Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-02-09
Dirglnla Sr1ai8.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1903

HIONO y, loUo.
THE present situation of the U. States,
is truly critical and interesting. 1t appears
to be pretty well ascertained that the empe.
ror OF the French has determined that no
nation which carries on any trade, or has
any friendly communication with Great Bri-
tam, shall continue at peace with h mself
On the other.haha, the several British or
ders of Council lately published are of such
nature as almcs: entirely TO destroy the
commerce of all neutral powers.
Itwould seem eretore thatwe shallshort-
~ have only the choice fjoining in the war
on the side of France or England, or of re-
linqushing our trade with both.
If, indeed, the report is true that 6 Be-
natarte has demanded heremhtorily oTou,,
ambassador al Paris that the .amer7can go
Uernment shall break ssith England or with
France, lit would seem that we have no
choice left, but that of sides in the contest
That report however is probably int orrect,
1t being pres,imable that even the emperor
will be satisfied with the loss to England of
the advantages of our commerce, with the
ruin which threatens her from the future
prevention of the Introduction Oft British
goods into this country, and the consequent
bankruptcies of her merchants and manu-
facturers, and will notbe anxious to compel
US TO take an active part against her. -
1T Great Britain could but learn her own
interest if her rulers had but sense enough
to know the difference in point of import
ance between the loss Of few seamen who
may desert from her navy, and find shell
ter in ours under the pretence of Ameri-
can citizenship; if, for the sake of saving
her and themselves from destruction, they
would do us justice, it might perhaps be
more to our advantage at present TO be on
friendly terms with her than with France,
Notwithstanding the threats of Roadharte.
], must be admitted, in the present perilous
crisis, when all the nations of Europe ap.
pear about 20 be swallowed up by the de-
vouring ambition of that terrible man, that
the British navy may be necessary check
to his progress-perhaps the only obstacle
TO prevent his attaining universal empire
In these circumstances, however great our
resentment is for the injuries aud insults
whi2h the peaceable and inoifensive citizens
of America have sustained from those tv-
rants OF the ocean, we confess that we should
not wish TO see them entirely subGucd by the
equally unjust and rapacious tyraut OF the
land. 1t would therefore be desirable that
the differences between q. Britain and this
country should yet be accommodated, IT
possible, on honorable terms: but these
must be no other than the admission on her
part of the principles for which our govern
ment contends; that our vessels shall be free
from arbitrary search, and our seamen
from impressment. Ifher envoy, Mr. Rose,
& those who have sent hin, are really pacif-
callY disposed towards the United States,
we doubt not that our excellent statesmen
and patriots, jefferson and Madison, tho
firmly resolved not 70 relinquish any of the
rightsiof their country, are nevertheless dis
posed TO consent to any arrangement by
which justice may on all occasions be rea-
Oily obtained by the officers of the British
navy claiming deserters. Hopes may there.
fore yet be entertained of compromise OF
the dispute between the two nations But if
this cannot be accomplished, we shall then
be driven to the necessity OF choos ny be-
tween the three measures ABOVE mentioned,
viz: war with England, war with France, or
no connection with either. Itbecomcs impor-
tant then to consider which OF these lines of
policy ought in thar event to De pursued by
the United States. The subject IS Of great
moment, and requires a variety OF refcc-
tons, the result of which whatever the de-
cision may be, will be all important TO o. =
merica. 1t shall therefore receive the most
mature consideration and candid discuss on
from the Editor of the Argus, who sol Is
his various patiotic correspondents to com
municate their ideas upon it for the benefit
OF their country.