Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-06-10

" oN'tN eShC place, tlldC CltncT
one or both, from sense of Justice
or interest would change the system
adopted towards us. With this view
1t seemed probable the people would
soon be relieved from the present
pressure. The latest accounts from
Europe indicate continuance of the
hostile temper of France and England,
and we now have no alternative left
but to withdraw for the present from
the ocean---submit unconditionally to
one OF our oppressors---or make war,
In vindlcation of our honor and natl
onal RICH Q.
After so long ENJOYING an extensive
lucrative trade, without interruption.
hndlng aready market for all our pro:
duce, and full employment for all our
funds, the suspension of eternal trade
viii produce the most serious effects
upon all classes of people in the COM
munity, as well upon the farmers as
those who have been engaged in COM
merce. The sacrifices made by the
embargo are however more apparent
than real they are produced by the
restrictions of France and England
upon our trade by shutting up the mar
kets suited TO the productions of our
country, and combining them to those
IN which the consumption is too IL
mited.
Let 1t be supposed that the trade of
America is regulated agreeably to
British orders of council, and that all
our articles of domestic and toreipn
growth pass through British ports, and
are consequently confined to them for
sale. The quantity would so far
exceed the demand as to reduce their
value to price which would inevita-
ply ruin the planter. The exports
from the United States amounted du-
ring the last year to one hundred and
eighty millions of dollars, of which
thirty one millions were sent to Great
britain and her dependencies. The
remaining II millions, to other
parts of the world, furnishing more
ready sale and better prices.
This circumstance proves thew were
not wanted in England, and if sent
there would only be purchased for
sale elsewhere.
But to what place can they be ship
ped from England To no part of the
continent OF Europe from those coun-
tries they are excluded, if they have
touched at Great Britain, bv the
French DEGREES.
Can it be doubted that monopoly
OF all our trade by England, and the
sale OF five times as much produce as
she wants and can consume, will prove
absolutely ruinous to us
Of the article tobacco, which con-
stltutes or most valuable export, "a
mounting to an average of seventy
five thousand hogsheads annually, on
" twelve thousand are consumed In
England, the rest is used on the CONT
nent.
The British minister compels us to
send all our cotton to England, and
proposes to prohibit its re-exportation.
There are sixty millions lbs. weight
exported, of which thirty millions only
are brought in England, the remain
ing half, worth seven millions of dol
lars, is sold in France and countries in
alliance with her.
The reasons assigned for this most
shameful restriction, and the object
to be attained, are the destruction of
the cotton manufactures in France.
which have progressed so far as to
give alarm to the English ;and to avoid
open and direct oFenEe to the Ameri.
cans, who would feel less irritated Lv
the total suppression of the trade than
It's taxation. | have little doubt, the
same spirit of Cancellation will induce
them to prohibit the transportation of
all our produce.
I think you will clearly perceive
that the British orders in council in
fact constitute the embargo, and tina,
the trade left open to us affords an
Insufficient market for the produce
OF our country,
/ have spoken Of the extent Of our
commerce under the orders, as if 1t
would be safe but the French priva-
teers would injure it extremely, un-
less our merchant vessels were armed
Il