounts to no.
!, thing; it proves neither the one thing nor the
other for political opinion is not to be regu-
lated by any fixed standard. Replete with
abuse of him as these papers are, Mr.. Ma
Olson has nevertheless sent.them tn Congress
and if he had not done so, he had deserv-
ed the execration of all gnod mcr, though he
might, by withholding them, have patched
. up an inglorious peace with certain of his e.
nemies. Fortified in consciousness of mis-
own integrity, the President may and does
look unmoved on this detraction ofhlmself
Why do not others equally and not more st.g-
matised by Henry than MIR. Madison, regard
these letters with the same equanulty of
temper? We leave it to our readers TO ue
eide whether the different emotions they dis
play arise from a consciousness of the truth
of the allegations, which may form the point
of Henry's offence.
Another argument urged as conclusive a
gainst the disclosure of the deadly hatred Of
Britain to this nation, is that the MaSsachu-
sets election is near at hand We wonder
not that those whose whole souls are engag-
ed in contests for political power, who can
conceive no object of ambition but Office and
patronage, should he unable 20 conceive the
pleasure patriot may feel in detecting con-
spiracies against his country's existence, and
covering with confusion their abettors. This
suggestion proceeds from an Obiquity Of IN
tellect, which cannot conceive of correct mo-
tives of action. But how is this disclosure to
affect the Massachusetts, election? Is il pos
sble that federal writer's consent so to iden-
tify their party with foreign government as
that the disclosure of its perfidy shall neces-
sarily affect them? And do they therefore
grieve at the exposure of treacheryl We
caution our readers against believing, we cali
upon all candid Federalists to repel, this foul
aspcrsion.t Let it not hereafter be said WE
nnjustiy depreciate the motives OF the fede-
raj party, when their own writer's, their own
ofticious advocates, impute to them feelings
and motives which they universally disclaim,
and which il truth we never have charg-
ed them with.
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