Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-12-29

by the allies Of France, particularly b,
Spain, in her decree of February 1907
The decree of November was followed
by the retaliating Brisish order of January
1907, making war on all neutral trade
Usually carried on from the ports of one en-
lemy to those of another.
! France, again seconded by Spain, and
lother allies, in retaliating on this order, by
new constructions attending their DEGREES
to all trade from British territories or in
British articles.
! And it is clear that if not already done
lGreat-Britain meditates further retalia-
tons, most probably an intetdict OF all
trade by this country, (now the only neu
trail one) with the enemies of Great Bri-
tain, that is to say with the whole COM
mercial world.
To these destructive operations agains,
our commerce, is to be added the Late pro.
clamation of Grcat-Britain on the suOiecl
OF seamen. This extraordinary instru-
ment, instead of relinquishng the preten.
sion with respect to alledged deserters IN
board national shifs, extends It to all Bri-
tish seanen OH boar; varying only the
mode of process, from that used by Berke-
ley, to a redress to be obtained by the 90.
| yernment itself And with respect to sea.
| men on board merchant vessels, the pro
clamation has made it the duty of all ner
sea officers to search FOR and seize ali such
as they NAV call British natives; whether
wanted or not for the service of their re-
spectiye ships. From the proper on Of
American citizens heretofore taken under
the name of British seamen, may he CAL
culated the number of victims to he ad-
ded by this formal sanction to the claim Of
British officers, and the conversion of shat
claim INTO duEy.
Thus the ocean presents field only
where there is 40 harvest to be reaped but
that OF danger, of spoliation and of dis
lgrace.
Under such circumstances the best to be
dome is what has been done; a dignifed
retirement within ourselves; watchfu
preservation oi our resources; and de-
I, i'onStration to the world, that we possess
| .Nlr and 4 IT y SIN which car ta c 4.
ny shape that win hest suit the occasion.
/ 1t 5 singularly fortunate that IA em5ar-
; go, VIII st 1t guards our essential resources
| viii! have the collateral effect of making it
|. The interest of all nations to change the sys-
, EN- winch has driven our commerce from
, the ocean.
Great Britain will feel il in her manu-
4 lFactures, in the loss of naval stores, and
> bove all in the supplies essential to her
o'onics-to the number of which she is
Y | ,dding by new conqueSts
a France will feel IL in the loss Of all those
v colonial Injuries, wsrch she mas hitherto
: receive through cur neutral commerce.
and her colonies Will AT once he cut of from
: the sale Of their productions, and the
i ource OF their supplies.
y spa Will feel K, more perhaps than a.
II ", IN the failure of imported food, 10
n making enough within herself, and in he
Il lpopu us and important Colonies which dc
l. pend wholly on us for the supply of their
:. daily wants.
e 1T happy consideration also attending
: Ithis measure that although it will have
these ell, cts, sliuta y, it may be h ped, OF
lic policy of The great contendng nations
sf,rdS ueiaer of them the Sigh es
:. ground Eorcpmpl aiat. The embargo VIC
? lates the rights OF nnne. It's object - to Sc
II cure Ourselves. 1t is measure of pre-
n caution, nor of aggression. IL is re sort {
Il to by alt nations, when their great int r.
; ests require it All of them have made u.
~ different occasions feel the effects %
n such a resort on our commercial interests.
: And it could be the less murmured at, by
those who may be incidentally affected BY
8 the present embargo-inasmuch as they
have forced us into The measure, by the di.
: rect effect en- US, of measures founded 7
e an alleged regard for their own eventua
safety and essential interests.
But may not the embargo bring on wa
from some of the nations affected by il
= Certainly not if war be predetermined OF
: against US. Being a measure of peace anC
O precaution being universal, aud there
fore impartial; extending in reality 4,
h well rs oStensibly to all nations, there is
not shad w OF prctext to make il casuc
Of war. War, therefore, let t be peat.
o I'd, cannot be the result unless 1T be u
pursuance of undetermined plan of hos
@ tliiy against this country.
u [Aat. Intel
We learn that the above law Tina y
Il Embargo1 when received from n -enate
contained only the first section The Sc
>, cond section was AN amendment of the
~ House of Representatives.
A motion was made bv a member in the
;. minority, 10 amend the bill, by giving it
Il limited duration, and combining the EN-
? barge solely to American vessels. Meg
- tivcd.
Another motion was made, by another mem
! Der of the minority, to exempt from the caec
= Of tire Embargo, the vessels OF all nations, wbC
!, by treaty had stipulated with the United Statc
u that they sh oud not be subject to such pro II
e sion.--Neg&tiycd
Many attempts were made by the rnino
e rity to adjourn, tn give time for deIibera
VI ton, but they failcl. every motion bein,