Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-12-30
FOR PRESIDENT.
RRITIsH INFLuENCE.

BRITISH INFLUENCE.
There never was time perhaps, which
more imperiously demanded public attenti-
on te this subject, than the present. 1t is
Tar from our design 20 invite any vdufot
Hostility in relation to foreigners, bur &C
cording 70 our best conception of things,
1t IS essentially necessary TO apply some re-
medy 10 this spreading disease. Few per
sons can doubt the fact, and none can deny
It. 1t is the policy which Great Britain
his pursued in regard to every country and
particularly this, ever. since we tore asuu.
der her colonial bands There is no nation
winch we gu .ht 10 fear with more anxiety,
OF ia wifc'I with more inteuseness, because
her motives are stronger, and her means
are greater. The policy of regainng by
address, what she formey held by authori-
y, has always been her object, and that she
Is making every effort for that purpose
now, is seen by every eye that is not jam i.
dtced with the deepest prejudice. la. a
fact that British admirals have been pass.
ing in Disguise through the country, which
could have been for no other purpose than
to $fiy oUt the max d7iesS Of the land. This
source of mischief may be viewed with m
difference by many. but it is one from
W nc we onrem ate he mos serious an
gers. HERE lousy in regard 70 our mauUJac
lures commerce and navigation, together
IN her fears as to the prosperity of our an.
tI-mondrChical institutions land their repub-
llcan examples, constitute her motiUeS.-
Her means are as obvious as her motives.
The British government has a more ready
and extensive command of money than any
in the world and in consequence of our ST.
miiltude OF language and manners, she may
distribute her secret service money, (for
which she makes an immense appropriation
with All the certainty of safety, and the
probability OF success
IS stated with confidence by some wri-
ter, that Great Britain appropriates more
money for secret serUice, than is necessary
for the support of the United States Her
agents of distribution and corruption. con-
sist OF the many thousand Englishmen in
TINS country, and perhaps, many of the a.
meTicans, who hang upon British commerce,
and whose cupidity is stronger than their
patriotism. British capital in this country
isimmense, and we very much suspect that
many of the American merchants are Ca.
pable Of yielding to it's powerful and capt.
waiting influence. Independent of this TOO,
the presses are Mt unirequently rendered
subsidiary for the sake of procuring mercan-
tile advertise S, and are thus gradually
corrupted, until, IN fact, they almost become
vehicles through which British influence is
conveyed. II IS not our intention, however,
10 enter into a minute d tail, or to prescribe
remedy-t IS our duty to point out the
d'sease-it belongs TO others to administer
the cure. We are upon the eve OF a war,
full OF the most calamItous consequences,
and our preservation and defenc urge Us
strongly 10 make every preparation for the
event. IT, IS certain that II THIS source OF
danger IS suffered To remain in the present
state Of things, that its injuries may become
deep and iHcurable. Under these solemn
Impressions, We have ventured TO throw out
these hints, which merit, in our estrnat on,
the most solemn atten,io
NOTE
In addition 70 the other causes promotive
OF British influence. it ought not 10 be for
gotten, THAI many loyalists who suffered bv
the revolution. Insiead Of receiving direct
compensation, have been pad with annu-
ties, and 70 render the policy more elIeclual,
the pensions were to be pad in whatever
Country the pensioner lived. The following
are facts taken from the accounts OF the
tire sury o. Great Britain. Under The arii cie
Pensions pad TO American lpyalists. who
deserted the Amefic4 n cause at the tImcoi
the American revoiution"--in the wear 1886,
the amount was G3f6,76O ss. aud to onr
astonishmeht, it con mined o increase as far
as our information goes, until the year 1895,
when 1t amounted to 6725 698 us. This,
together with British cap tal, British com
merce, British secret service mohey, and
British subjects, are calculated TO form an
alarming mass Of British influence, which
ought TO command our most Hnremitting at
tention.