Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-07-11

soldiers Of the American army, in assem-
bling, had not only long, toisomc and
dreary way to pass, but left their families
exposed to want, * to the crueltieS of the
savage Indians. This was enough to damp
that ardent spirit which had hitherto sup
ported them. On the other hand, the Bril-
fish nation WAS regarded as the most war
like in the world. Her army was compo-
scd of veteran troops, who mad been tram
cd in all the arts of war, and led on to vic
tory and conquest, by the most experience
ed commanders. Her towering navy TO le
proudly triumphant, on the ocean, which
groaned beneath its weight Her cannon,
like the Omnipotent OF Heaven, was ready
to hurl IT'S destructive lightning, on the
heads OF her daring oppoSers. Not con-
tent with her superiority in numbers and
discipline, every cruelty was exercised on
us. he rules of warfare were departed
from our prisoners were nhumanly but
chered our private property was desoiat-
ed our females were insulted and torn from
the bosom of their families to fill the mea-
sure OF miquity, the savage Indians were
excited against US, those horrid monsters
whose known ru OF warfare was an s'in-
d discriminate slaughter of all sexes aud
ages ;" and whose eXulting joy consisted
IN torturing and agonizing a devoted VIC
lowering tempest had spread itself and
seemed to threaten our immediate destruc-
ton; that we declared ourselves absolved
from ali allegiance to the British crown,
and that the colonies were free and indie
pendent states. We threw ourselves on
the protection of divine providence, and
mutually pledged our fortunes, our lives and
our sacred honor, i'll defence OF the COM
mon Cause. The declaration of American
independence, seemed to be of divine ORR
gin. Those truths, on the establishment of
which, depend the freedom and happiness
OF man truths which had been concealed
tor ages, by clouds of oppression, were now
discovered, and made manifest. The prie-
vances under which we h d long abored,
the despotism of a rapacious ruler, and the
abJect state or our citizens, were dep cted
in that strain of eloquence, which does not
fail to Carry conviction to the mind. Rous-
ed from her partial ethargy and rcanima-
ted by these sacred truths, America resol-
we'd TO make a bold effort, and ther eman-
cipate herself, or perish III the attempt.
invIgorated by these prIUc pies, aftera Sc
rleS OF other Sanguinary battles, our brave
tellow-clt.zens compelled the army OF Bur-
goyne TO surrender at Sara5Oga's heights
Each day added strength To our glorious
cause, and affairs now began to assume 4
| i iterent aspect Great Britain found her
self unequal to the conflict. Immense
| e4sures, and the flower of her army. had
been sacrificed to attain an object, which
was now paced beyond her reach The
zeal o. the Americans, aided by the exDe-
rlcnce of brave commander, and by
the force of their allies, humbled their
| naughty spirit. On one side, it was the
contest OF great people, for their wives,
their children, their parents, their coun-
| try. and the dearest rights of man on the
other, the spirit ofambition, the Unsuitable
thirst of avarICc, stimulated a pcrfdous
| government TO strain every nerve to en-
| slave them.
! The cause OF freedom and Justice at
| length prevailed. The siege of York, and
the capture of the British army under
| CORVALLIS, put an end to war,
| which had ragged amongst us for seven
years, attended with the most baleful cir
CumstanCes. The point for which we had
! been 50 long contcnGing, was at length CON-
lccdcd, and United America was acknow-
! lodged free and independent. Yet, though
success attended her efforts she had to
mourn the loss of many Of her noblest sons,
who fell bravely fighting IN her cause
/ Could the honest and intrepid soldier,
whose name amidst host of patriots, is
now forgotten; VINO, during the lnClemcn-
| cy of winter, bareFooted, and with latter
! ed garments, trod the flty ground, en-
I countering all the miseries Of fatigue, and
hunger, and the dangers of war and BOLD
| ly met that death which deprived his help
less family of support; could he, whose
habitation IS now beyond the stars, hear
my feeble voice, / would tell him i'm pl in
( language of gratitude and of truth, that his
children are now enjoying those blessings,
| TO the attainment of which h exertions so
/ greatly contributed, and that his fame lives
in a nations happiness To those, whose
names are recorded in the sacred page of
! history let us offer our generation let
us tell them, that as long as the American
revolution snail be remembered as long
as virtue has seat upon earth, their go-
rlOus actions shall be sounded in a nation,
ears. To the noble chief, vino led us from
the dawn Of our revolution IS its illustri
GUS close, we are perhaps chiefly ndc1t-
ca for our present standing amongst tire
nations OF the earth He led as with eau
/ ton : but II was the caution of the watChful
Eagle, who, from some mountains SUM-
init, views the motions OF the unsuguectiuv
/ shepherd, ard when he is lulled into q fa-
4 tai security, darts with the rapidity OF
/ lightning on his destined prey, and safely
bears aiott his prize. A novel and sub
( lime scene was now presented to the poll
( tical world; q mighty nation assembling
for the purpose OF establishing legitimate