Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-19
E,,on Ne NortA. Caroli,s, ALcsscnccr.

Several British ships Of war continue 10
cruize before the harbor of Ncw-Yotk,
, capturing ili-ireating, and OBTAINING our
vessels, Impressing their crews, and send,
ing some of them to Halifax. n. $. Our
leaders will, see in this con3uct something
more than casual injury arising from the
ordinary course of The war, and or access
to those seas where il is carried OH
Months have elapsed since his conduct
was commenced; and ali is features dis
| cover that The commanders of The British
ships arc governed by rigorous orders from
their superiors. Il has therefore become
an affair Of high political Consequences
! We have 10 doubt but our executive has
taken the drsct measures to assure itself
of the motives which have directed the
violence or the British government and
that it will a1 with becoming energy in
countero cling it.
Should the cab net OF Great Britain, pre-
Stunning upon the weakness of our naval
force, the economical conduct of our go
vernment and the iorbearauce of former
times, determine 10 contract our connec-
tons and alliances SO as TO suit their poll
cy, it win become our duty TO stop their
progress by every mearS in our power.
We had better suspend for season our
commerce upon the ocean, than submit
TO the mercy or the controui OF every ma
rltime power whose interest," may be pro-
flied by il. If Great Britain is resolved
on forcing our compliance with her wish
cs in any respect, she will find herself mis-
taken. We have the advantage of her in
the means OF retaliation. She may think
herself safe in having stipulated by treaty,
that in case Of war we Shall not confis-
cate the property of her Subjects; but if
she commits spoIia!ion, that stipulation
cannot bind us to abstain from indemnify
ing our own citizens from that property.
when in our power; since she is equally
bound with US, by treaty, not 10 commit
depredations on our properly. We can
too, forbid the entrance Of her manufac
lures and, should war be the inevitable
consequence OF her system towards us, we
can cary it on with the most latel effects
again5, her commerce all over the world.
The Pitt administration will undoubtedly
carry on different species Of warfare from
that Of their predecessors. The premier
has Away pursued the sysem Of Cromwell
iOt SuDIrclDg The commerce OF all nations
TO the arbitrary regulations OF Britain. It
by the ascendaucy she has acquired on the
seas that her national greatness is secured.
III she loses this asccudancy, while under
her present load Of debt, she must become
bankrupt. No wonder then that our corn
merciat prosperity and threatening COM
petition should excite his envy, and sub.
ject us TO violence. But il cannot be
the inieress of Great Britain to excite our
hostility. While we will permit her ag-
grcssions she will be bene6,ed--If we re-
taIiate, she will feel for her folly.
War, with its attendant misiortunes, is
what we cannot contemplate without the
most sincere pain; VIC hope it will never be
undertaken by ourgoyernment without the
most pressing necessity. Remonstrance
and peuceablc negotiation, are the means
which 1t ought always to resort 70 in the