Virginia Argus

We have been favored with the perusal of five private letters from Joel Barlow, and an American official character at Paris, from which we learn the following particulars...

That the negotiations which had been suspended, through no misunderstanding but merely the circumstances of the government, being engaged solely in pursuits which required an united and concentrated direction of its energies—had been renewed, and a liberal spirit appeared to actuate the negotiations on both sides. From the nature of the difficulties which have been voluminous, it was not expected that the whole business of the mission could possibly be concluded during the present winter. Overtures were made therefore for such intermediate arrangements, as should put an end to the present injurious state of things between the two countries, to renew the commercial intercourse, and to put a final stop to every thing tending to warfare.

The Americans in France are treated on the old footing of friendship and partiality, and it appears to be a sentiment adopted by the Government of France that no step ought to be taken at the present season, which might subject the American republic to the hostile jealousy or depredations of any other power, under the pretence of the stipulations of a treaty.

Generals La Fayette and Kosciusko were both at Paris, and attended at a public entertainment on the 4th July, commemorative of American Independence. There were present the American Envoys and four of the former French Ministers to this country, of whom Barbe Marbois, and La Forest, are the only names we recollect.

Mr. Fenwick, several years our Consul at Bordeaux, and who has heretofore experienced so much federal calumny for his adherence to the republican cause, arrived in this vessel.

We have received the Gazette of France, and some other French papers down to a late date. Actual information of moment they contain little which we have not before had through the medium of English and German prints. And as to the views or projects of the government, it would be a want of judgment to expect to find them in the Journals, where the liberty of the Press has no true existence.

The speculations and conjectures of the Journals, however, give some idea of the temper and turn of mind of the speculative politicians, on which account we shall give such articles as may be likely to afford matter of reflection, though certainly it would be absurd to calculate upon the projects and views of Buonaparte. His plans are seldom to be approached before the moment, when like thunder, they unfold themselves.

An army forming at Amiens, said to be intended to invade England or Ireland. It is one reason with us for doubting the intention alleged, that it has been so declared. The position of the army is favorable to guard against any of those hostile expeditions which have been lately fitted out in England. Whose object also has been to confound and amuse John Bull only, or a bit of military movements and the shew of power, and thereby turn the English mind from the disastrous state in which that country is placed by the Successes of the French in Germany, and the dangers which menace its navy, and its commercial and financial resources, by the northern combination and the menaced invasion of Portugal.

This army at Amiens, one of the letters of an American in Paris says, will be a powerful auxiliary as to the force, and a school of discipline in the armies on the Lower Rhine and Danube, should the emperor continue to reject the only opportunity for his salvation.

Some of the American diplomatic corps had gone to Switzerland, no doubt on a party of pleasure—for it cannot be to negotiate a treaty—perhaps to make an index for the recent revolution of the power in that ancient republic.

A change had taken place in the Supreme Tribunal, before which cases of naval capture are to be decided at Paris,—The former President of the Tribunal, was a man of tardy and timid habits. He is succeeded by Berlier, a man of much energy, and who was a member of the committee of Public Safety after the Fall of Robespierre. He is an ardent advocate for the freedom of the seas.