Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-03-18
Dlralnla Mr0us.
r &c II NJ O N ID /.
FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1903.

y A BILL, as we are informed, Is now Deepen.
| ding in Congress, authorizing the President OF
the United > ates 90 take OF the Embargo. not
ut hts own discretion or at any limited time.
but whcnev~r tke present beiiiysrent powers sh1L
consent 10 grant to american ves5eIs ne free nzvige.
zion of The ocean aal uadistxr6cd admission into
their ports This r'e conceive will be taking
the proper course and assuming that dignified
and iadcPendenC attitude which becomes a
great nation, intent only on peace and justice,
and determined to- maintain its own rights
without being influenced by fear of, or PARTIAL
tv tor, any other nation We trust il will have
the guod eject OF compelling both Grsat- I9yi
tafa and France Go pay us more respect than
hitherto, and lead them to appreciate Justly
the Importance of the Americas trade, by ma
King them feel the inconyenienccs of its loss
dts ultimate effect will probably be that Great
Britain will acknowledge the principles. of the
law or nations for which we contend. and
VIII make treaty with rs upon our own terms
in which event, according 10 tie tear Of Be-
napaTr's o.vr dec, ses, they are no longer to be
considered as applying TO as.
we took the liberty, some time aco, of ex-
pressing our opinion that the only policy which
could with propric,y be adopted by the United
States was of 4 nature similar to that now pro-
posed; that they ought not to engage in a
war with either party, but to relinquish all
commerce with both, until their maritime
rights should be recognized, and established
on such sure footing, tina. their ships might
saJiin every sea with salty.
It may be said by those opposed to the EN-
barge, that our government should not in this
manner restrain the enterprising spirit of its
citizens; that, if il IS unable to protect their
commerce by arms, it should al least per-
init them TO run any risk which they them
selves think proper TO encounter that the
most advisable measure would therefore
be, not to prohibit their leaving cur ports
Tor the purpose of trading TO other ccun-
tries; but 10 permit them TO go whittier So
ever they pleased; giving them notice hat
they should not receive any protection from
the government, and, If taken by the ves-
sells OF any foreign power, would he aban-
doned to the captors. Some OF the mer-
chants, whose impatient avarice cannot en-
dure restraint, or whose embarrassed Cir
cunlstances will not admit (without ruin.
OF suspension of their trade, may preach
up TINS doctrine, and be willing, like des-
pcrate gamblers, 20 risk all they possess Tor
The chance OF profis but, surely, il IS
mere conducive to the interest o, the mer-
chants generally, to make one firm and re-
solute effort, by means of semhorarv sa-
criilce, .Io'' the Present, to obtain for them
tree and uninterrupted trade hereafter,
than oieave their property constantly sub
Ject 70 seizure and condemnation as here
totore. a commerce continually exposed
70 excessive perils, might enrich few art
tul adventurers ;ebut would be big with des-
trnct'on to thousands, if they pursued it.
The consequence th.n would be that, the
generality of men would not engage in it;
so that, in short time, ii would be almost
entirely abandonedf Considering the ma
tuve OF the Frenchfand British Jecrees and
orders Of council, it may be safely assert
ed that, il the Embargo was, ON This dav.
taken of, no prud. Mt American merchant
would venture to send cargo to sea. 1t
appears, therefore, very evident to us that
the measure, which, no doubt, will be adop-
ted by Congress, is probably the wisest aud
best that, in the present state of our affairs,
could be proposed.