Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-11-18

1855 the INJURY on o1c sueJ Is AS Sfea. AS
OH the other
There is no country on the globe, which;
in proportion 70 its population and wealth,
ador is Il market To so great . quantity of
foreign production as the United States, nor
is there ANY country 81 favorl,lv situated
for supplying that market us Britain. The
commerce between these two countries, is
strictly analogous to that primary, simple
ana most important commerce which takes
place between the town and country, con-
sisting in theexchangc Of natural and agri-
cultural productions, for those OF art and
industry. This species ofconmerce is GER
tatnly beneficial tob1th parties, but to one
only, is it essential. The agriculturist may
be coarScl,- and indifcrentlv supplied with
such articles OF manufacture as nc may
want, without the assistance Of the me-
chanic or tradcsnian but tho nanugactc-
rer can procure neither his sustenance nor
the materials of his work, without the aid
of the agricuiturist. From this o6v;ous a :
nalogy, il viii appear, without the necessi-
~ CT formal argument, that we possess the
means of iniuriGS Great Britain in the
sources % her opulcnce and power, BIZ pro-
hibitory regulations. TO greater degree
than any other nation and thar suspen-
Sion o. commercial intercourse would be
more essentially injurious to the interests Of
the latter than of the former
As the United States possess no other
check. upon the violence and Injustice of
Britain, but that OF commercial restriction
it remains 70 be considered whether there
existed, previous to the passage of the law
we are speaking OF, any just and sufficient
grounds for the exercise Of this species OF
commercial retaliation.
In the discussions, to which the contro-
versy between Britain and this country,
has given rise, many arguments have been
introduced, which arc totally incompatible
with such IN investigation OF its merits, as
would lead to safe and just conclusion.
The merits Of the war now raging between
Britain nd France. the means of ANNOYANCE
to which it may be eXpedicnt to resort, in
order to distress the commerce of an al
versary, are subjects capable of endless
and doubtful discussion, which if suffered
to AFFECT the determination ola question re-
specting neutral rights, would dcrange e.
very system of public law, that has been
sanctioned by the consent of nations, rs ne
ccssary TO miGgctc the horrors Of war and
to secure to ncutrals, an exemption from its
evils.
If Britain has exhausted all the accus-
to the necessity of annoying her enemy at
the expense of other nations, the expcdien-
cy of such resort, neither ustiies the
tranSgression nor alleviates its evils. But
it would not be difficult to prove that
the perilous situation in which she now
stands, has been induced by causes more
connected with the impoicv and injustice OF
herown government, than with the prosecu-
ting hostility of France. Atall events the
acquiesccnce.o Of America in the abusc cf SUI
perior strength which is coHtcntlcd for, can
affect but in a Slight degree, the important
contest, which now suspends in frightful
doubt, the prosperity and existence of ISri-
tain. An eloquent English writer, has
made a forc.blc appeal to the FEELINGS CT
sympathy on this occasion but it is aDDa-
rent that rapine and plunder are the real
objects of pursuit. The trivial product of
the. contemplate source of naval hercism,
which is furnished by maritime depre iati-
on. is eventually destructive of the SUBJECT
which creates it. Commerce eives activi-
ty to every srecies of industry, Yields to it's
votaries an annual and permanent harvest
of opulcnce, civilization and strength but
plumber consumes. not only the fruits Of in
dustry, but the negotiating trunk on which
thew grow.
The subject OF which we have underta-
ken the discussion, is too interesting and
important, to be hastily AMI crudciy trca-
ted. 1t will be resumed in the next Argus,
and ms Il second NUMBER OF DeciUs has been
announced, il may be expected to afford
new matter. both Of fact and observation
on this momentous subject.
The Western World and tho Palladium
have both been received at this Office, down
to the 25th of October. They contain no.
thing, which tends in the smallest degree
to elucidate the subject ofthe zvestern con-
Stiiracv.-Thcy only afford loathsome and
disgusting detail Of SANDER and defamation.
That wretched man Wood, is still progress
sing in hiscareer of infamy, mdendc lvor-
ing to excite the curiosity of the readers of
the Western Worid, by horrid picture Of
discord and dissolution. 1t is said, that ac-
tons of SANDER have been instituted against
the publishers of that paper, in order to re-
move the implications now connected with
the names of ccrtaiH characters. We can
discover in these publications, nothing but
deplorable evidences of the abuse of the Ii
bcrty ofthe press.