Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-10-18
fl2 IL Gents Sinqlc.

Es'tilil u meet inc DfiIlSl upon llldt tic-
ment, where they now are pre-en'ineut ;
whore they have obtained so many splendid
triumphs; and where the present naval
power of France IS too small and impotene
even for comparison.
At this moment, Great Britain possesses
navy equal in number and force to al the
ships OF the world greatly superior in skill,
and as brave as the most sangu;nc culceist
can wish topCurtray. A naval contest there
fore with G.. Britain viii appear not only
unavaiiing but ridiculous, The notoriety If
these truths is SO well established and be-
heved, that it is hardly necessary to say,
that it is impossible for Napoleon at this
time, to invade Great Britain with an army
OF sufficient strength t. make serious i'm
preston. This very circumstance which
VIII afford the friends cf England much
cause for 10Y. operates powerfully to pvfve
that the other project, the onlv ere which is
now practicable will be attempted.
Many Americans seem to fear that Ma
poleon, after accomplishing his designs in
Europe, will attempt the suhjugation ofthe
United States. They pfVe gray 10 heir
fcGrs and sTtsticions. aid in the trofcrfion
as hey are 7iSked IN ne dciKsions or tlr-
roT8 ef'fheir' ozyn D'ipds, then Pi1e hose
10 invectfves and viifcaticn. Errors Of
are encouraged by another descriptior of
persons, who care as little for America as
for Napoleon who arc altogether we'd
ded to the interests cs Great fPritain. and
If the subjugatior Of the United States by
France, neither affected their psrsonol IN
tcrests nnr the British policy. they would
not feel rapS ifboth countries should sink
into the greatest m;seritc.
To those well-mea,ing ',nt deluded A.
mericans, who are mis'ed by the errors of
their own imaginations, or the des;pn;ng
insinuations of others, il viii be matter
OF consolation tc know, that objects of much
more importance, are presented to tho
mind of Napoleon. Turkey il Europe, A.
STA and Africa. embracing al these cele-
brated countries, where arts, science ard
civilization once she'd lustre over the hui
man character, affords to his exalted mind
the objects of splendid and beneficial at
chievements.
These are objects not only grand and
magnificent. but they are attairable. They
arc objects which VII! give additional sr!en-
dor to the character of NAPOLEON. They
viii entitle him the thanks and gratitude
OF the present race, and 10 the everlasting
applause Of future ages. Even if Napoleon
should step here, the revolution Of Turkey
alone, might aPpesr equal 60 the splendor-
of his character, and the Illus .ricus course
which he has already exhibited But tLis
VIII not be the case. Greece, Macedonia.
Asia miner. Armenia, SYRIA, Egypt and c--
tier parts Of the Mediterranean, deserve
the fostering hands Of generous irnovator.
And there is TO doubt, that the aids which
are suitable to the present state Of these
countries. Will be afforded. A mind like
that of Napoleon, even admitting III uni
vcrsal domination was the darling passion
Of his soul, would find more inviting objects
IN this extensive range than could he e,--
pected by the greatest successes upon the
American continent
Nor is this all. The commerce. &c In,ia,
until lately, was Conducted either bv the
Red Sea--or over' 96fisthro' Persia and Sv-
ria to the Meditef-N neap, ard thence to
the different parts OF Europe. The imprcve-
uents in navigation, ard the conquest of
these countries Ivy the Turks, not orly o.
pened more easy channel. by means Of the
first, but Totally cbstructed and shut up the
second. The British nation bv the superb
ority Of their fleet, almost entirely creross
the commerce Of India while the same no..
Icy on the part of Turkey, denies to Er-
rope the benefits Of the other.
When the French army invaded ECvpt,
IL was generally believed, that the chief
design was e. establish safe ard permanent
communications, by the means OF which
this commerce might be revived
That project then failed. Important e.
vents have since happened not only as res
poets BoraDartc, bat IN relation To al the
nations Of Europe. The naval rover Of
Great Britain he's increased TIE marine
of France is almost enuihilated, and Napo-
leon has acquired n strength, which may,
If he chuscs, bring not merelv Egvpt, but
the whole Turkish empire ~ his feet.
il Napoleon was sincere in tie design Of
establishing an overland communication
with Indie, thro' Egypt, contrary TO the
viii Of Tire Ottoman government, vii he
neglect the present opportunity Of forcing
his way Nv means much more attainable,
more secure and more permanent rhisis
n project which will interest the feelings
and enthusiasm Of millions &C people, and is
cXecuel, viii unite BY commercial and 20
litical ties the most remote inhabitants of
Europe and Asia.
IN the execution Of these grand end be-
nefceut designs, Napoleon viii not only find
sufficient employment for the energies of
his own mind, but for the superahundant re-
sources ofthe French empire. They are de-
signs which ere suitable to his genius & high
reputation, towards which he has airea5Y
made considerable Efforts, and which, II is
not likely, nc will either abandon or delay
ers