Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-05-09
General,

! have received the letter which YOU
have done me the honor 10 write to me in
the name OF The First Consul, Offering me
command In The expedition against En-
gland. thought that my opinion of that
enterpiEc was sufficiently known to have
saved me from the unpleasantness of re-
jecting such proposition. shall, how
ever, answer with the frankness OF sol
der, who can explain himself the more
easily, without reserve, upon the present
occasion, as he has given some proofs of
courage, and done his country so meim-
portant services; and besides, general,
consider your letter as being rather intend
cd TO sound my intentions, than as trans
uniting 10 me orders. | have never been
the advocate of maritime expeditions,
particularly since I have seen the remnant
oil our marine, and choice OF our armies,
swallowed up in them with astonishing ra-
pidity. think, that IN forming enterpri-
zes, the ISSUE OF which il very uncertain,
and the result of which may give a NOR
tai blow TO the government which con-
csives them, and TO the nation which Sc
combs them, one ought to be forced to
them, by circumstances so imperious, tha-
the sStety and honor OF the state would be
compromised, If one should make retro
grade step that should discover weakness
or irresOlution-
But do not see that the present cir
cumstances obge us to risk, against a
thousand unfavorable chances, the greater
part o. our land forces and that regcne.
rating marine, which is beginning 10 be
created as II were by magic, by an enthu-
sIasiIc and industrious people. 7 have
asked myself, when | saw the consdera.
bic ornaments that were making for the
re occupation or acquisition of our colo
MES, whether the peace were SO solid that
we should hope TO be able to preserve
what we had recovered or acquired, and
If the restoration of our commerce were
40 necessary or SO certain that we ought
TO employ in it 81 msch treasure aud so
many so'diers.--Let the First Consul Der
INIT soldier, who feels lively attachment
TO ms old companions in arms, 30 express
here some regret for the ur fortunate E.
vents ~ the too bold combinations which
have destroyed SO great number of them.
This regret will explain to him my pre-.
sent opinion of the expedition that is pre-.
paIing. and my refusal TO take in part the
direction of it. We had the best army
w Europe, the best means of recruiting
Our forces weakened by eleven years war.
In rs place we have now CORPS almost en-
TREY composed of conscripts, among
whom we no longer observe the veteran
soldiers but like those ruins which attest
the grandeur and magnificence of those t
dIhces which time has overthrown.
Al present, II we'may Judge from the
immense preparations that are making,
from the concentration of our forces, upon
points near the coast, recoleciing the de-
clarauons made by government, and the
reports which 1t accredts, the business i'm
handI nothing less than desperate en-
terprIse, the improbable success Of which
would be the ruin of Emf land, but whose
almost certain result will weaken us as a
continental power andbe our total destruc-
ton as maritime nation. may be Der
nnitted TO ask, upon seeing interests of
such great magnitude, hazarded or com
promised, whetherwe were IN situation so
criticalwith specific gland that we were
obliged 20 swear its destruction, and to Dre-
pare our own ruin. We were powerful
and respected upon the continent; we d.
rected with too much impetuositv per-
haps) all lis political transactions: we
were safe from the power Of the Enpdsh
navy, and for long time, no doubt, above
the inirgues Of the ministers of England
and IL Is in this situation, truly strong, en-
ergetic aud imposing, that we attempt
an enterprise which could only be excus
ed by despair that left us no choice Of
measures. am far from Disappearing of
the enthusiasm excited in the nation q
gainst nation eternally its rival, and al
most always its enemy, from blaming the !
efforts ard the sact fees which IL inspires
but think hat the action Of government
ought TO ccnhne Itself TO The dcvelopemen,
ct these dispositions for The purpose Of
preparing, Though IT,, TIE restoration Of
our marine bn' ~ go farther, to devote
~ such great penis, orr armies, still In
'he labor Of their re organization ;hhls,
general be assured, Is to expose US 10 he
assHied by those continental powers who
ar jcaiou, of us ard have heir ewes I'D
ON us.-1his is 10 replace US IN the dis
asIrous circumstances from which We