Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-09-06


&c we bumbly, conceive, that the r1ea.
sures entered into by our government, to
obtain redress for the wrongs we have
suffered, and security for the respect Of
our rights in future, by the belligerent
powers OF Europe, would ere this have
produced in great degree the desired
elects, bad not those nations been induced
To cherish the hope, that our citizens
would not peaceably submit to the COM
mercial restrictions, which the Embargo
necessarily imposes /; had they not have
seen that the violaters of that law were
publickly encouraged by parry in this
country that all the evils which provi-
dence has seen Fl to infliGl upon this coun
try, Tor the nine monh s last past, have
been by the same party imputed 10 the
Embargo, and that complaints and mur-
murlng against our government were dali
iy excited among us, from motives which
disgrace our national character. BY such
means has Europe, been induced 10 be-
'eve' that the spirilby which we were &C
tua ed during our revolutionary struggle
Tor Independence, which enabled US pail.
emily To endure the most Distressing pri-
vat'ons and pecuniary sacrifices, is now
ex',nci; that commercial pursuits and
the love of wealth have degraded us from
The height ct Roman virtue s. patriotism
to the debassd slate Of mercenary and
selfish Carlhagensns. That property rs
more valuable in our estimation than the
lives ot our citizens, and wealth and lux
ury than the honor and Independence a
our Country. Yet we trust that large
proportion Of our counlrymen lave the
virtue awhile to f,rego the prof which
some ofthem, or individuals nigh pos
sbiy derive from foreign commerce, d
others to deny themselves The luxuries i,
produces, when they consider tina we
may thereby be saved from the horrors Of
War, or The sacrifice ofour national RICH s,
our honor and independence. Surely our
present situation is preferable 10 state
ct warfare, or To national dishonor and
the Embargo alone could save US from
the one or ne o,h,r.
But had we no other reason, gen lemen.
Tor not complying with your request, than
that we wcnld not ask the executive 10 do
what he is legally authorised to do, {for we
believe that no changes have taken place
III cur foreign relations, since the rising of
Congre S, which come within the provisi-
ons of the act, which gives him authority
to suspend tue Embargo) that alone would
prevent us. AS to petitioning him $50
call Congress together as soon as possible, -
we would merely take the liberty to OBJ
serve, that Congress will assemble, agree.
ably to the provisions of law, already
made, very nearly as soon as it could be
called together by the President, were he
tn GRO mt hP n r,afsfio,, -, 81:
respect. We therefore can see no benefit
to be derived from adopting "similar mea-
surcs" TO those, adopted by the town OF
Boston. On the contrary we believe MANY
evils would result, from the general adop
tion of such measures; IL would excite dis
content in the public mind it would les
son the confidence of the people in the go.
vernment, which they are in duty bound
TO support /; it would give countenance and
encouragement to those who arr ready ia
violate every law, which, tho calcui Ated
ultimately TO promote the general good,
happens at present to initiate with their
particular interest; it would give our enc
mes reason to hope much from our pol
cal divisions and disafIecion to the ADM
nistration Of our government and it would
embarraSs the administration, by destroy.
ing its confidence in the firm and virtucus
SNPPVlN va WY PSOP'N3 III 'hNh HlSdSuTSS ds
it had with the strcteet integrity, most
wisely adnp'ed. We have full Confluence
in the wisdom and integrity of the execu-
tive and legislative departments of the go
vtrnment, and do not think IT expedent,
at the present time, to attempt to INSTRUCT
them in their duty and must beg leave "a
decline complying with your request II
we are called upon agreeaby to the laws
of this Commcnwe alth, to call together the
inhabitants of this town, we snail then en-
deavor to discharge the duties of the Office
TO which we have been chosen.
We remain Gentleman, yours with res.
pect.
EDMUND MOODY, , Selcctmen
BENJAMIN PIKE, of
AARON SCAMMAN Saco.