Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-07-22
CHARLESTON, july 9.

inst. to report their opinion of the measures
necessary to be pursued, or the extraordi-
nary and Unprecedented occurrence which
had called the citizens together. Never,
| perhaps, in so large a popular meeting,
was there more responsibility # character,
or more unanimity of sentire every
person present saw the danger us crisis tn
| which our couotr.r has been Irecipi,atcd
by lawlcss violence, and every one felt tina,
ardour or patriotism, which yields the con-
s'deration of personal feelings and party
| prejud;ccs to the love of country and the
general interest and dignity Of the nation.
The spirit Of moderation and good sen.e
which presided over the meeting, was %
lonourable TO the citizens "a CONDUCIVE to
| the great purposes for which they were
Convened. The following resolutions were
the result ct the deliberations OF the meet
| ing
At an adjourned meeting Of the citizens
OF Charleston, numerous and most res
pectab,c assembly was held at the Circular
Church, when the following sentiments AVID
resolutions, handed by the Commit,ee APP
pointed for the purpose OF draughting the
same, were unanimously approved and a.
greed to.
Whist we mournfnlly deplore the fate Of
our fellow-citizens, who were recently
slaughtered on board the EheSaheake, our
J minds are filed with emotions unutterably
indignant The long < patent forbenrance of
! anr Govt. under reiterated wrongs, we
ascribe Cor we know the spirit Of our ooun-
trymsu) to a serious desire to preserve that
Peace which was so nobly won by oar AM
cestors; and whilst we appreciate the mo.
t.ves, we believe there is a point beyond
which insulted freemen cannot 20, without
prostrating their own honor, and the uigni-
~ oftheir country.
When the Just and honorable neutrality
! of our beloved country has been repeatedly
Invaded by nation, who profess 10 be on
terms of n,ty with us. when our Nari-
GUS applications for satisfaction have not
/ only terminated unsuccessfullv, but have
been followed br more aggrava'ed outfages :;
| when, finally, our sovereignty and national
independence have been wantohly at acked
! on our own shores, and almost in our har-
| bours, by people, in the very ACT of re-
| cciving from us the hospitality and comforts
| Of friendly and civilized intercourse, it be-
comes us as free and independent people,
II we mean to preserve our rank among the
nations of the earth, 10 resent, and byg:nan-
| ly ard efficient measures, to punish the in
| solent aggression.
| The crisis seems at length to have arri-
| ved-when the spirit OF the Auvrican ma
ton, which has long reposed in peace, must
! De called upon to avenge its woanded ho-
] nour. The late detesta5le act demands
| imperiously, firm resistance, and will
| JUSTIFY signal and exemplary revenge.
THEREFORE, RESOLVED,
! That the public sentiment of this city
| is in unison with that of orr fellow-citizens
of Norfolk, as expressed in their Resolu-
tions of the oath of July last.
That the cruel and unjustihabIe act of
hostility. committed on our Peace by the
British ship of war Leopard (which APP
pears to have been premeditated and un-
authorised, loudly demands immediate re-
paratiop, an will justify the government
Gf it shall in its wisdom deem it properly
in resorting Immediately to arms, and for
this purpose, in calling for the Utmost e.
nergies Of the nation,
/ ResotOed, That the indignation excited
/ by the late event, pervades all classes oil
this community Is paramount to all local
land selfish considera tions, and that we will
be ready (and do hereby Solemnly pledge
our lives and fortunes) to support the go
vernment of our country in all such mea-
sures as in its wisdom it may adopt, to OBJ
tain full, complete and honourable rcpara.
|, ton.
: Rescued, That the pretences, by which
it has been attempted to justify, OF to ex.
Y cuse this act, is unfounded az by the law
Of nations there existed no right TO demand
= the seamen who were said to be mutincers
[ I and that under the Constitution & laws o
our country their surrender was forbidden
ResotUed, That untilthe constituted an
thorities Of our country shall have decided
I. on THIS all mouentous subject, we will hole
o that man its enemy who shall dirictly OF
5 indirectly afford, to any British vessel o
D war, any succour or comfort; and we in
vite our feilow-Citizens, the pilots Of thi
port to co-ope rate with us in this mea
I sure, by Withholding their professional ser
j vices from any Of the vessels Off of tint
5 British nation
i, ReSoiUed, That as testimony Of or
= deep regret, and as n respectful tribute t.
the memory of the unfortunate seamen VIII
were slaughtered on board the Chesapeake
we viii wear Grape ON the left arm, 70
the space Of ten days; and we recommend
! to our fellow-citizens, generally to unit
& with us in this act.
: ResoiU,d, That the Governor Of IN
i State, be requested to direct the militi
{ promptly to arm and equip themselves, an
, to be prepared to obcy-the call of the &c
neral Government ;---aud further, to AT
ply as much of the contingent fund, unde
'' his direction, as he thinks may be cOnven
emily spared. to mount on travelling cal
:. fiagcs the heavy ordnance Of this city.
~ Resolved, That a committee be appoin