Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-02-24

proof has been aNOrueu ny uoCuheutSl
which have been long in the possession Of
the public. He was, finally, recalled byl
the government, with an implied ce'sure,
in letter from col. Pickering, then secre-
tarv Of state. MIR. NJ. returned, without
delay, and Published, in mis- defence, CO.
DIV Of his whole correspondence with his
own government and with the government
of France. The whole republican party
were convinced that he had been injured.
He was, on his return, received in this ci-
ty, Philadelphia, and Virginia, with de-
monstratiOns of confidence and affection.
We have heard, and believe, that General
Washington himself, after he had seen his
defence, spoke of him with respect, and
declared, that he had always believed and
still believed him to be an upright and ho-
norable man. Mr.. Ms respect for the
virtues Of General Washington and his at
tachment to him personally, experienced
no change. Any reproach under the sane
ton of man whom he had SO long vene-
rated, and under whom in his youthful
days, he had fought and bled, could not
fail to wound him deeply, yet could not OBJ
literate impressions which had SO long
been cherished.
Mr.. NJ. was soon honoured with sig
nalproof of the confidence of his country.
In 1899 he was elected, by the general as
sembly Of Virginia, governor of that
state, and served the term of three
years, allowed by its constitution. His
election gave satisfaction to the republi-
cans throughout the union. His fellow
citizens had seized the first opportunity to
eyince the favourable opinion which they
entertained of his conduct and to show
their continued confidence in him. MIR.
Madison, then member of the Virginia
assembly, made the nomination of Mr.. M.
for this Office and his election was among
the first of the important events which in
dictated and led to the political revolution,
which soon afterwards took place. The
federalists had conceived great prejudices
against him but they became afterwards
convinced. that, although he was yea
lous republican, he was no persecutOr.-
He was attached to the cause of free go
yernment from principle, and knew that it
was inconsistent with the spirit of that
cause, as it was with the spirit of true reli-
gioD, to attempt to propagate it by Wo-
lence. His administration was diligent,
active and useful. The most remarkable
incident by which it was distinguished,
was projected insurrection of the slaves,
which was discovered on the day preced-
ing that of the intended explosion, and sup
pressed by the most prompt and decisive
measures. He was elected each year with
an Increased majority and so general
was the satisfaction afforded by his admi-
that he received, at its close,
an unanimous vote of thanks from both
branches of the legislature.
Immediately after Mr.. Ms. term in the
of Virginia had expired, he
was appointed, by the President of the
United States to trust of the highest i'm
portance to the nation. The Spanish 60
had suppressed the right of de-
post at New-Orleans, stipulated by the
treaty Of 1895. This suppression was af-
fected in way which indicated dispos-
ton to resort, if necessary, to force. A
vital blow at the prosperity of vast and
fertile portion of our country, excited a
ferment among our western brethren, and
was felt in every quarter of the union
Spain, it was known, had coded Louisiana
to France--and it was, therefore, to be in
ferred, that the French government had in
stigated the measure. President Jeffer-
son considered Mr.. NJ. TO be the fittest
person in the u. s. for 3 mission, whose
object was to accommodate this difference.
which led directly to war. Mr.. NJ. had
supported the right OF the u. States to the
free navigation of the Mississippi on many
interesting occasions. He had distin-
guished himself in that cause in 1886, in
the old Congress, in the convention of Vir-
GINA in 1888, and in his former mission to
France. He therefore possessed, it might
be presumed, in a high degree, the conf
dence Of the western people.
II might have been, and, no doubt, was antic-
pated, that he would be favorably received in
France. His recall from his former mission to
that country had, as was before remark ed, excl
Ted much sepsbility; and il could not be doubt.
ed that his return would be highly acceptable to
bis former friends who we're still III power. II
might reasonably have been inferred, that the
French government would be willing to concede
60 him what It might refuse to another. Mr.. JEFF
fsrson, therefore, appointed Mr.. NJ. in conjunc-
Zion with MIR. Livingston, then our resident mi.
Mister in France, Envoy extraordinary and minis
ter plenipoteniiary to that country, and to act,
IN conjunction with Mr. Charles Pinkney, in the
same character in Spain. The mission to France
was attended with complete success. Mr.. Ms
reception was as hattering as had been anticipa-
ted. In short time after his arrival treaty was
formed, by which the French government ceded
TO the United States, for p pecuniary considera-
ton, the entire province of louisiana. This
treaty was carried promptly into effect--and it is
by virtue Of this treaty that we are now in pos.
session ofboth banks ofthe Mississippi. IN this