Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-09-30
To THE PRESIDENT OF TRE UNITE D
STATES.

SIR,
On ordinary occasions, solemn profess
sions OF attachment TO our country, and OF
devotion TO IT'S cause, would not only benz
gatory, but perhaps suspicious-any usual
display of alacrity in the performance OF
the daily duties of good citizen, might,
without injustice, be aScribed 10 an over
acted zeal, intended TO cover Justification
But there are circumstances i'm which a
state must depend as much on the warm af-
lection, as the strict duty of is citizens
Such are those of impending war, or sus-
pected insurrection. When insults are re-
ceved which it would be dsgraceful to
bear! When treason is supposed to prey
on the vitais ct the government, and threa-
ten its dissolution it then becomes every
man, IN the FIRST case TO shew that he feels
and Is ready TO avengc the insnlted dignity
of his country; in the second, that he is
uncontaminated by the poison which may
have Infested other members of society;
and IN both 1t behOves him not only 20 sup
Fort by his acts, but to strengthen and en-
courage by the expression of his confidence,
the constitutional directors of his country's
force.
Impelled by these considerations, the in
habitants of the city Of New Orleans pray
yea, SIR, to receive the expression ticy now
make OF Indignation and wounded pride, at
the gross insult offered to our country. by
the British squadron IL the Chesapeake
OK yea. and eagcrncss to obtain atoneiacnt
for the injury; of attachments 20 the Uni
ted States, aud confidence liz the ai.minis-
traticn OF its government.
The confidence is increased by observ-
ing that every thing in the power of the
cxscutive has been done TO assert the dry
nIty OF the nation, aud shew its deep sense
OF the aggression-aud we Cannot suppress
the pride we feel in the anticipation that
the enemies of cur ccuntiy's homer, and the
rivals Of its prosperity may soon Re taught
that free government is not only lust TO
Its friends, but formidable to its foes That
frDearance is not puslaniclity and that
the American of the present day have not
degencrated from their ancestors of seven
ty-six
Our successful, unassisted efforts, during
the hrst years of that glorious stuggle, viii
warn them against the danger of invading
Cur country, and if they remember the dar-
ing enterprize OF our scamen, they must
know that predatory war will not be who's
ly passive on our parts. Notwithstanding
the boosted superiority Of their navy, their
commerce will not pass unmolested by our
coasts. The high blown credit OF theirmer-
chants will shrink when no longer inflated
by the fictitious capital they have acquir-
cd--their manufactures, unsupported by
our market, will be crushed by the pres
sure OF taxes. Their colonies cut oft from
cur supplies, win sink into ius gniiicance,
or rise in open Instruction. Animportan,
member OF their empire may perhaps seize
this moment to assert its rights and avcnge
its wrongs. The nation itself, Keeling un-
der the burthen OF its debt, must throw il
ofby a dangerous CONFUSION, or expire un.
Ger its oppressive weI5ht-nRd il is not i'm
lrobable that Britain, Inundated by the
iirst-may be finally ruined by the second
American war.
IT is to be lamented that these conside-
tons have not occurred to prevent the
injuries, veXations and insults to which we
have been exposed.
May they, or others more wcightv, one
rate TO procure full d;savowal OF the con-
duct to which we a!lude ample retributi-
ON for the injuries we have sustained I! ard
above all speedy and exemplary punish
ment inflicted on the violators of our honor
and reposc
IA northumberland unanimously, that
the thanks of this meeting, be presented TO
our fellow citizens of Norfolk and Rich
mond, for their spirited and good conduct,
in relation to the recent outrage commit
ted by British squadron, on the dignity
al the u. S. near the Chesapeake Bav.