Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-12
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
BRITISH POLICY.
X IL III NJ q NJ d
= II IT 2 " II,
THURSDAY. MARCH 10. 1912.

The disclosures of MIR. John Henry, if they
prove any thing necessary to be proved, demon
stratc, that Congress have not done their duty
to the people Of America.
The federalists of Massachusetts,, perceiving
that the National Legislature hal failed to en-
force the Embargo, which Congress had the wis
dom tn enact, made SIN array of faction, ostrpsi-
big threatening separation of the Union, but
really with view of getting possession of the
General Government, to the exclusion of the
republicans. The Governor of Canada, Sir
James Craig, installing the artifce of party for
an inclination to rebellion, sent Mr.. John Henry
TO sound he Federal leaders and to toment dis
Affections and iourney;ng through the country,
this Mr.. Henry collected, from yagrant CONVEX
s,tions OF party-men, from ruuor and from
newspapers, precisely what am man may hear
every day and what has prevailed in republics,
more or less, from the foundation of the world
10 the present time, to wit apparent anarchy,
licentous discourscs about rulers, and fears eX-
pressed ofdivision. But finally, the mission of
Mr.. John Henry, ended exactly where any intel
ligent man in the U. States could have told
him it would end--in disappointment.
We are emphaticslly informed, that this de-
Velopement proves the hoRoSpness of British pro-
fessons of amity and so it does. But that
was sufficiently proved before. Surely, after
the attack upon the Chesapeake, after the stu
died and impertinent delay in making atone
ment for that outrage, after the murder of
Pearce, after the infraction of Erskine's arrange
ment, after. the insolent trfiing of Lord Weiles-
leywith Mr.. Pnkney, after the Bullying of Jack
son. after the shutting of the British ministry
and Mr.. Foster about the repeal Of the French
decrees after all these instances of wrong and
perfdy, il did not require the speculative letters
of MIR John Henry, to prove that Great Britain
was insincere in her professions ofamity.
But these letters do prove, what, perhaps, was
not before quite so clear that is to say--they
II. - 80 ko.-a
SO conducted themselves heretofore, in making
declarations never to be enforced, rs to impress
the British government with an idea, that these
United States could be divided. And in this
point of view, the letters of Mr.. Henry are the
severest satire upon Congress, that we have yet
seen This gentleman, indeed, makes a curious
figure in the drama He first attempts to Sc
duce the Union from its duty, and failing in the
effort, turns about and congratulates her OH her
fidelity. This may be a compliment to Ameri-
can hearts but what does it say to the under
standings of Congress
This explosion, however, we NAV be told is
to produce great effect in England! And how
is that to happen Why, lord Wellesley, or the
prince regent will find out that they cannot di-
vide u.s. But they found that out long ago. They
found it out when Mr.. Henrys mission failed;
for Henry tells us that all his letters went home
to lord Liverpool. And we have seen that this
knowledge produced no change. Nor will itnow
The ministry have means enough to hood-wink
and pacify the Poprlace of their Island.
Confident as we are that nothing but an appeal
to the sword will bring Great Britain to reason,
II would, indeed, be painful to us to perceive
that Mr.. Henry's disclosures had any other eff
feet than to hasten the drDlOr of that attitude
which Congress have more taken. If these
letters STALL tend to convince any American mind
not alresdy satisfied, we shall be happy--for our
selves we consider the evidence of British prof
hgacy and American submission already too vol
luminous and fragrant