Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-02-20
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
R l G II M O N ID :
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 90, 1907.

confirmed; and, from some late intelligence,
ITS truth seems to be doubtful. At this we
confess our establishment; since, in the
present situation of affairs on the continent
of Europe, the interest of Great Britain, if
IN the least regarded by those who conduct
her councils, would lead them to retain the
friendship of America, by consenting to a
treaty founded only in principles of justice.
But any calculation on the nationality of
Kings and their ministers seems to be ILL
founded. The same obstinate pride which
formerly made the sahieat monarch George
the third. who, forsooth, can do no wrong,
engage in bloody war with his own sub
Jects, rather than to do them Justice the
same folly which made him sacrifice the
treasure and happiness of his own country,
and involve an innocent and unoffending
people i'll carnage and misery; in direct
violation of their unquestionablc rights
may perhaps have induced him on the pre-
sent occasion to reject our proposals. The
true interest of Great Britain appears in
decd to be the least important subject of
his consideration and such is, generally,
the conduct Of Kings. The qualification of
stupid point OF honor, to soothe their fool
ish vanity, is sufficient motive for ininr-
ing other nations, Notwithstanding their
own may thereby be ruined.
he extraordinary measure, which Bo-
naparte has lately adopted, of declaring all
the ports OF Great Britain and her depcn-
&encies in a state of blockade his prohi-
biting neutral vessels who have touched at
any British port from entering those of
France and conhscating British merchan-
dizc whereveri it may be found, may posi-
bly, provoke similar edicts, in contempt of
the rights of aeutralS, and OF Great Bril-
tain's own interest, by way of retaliation
Ii this should he the case, the commerce
OF the United States would be attacked on
all sides at once; and the question concer-
ming the course to be pursued on our part,
would be momentouS indeed. The two
great rival powers would then have reach
ed the highest point ofthcir frenzy, SS sub
stantially declared war against the whole
human race, so that the vessels of no natl
on, could carry on trade with one of them,
without sustaining an injury from the other.
In such conjuncture, however, in our
humble opinion, the proper policy to be "a
dopted by the United States is plain and
evident. 1t would be, not TO Join in the CRU
el contest on either side NOT TO connect
ourselves * our destinies with either par
ty; but rather TO rclinquish all commune
cation with the bcliigcrent powers until the
madness which possesses their sovereigns
shall have subsidized. As both parties have
already repeatedly violated the laws ma
tions; have disregarded all the rights of
neutrals and, in the event contemplated,
would have completely thrown the gaunt-
let of defiance in the face of every princi-
pie held sacred among civilized men, the
peaceful and upright people of America
ought no more to continue their commerce
with them, than with a gang of banditti.
The idea of our raising * maintaining ma
wy, large enough to protect the ships of our
merchants from attack, * their cargocs
from contscation, is entirely prepnsterous.
1T we were able TO carry OH maritime war
with Great Britain, the benefits to be deriv-
ed from forcing, In opposition to her, trade
with France, and with the countries in sub
lection to France, would not be adequate tc
make us compensation for the enormous e2.
pense: and, as France has no feet at sea-
we could not in;ure her, in case we should
JON Great Britain against her. Our only
pan must there fore be to depend altogether
on ourselves. The vast variety of the pro.
auctions of the soil, and of the manufacture.
OF our happy country, is amply sufficient tC
satisfy all our necessary wants, at least for
time, without the aid of foreign supplies
Letus recolect, as the ingenious Goldsmith
sweetly sung.
"1hat trades hroud emhire quickly feel
decay;
" While 8eSf-dchendent ho7ver can tim
defD,
ais rocks resist The bilious and the sky.
n non-importation law would soon brin.
Great Britain to her senses. Her starviD,
manufacturers, and bankrupt merchants
would, by their clamors, compel her to give
vent to their commodities and this coulc
only be done by yielding the points in dis
putc, and renewing their correspondence,
with the United States. Orr own manufac
lures would be encouraged; neither would
the inconveniencies felt by our planters anc
farmers be greater than they were durin,
the revolutionary war, which their patriot
ism and inst resentment at the tyranny o
their enemies, enabled them 70 support witt
heroic fortitude. The stoppage of tint
source from which the revenue of the unto,
is derived, would, indeed, be severely felt
but, as a transitory evil, ought to he patier,
" encountered by a magnanimous people
II would I've better that the payment of tn,
principal Of the national debt should be post
poned until the end Of tho contest, and tina
even the expenses Of government, should
In the interim, be defrayed Nv new loans
(however odious and detcstabe we confcs
the system Of borrowing, which nothing bu
dire necessity can Justify, is in our opinion,
than not to have recourse to the only prac
ticable method of maintaining our rights.
We are here considering n state Of affair
which VIC hope will never be realized, bu