Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-04
FROM rHE. AURORA.
The WAR WITH FRANCE.


Nothing could more decidedly prove
the existence OF foreign influence in this
city, than ne conduct of the folks at this
city coffee house, on the receipt of the
late humbug from New York, brought by
the barque Richari---of declaration of
war by France against America. EVERY
one affected to believe l., many exulIed
IN lt--but eager as these folks are on o.
her occasions to make bets, not a man
would wager dollar on the truth of
Intelligence which they affected to be-
iieve.
ne custom OF wagering we always de-
preca;e, and consider as pSrnicious IN so,
| Getty; and we only notice il now, TO ilus.
trate the difference between the conduct
OF these gamblers on occa lions Of different
comPlexions. They endeavored to inn
press ideas at belief on Story SO alb
sur4-whle hsy really saw it, absurdity,
AND paced 40 confidence 10 what they al
legged.
Perhaps after aI, 1t would not be Per.
piclous to the y. s. If he story upon which
the tories appeared So much ela,ed, were
really true,
They calculate that the necessary effea
would be 20 lead us into an alliance, with
Engiand Alas, how easily does folly de-
| lad lself!
Whai would be The best policy for our
government if il were even true, that
France had The folly 10 declare war against
US! The policy Of the u States would be
shat it is--to defend its own soil and 10
form entangliug alliances with no nation.
At home we afe 'nvulnerabIe, for our mi
litia duly armed and organized is compe-
tent TO our defence against all the world.
Our governments would not, under the name
OF an ally, introduce an enemy into our
country--we should organize our amiliia
along our coasts and frontiers, and make
pleasure or frolIc Of the elementary
parts of military discipline and evolution
IRON one end of the continent TO The o.
Their we should have military fcies--rnili
tary expidtlons--aod the Representation
of action, to produce corree1 ideas Of disci-
pline--7ve should hIvc M allies!
"Wby then war with France would
be as bad 20 the tories as the embar go. -
Exactly so. The Friends of American
prosperity & independence could not coyet
any change of events more conducive TO
their happiness and best good than the
open hostility to France or England. This
may appear to be a paradox, bu, it is a
solemn truth. We shall then know the
value and the extent OF ourow n resources.
We should in woYeaTs be able to produce
all hat is necessary for our subsistence,
comfort, and Iuxary--and provide means
for circulating at home the millions of dol.
lars hitherto sent abroad.
The embargo, has built or nearly built,
one thousand new houses in this cily--ihe
embargo has erected two manufacture,
for shot in this city, which forever secure.
the circulation at home, of about 2Oo, OOC
dollars heretofore sent abroad sent abroad
10 pay for shot--for shooting birds alone
we sent 100000 dollars abroad PhiladsL
dhia now, from The two towers erecled fol
casting patent shot, can, after supplying
all America, cast enough to supply all A.
STA beside. Let ilnot be forgotten that
Louisiana produces the lead for these ma.
nufactnries-wh:ch can each cast one ton
and half OF the most perfect shot per day
each.
But these nor twenty more are not all
we hsve two manufactures Of red lead
: already eslablshed--whose capacity j.
e competentto the supply Of the whole coun-
Try with lead and with li,barge.
A mandatory Of white lead is also So
ing on,