Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-12-11

| WHICH lniS nation Just OeSinS To reel tndt
policy ought now to be at AN end it proves
theoretical and visionary. 1t has long since
been necessary 70 pursue measures of &C.
neral defence. Neither would trust too
much TO gun-boats; they are useful aux
i'aries, and / will vote for an inc ease
oftheir numbers. They are good in their
place, and SO are proclamations, when you
have energy and force to compel an obser-
vance. am for trusting no longer TO pre-
CARNATIONS they are conductor of dis
grace TO the nation. The answer of the
commander of the sloop of war Driver,
while lying in our harbor ut Charleston,
was lnsolent and contemptuous. The an
swer OF the commander of the insignificant
iieet, yetlying in L.ynhavcn Bay, was, that
they would batter down the town of Nor
folk. You always will and must expect to
be insulted, unless you pursue the policy of
general defence. hope to see our coasts
filmed with forts and batteries at suitable and
proper places, and our harbors filed with
frigates and gun-boats, with some block
SHIPS and were 1t not esteemed hsresv by
some, lwould say few seveuty-gun ships.
ouch is my opinion OF the necessity and u
tility of some heavier ships, that feel 1t
INV duty as faithful representative, 10 ex-
press it. Our situation is critical, and our
foreign relations are gloomy. The affairs
OF the nation require serious and grave de-
liberation, aud all our wisdom, but above
all, unanimily. Away, therefore, with
wretched party spirit, and party violence
do NOT mean TO DC understood as giving
an opiniCa that war viii be inevitable /
only wish Co be prepared for il.
1t is correct maxim, that nations will
pursue that course which Is most for their
| interest, ard would the men now IN power,
in the British nation, look forward Tor
years to come, they would say their inter-
est was peace with the u. States of Amc-
RIGA /; butt is to be recollected, that those
| men IN power calculate Oh the termination
OF that power forever on the death of the
king, which they believe from the inGrmi-
| ty OF his age VIII soen happen they, there
fore calculate Cor the moment:
| To Congress the nation turn their ewes,
Justly expecting we will afford them pro-
lection; upon which they place their hope
for public security; which will give con
| iidencc and vigor to the nation. Our rank
| and station will he decided among the pow
ers vi Europe by the vote we give this dav.
Let us behold this nation a. lhis ALARMING
cF:sis boxing boldly the nations of the ca,rR
! in the face, by appropriating liberal means
! ior spirited and permanent plan Of de-
fence. The propriety and necessity of
adopting measures for Notifications appear
to me- to be universally allowed, NOT only
| among the European powers, but is the
sense OF this nation, as far as 1 can Judge
| The legislature OF the state of New-York,
! by their resolutions now on your table, sign
| ed by the President of their Senate and
Speaker of the House of Representatives
| have invited md requested the attention
| OF Congress to this important subject, and
immedate steps ought 10 be taken to make
ample provision for that purpose. The
community IN general are alive to the SUBJ
jet; the people OF this country arc Jealous
OF their rights, and are disposed to defend
! them the system Of permanent foreifi-
Cations ought, from its nature, 10 be the
greatest care of the government It is a
system upon which rests the security Of
national defence. In case of war, the stu
alton of the nation must be calamitous, in
deed, Tor the want OF fortihcations. The
history of AL civilized nations will prove,
/ mat Notifications were and still are part
OF their valuable system of defence and
that they have and 90 keep fortified their
most importaEt cities and towns This
system has been uniformly practised and
encouraged by the most brave, powerful
Iamd experienced nations. Let US therefore
resort 10 that experience and observation,
and lay aside useless theory. AT both oil
the sessions OF the last Congress the sub
lJect of Qualifications was urged Tor Cohside-
ration and voted down. Are we willing to
take upon ourselves the hazard OF the ca
Ilamitous consequences that may happen
TO the nation, and stand Responsible to our
CONSTITUENTS and posterity, by repetition
OF the same vote ! am not, IF we take
a view OF the relative situation of the Fu-
Iropean powers, their strength, their re.
sources, their objects and prospects, we
shall have but one feeling, we shall pay q
due regard to self-defence, and shall he in
a state OF preparation for events.
MIR. SMILE observed from what had
been said by the gentleman from New
YORK on this subject, he thought the House
would not accommodate him with such q
sum as would please him. When the gen.
tleman contemplated such great prepare
tons Tor Qualifications, had he CAST single
thought ON the means now in cur possess. -
on! Did he believe that all they could
, spare if solely applied to fortihcations,
would be sufficient to eject The object he
appeared 60 have ~ view If lie did, MIR.
$. did not. Il signi6ed nothing TO be talk-
t ing about the injuries they had received.
+ They were in a critical situation, and ali
, sensible that they ought to exert them
, selves; they might differ with respect to
, the money necessary to be applied to- FOR.
= ltifcations, Jut he took il for granted, that
3 there was not man in the House whc