Virginia Argus

DOMESTIC.

FOR THE AURORA.

"None are so blind as those who will not see."

MR. DUANE—

There are men amongst us called Americans, who are continually cackling at the coffee house, against the proceedings of our government, in the case of the British minister; and who, with a high conceit of their talents for expounding what must appear as plain as the meridian sun on a midsummer's day, even to the most common understanding, ask, with an air of triumph, "where are the exceptionable parts in Mr. Jackson's letter to be found? Surely, sir, they must be obvious to every man, who has not predetermined to close his eyes against the offensive passages; let them for a moment throw aside their prejudices in favor of Great Britain and the light of truth will, most assuredly, illuminate their minds."

In order that these quondam friends of the honor and interest of the U. S. may not make an unfavorable impression on the minds of those, who have not read, with attention, the letters which passed between the British minister and the American secretary of state, I think that it would be well to publish extracts from the correspondence, which contained the insult. Admitting, sir, that no offensive allusions had been made, the general tenor of Mr. Jackson's letters, and the conditions therein contained, were, in my mind, a cogent reason for stopping all further communication with him. But, say some of the supporters of the British minister's conduct, "there are scarcely two persons who agree as to the precise parts of the correspondence which offended the administration." Admit this, and what is the plain inference? Why that many parts of the correspondence were indecorous, and therefore the necessity for stopping all further communication became the more necessary. If, sir, men of common understanding point to many offensive passages, or such as would be so considered, if applied to individuals in private life, then most assuredly, the insult is aggravated thereby, and the measures taken by the administration to prevent a repetition, were perfectly correct, and meet the decided approbation of every American, with a few exceptions.

Some persons are continually harping on the Berlin decree: had that been resisted, say they, all would now have been well: but they do not take into view, the infraction of our rights on the ocean by the impressment of native Americans; the infringement of our neutrality, by attacking belligerent vessels within the jurisdiction of the U. States; the bringing to of our vessels, by firing into them even within our own waters; all this, from the British, antecedent to the Berlin decree, was perfectly correct, perfectly just, no resistance was then talked of by these gentlemen. What would have been the consequence had French cruisers committed the same outrages on our sovereignty and rights? Why, sir, there would have been a general hue and cry from one end of the union to the other, what is congress about? Why don't they protect our merchantmen, seamen, and flag, from French insults? Why temporize with these disturbers of our tranquillity: why not declare war at once? this, sir, would have been their language.

We have doubtless, just cause of war with both nations; but, which has done us the most injury? and when did that injury commence? These are questions that deserve some consideration.; it therefore requires discretion and firmness to conduct our affairs in the present crisis of the world. We have been slow to anger, but. I trust that we are not the less sensible of what is due to ourselves as an independent nation. Let us join, heart and hand, in support of the administration; and should an appeal to arms be the ultimate step. let us shew ourselves worthy the name of Americans. It is to be regretted, that men, because they have been disappointed in their ambitious views, should look at all the proceedings of our government as through a glass darkened; it is time to bury all those petty, party animosities, which grow out of these disappointments, in oblivion. Let no party be known but the American. It is a consoling reflection, however, that seven eighths at least of those persons denominated federalists, are decidedly in favor of the course the administration has pursued in the case of the British minister; & are perfectly satisfied of the president's impartiality towards France & G. Britain; he has shewn his moderation, by still leaving a door open for the adjustment of existing differences, which clearly evinces his amicable disposition and magnanimity. and will, doubtless, be the means of uniting all honest men, should the ultima ratio regum be adopted.

AN AMERICAN.