Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-06-25


rearages are paid.
Mr.. R.lyNDOLPH's PREDATORY remarks
ia the resolution submitted by him to the
House IF K on The 18Th My, disah hro6a-
tory ofa "res9rt 60 sv7r against Great
Britain, under e.rfstiug crcumstances''-
Concluded from the last .ArgAS.
Mr. R. called the attention of the House to
Mr. Smiths letter To MIR. Armstrong of July
S, 1910, requiring in the name of the Presi-
dent, restitution of our plundered property
as q apreliminary to accommodation be
tween the two governments. '' As has been
heretofore stated to you, satisfactory pro-
vision for restoring the ist.,perty lately sur
priced and seized by the order, or at the in
stance of the French government must be
combined syith a reheai Of the French cdicts
with view to a non-intercourse with Great
Britain /; such provision being an indisfen-
su6Le evidence of the just purpose of France
towards the United States " Yet no resti-
tuition had been made: "that affair is set
tied by the law of reprisaL" What had
been the language held OH this floor, and by
ministers of state in official communications
to committees of Congress? THAT the
return of the Hornet should be conclusive as
TO our relations with France. That if Mr..
most complete redress for the past, and as
surances for the future, we would take the
same stand against her as against Great
Britain that any uncertainty as TO his sue
Cess, would be equivalent to certainty of
his failure" Such was the language held
Nntii che fact occurred, that no satisfaction
had been, or was likely TO be obtained. In
deed, for some days after the arrival ofthe
Hornet, these opinions had been maintained.
They had, however, gradually died away,
and it was only within 40 hours past, that a
different language had been held. Was it
necessary to remind the House of the shut
7flng conduct and policy of France towards
us? Ofthe explanation attempted by Da-
cres the minister of marine in relation to
the Berlin decree, and the subsequent an
.nunciation ofhis government to Mr.. Arm
strong, with true French sang .f-0id, that
t' as there was no exception of the United
States in The terms of the DEGREES, so there
was no reason for excepting them from their
operation" Have we forgotten Champag-
ny's declaration of war in our name? 'tWar
c%ists, them. in fact between England and
the United States, and his majesty considers
1t as declared" In short, for years past
France had required us to make war with
England, as the price of underlined CONNER
cal concessions from her. We had been
told, THAT we ought to tear to pieces the
act ofour ndependence-that we were more
dependent than Jamaica--that we were
without just political views, without energy,
without honor, and that we must at last fight
for interest, after having refused to fight for
honor"
France, whilst you required of her as a
preliminary to further accommodation the
restitution of her plumber decoyed into her
ports, required from you, as preliminary
a war with England. Mr. Barlow has now
been ten months in France, dancing attend
ance on her Court without being able TO OBJ
tain an answer to few plain questions. Are
your DEGREES Tepeaiedf 1t is considered as
Improper to make the enquiry. Instead OF
The edict, rescript, the instrument Of repeal,
by whatsoever name it may be called, he
sends US the structures Of the French go
vernmcnt upon the proceedings of tho Ame-
Yican Congress, and 4 remOnstrance to the
Duke Of Bassano, that the repeal Of the de-
crees Gin which lac is compelled to feiJ,n a
6rliei, because the Presidents proclamation
n the sole evidence of the fact) has not been
given IN charge To inc French cruizers, but
that The public ships of war (Nymph and
Medusa) Continue to burn our vessels ON the
,high seas. And what does the Duke of Bias
sano tell him in rcplyl The same old story
The y. States will be entirely satisfied on
the pending questions, and there will be nc
obstacle 10 their obtaining the advantages
they have in view. if they succeed bl max.
iHg their flax safe % In other words, ma ke
var with England, and you will he satisfied
eand not until thenl ON the pending quest.
Ons. And what are theyi On one of them
the required compensation for plundcr-
your minister after waiting for months for
an orai answer tells you, "'rhis IS tut syork
Hard To begiu, and dificuh to erecute.'
This is the claim too required by Mr. Sc
'cretary Sdiith, under the Presidents order
% be satisfied as a preliminary to the &C
eeptance Of the overture of August s, 1910
n is possible, The Wasp may bring ont some
thing, just to hush up complaints until We
are fairly embarked in war: into which, il
we enter. It will be war of submis-
sion 70 the mandates Of foreign despD
the b,sest, the most uDqlalihed
tSe most a9eet Submission. France, fol