Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-04-04


Great Britain has at present her hands
SO iu'', that she will not wish 10 increase
her enemies. The events Of the present
contest are Extremely uncertain. 1.-THE
emperor of France shall prove success
tut, and make peace Oh the continent
to the exclusion OF Great Britain. he will
undoubtedly shut cut British manuiac-.
lures from every part of Europe. The
present therefore is the most favorable
time tor pursuing our measures.
The gentleman also enquiries what viii
England say of our conduct 10 Spain
He laments that his lips on this subject
are closed. TOO lament tina, mine are
closed. wish TO God that every word
| said, while our doors were closed, & that
every measure entered into, were known
to every man. woman and child in Ame-
RIGA. l shall not, on this occasion, say
more, but to express the hope that the
day is not distant when the gentemah's
statements will be rectfied by com
piete disclosure.
The same gentleman has ayowed his
hostility to a certain nation, and he is
wiiiiag to go TO war with her, because h.
been guilty of aggressions on our rights.
! Mighty aggression which is nothing
more than what happened the other day
at Detroit, where certain British officers
seized man, with the view OF Carrying
him over the line. hope such trivial
things, the offspring OF accident or per-
sonal resentment, viii never be consider
| ed by US as cause OF war. hope The
American people viii never go TO war
when they can avoid it without sacri-
flee OF honor or justice. For my part
cannot see what this measure has 10 do
with our affairs with SPAN. Have we
not right 10 manage those affairs indie,
| pendent of England ! Have we got 10
! this, that we are 10 consider England as
party to our transactions with other MA.
tons In our affairs with Spain we are
doing England no injury, and she has no
| right 10 interfere with the exercise OF
our rights as an independent nation.
| The gentleman asks viii it be polite
TO strengthen the hands Of France, 10 In,
vIgorate the power that threatens the
sublugation Of The world! Howthis topic
has been brought into viewjI canrot tell.
have no predile etion To France--.I rave
no attachment to any couotry but he yrc
in which Iive---I a,n willing 10 40 as
| lice TO all nations, and To require f5llSs,i
all. But suppose Bonapaete should sue
coed in the conquest of EuIops Il viii
be long TIME beiore it CAT b, efle6ied; s.
iif eifected, IL will be found thai fleet $
not the work of day. 1, will be found
! 10 be the work OF years, AID wears of
peace too, before he can possess sufficient
| ships and seamen TO destroy the Brush
navy. And what are The dreadfnl terrots
of the French government Fhere so.
pears at the head of her affairs man
! who transcends in talents and ambition
III other potentates OF Europe, Blu is
there any thing permanent in this Much.
every thing may depend On his brittle
life On his fall, she may become as
feeble as sfe ever was before. The ma
non we ought 10 fear, according TO the
gentleman from Virginia, is not thar
which has the actual command of the sea
NO, the gentleman IS not afraid finer.
but OF the nation which may have the
command Of II hereafter. should reeref
to see any nation OF Europe biotled out of
existence. | hope thai Bonaparte Will
| never conquer England, or England con
| quer France. But | cannot attach much
Importance to distant, while am menac.
dby preseat dangers.
The gentleman has also pourtrayed The
great danger TO the cons tuition from
war! agree with him 100 depre.
| cate war. ! consider it one Of the worst
evils that can 5efall mankind. But as /
have already shewn that this is not war,
but peace measure, his remarks do not
apply. l know hat war Is attended by
numerous evils, that it not only exhausts
our blood and treasure, but that il has A
still more fatal effect on our manners. Sill
am not willing to PROSTATE the dignity,
the ID.eres, and the honor Of nv country.
even II war should be the consequence
The gentleman has also sounded an
larm among us because this is not a mea
sure of the cabinet. That gentleman
however knows full we'll that any mem.
Der on this Roor, without even consulting
any Of his fellow members, much less the
cabinet, has right 10 bring forward any
resolution he pleases. But he said al
the same time there was no cabinet. How
then could he expeG us 10 consult the ca
binet whenno such thing exists MY friend,
who offered this resolution, Showed il to