Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-08-19
Dirginta araua.
R &c II NJ o N d:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10. 1908.

witnessed this intense temper of federal ha
tired to the administration, Ss British attach
ment for a considerable time, that the Fee
deralists of that town have succeeded in pre-
vailing upon Tracked meeting to present AN
address to the President to repeal the EN-.
barge So far at least, as will admit Of COM
mercial intercourse with Spain and Portu-
gal. What are we TO think of the absurdi-
ty or rather the insanity of this measure,
when we recollect that the orders of cour-
Gil declare that no American shall sail di-
rectly from America to any port in Europe,
except they go there first, and when too we
recollect that American cargoes and their
vessels would be conhscated under the Der
lin and other DEGREES, whenever they
should be caught in the European SEAS
Are we TO consider these as French or Bri..
tIsh ports If we consider them to be the
hrst, we shall fall victims to the last, and
even to admit that the French DEGREES could
not be executed if they were considered
British ports, yet we should be obliged i'm
order to carry on this trade, to submit 20
the orders of council, and to admit the i'm.
becili.y and folly ofthe embargo. Are you
prepared to do this, citizens of America
We answer for you with indignation, in the
negative. The cloven foot of British fede..
ralism is too evidently seen to be mistaken
We regret that we cannot furnish our
readers with any late intelligence from Eu
rope, as we are duly aware that the ex..
pectations of the politician are Z" on tip
toe" the feelings of humanity alive to the
"tale of Distress" and the enemy of usur.
patton, anxiously solicitous about the des.
tiny of Spain. The accounts which we
have already received, afford very barren
grounds for speculation as to the events
which are most likely to result. There
rs one event, however, which we can but
anticipate as very probable indeed, that
the Island of Cuba and the Spanish possess
sions IN South America will fall complete.
ty under the control of Great Britain.
This event should likewise induce us to
apprehend continuance of the orders in
Council and its correlative measure, the
embargo. Under the influence of this calcu-
lation We look around about us with cheer
ful consolation at the calm and patriotic
endurance of the evils arising from COM
mercial restriction, and the active prepa-
ratlons which are making 10 supply our
worst wants in worse times. There is no
circumstance which casts a shade upon
this "sunny prospect" except the slow
and dubious progress of the Richmond Ma
nufacturing Association. We are inclined
tn ascribe this consequence to the unneces-
sary extent of the scheme, which altho' it
may contract itself in less form, yet such
is the force of first impressions, that the
public Cannot overcome them. Under
these circumstances we are led TO suggest
that IT another meeting were called to com
mence de moro il would in all probability
succeed. The failure 81 this scheme.
which as yet is mere matter of calculation.
is not attributable 20 any negligence or in
capacity of its authors, for they are too well
known to admit of iys bare conjecture.
The novelty of the subject was no. so
much to be encountered as the feelings and
opinions o. society at large. It was neccs-
sary that some experiment should be made.
or some proper expedient adopted to as
certain thesc things; the experiment has
been tried and the wishes of our fellow
citizens appear opposed 20 the Richmond
association scheme. II certainly would
Become the projecro rs ofthis plan to re-ex.
anime IT, and alter those parts which are
likely to prevent it's success. If the vari
nus counties and towns prefer their own
manufacturing systems, it behoves us 20
adopt one for ourselves. In order to OBJ
tain desirable and important object it is
not unfrequently necessary to approach it
with slow and careful steps. To begin bv
degrees and as success follows 20 keep on
until the Object is within reach. If the
friends OF the present scheme arc anxious
to see manufacturing Industry displayed in
eur own town, as they are no doubt, these
suggestions cannot be unwelcome. All un-
tried theories which involve the General
welfare shoa d be submitted to general dis
cuision for general assent, and ;f il does
not succeed, it should be abandoned 10,
some other more probable to meet with
success. We repeat that this expected
failure is not to be ascribed to the want of
attention and activity on the part of those
who framed the scheme, but on the contra
ny they deserve credit for their exertions
and good intentions.
The pleasure which the editor of tbs
Norfolk Public Ledger expresses ar the
spirit of independence" displayed i'm the
remarks of the Argus upon the subject ofI
Spanish affairs, appears to diminish when
he arrives al the eoncludipI question, "wh,
Their policy should rot invite Us 10 S..i.
in favor Of that 5elligerent VIII ca, ~, w, rs
least harm" IL is with eG,aaI pleasure thai
we shall remove this cause of dimiuntion
The view that Y4s taken in that paper was
entirely abstract x philanthropic asiaupears
from the preceding sentence to the ones.
ton that is quoted. "The question which
presents itself 70 the eye OF philosophv in |
this postase Of affairs, is whether il wouId
be more beneficial to mankind that Frame |
or Great Britain should prevail In This |
point OF view we are induced to express an |
that not only Spain. hi, I
IN at q n the Furonean ,o,syere 81, o,,ft -