Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-06-14

been amply recognized and acted upon BY this
| country with respect to otherquarters. Peace
| mere peace-had been offered, but rejected by
thelr lordships and the nation. 1t was not there
Iore, the mere circumstance that peace had been
concluded-it was not the mere words or aspect
OF the treaty that ought to decide their lordships
10 approve of it, if 1T could be shewn from infor-
nation and documents ndsputable that the peace
had been concluded under circumstances in which
neither honor nor security had been provided for
IN discussing this question, they had to consider
what had been done to bring the war to n termi-
! nation. 1t would be recollected that soon aftc
the war broke out, two propositions were made
LOT an armistice and discussion of the points i'm
disputes in the mean time
lie did not blame ministers for their conduct
on that occasion, being perhaps of opinion, that
the carrying on negotiations for peace during an
armistice was generally an imprutlent course of
proc eedings; but he only wished to call their
lordshp's attention to this fact that at that time
there was no expression of the slightest desire to
alter the grounds of dispute; and that with res
pect to the impressment of seamen, wish was
expressed to come to full and fair discussion in
order, ifpossible, to form amicable arrangements
on that difficult and arduous subject. The next
point to be considered in the view of the oues-
non Which he had stated, was the proposed me-
diation OF Russia, and he had never been able to
discover why that mediation had.not been accept
ed. Their lordships were aware that the bust
ties together for the purpose of amicable discus
SON The business ofan arbitrator was no doubt
different, and perhaps with respect to our mari
time rights, the emperor of Russia might not
nave been the most proper arbitrator, supposing
we had been disposed TO admit of any arbitra-
ton on that head for essential as these rights
were to this country, yet they were not more po-
Puiar with some nations m Europe, than they
were on the other side of the Atlantic But the
emperor OF Russia's mediation was not accepted.
ret at last IN question about territory, in which
the dignity and honor of country might be rs
mucn involved as in any question whatever, the
emperor OF Russia, though not accepted rs me-
oiator, was to be the arbitrator. With respect
70 the emperor OF Russia, however, there was no
character existing at the present day, no charac-
ter recorded in history, which more commanded
MS respect, his admiration, and, as far the ex-
preston might be used as to the sovereign of
country, his affection, than that ola great mo-
march but he rather imagined that the media
tion was refused, because ut that moment no.
ton had arisen some where, that as America had
been the aggressor, the contest ought not to be
Drought to close without some measure of re-
Venge, without some punishment for her indis-
cretion, than which more unwise and destruc-
tive sentiment could not be conceivcd.-Aftcr
that period aproposal was made for a direct COM
munIcatioD, most proper step to be taken if it
had been at an earlier period but why had not
the mediation been accepted, or why had not
some steps been taken with the earliest possible
opportunity to put an end to the contest Instead
OF thls, after the American commissioners had
arrived, two months had elapsed before we sent
our commissioners to the continent-There had
been delay from the end of May till August
In an ordinary case this might have been of no
great consequence, but here the first moment for
putting an end to hostilites ought to have been
seized. Perhaps if our commissioners had been
sent at the earliest possible period, the transac-
tons at Washington could not have beenprev ent-
ed but the greater part of the subsequent ca
lamitles, and almost all our subsequent efforts
had been calamities, might have been prevented.
The first point, then, on which he fixed, was
this--that contrary TO the principles which he had
stated in the outset, an improper backwardnesS
and delay had been manifested IN opening the
negotiation. But it should be remembered at
what crisis then stood We had just obtain
ed a series of glorious successes in France.--A
large force was dlsengaged, we had great mill
tary means, we had even great moral means
what, then was necessary2 Why, what but vi
gorous application of our means' Why, what
but employ all the means in power, and at
the same time make the most moderate demands
possible. There should have almost been no limit
to the vgoP of our exertIons and the moderation
of our demands. We made feeble exertion -
we then entered into negocaton he would con-
tend that the instructions of the American CON-
mssioners contained not one article beyond the
original claims; and that even including the ques-
ton of impressment, they might have been all
settled at once On one branch of discretion
they had indeed no instructions that with
reference to territorial ceSsion and Indian pacIf-
cation. The first part of this branch had never
been agitated before. As to the Indian pacihca-
ton there could have been no thought but that ii
turned directly upon pacifcation with ourselves,
1t would be almost matter of ridicule TO mention
the heat which those Indian discussions occasi.
oned at Client; as it was TO be expected that the
Indians being already under the American gov
eminent, Mr.. Madison was to make new treaty |
TO reconcile them to subordnation. 1t was not |
wonderful that on a subject so perfectly under |
stood and laid at rest, there should be no nstruc-
tons TO the commissioners but it was wonderful |
that We should introduce those Indian affairs on
article into our negotiation when 1t had not been |
even matter of speculation before. The first
proposition which we thus brought forward was, |
that whereas the natural limits of Canada ought, |
on far consideration, TO be, instead of those of
the treaty of 1885, the southern sides Of the lakes
with strip Of territory on that side, only re-
quire from the Americans, the whole ofthe lakes, |
and that they should dismantle their fortrcsses |
on the southern shores; also reduce what mill |
tary or naval force they had on those lakes or
borders, we at the same time keeping up our SUI
perority on the lakes Notwithstanding the gra- |
witty OF the subject, it was not easily to avoid
laughs at this happy system 1t reminded him of
a gentleman Of celebrity in his day, who had been
introduced into debate before by an illustrious |
or he A.