Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1803-10-19
ESDA2' EVENING, 0cToBER 10, 1soa. /

These will be heaviest OH those imms d.
ately engaged; yet The nations pursuing
peace will not be exempt from all evil
In the course Of this conflict let il be cur
eudeavor as ii is our interest aud desire,
TO cultivate the friendship of Tie bsllige-
rent nations By every aci OF justice and
oF innocent kindness 10 receive their ar
med vessels, with hospitality from the de-
tresses of the sea. but 10 administer the
means OF annoyance 10 none ; Go establish
lii our harbours, such police as may
maintain law and order to restrain
our citizens from embarking indiyitlu-
ally in war in which their country takes
no part; TO punish severely those per-
sons, citizen or alien who shall usurp the
cover of our Rag, Tor vessels not entitled
70 i, infe sting thereby with suspicion those
of real Americans, and committing us in
IL controversies for the redress uf wrongs
not our own ; Co exsct from every nation
the observance, towards our vessels and
citizens, Of those principles and practices
which al civilized people acknowledge;
TO merit the character OF a lust nation, AID
Inaintain that Of an independent one, pre-
Ferring every consequence 10 Insult aud
habitual wrong. Congress viii consider
whether the existing laws enable rs cfli-
caciousiy TO maintain this course with r'.r
citizens in all places and with others while
within the limits OF our jurisdiction agd
VIII give them the new notifications re-
cessary for these Objects, Some contra
venlIOns OF right have already taken place.
both within cur jurisdiclional ljmits ard
on the high seas. The friendly dispusi =
on ot the governments from whose agents
they have proceeded, as well a. heir wis
dom and regard for iuguce, Lave us IL
reasonable expectation. ina; they will he
rGet,sie,l ard prevented IT, fusnre 1ad ll.s
10 acl siil I've counteRanced nv them which
tarea,ens 20 disturb onl friendly iuter-
coiIesc Separated by wide ocean from
the nations Of Europe, and from the poll
teal interests which ertapgc them togo
ther with productions aud wants Which
render our commerce and friendship us:-
tul 90 them, and ihelrs to re, it ca,uof
the interest of any 10 @ssli' MS, nor ur- -
disturb them. We sh.r!a he most uu-
wise indeed were We 10 cast away he sim
gular blessings OF the position ~ Which
nature has placed Us. The opportunity she
has endowed us with Of pursling, q = dis.
tsBce lton foreign contentious, the paths
OF industry, peace, and happiness, OF cIi-
tivating general friendship, and OF brio
ing collisions of interest to the umpirage
Of reason, rather t;Iat Of force. How de-
sireb'e then must il be, in a government
Ike ours, to see its citizens adopt indi"i-
Orally the views, the interests, end tie
conduct which their country should pur-
sue, diVcsting themselves Of those psssi-
ons and par.ialities, which tend 10 lessen
useful friendships, and 70 einbar,ass ard
eInOroil US m the calaniious scenes a. Eu-
rope. Confident, fellow ci,izcns, "a, you
viii dolly estimate the Importance pf ren-
trail dispositions, towards thr o6scrvanc.
OF neutral conduct, thar you vii be"sensi-
bic how much it is or duty to InSt on he
bloody Arena spread before us. with COM
miseration indeed, but win m othervish
than TO see Il closed, I am persuaded rcs
viii cordially cherish fhe.e dt.o,,siti,,,,, ~,