Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-06-10

American commissioners peremptor.ally refused.
Mr.. P0nS0n6y then took view of the conduct
of the American President and legislature, and
showed that the whole American people were
unanimous IN resusing what we proposed by his
mjesty's ministers. The demand of cesson of
territory III the state of Massachusetts, whichwa
less attached than any other to the government
oil Mr. Madison, completely alienated the dispo-
siton ofthat state, and made it abandon those
predictions in favor ofG. Britain, which it had
long cherished.
Mr.. tonsonby then noticed the circumstance
That no addresses to the crown were moved by
gentlemen in official or responsible situations
He wished the noble lord (Castereagh) had stood
forward to propose the address, and that he had
III the course of his statement given that informa-
ton which had become so necessary. The Ame-
rican commissioners appear always to have resist
ed the demand ola boundary line for the Indians.
on the grounds chat the Indians had no territory
as SoverelSls ofthe soil. They and their govern
ment were wiling, however, to extend any peace
that might be made with G. Britain to their Indian
allies, on the condition that they should stand ex-
actly where they did before The second de-
mand was military occupation ofthc lakes. On
tins subject the British commissioners are said
to have demanded that America should have no
liberty TO raise forts, even on her side OF the
lakes II what advance CONTINUED Mr. Pr
be TACT and the hon. gentleman may dsprove
1t he can, then say, that minister's have entirely
deyiated from the course which they first propos-
ed. The definite boundary for the Indians-the
alterations To- be made with respect to the relati-
onS between them and the American governments
the military occupation of the lakes By England
the prevention of military occupation by Ame-
rica-and the portion of territory to be rsven up
IN the state of Massachusetts-ail these points, /
say, are abandoned
" Ifthey are not, / hope the hon. gentleman viii
point out to me my error on this subject and
mat he wiilshow somethingin tins treaty toprove
that We have gained every advantage contenpla-
ted If, sir, he cannot do this, I trusthe Will make
ltappear that the British commissioners did not
ask tor the concession stated in the papers TO
which have alluded Above ell, hope ne viii
shew TO tue house, that one of the demands
have mentioned was not made as a sine qua non,
without compliance with which, it was decar-
ed that no peace would be made with America,
although 1T was afterwards abandoned"
Mr., PonsOn5y concluded long and animated
speech on this subject, with .ng that the fol-
loving should be received as an amendment to
the address:
e" To assure his royal hghness that we contem-
plate with great satisfaction the restoration of q
state OF peace and amity between his majesty 6
the United States of North Amcrica--but we
should deem ourselves highly deficient in the dis
charge OF our duty towards his majesty and his
people, Were we not 70 express to his royal high
ness our deepest regret, that measure so neces-
sary to the welfare and prosperity of his maies-
ys commons was not sooner accomplished
that III reviewing the terms of the treaty. which
his royal highness has been graciously pleased
to lay before US, we are at loss to discover what
We're the causes which SO long retarded its CON
cluSlon That, IN our opinion, the honor oc his
malesty's crown, and the interests ofhis people
both required that soon as the peace OF Eu-
rope had been established by the treaty signed at
Paris ON the 9Th day of May, in the last year the
speedlest and most effectuai measures should
have been adopted for the negotiation Of
treaty ofpeace with the u. States ofN Amer ca
that the complete and entire cessation Of hostiIi-
ties IN Europe had removed or suspended the op-
Grafton OF the causes which had occasioned or ac-
compsnied the late war between his majesty and
the United States that the elevated and com
handing station which the United Kingdom
then held amongst the nations of the world
would have rendered the manifestation of a SIN
cere wish for the restoration ofthe blessings of
peace with the United States highly honorable =.
ms maJesty's counsels and would have afforded
the government and people Of America the most
unequiyocal proofs of the generosity and mag-
nannnlty OF the British nation Of q sincere de
sirc TO bury III lasting oblivion the recollection of
that hostility which then unhappily subssted,
and ofits anxious wish for the re-e5tablishment
OF peace, upon terms honorable and advantage
Gus to both countries, and likely to insure its
own permanency by the justice and liberality OF
It's conditions That we are the more deeply af-
flicted by the long (and, as we deem it ) unne.
ceS5ary delay in the conclusion of peace, when
we reflect upon the great and Incompatible iniu-
~ Ms majesty and his people have sustained, by
inc unnecessary and Improbable waste of trea-,
sure, by the loss of so many distinguished and
heroic officers, and of such numbers Of brave,
loyal and distinguished troops and VIC must
deeply lament that these calamities should be
aggravated by mortifymg reflections, that the
tame OF the British arms may appear TO be dimin.
ished by the failure Of the latest military enter
prizes OF the war. That it affords US however,
consolation to find, that peace is at length re-es-
taDhshed and to assure his royal il ghness, that
1t IS tic earnest wish and desire of hs house, to
cultivate and maintain the most cordial and in
t,ma'e union with the government and people of
the United States
nat we rely upon his royal highne5s's wis
dom and goodness TO cherish and preserve the
most friendly relations between them and his ma
Jesty's subjects; and we confidently trust, that
corresponding disposition in the government
and the people Of the United States will enable
ms royal highncss to continue unimpaircd, and
undisturbed, the haunonynow so happily restored
between them and that tho two freest nations
| IN the world may exhibit to mankind the crate
iul spectacle Of mutual confidence and lasting
peace"
| a long debate ensued, IN which Mr. Coulburn
ono oFthe commissioners, endcaored TO explain
away the pai ticular points objected to in the ne
gociailoH. Mr. Barring condemned the nismsn-
! agcnent Of The wholencgoc and sir James
1