Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-10-28
lyour faith in your holy oaese inhexibIe %
seduction, and steady to your text.

Postscript TO letter from a gentleman
of the highest rcspsctab hty, At Washing
ton, tn HIS friend in II chmond
''Monday MORN g, Oct. "a, 1903.
"N =. The dispatches mentioned with
Gin, have arrived, and the information by
"private letters last even'ng, is FALSE
t" France has not declared quar against us,
"nor is our situa' ion with that power, worse
T" than it has been for some time-should
=" the report reach you, pray contradictit ;"
The most prominent question which is
expected to be discussed before Congress
next, and the one which is most immedi-
ately connected with the feelings otthe peo-
pie is that of the. Embargo. There can
he very little doubt from the various symp-
toms of inquietude which have been exhibi
ted, but that some strenuous effort will be
made to produce its revocation.
This effort will not be so much directed
by feelings of patriotism. as wish ohring
the present administration into disrepute.
/ Those in the opposition who are anxious to
reduce the popularity of the administration,
will avail themselves of all the incopvenien-
ces of the present state OF things, and en-
deavor to throw them into some specions
and imposing form, SO as to prevail uron
the necessities Of the people to rise against
the emba rgo.
The word rise, is not meant in its turbu-
lent sense, but we have no doubt but that
the refractory spirit OF some of the Eastern
States will be frequently invoked and adj
duced in order to shew the propriety of re-
pc aling the embargo. There perhaps ne
yer was measure adopted by the present
administration which was so much calcula-
ted TO try its strength and the virtue of the
people, as the one which has excited so
much defamation and so much restlessness
At home, and so much admiration abroad.
The embargo is admitted by almost all
honest politicians to have been wise, neces-
sary and patriotic. 1t has been ton much
discussed TO require any new argument to
be advanced in its favor. Opinions are al
ready formed, and opinions seem invincible
when formed We are willing to be gov
erned by the majority, and we know that
the majority will be governed by sound prin-
cipies and good sense.
In this point of view we take it for gran
ted that the embargo always was, and still
remains popular and indispensable mea-
sure Here thea, fellow-citizens, in order
to give confidence to our representatives,
and additional strength to our admnistra-
ton, we would fain ask if it would not be
proper in your general meetings, to advise
repeal or modification, unless the powers of
Europe should change their position or re-.
lax in their orders. We know very we'll
that the present state of things is disagree.
able, but we feel them alike with you, and
we all know that theV have not been impo..
sed upon US, by our own government, but by
foreign injustice and atrOcity. The questi /.
on then, which appears for enquiry and de-
cIsion, ia, whether we should Law our com.
merce and independence as peace offerings
at the thrCne of Great Britain OF France
AT the suggest on ef1his idea, we arc assur-
ed that every faculty of your souls will rise
with indignation. at then We are told
that the European powers remain stedfas;
| and infieXible. They will no. Weld under
the conviction that we Shall give way. Are
/ you prepared 70 endure this ind lble stain
upon yGur national character Are you pre- .
pared TO say, that rather than not suffer
| little sunpiucus privatioD, YOU will bend and
comply with the unjust and tyrannic reaui :
sitIons of Great Britain Or are YOU pre-
pared (Which would be necessary conse-
quencel to embark Is, tie European con-
test We hope and believe not. You have
been insidionsly told "a t the present state
of things might have been avoided, without
| telling you hozv
L
Gates of this sly-intrieuing doctrine mean
the adoption Of Monroe's trcsy. They are
afraid to say SO, but you may take It for
granted that they mean nothing else. What
course had we to pursue but the embargo,
| Monroe's treaty, or submission And what
| American that feels the lively throb of In
dependence in his heart would submit TO e.
| ther of the last--None Therefore we saw
t would become the character Of true re
puhlcans, to advise their representative
not 10 abandon the high ground winch has
been taken, but to remain there till the last
Iextremitv.
You have been told that the present ad-
minisration feel the influence of foreign 0f-
l/echon if so, why DO the very same per-.
sons circulate the idle report that France
has formally declared war against this coun-
try. Is 1t not to be supposed that France,
under these circumstances, would be friend
ly and conciliatory But when we recollect
the doubtful encounter N which Bonaparte
is now engaged, when we know that his
best means OF assailing this country are now
his strongest bs'acles, that Spain is likely
to throw his influence and might into the
dust, 1t is perfectly ridiculous to believe that
he could be so sfark staring mad, as to de-
clare formal war against us. 1.-The were to
do 1t, u would be nothing more than bark.
ing at the clouds. But how could he effect
his declarations The question we submit,
to solution-To return 20 the original ques-
ltlon, what ought our Representatives to do (!
1.-The only Wav in Which We ron he ralteyed