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

.gress, dated Washington City, Decem-
Der %, 1907.
"THE remembrance of injuries inflicted
on the people of the United States, by the
lbelligercnt powers of Europe, for many
Years past, seemed to be fading on the A
merican mind and even the sense of re-
sentiment for insults and indignities which
had been offered us, of the most opprobri-
Gus sort, seemed to be suspended by gene
raj dispositionl,o forbearancc, * an ankle
ty for peace While we were enjoying the
pleasing participation OF this pacific dispo.
sition, and many of us gave way to the
hope of an exemption from the future de-
lpredations of the powers of Europe, the
intelligence of successive determinations
made by the two great contending nations,
has conveyed to US the unwelcome warning,
that our situation is rendered more pecu-
linrly critical, than at any. former period
of the war, which has so long agitated Eu-
rope
| 6 In Great Britain determination is a
vowed by proclamation, to adhere to and
enforce those principles, under the opera
ton of which our sovereignty has been i'm
sutingiy violated, and continues to be
spurned at and under which our fellow
citizens have been subugated TO the most
abject ignominious bondage, which the ty-
lranny of naval despo,ism could inflict,
bounded by no discretion, and Inflated by
the wanton will Of men educated in scenes
Of cruelty and blood. While on the other
hand, France, as regardless of the rights
due TO our neutrality, and seeming only To
be bent on grasping in her mighty hand ali
the instruments of destruction to her enc
my, has determined to practice on the
principles before assumed by Grea' Bri-
tain, and has declared that Kingdom. to
) which 50 much of ouv commercial inter-
course is destined, in II stat: of blockade,
and in pursuance Of the bold spirit OF such
a measure, has audaciously decreed thai
the vessels of neutrals, trading to England,
shalt be liable TO capture.
Such, sir, are the weapons. and such
the devastating mode of warfare, which
the belligeren.s of Europe have assumed !;
the enlistment OF such means against each
other, it is not diffio ult to see, must cause
the conclusions of war to extend from the
centre to the circle of the world and to
. give us, who have so earnestly pursued tn
best me isures calculated TO preserve q
neutral position, reason to fear, that we
j, may shortly have no other consolation left,
: but the retros Get of conduct dict 4tcd by
justice, and wh'h has had its effect, in
> securing to US an uncxampled prosperity
9
y after. We are loud warned by the pos.
tinn which the CombAtants OF either sidl
" nave taken, that their blows are to be dealt
in the desperate state of conflict existiue
between them. with a fury, which shall
. ! spread und stlnguIsaed havoc around Their
we are loudly warmed to prepare. anC
/. stand firm against the shock, to stand col
lected in our strength, and hold fast the
i. .ueans which are TO preserve our existence
- IN the hour OF assault, should such hour ar.
! rive.
6 In solemn contemplation, | presume
Of this state of our relations with Europe
= the President of the United States, in pur
: suance of the duty enioined on him by the
constitution, did on the 18th Of the presen
:, month, make a confidential communication
. TO both houses OF Congress. accompanied
:. ny documents evincive Of the injurious de
o examinations ofboth the great beliigerenJ,
OF Europe, together with the advice which
the unprecedented occasion seemed so i'm
periously To dictate, of an immediate in
. hibtion OF the departure of our vessel.
y from our ports
> &c The obvious necessity for the imme.
:. diate exercise of the inhibitory measure
y recommended, in order TO secure TO n(ii.
. vida is their property, the loss of which
: WIS so imIpinently risked, to save our ci-
tizens from captivity, and 20 retain in our
i, Country the sources OF her strength, d.
termined Congress to act in conformity tc
the Presidential recommendation, and ac-
:, cordimgly or this day bill has passed both
= Ihouses laying an EMBARGO on the YES
aeis in our ports and harbors, subject t.
- the exceptions which the respect due t.
,, Justice made expedjent.
= In tho details of the act We found SONS
. difficulty, and encountered some delays, il
? our endeavors to frame them, so as to af
.ect the two beillgerent nations alike, a
NEARLY as their own circumstances would
4, admit
n {. By the adoption of this measure, W,
e were aware of the temporary st gnatior
of commerce which would be produced
~ and the consequent Suspension for time
. Of the sale of those articles of agricultural
n produce, which form the sources of on
a wealth but when we reflected, that 81
= soon az the mercantile interests became
N informed of their danger, this effect woulC
!. be produced on the sales of domestic com
4 modiies, attended IN The mean time, witt
II the loss Of some Of cur citizens, and til,
- property OF many and when too the APP
n preaching season would probably have TIT
i, effect, for a time, of closing our interio
TO navigation, iu many parts OF the Union
t. we were the better reconciled 10 this mea
in sure Of extreme necessity.
n eve have agaia resumed the measure
- Of defensive preparation. & have no doub