Virginia Argus

Saint Louis, June 3.

BRITISH PERFIDY.

Mr. Forsyth has returned from Fort Clark, on the Illinois river, whither he was sent by the Commissioners to invite the Pottawattamie Indians to the contemplated treaty. His official report, which is very lengthy, announces a fact, which, while it does not astonish, is calculated to excite in every virtuous and republican mind the most sovereign contempt for the nature and character of the act.

Since the treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain was officially communicated to the British Garrisons on the Mississippi, and the tenor thereof made known to the Indians; and since our commissioners have been making preparations to hold the treaty, which it is necessary to do in order to perfect the peace with England; the most industrious steps have been taken by British traders and agents to impress a belief on the minds of the Indians that the intended negociation is all a trick, for the purpose of inveigling them into danger--letters have been written and circulated among them advising that an armed soldiery is to be placed in ambush by the Americans, and that when they are assembled at the different points of treating, inevitable destruction is to be the consequence. Some of these agents and letter writers have been identified.

Whether this has been done at the instance of his majesty's officers or not is yet in the dark: and I am not prepared to hazard an opinion on the subject.--There is so much perfidy, and such a want of national honor in the British government--and at the same time so much individual baseness in the English people, that it is difficult to say who may or may not have been the real authors of conduct so degrading.

The effect of this conduct on the part of the British agents and traders, are not to be regarded by the American government; nor by the people in this quarter. Because I think (and I believe there are very few but who think so too) that it is a matter of entire immateriality whether there is any treaty made with the Indians or not. The attempt, however, it seems must be made. Probably we shall have to feed for two or three months several thousand Indians--fatten them upon our rations--and store their powder horns and shot-pouches with ammunition, just for the purpose of enabling them to make a more effectual war upon us.

If the departments of state were located on this side of the Ohio river, where they could see and feel the enormities of the Indians--the dishonorable conduct of our late enemy--and witness the groans and cries of our innocent and defenceless inhabitants--If this were the case, then we should receive the protecting arms of government. But the melancholy cry of murder ceases to be heard before it reaches Washington City, and it scarcely excites a sympathetic feeling.--Western Journal.