Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-01-14

rom Them, at least, thar degree of protection.
Interests '"N'
~ IS however with much surprize thar we
have recently discovered, that the very c;rc,r.
stances upon which our hopes of security u.e,e
rePaseo' have been urged as arguments to ius,;fy
an INVASION OF orr rights. and that, having 10
'a"y suppressed the external commerce of her
e"e'N.es' Sreat britain IS now councelled to an.
PFoPriate TO herself that of her friends. If !, he
'fue that, as exporters of certain article. n the
III innate markets, our interests are in coI;.o,,
with hers yet it ought to be rccoeeed. TIA, :,
Is particular and minor interest ONLY which
suffers, and that the disadvantage is neces.,.,
consequence of colonial system that 81.
general result of our commerce ar, 800
~ In her favor thar they inv,sora,.
her manufacturing intere.ts, which are ths
great basis oil her wealth and that ,hes.
.IeIes.s can never be promoted by the improve.
iisi.inen. Oh ner best Customers. Surely the Sc.
curity ofneutral rights ought not TO dim:n;"h ..
tneir value is augmented: surely maritime nre.
ponderancy, which enables its possessor TO Ma
kade any of the ports Of It's enemies convey. 10
just tile to monopoly Of the commerce of the
world " '''e
In the list of our complaints, we cannon for
bear to ennmerRte the Illuminating and o,,rss.
siye conduct OF ships of war, in the yicini,v of
our coasts and harbors. We respect the priooi.
pie. and emulate the condua of Great Britain
III regard TO her own jurisdiction. and we wish
me.e'y 70 Claim tor ourselves the same measure
OF Justice which she exaas from others.
But while we contend tina, we ought M, - l..
exposed to hnnniliating inquisitions in the verge
OF our port. which by means of secret connexions
with our city, may be rendered conducive TO the
indulgence OF pariislity, favor or malice. we die.
aVow every wish to divest the bclliperant na,;
ons OF their rights. If, in particular instances.
'ae American Jag. and the character of An Ame
rican merchant. have been prostituted to .unwor.
my purposes, we declare the individuals Thus
guilty to be our enemies. and we wish NOT 20
screen them from the just consequences Of their
'n's-onoua. we also assert. thar comprehen
sive view of our commerce affords conclusive'
evidence. thai of he proportion which can nos.
sioly belong 10 the enemies of Great Britain. Is
an oejee unworthy the attention of n pr.a, ro,,,-
err; especially, if in rigorous pursuit of its
strict rights, II incurs the hazard of farfe;tino
the esteem ufits friends.
Ii, therefore the mode in which ,he A nc.,;c,n
commerce ~ prosecuted. is allowed by the law
OF nauonsi IT irreftagable evidence arises from
our situation. wants. and necessary connexions
with the rest OF the world, that it is almost ex
eius'Veiy SfouiidSd IN American capital; if the
suggestions, thac we are the mere agents OF fo.
reieners, are urgenerous insults. contriyed as a.
pologies for injuries if frauds in relation to
foreign trusts, are not more frequent in this
country than IN Great Britain; and if no qo
vernment is able wholly to prevent Their, ,bep
our conclusion IN the present. as in all other ca
ses. ought to be deduced from general faa,, and
no4fron particular exceptions. THIS conclusion
IS, that The American commerce is one of the
great links which connect those interests ofci-
yiized nations. which wars ought not to disturb:
hat RI 1;,,t-
commerce; and therefore. thar serious misun.
Devastating with Great Britain would prove fatal
to the most important interests of both countries
This view OF tile subju6f, while it excites our
anxiety, furnishes also resource for our hopes.
We wish only for justice, and BELIEVING that a
commercial nation which disIegards Justice, there
by undernDes the citadel of her power. we re.
y on the cffett Of mutual interests and wishes in
Promotinga cordial explanation, and fair adiusr
ment OF evsry cause of MISUNDERSTANDING in
particular. we rely on the government Of our
| country, thai our rights will nor be abandoned.
and that no argument in favor of an usurpaticn
wall ever be derived from our acqniescence.
III our personal interests and local attachments
have not greatly misdirefled our opinions, the
| defenceless situation of the porr of New York,
ought to excite the anxious solicitude of every
friend ofhis country. Our river is the CONNER.
cial avenue to fertile and populous country.
which Is rapidly rising into importance 1t is
here. that one third of the revenue of the Union
is collected and this proportion is unders God
TO be relatively increasing But while we are
grateful for these distinguished advantages of na.
ture, our satisfaction ia diminished by re fie ainp
ON their security; for in proportion as the re-.
sources OF the country accumulate to this point
IS the hazard. thar they may present iempta,i.
on TO rapacity, and become the prize of violence
Without recurring to the experience of East
times for proofs that natisn can long MAIN
tain an extensive commerce, without well de
Tended sea ports, and an efficient military marine
we are admonished by the new and portentous
aspect OF Europe, and the alarming prevalence of
piracy in the West 1ncies. that energetic mea.
srres OF defence have become Indispensable ne.
| cessary.
We presume not to express any Opinion res.
peaing the degree of force, Of which the psrn,a.
nent navy ought to consist and being sensible
that delays must attend the construction of SUR
able dcfences for our port, we shall rest satisfied
when we perceive that these measures are CON,
meneedi IN manner. and upon scale. which viii
assure 10 us an efficient completion
Such however, IL the present organized force
ofihe u. States, that we should consider il in
consistent with the honor. interests, or securitv
of our country, to parley with the pirates of the
West Indies, whose conduit being inconsistent,
with any known rules Of lawful warfare cannon
have been authorised by any civilized nation TO.
wards another nation in state of peace Our
vessels, while pursuing lawful trade, have been
practically seized, their cargoes have been forci
bly, taken away, and distributed, without even