Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

I am, Sir,

Your obedient humble servant,

LEWIS BURWELL

Richmond, March 16, 1799

The above communication of Lewis Burwell, whose veracity is unquestionable, merits the most serious attention. The tenor of Mr. Giles' conduct in Congress and his associates in politics is known to have been such, as naturally to produce disunion; and it will have excited no surprise that he should at last have expressed his wish for separation. Reasonable men reviewing the unremitted exertions, for the last seven years, of the Virginia members in both houses of Congress to prevent a due and efficient exercise of the powers of the general government, have seen in their conduct no other end, if they had succeeded, than a dissolution of the existing union. It will be known from the ensuing election in April, whether the people of Virginia are prepared for this dreadful change: for should they re-elect the inveterate leaders of antifederalism, or new members of the same sentiments, it may be considered as a conclusive proof of their determination to separate. From the information of Mr. Burwell it appears that a separation of the Union, had been a topic of correspondence between Richmond and Philadelphia during the late sessions of Congress and the Virginia Assembly. This circumstance is alarming, notwithstanding the opinion of a person held in the highest estimation among the antifederalists disapproved of the measure. The motives of the Virginia delegation in Congress are now confirmed to be such as were before generally believed. Being at last fully disclosed at a time when very violent proceedings against the government were meditated, they cannot fail to excite a particular consideration among the people of Virginia at the ensuing election. An opportunity will then be offered to them in a constitutional mode, indeed the only mode entitled to regard in the other states of expressing their opinion upon the propriety of a separation. If Virginia shall with a full view of the intentions of individuals, elect representatives in Congress of the dis-union party, it will be impossible to doubt any longer that dis-union is the real wish of a majority of the voters in that state. If joined by Kentucky and the whole of the southern states, the hope of Giles and the faction will be realized and their wishes and endeavors will ultimately be crowned with success.