Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-07-26

government and all its expensive appen.
dages. The facility of raising loans de-
ponds upon that source; and, in truth, her
whole system of revenue, directly or indi-
rectly, is bottomed upon it. She cannot
exist with splendor for any long period of
time without an extensive and flourishine
trade. Deuded By fsilacious view of
things and believing that the continent OF
Europe either could not or would not do
without large supplies OF colonial produce
and British manufactures, even if il had to
accept them by vessels direct from En-
gland she rashly promulgated and acted
upon her orders of council, and thereby
rendered our flag obnoxious i'm all the ports
of Europe, whose sovereigns are hostile to
Great Britain; and by dong so effectualy
stagnated her own trade, which had before
been briskly carried Oh, Notwithstanding
the war, III n circuitous and la W full manner.
by our bottoms.
Tnus situated, the British ministers
would gladly remove all difficulties to a
proper and pacific understanding, which
exist between the United States and Great
Britain, we're it not for certain expectati-
ons entertained upon their part. They
have been persuaded from the writings
and conduct OF particular persons among
US, that the people of this country weuld
not submit to the embargo; that they
would revolt - that there was prohab;.
lily that the government might be sun.
Iverted, or. that a division of the Unio,
might be effected, if the cabinet of ST..
lanes would only adhere perlinacious,v
to its measure; and that, at all events, the.
perseverance, of Great britain in her u,,-
friendly conduct to America could not
tail OF producing the most ss,.u ary eject
for England III the approaching presiden-
tial election. This opinion of the British
ministry is grounded upon the publicati-
ons In the opposition prints, and upon Mr..
Pickoring's letter in particular. There il
also good reason TO believe, that letters
have been sent TO the ministerial party in
England by persons in this country, advis-
ing them to yield nothing to the present
American administration, and fiatterinp
them with the hope that a radical change
OF politics must be the consequence on
this side of the water.
In these circumstances, the course OF
conduct to be pursued by the people of the
United states is as lucid as raw of lisht.
On either hand we are presented with an
enemy, If we choose so to consider it,
France cares very little for our friendship,
as it regards herself; but values our ennii-
ty as it relates to Great Britain; whilst
the latter estimates our amity as essential
on Of a revolution among our citizens in
her favor, rejects the olive branch that we
have 50 often presented to her. Agains.
Fl ance 1t becomes us To assert our dignity
against England to maintain our unity, our
independence, and our character as free
people. The aggravaions of France are
woundipg TO our sense of national honor
those of .hc British insulting and degra-
ding TO every noble passion of our nature,
because II presumes upon our want of for
titude and virtuous principles. We are a
| peaceabie nation; we must therefore pre-
serve pacific posture as long as it is te-
nabie, consistent with our interests aud
rights. We are also gallant nation we
must therefore make war when peace is no
longer reasonable or to be tolerated. Ia
any event, the embargo is wise measure.
1t we can refrain from war, it acts as a
girth which binds our most valuable re-
sources to the country. 1t will also act
foS1H0eky upon the enemy, By which, in
due time, he must undoubtedly feel the
want of our friendly Offices. If we make
war, the embargo is one of those middle
measures which breaks the dreadful shock
in rushing from state Of peace into
state of desperate hostilities.
The French emperor may learn hereafter,
that II is of some Importance 10 be on good
she viii understand Il hope it may be too
late for herr that she has woefully missed
figure and that her ministry have been
the dupes Of few men in this country who
are themselves deluded by monstrous de-
ceftio vfSas in politics. Europe may rely
upon the fact, that 6 months have familiar
ised mems minds to the embargo; and that
it is becoming more popular every day.
am not in the habit OF praising my coun-
.rymen but will venture to say tins much
of them that all attempts to induce them
to rebel, all endeavors to subvert the 90
vern nent, to divide the Union, orto force
upon them president against their own
linclinations, VIII be by them resisted with
unbopnded mitigation and at the peril Of theis
lives.
The reader may recoIlect the Jnstruc-
tons issued in April last to English ships
of war, not to modest American vessels
found at sea without regular clearances,
&c. They were no doubt framed to en-
courage instruction here, and to assist
the Pickering Junto-but they have produ.,
ced no effect.