Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-07-15
Dty0lnla Nrn1l3.
RIG II II 0 N ID:
WEDNESDAY, JULY Is, 1907.

sWEregret extremely the uneasiness, aud
even murmurS, which have been express
cd by many of the friends of the present
Administration at the Presidents failing to
convene the Congress of the United States
on the present momentous occasion. We
are indeed disposed to think that such a
measure would be advisable but when
we consider the many proofs of sound dis
erection and true wisdom, which the Presi-
dent has exhibited; when we reflect that
he has uniformly. disappointed the wishes
OF his enemies, exceeded the most sangune
hopes Of his friends, and astonished the
world, by the prosperous issue of all his
prolecls most striking examples of which
were given in his pcaceable acquisition OF
the.vast territory Of Louisiana, in addition
to the free navigation of the Mississippi;
(the latter of which was alone expected on
the part the United States y and in his
defeating by his vigilance the conspiracy
of Aaron Burr, at the very time when his
enemies accused him of slumbering at his
post; we. are willing to suspect the COR
rectness OF our own judgments, rather than
prematurely to declare that he has done
wrong in not calling Congress together.
Situated as he is, at the head of our gov
eminent, with means of information much
more extensive than any private individual
possesses, it certainly is in his power to
form the most correct judgment OF the state
OF CUR affairs and of the measures proper
to be pursued on every emergency. Be
lieving him also to be Il most honest, intel
iigent and patriotic servant of the public,
every true republican should be cautious
not to condemn any course of conduct a
dopted by him, until the whole ground, up
on which he acts, shall have been laid oDen
to his view.
We are far from recommending that
blind confidence in the president, for which
| the fedcralsts in the days Of John .fdapiS,
so strenuouSly contended The maxim of a
republican should be, to avoid the two ex-
tremes of implicitly. believing all the mea-
sures OF government 60 be right, and of
hastily surprising any to be wrong without
thoroughly understanding their nature and
object. We only contend. ther efore, that,
at present, the opinions of the rerubl cans,
! asto the propriety the presidents calling
congress Immediately, ought to be suspend
ed The federalsts, indeed, the creed of
the majority of whom appears to be, that
Thomas jefferson can do nothing right /;
who numerically abuse hin for every mis-
fortune that may happen to our country,
and attribute TO him every outrage commit
ted upon us by any foreign power are
perfectly consistent IN blaming him now,
as .hey have always done heretofore. They
do this, even at the time when they pre-
tend 10 unite in zeal for the public good,
and indignation against our perfdious enc
mics, with>their former political opponents;
which seems to shew that this CORDIAL uni
ON on their part proceed, not from any
change in their principles, but rather from
their hopes that an approaching war may
give countenance to their system Of naUie8,
Publications., Sta.iGihg armies, and heaUy
tGres. Nothing better then can be expec-
ted from them: but our republican bre-
thren ought to take care, while, in the ho-
nest sincerity of their hearts, they LIBERAL
" receive their ci-dcVGnt adversaries as
friends, that they do not embrace them too
closely, aud be induced to coalesce in their
pernicious opinions: they should be cauti-
Gus not to permit their hatred of Great
Britain to seduce them to follow the exam
pie of the Federaiists, in considering as
unworthy of their confidence, the men who
have so long and so faithfully served them.
1.-THE present temporary coalition OF the two
parties should produce the effect OF conta-
minatirg and dividing the republican par
~, il would be consequence forever TO be
I deplored. But, we firmly trust, the wisdom
and virtue Of our government, and OF the
great body of the people, will keep them
inseparably attached to each other, and for
ever defeat the designs of their internal,
as we'll as their external enemies.
At this crisis, it is important to inform
! the public that the British merchants and
| their factors in this country, who are very
skilful in noting the signs Of the times and
see the storm of war brewing in the gloo-
my sky" are making all haste to get their
! property out Of harms way, and are very
| busily engaged in getting themselves in
| debt to our citizens. We are authorized
to declare, from unquestionable authority,
! that, within a fortnight past, they have been
! straining their credit 10 the utmost in ma
| king large purchases Of tobacco, and ship
| ping off their cargoes without delay. The
shipments of tobacco from Richmond and
! Manchester have been larger than ever
| were known before in so short a time and,
no doubt, proportional exertions have been
made elsewhere.
In this state Of affairs, word of advice
ought to be given TO two descriptions in-
nocent persons, whose interests are deeply
! involved in these sagacious & crafty move
ments, viz. to the Planters and farmers of
our country, and to the seamen in the mer-
| chaut-service.
| The planters and farmers will act pru-
IDENTIFY in not selling their crops on extern
sive credit TO any of the British merchants
and factors, or even to the intimate friends
Oh go. H.