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

the cause, and for the honor and glory of
old England. But if he should be informed,
that Tom is about to fight the French and
Spaniards, because they are willing to supply
the world with sugar at six-pence pound,
and because in that event, the Jamaica
lordlings will not be able to get one shi-
ling and slx-pence pound for the same err.
sicle, then indeed parental feelings will re-
ceive no anodyne, and the dlsconsolate ia
ther will curse the day that gave existence
to a hapless being, who is doomed to add
another link to the miseries of mankind
The explanations which are given i'll re-
iation to this single point, may be sufficient
to illustrate the causes of the war. & al.
though there are many other pretences, all
OF them when explained will appear equal
ly ridiculous, absurd and indefcnsib,c.
AS respects this, it will be recollectctl, that
the writer, not content with the usual modes
OF argument, inforced his opinion by pro-
test. no doubt intending, by that formal me-
thod, to shew, that he greatly relied upon
this point
! Those who advocate the conduct and fu-
ture views OF Bonaparte are influenced by
the facts which exist and reliance upon
his public and voluntary declarations. On
| the other hand they perceive in the policy,
and projects of Great-Britain, Injustice, sell
flshness and oppression. They perceive
that both at home and abroad the rulers
spare nothing which can promote their
views. The taxes are already so high, that
one OF their most intelligent writer's has de-
clared, that they must be collected at the
point OF the bayonet.
| If such be the internal situation of C reat-
Britain, CAN'T be pretended that any change
| which may be Introduced bv Napoleon can
make it more deplorable? Perhaps indeed,
it NAV be the will of the Supreme Being,
that Napoleon shall change the DESTINY Of
that people. But let this fact be what it
may, whether Napoleon is to be deemed
the instrument of divine justice, or pursues
his own ambitious course, it seems that the
miseries and expressions of that people can
be much increased. With respect to the
/ facts the testimony is complete, and they
may now choose between positive evi, Of
the most intolerable kind, and the antic-
pations of these who sound an alarm against
others: But these even If they should come
to pass, cannot be more oppressive than
those which are now in full vvigor
Page 226. We find (says the pamphlet,
that he, meaning Napoleon) says, thai there
10 room enough IN the zoorid both fla. him
] 8ef and us. To which the writer replies,
SIT rs false ; there is nat room enoqtrh far
| Il
| first part of this sentence shews that Ma
poleon aims only at an equality OF rights
and privileges These are denied to i Inn in
the moss positive, peremptoIy and indeco-
rous stie; and the sentence is finished By
plain declaration, which explains IN a few
| words, the entire pDicCt of the cabinet of
London; in this, that il Bonaparte be per-
mittcd to obtain equal privileges upon the
ocean, the liberties OF England will not have
sufficient scope, or in other words, the IL
berty, right or privilege Of Selling, search
ing and controlling the commercial ships
, of all othcv nations viii be abridged in so
| great degree, that perpetual state OF
war will be preferable.
IT, after all, it shall happen that the y .
/ States will be compelled 10 declare in ia
vor of one Or the other; that is. either to
form coalition or alliance with c. Britain,
or 10 embark III such war as that power
can now wage against us; it will be found
necessary to satisfy ourselves whether we
ought TO embrace the cause and quarrel of
those, who have never mitted an o2portu-
nity to plumber our commerce, and insult
and Cypress our citizens; whose subjects
tell us i'll the piainest language, Aat III
Tvsole ocean IS a f0rt Of tie British en-
Htre: Or with France, who has heretofore
pursued, and promises still to pursue IN op-
posite course! With France, who denies
/ to Great Britain the empire of the seas,
and who, at this moment wages war a.
gainst that Island for No. other ostensiblc
reason; who has offered peace upon lust,
reasonable and equitable conditions? The
answer ought, without hesitation to be Civ
en-, not only by every American, but by c.
very man of an enlarged and liberal mind
to whatever country or cline he NAV be-
long. AS respects us, let this be our firm
and constant answer. If we shall be COM
PEELED TO draw the sword, let it be against
those, who unblushirg'y tel! us, that they
prosecute the war, because they claim ex-
elusive maritime rights and privileges
that they consider themselves masters OF
the ocean, and that it is from their cour-
tesv and clcmency, that other nations more
feeble than themselves, in naval strength,
( arc permitted 70 navigate in safety
If it we're true, that Great Britain had
| been endowed, BY the omnipotent Jehovah,
with this great inheritance, it wcnld be
then true, that they might prescribe the
terms upon which other nations MIGHT ma
vigate the seas. But they donot pretend 70
claim any such pre-emiDence .Thev found
their right altogether upon the ability TO
enforce it, and exercise the assumed pri-
vileges with as much pertinsciousness and
insolencc as if they could shcw a divine
charter under the great seal of heaven.