Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-05-30

From this period, Virginia, like Won ma
iestic river, alternately eo5ed and flowed
sometimes reduced 10 misery's lowest mark,
now rms ug and swelling in the tu'l tide o.
prosperity. Now The cXaSperated Indians,
rendered furious by the injuries they had
suffered, and maddeueA with the desire OF
revenge, rush like tigers, with horrid yells,
upon ,heir unsuspecting foes. Aterrible
scene oi q, ath and carnage eusues chill
drcn are murdered in the arms Of their
mothers wives in tho embraces Of their
husbands the habltations ct the cOlonsts
are reduced to ashes, and their mangled
bodies strewed over'' the green fields of
their country" Bcsmearcd with human
gore, the savagcs call upon the spirits of
their forefathers, 10 witness the sacrifice,
and feast on the incence arising from the
blood of their enemies. Now repellcd by
our valiant ancestors, again, and again
they return, with redouhlcd fury to the at
tack; until overcome by superior num-
bels, and theomnipotent powers Of thun-
dering ARTILLERY, they are compelled TO seek
shelter in their deep forests.
Fellow Citizens, we might dwell with
rapture ON the progressive history of an
infant colony thus scanning torrents of
adversely, thus gradually advancing to
maturity, and now resting upon rock
which no storms can shake the affections
ef her people. Yes, Virginia affords an
i!lustrious example, of what can be effect
ed by daring enterprzc and Constant per-
severance, though wading through sea of
dangers, of terrors and misiortunes, before
she attained her present height of proSpc-
ritz. But that history we leave to ADLER
hands, let US rather enquire, what We're
the mighty energies, under the blessings
of Providence, which thus accelerated her
4. L. -.
First, Fellow Citizens, although we
must feel the warmest Indignation against
the tyrannical rule Of Great Britain, vet
we have great reason to congratulate our
selves that she WAS cur mother country !;
that she was the ''mGCId UirtiEl mafey-'
At the time Cf the colonization Of VIugi-
MIA, scintillations Of liberty, elected by
literature, began to blaze in Great Bri-
tam. They were transported 10 Virginia,
and guarded like the vestal flame Here,
although surrounded by executive inilu-
encc, i@ey were cherished by an august
and venerable association, until their ar
deaf heat melted the chains of bondage,
and threw OF the Scoria of tyranny. Then
did he Genius of Liberty cast from those
ch ms, 4 sublime Colossal Statue, sacred
toequoli rights, which shall bestride, soon
eT az later, this lower world
IL the next place, it has always been
tie policy of the European nati-ns, to mo-
noEoitze the trade Of their colonies Some
have confined it to single port, and o.
thcrs have conferred the exclusive COM
nlrTCc on Z particular company. Great
Bvit1in, pursuing more liberal mercan-
tic plan, left her trade free to all her sub
ject8. Monopriies, 0fevery kind are high
ly injurious and unjust; but nothing can
BIZ more comp etely ruinous, nothing can
CHECK The increasing prosperity Of colo
ny more, than conhnmg It's commerce to
d company Of merchants, or to any parti-
Gil pore If the mother country whilst
the N uopoly OF n nation is much less des-
trecuyc. Although Virginia was limited
20 ,he market of Great Britain, IN the ex-
p1rtgtiou Of certain enumerated articles,
yet. shr IVES allowed freely to export ali
her Other surplus produce, to most parts of
thl world
Thirdly, another great advantage arose
from the iu-oim1l regulations OF our state,
whilst an gish colony. The introduce
ton OF q Legislature, chosen by the people,
the IneStimabic Institution Of trial 5v inry.
as well as the general mode OF administer
ing Justice, weieblcssiugs which the esta :
bishmcugs oF other European nations in
America did not enjoy.-Our government,
besides, was administered with sufficient
economy, and few taxes were levied, until
the eve Of the revolution, except those
which were necessary to defray the cx-
penseS of the civil establishment. The
Spanish colonies, on the contrary, were,
and are loaded with grievons and unneces-
sary imposts, to support tile e&trdvAgancc
and pompous Ostentat.on Of inso.ent Sa-
traps. They are oppressed b. q numerous
race of idle and fraudulent priests; who,
under the mask Of charitable intentions,
rob biggotcd and ignorant people Of their
property. Whilst tAc progress Of The
Spanish colonies was checked by obstacles,
which the powerful hand of liberty only
can remove, Virginia, on eagle wings was
tower ring to the zenith Of prosperity.
But still, the wealth and gre dness ofthe
American colonies was uniformly rctard.
cd, by the interference oftht mothcl coun-
Try. II is true, that the policy Of Great
r'ts!n was more liberal, than that Of o.
the European nations vet it was never
cir.ated by any noble or generous motives,
boo merely with view 10 her own inter-
esr which sic has always regarded, and
NJ ihe interest OF her colonies.
Various otAfr causes, besides her origin,
(Gr.at Britain,) and those we have mem
toned, have contributed to raise Virginia
- her present elevated station. The first
colonies, fortunately, employed all their
capitals ia agriculture, tne surest means
f.fsa- I