Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-07-15

I 1.-THE British merchants and factors, Gin
case of an embargo or coniscation law
should have contrived to remove them
selves beyond the Atlantic, and to have left
nothing behind them but parcel Of bonds
for purchases of tooacco and other pro-
duce, they would see then, who would be
most injured, we or they. People OF Vir-
ginia People of America! take notice of
this!
WE are pleased to observe the circum-
spection of the merchants. Ifthey consult
their own interest, or that of the country,
they will for time repress their spirit of
adventure, and run as few risques as pos
sibie, until an explicit answer shall be gi-
ven by the British ministry. Asyet it re-
mains point undetermined whether the
late barbarous outragcs have emanated d.
recty from the British cabinet, or are the
acts exclusively of subordinate comman-
ders. IF they are directly authorised by
the cabinet, then we may calculate upon a
scene OF violence co-extensive with British
power, and for another display of that per-
hdy SO characteristic of its government.
Every American vessel on the ocean will
be seized and sent into some British port
Tor adjudication, and the courts vii, take
special care, if they do not forthwith pro-
coed to condemnation, at any rate to keep
TIE cases sub jtt1ice. Indeed ifthe recent
outrages do not emanate from the govern
ment, it's difficult to saw whether they will
not, Notwithstanding, seize what they NAV
! consider favorable opportunity 20 wreak
| their vengeance OH this country We know
the hostility of the greater part of those
who compose the British administration to
our principles, and they may be quiXotic
enough to imagine themselves able 10 crush
these principles, or seriously to arrest our
commercial growth They may, therefore,
under some hollow pTeteXt, refuse that sa-
t.siaction we demand, the result of which
viii be war.--There is indeed no small CO.
lor OF truth i'll the supposition that this out
rage has flowed from the change IN the Bri-
tish ministry, connected with the fate the
treaty has received from our government,
and that without meaning or expecting war,
they have virtually authorised aggressions
on US which they fancied we would tame
~ submit to and that however astonished
they may be with the manifestation they
will soon receive of the temper of the natl
on, their pride may prevent them from re-
tracing. Every thing is, and must fer
some time remain uncertain. In the mean
time it becomes our duty to be prepared
tor the worst, * TO husband all our strength.
But little injury can accrue TO the merchant
from suspension of his export business for
a few months, compared with the incalcu-
liable evils that might bcfal him from its
active pros Cution He is, therefore, uu-
dera double obligation to pursue this course,
arising not only from regard TO his own
interest, but likewise from q love of his
country. In the day of danger, it will want
Its resources, and allits seamen. Were
Congress in session, it is extremely proba-
bic that their first step would be the impo-
sition ofan embargo. What they would do,
were they sitting, it is the interest and du-
ty ofthe merchant to do himself. We have
no doubt that the intelligence of this order
of men may on this occasion, as it has ON
all former occasions, be relied on.
| One great benefit may arise from an en-
| barge not being Immediately laid on in the
United States. Such a step on our part
would most certainly produce similar one
on the part of Britain; and as we have a
much greater number of vessels in her
ports than She has in ours, the hazard to
JUS would be proportiona5ly great. 1t is,
! likewise, not little to be feared, that an "a
! doption of such measure would immedi-
ately produce an extensive depreciation on
!
sailing in the most unsuspicious security.
But none of these objections lie against eve
ny individual merchant in the United States
( laying himself an embargo on his own YES
sells. This is the true policy at this time
| - Nat. Intel
The ship Elizabeth, with London papers
to the 22d OF May, mas arrived at New Bed
ford. They contain no intelligence of mo-
ment The siege of Dantzic sill continu-
ed and the Russian army had crossed the
/ Danube, after carrying the fortress to
Giurgiwo by storm.-i6.
| -.
The Petersburg Intelligencer of yester.
day says, two Of the members belonging tC
the Petersburg hehu6HcnH Light L7Ean.
try, have returned on furlough. They LEFT
the following companies at Cabin Point, Or
Friday evening, viz. the Richmond Light
Infantry Blues, the Richmond Republican
Blues, the Petersburg Republican Ligh
Infantry, and a company of Militia from
this town--in all about 800 men. The troops
were in high health and spirits, and ANNA
ted alike with one sentiment, that of love
for their country, and an ardent desire to a
venge its wTongs.---The cavalry had pro
ceeded on their march, and it was suppo
sed would reach Norfolk OH Sunday---tht
foot companies were expected to arrive thi
day--- Barracks had been provided for then
in Portsmouth.
IL is conectured, that unless the Procla,
nation of President is instantly compii
cd with an s-ftack viii Inc. rnade IN, tb,