Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-03
VIRGINIA. ARGUS.
Ertracs Of a letter iron, Washington Ctv.
stated tue. 1, 1879.
x 7 c II NJ q .ND:
MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1919.


"You will see in the newspapers account,
| from England that the orders in council are
| about to be-suqtcnded! The British
ministers must really think our rulers are
rs silly as themselves. In the first place.
my dear sir, a sushenSi2n could not be list
encd to. because to accept suspension.
would be to admit that the British have a
right to issue such unlawiui edicts. In the.
next place, a total e-rsinction of the orders
in council, could not, atone, form The basis of
reconciliation. Something must be done re-
lative toimfrcssmem. Irnpressment is a vi
tai point; and must be adjusted before any
permanent peace can ensue. The United
States are ready to arrange this, and a II o.
Their topics on a mutually beneficial bottom.
by which the British would he much greater
gamers than they are by impiessment. rhe
rule we want is, the flag shall protect the
mariner, but it shall not protect English
men. Yet, in excluding Englishmen from
It's protection we will not admit that the Bri-
fish government shall, through its officers,
exercise the arbitrary, executive power>of
discrimination that point of jurisdiction, on
board our own vessels, we reserve In oar
selves. We ask nothing but reciprocity; to ask
more wond be to insist on what we condemn
to take less, would he To acknowledge our
servitude to Britain. Let Great Britain then,
agree to an adjustment relative to scamen,
on rational terms let her totally abandon
her Orders in Council, now confessed by G.
very body to be umtenable; aud let her
strictly adhere to- the law of blockade; and
the American government is ready for
peace ina moment. All we ask is the Old
Lagv Of Nations, and the rights which it
guarantees TO al, independent states.
This government will not have, at pre-
sent any treaty with France. Our rulers,
in fact, look at this moment with "A suilen
and jealous eye the French emperor. Do,
my friend, inculcate these truths among our
ci;izens--for the enemies of the war are do
ing mischief by every where ditfusng false
hood
81 hope you do not give credit or circula
tion to the numerous stories conc.raing Bal
timore, whose citizens. with all thoiryioience,
only direct theirfury against those who adj
vocate British ou rage. / hate mobs of all
sorts. The murders at the Jail aiiiict eve
ry heart here. Wagner and IIanson, bv ex-
citing these terrible connections, are doing
infinite mischief to freedom. They march
cd, it is said, into Baltimore in open day.
with Wagon loaded with arms and am
munition, and the Federal Republican, in
bundles. This is what set the hustle ayoine.
Say what they will, 1t is admitted all round
that Hanson's party shed Tie first blood
Poor Gen. Lingan. How lamentable it is,
that. in the 10th year Of his age he should en-
gage in such an enterprise. Every body
| laments him, and wonder that he should
have followed the rash councils of such a
hot-headed creature as Hanson. But such
is the march of burning ambition. Hanson
seeks distinction through pistols, duelling,
muskets. bloodshed, & iEAammatoiy publ
cations! FAREWELL feel for a city that
love--torn by the violence Of human pas
sions."