Virginia Argus

All our differences with the British government are in a fair way to be amicably settled. But before we indulge in this prospect, we must first know in what manner this settlement is to be effected. Pray Heaven we are not going, under the wise, virtuous and independent administration of Mr. Jefferson, again to bring our substantial rights into question against the arbitrary claims and pretensions of the adherents of Mr. Pitt; or, to have a second edition of Jay's treaty, framed and established on the insulting principle of mutual complaints and concessions.

When we can have an adequate indemnity for the past, and a reasonable security for the future, the point is then settled -- and not before. If our seamen have been impressed and imprisoned: if the property of our citizens has been arrested and confiscated, by British adjudications; and our inoffensive countrymen inhumanly and even wantonly murdered, in our own waters; let the former be released, our property be restored, and the murderers punished. -- This the only settlement which ought now to be made.

What is fact to-day, may not be law to-morrow. A new code of maritime regulations may be prescribed by the great continental powers of Europe, to which the British government may be compelled to submit, and it would have a very unpleasant aspect if we in America the authors and creators of all the recent changes in the world, should become a solitary dissentient from a salutary innovation. Besides, what is law for England, must be law for Spain, France, Holland and Italy. It is absurd in the nature of things, to conceive that we are to carry on our trade with certain nations by the modern, and with their enemy by the ancient law. That the doctrine of the old school is to favor England, and the doctrine of the new to ruin France. Justice to the impartial must be equal in its dispensation; and we will not yet believe that the present administration will adopt any other policy in our foreign relations.

Ib.