Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-11-18
oS co MNeRc1d1 REsTRfc71o.N

country, WI CHI may, or may not be imDor-
tant in It's practical consequences, accord
ing toti,c result Of negotiation probably
not vet determined. u is almost unneces-
sary 20 add, that the law Of Congress proc
hibitine the importation from the British
domirnons of certain articles of merchan-
die, in here alluded to. 1t was equally
the hope and expectation of MI the friends
Of this measure, that the evident AMI i'm
mediate prospect of commercial injury
Which the actual execution of the ,rohihi-
tory Jaw, would present to the view Of the
British ministry, would obeTate as seri-
Gus appeal 20 their feelings, and induce
then to check the course OF injustice, of
Insult and of wrong. which America, FOR 50
many years, had patiently susrainedin the
persons Of her seamen, the lawful exercise
OF her commerce, and in MI her maritime
concerns In this point of view, the re-
strictive law might rather have been con-
sideres, as Il diplomatic measure, calcu!at-
Ell to answer a temporary purpose, than
as permanent, commercial regulation.
But.if contrary to expectation, the British
government shall prove as regardless ofthe
interest Of its people, as of the rights OF
neutral nations, as the execution of the law
will require on cur part, some sacrifice of
wealth and enjoyment, and possibly, may
subject us to the evils of maritime hostility,
il becomes necessary that we should be pre-
pared for thcworst s. assume tone IF mind,
adequate to encounter the Inconvenience
OF tn ne an tie dangers the O her.
The probability Of waras a consequence Of
the measure in question, was certainly too
remote, to form any serious objection TO it's
adoption. Diplomatic as well as military
operations, must Frequently be regulated by
a calculation OF chances; and tho worst
consequences which in the present instance
can ensuc, win be preferable to 4 tame
submission, tn systematic, inccsSant and
aycwed injustice.
The efficacy of regulations ofthis nature,
in checking the lawless use- of superior
force, by strong nation against weaker,
depends upon causes which can oniy exist
between countries peculiarly situated
in relation t. each oehcr; and it is con-
SOLITARY. TO reject, t'iat the mower OF viola
ting to any great extent, the rights of ma
ritimc neutrality on one side. must always
be a+tcnded by the means of retaliation on
the other. To shew that such is most en-
psatically, the relative situation of Britain
s. this country, we beg leave 10 call the at
tcntion OF our readers OF some general o.
scrvations. to which the present occasion
seems to give rise.
diviGulls, depends upon dissimilaritv Of
wants and reciprocity of benefits. If it
were possible that each person could pro-
dnce By his owniabor all those conveniences.
with which he is now supplied BY the art
and industry of n'HrY, there would be M
trade among individuals, nor commerce a.
nCng nations Although with respect to in-
diYidua's, snc. a state of independence is
cAiTnerical aud illustrative only, vet it NAV
be strictly true and practicable with respect
To 4 nation. fla country compartments with
in itself 4 sill and climate suitable to all the
varieties oe natural and agricultural pro-
direction, for which it may have occasion, a
population and mechanical skill sufficient
t5's;ipply the demands Of It's manufactures
as well as agriculture, then foreign COM
nicrcc becomes .superAuous. Such situa-
tio3 alone, constitutes the true commercial
Independence OF nation. Place nation in
this condition, and every ship she possesses,
may be annihilated, she may not be able to
navigate a coct-boat, and she viii be rich
AMI powerful. her agricu ture viii flourish
apA her manufactures prosper. Such n
country was Egypt, such is China and to
such Condition, is France now rapidly a.
pr ,ximat;ng.
It is evident, that no country can be far
thcr. removed from state of commercial
Independence than Britain but niture, as
if willing TO equalizc her benefits, 81 the
same time that she has rendered foreign
Commerce essential to her wealth ana-grcat-
ness, has placed her in a geographical .po-
sition 50 favorable for carrying II on, that
bv means os her manufactures and her ma
vigation, she has been enabled to attain
rank among nations. more elevated than
nature seemed TO have assigned her It
has been the combined effect of her neces-
sites and her advantages to have given her
industry such direction, as To cover every
sea with her shipping and every country
with her manufactures. These arc not the
superauous fruits of an exuberant wealth,
they constitute the vital principle which
gives it being. It is 20 this peculiarly in
the physical and geographical situation of
Britain, that she is indebted for her naval
suoeriority, and FOR the power which she
possesses OF depressing the commerce Of
other nations. Britain can only find a mar
Ect in foreign countries, for the immense
product Of her manufactures, and so long
as that demand continues, her people will
be employed in the preparation of manu-
features, anil her shipping in the transport
tati0n Of them.
II may not Nc very gratifying to British
Pride, IN consider her importance as de-
s5eei from the anvil anl the loom; but It is.
impossible TO trace her opulence and naval
power to any othcr source than the ono