Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-07-20
FROM THE AURORA.

IL appears as probable as any circurn
stance that depends for credibIlty on the
advices of ship captains lha, The British
admiral Nelson, has arrived in the West
Indies; that he has been al rosRago and
at Trinidad and has returned towards
Martinique, his force 2 sail OF the line.
The French and Spanish fleets uader VII
ieneuye, appeared to have taken another
direction, but like all the movements pro-
J~ct d by the inscrutabie man, conjecture
IS baffied, in search OF their probable OBJ
Jsct or destination. There is pride of
opinion even N editorial reveries--we had
believed II very improbable that Nelson
would have been drawn from the Mcditer.
ranean--but in this il seems we were
mistaken. The Importance of the w.
Indies 10 British minister circums.anced
as Pix was when the advice of the Cadiz
Reet being destined for the W. Indies
was received, must we presume have de-
cided the point against the policy which
stationed that nret first in the aIediter-
raneah. Among The consequences that
we may lock for will be some movements
IN the Mediterranean against Malta, or
perhaps Egyp:.
Whether the French and Spanish lee,s
will or not remain in the West indies-
no man here can determine. Ii appears
to he very general opinion that In. ex
petition to the West Iue!ies was only des-
tined a. deeoy--snd that the fleets are
! destined ultimately against Ireland. We
had been disposed at "a very early period
10 entertain. sach an opinion; but tho
The measure may be. both plausible and
practicable, we are not yet ready To ahan-
don reasonings founded on data more
strong than conjecture. a four months
i voyage--witi all the expenditures, risk
/ Of sea, yicissitudes of season and exposure
OF LIE 10 the ardent tropical iatitudes in
order TO go round and recross the Allan.
tic To arrive al freiapd---a moist AND cod
climate, does not appear To- us Id sonarr
we'll with the accustomed direcfness. ceie.
rlly andpromp.ness Of Bonaparte's plans
The seduction of the Bot sh jfeets from the
coasis OF Europe would no doubt, be an
object worthy of Bonaparte's .srofound
stratagems; but TO be effcctlv3fn tha,
point, 1t IS not the Mediterranean sunadron
| that 1t would be neces AIRY to d-av -o6-.
bur the Channel faeef for If the obiec
should be the invasion Of Ireland, here
must be a heet--and he Frencf aa,l Spa
nish fleet ia the West Indies, beside be-
ing inferior in number to the British Chan.
mel flset, has not on board a number of
troops competent to the descent upon ire
land. In 1877 an army of 10000 men
would have severed ireland from England
1.-The same number could not now accom-.
piish that object. The Lrfsh like the Scots
IN l7i5 have had their national spir sunk
by the union; The men that remained IN
ireland like those who remained after the
breach OF the treaty of Limerick are
( soiatng TO be shlves, and having no motives
oil preference between two oppressors or
conquerors, will be ready like ali subiuea
ted people TO submit and cry out to the
| British as O'Brien of lnchea,i;n cried ON,
70 from "eii, Lon6O h'iadhir'n uchsty -
the strongest hand uppermost.
10 act upon Ireland the French would
now require dossbie The force which was
necessary sever years ago ---s,ich a force
as would otO'onsiy shew Siren m and ear,,
esfness--the West India fee, has no s,ch
/ ioice. The men from The West Indie.
! would pershby dyscnteryinthree r,on,hs
u may be said chat the atmy VII he se,,,
from the ports OF France to IRELAND -
may meet lhi- fleet of VilIeneuye bofr.eo,
'Oer, or The like, but his canno, h.. d..
without the knowlege of the British Cban
nei Reef. >-'N''
1 Alter all--ihe very projects which an
pear to be most improbable, may be seize
ted Tor execution merely to defeat ord;na
| y cs'eula'ion--we canno, yet believe ,bs
ne combined fleets have come to the ives
merely to go home again.
he national festival has been ceIebr,
'ed throughout the wiion with the aeeus
'o'ned animation OF patriotic sentiment
ana demonstrations OF gratitude to ths re-
0o'""onary sagcs and heroes who were de.
bounced as . inducements" by lord Georg,
p<Tn,d'1e and stgma,ized az ragged REQ q
, oy Henry Dundes men who have teen
since dlsgraced, while the founders Of he
revolution have obtaired a place among
me most celebrated bsnelaSlors CT man.