Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-06-01

rcafs 20 Us, would rot hive left tho West.
india station had there ',een any ground
10 expecs another feet .lom France; and
as no other obje6t kas been accomplished
'han aiding the Frsncl, 10 the City of ST.
Domingo, and taking trosn the English IS
lands suliiciency TO pay the expenses OF,
fitting out and traps?or,ing thi,her body
of troops, With ,ritie for the captains and
sailn: we cannot suppose that il was in
tended that other fleets should Join the
Rochefort sQuadron--and the probability
therefore is, that the Wes,-Inslies will be
again open TO trade, except the piliuges
of privateers. Sec. which, not being aulho-
rised blythe nations under whose flag they
sail, can be considered in no other light
than rs pirates, whose obiecl is TO steal as
much as they can, without any discrimi-
nation.
An intelligent correspondent, who has
already made use OF ,he"- 4merican NcJtoS,"
a new work lately published in this city, Sc
who wishes to see it more generally intro
drccd into schools and put into he hands
ofyouth,has so strongly desired our inser-
lion OF the preface, that we could not re-
fuse immediate attention TO his request
and we most cordially join with him in
recommending It to oil our youth who
would emulate the " mighty dead.'
Baltimore T.. Poss.
biography is that species of history
which records the lives and characters of
, III
il is the history Of Man ar he is, wherein
we contemplate, for our instruction, the
virtues or the vices of those who are de-
scribetI: we trace the progress of good
men with pleasure, and we behold the
crimes OF bad men with detcsta,ion. Bi.
ography is therefore not only the most en-
fcrfainins, but is also the most insfructiag
kind OF history-No Books are so proper
TO be put INFO the hands of young persons.
IF chronology and geography be the
eyes of history, biography NUT be its
grand feature, its vital principle. In an
Gent story, we read of the ambition of A.
lexantler and Czsar---:n modern annals,
we are shocked with the crimes of Crom-
well and Robespierre. Fortunately, the
history OF -%,1erica has had no occasion
to record the hateful deeds of usurpers
and yrants--as yet her remarkable men
are of the first order; they are objeets OF
admiration. and worthy of imitation.
II is true, that The personages described
in the following pages are all natives of
this country, but their lives are so conect-
ed with lis discovery, its Improvement,
| and its advances 10 maturity as nation,
that they could not be omitted in book
which processes to give, for the instrnefi-,
on of me youth IF america, biographical
history of its most eminent characters.
The collection begins with the celebrated
Columbus. and concludes with the Illus:
trinus f5dsAingfol-- With Frnnkiin and
Washington, the people of these states
need not TO be afraid to hold up their
heads with the proudest Kingdoms of Eu-
rope. and dispute with them the palm
OF philosophy and genuine patriotism.
To the rising generation it is expelled
that this volume may be OF much USE
Whilst it lays before them the principal
outlines OF the history of their country, il
presents for their example the actions Of
some OF their most celebrated Citizens
OF those who first explored and settled
these desert shores; who, by their inlre-
progress of civilization and government
and of those who fought for the liberties,
and, at length, achieved the indepen-
tlence Of America.
| In point Of order, every citizen of Anne
RIGA ought, FIRST, to be weIl acquainted
with The history Of bis own cnuuiry--the
interesting and nstrueting annals of En-
gland must necessarily succeed--lhen
may follow those OF Greece and Rome
From these volumes may be obtained all
that is useful in history; and, let il be
observed, that from an impartial study OF
history may be learned almost every USE
fol lesson.
From his collection, may the young
reader, whilst he acquires the FIRST rudi-
ments ofhistorical knowledge, learn 10 e.
mula,e the illus,rious persopages herein
recorderl--may il teach him 10 praeliee
virtue, and venerate religion.