Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-08-01
MORE BRITISH OUTRAGES.


MORE BRITISH OUTRAGES.
A REPORT has been received from Nor
folk, (Which. although, not certainly anthem
tic, appears to be very probably true in the
most important particular, that the u
nited States armed Schooner Enterprise
lately passed up the Bay on its way from
the Mediterranean, to Baltimore or the CT
ty OF Washington, and brought informati-
OH of an engagement in that sea, between
the American frigatc Constitution and a
British ship of "a guns. True it is that the
circumstances of this battle are variouslv
represented. 1t is stated to have been nc-
casioncd by dispute concerning some A.
merican Seamen impressed by the British
but by some ii is said the American fri
gate commenced the attack for the purpose
OF recovering seamen belonging to her; by
others that ihc British ship acted in the
same manner as the Leopard did in the
outrage committed on the Chesapeake, and
again violated cur flag, under the pretence
OF reclaiming deSerters sheltered bv it.
The issue OF the conflict is also differently
stated. The news, which circulated yes
terday, was that the constitution (afler
desperate combat of Ave hourS,) had near
" taken her antagonist that the blood
stained flag of Great Britain was about to
be struck; when another ship of 100, or
10 guns, came up to the assistance of the
-; by means of which our unfortunate fri
gate was compelled to surrender having
undergone almost total destruction. But an
article in the Petersburg cpub Jean contains
IN account given by n gentleman, who left
Norfolk state on Monday evening; in which
the frigate Constellation (and not the Con-
Sfituffon) is mentioned as the vessel engag-
cd; and the "Englishman to have been dis
cnmfted, md forced to sheer Off
This last Piece of news, if true, would
be delightful indeed to every patriotic A.
lnerican: but we fear it is too good to be
verified.
In such uncertainty, relative TO the ORR
gin, progress, and termination of the bat
| tie, said to have taken place, we should be
| inclined to suppose the whole story fabri-
cation. But, nevertheless, there arc strong
; reasons for believing the truth of the main
event: viz, that there has been an engage
ment in the Mediterranean, between one
OF our frigates and one or more British
ships.
The sudden aud unexpected return ofthe
Schooner Enterprise from the station to
| which she had been ordered by the goverh-
mcHt; ana her proceeding up the bay, in
haste, without calling at Norfolk, are cir
! cumstances evincing that she has brought
intelligence of great Importance. Our &C
counts from Halifax, -(Nova Scotia, }
which render it certain that the attack on
the Chesapeake BY the Leopard was or
! dered by the government uf Great Britain /;
the hostile attitude thus assumed by the
! British, immediately after the Presidents
! rejection OF the Treaty was known in Eu-
I 81, L IL.
/ dispute which occasioncd that rejection was
/ was the point relative to the imprcssment of
/ our seamen the ranCorous hatred, which
the Maniac Gerge the Sd has always
manifested against us ; aud the foolish
/ hopes, which he and his ministers have
lately entertained, of an approaching dis
comhturc OF Bonaparte are all reasons for
! believing that Great Britain has actually
! according 10 her usual practice) common
ced war against us, without giving us
notice. IT is therefore extremely probable
/ that the report Of this sea-hght is too well
| founded and from the superior strength
! (though we proudly believe, inferior c0u-
rage) of the British; together with their
cunning, perhaps, in assailing unexpected.
ly, or with superior numbers they may
! have defeated and taken our frigate. At
any rate, (whether this report he true OF
! false,) the storm ct war has already burs,
upon us; but we doubt not all true Ameri
cans arc prepared 90 weather it with forti.
tude, however rudely it may rage.
Every thought of reconciliation ought tc
be laid aside for we may now be we'll as.
sured that nothing less than the total los.
By Great Britain of our trade, and her feel.
ing sensibly Our strength, will compel tho
| Tyrant Of that unhappy country to do us
justice. Let US rely, therefore, on Out
swords and our spinning wheels With the
first VIC may take possession of Canada and
Nova Scotia and, by means of the last
supply the want of BRUSH manufactures. -
United as we are, possessing country un.
equailed in natural wealth and resources
we surely may live within ourselves, anC
defy the malice, not only Of one miserable
aud bankrupt island, but Of all the worlC
besides.
Fci let us not, in this state of affairs, b,
betral Ell INTO the folly Of raising large ma