Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-07-01
Dirgtnta 5Irgn8.
RIG II M 0 N o.:
FRIDAY, JULY :, 1908.

party calculations, OF animated with 4 spi-
rit OF opposition which would revei in dis
uniob, and gladly offer the horrors of civil
ccmmotion as incense at the shrine of de-
parted federalism This class Of citizens
have always affected to support their op-
position, by pretending that their object
was the SANG, that public happiness was
the cynosnrc Of their wishes, 10 the attain
ment Of which every thing should be sub
servicnt. The school OF 'Ss, however, was
too impi essive in its lectures to suffer hy
pocrisy. To pass for sentiment, professions
Tor truth, and British politics for patriot
ism. Upon no occasion where plausible
complaints or "air drawn" dangers could
he conceived has federalism been mute or
inactive. Their bad minded hopes were
even cherished with delight at the idea OF
disorder in the administration in one no.
moment they breath'd dcnunciation against
their opponents, particularly those engaged
IN the Government, and in the next they
were ready TO defy the same individuals
in the form Of Minority. These ear
marks can never be mistaken.
The same relentless temper of hateful
opposition, we recognize in their declama-
ton against the embargo, and their anx-
ious solcituile to excite distrust and exa-
fe"ate the picture of distress For long
rit of consistencyin adhering firmly to their
own party and their own principles, but E.
ven this lastvirtue has fallen into the vor-
tx OF political rancor aad Jeifersnnian op
position. From men OF this description,
fellow citizens, you will set down their cen
sure OF public measures, 10 the account of
private haired, aud we hope that you viii
never be deludcdby false clamcrs and tory
exertions. Are we not justified in these
remarks when we recollect that they have
said that the embargo was dictated by the
wishes and fears Of B0naparte When we
hear them attempting TO gloss over he sys-
tenn OF treachery, alse-triendShip and muir
der, which has beenpursued by tn dcran-
gcd ministry Of Great B-itan-when they
affect to deny that there is a war party in
that Country determined TO annoy and op
press us---'' who" even in the language of
l.crd Holland, speculate upon the hope of
destroying the American Government"
In VAIN are YOU told in the face of these
facts, that your commerce is wantorly
stransled, and your crops dnom'd to perish
on your hands, merely to indulge British
luminosity and French prediction. Let
me ask, fellow citizens, what won;d have
become Of our commerce and produce, if
the embargo had not been laid? Accord
ing TO the most faithful and accurate cal
oulltions upon this subject, America has
lost by British captures, more than eight
millions o. dollars. Thus we should have
supplied our enemies, without having fur
nished ourselves, and instead Of sixty SEE
ven vessels being lost, the number would
have been ten.fold. This receives confr-
rnation from late speech of the Earl of
Lauderd"e, who, in speaking of the en-
barge, observes, "that he could not consi-
der that measure in any other light, but as
wise one of America. II she had not
done Il. the Orders of Council would
have carried all her ships engaged in TO-
reign trade, into the ports of THIS country
if they were only carried in and detained,
Il could bring on negotiation, and if it fail.
ed, war would be the nseQuence-And
What would follow? the whole OF their ship
ping would be sent INTO the prize court and
condemned" After pursuing a system of
temperance and moderation, which was
calculated TO ensure peace and friendly &C.
commodation, but which has been treated
Sith contempt, is it not time for US to be-
leve, that Size intends to play the same
part which she has acted towards other
nations Great Britain has sufficiently G.
yiuced her sanguinary temper, her Car
thaBeniau faith, and her enmity TO ncu-
trails.
1t would seem indeed, that she had de-
termincd to wage war with the world, TO
}tA hosper Grd Jorget right, in order 70
command "the sway Of every salt flood.
and each ebbing stream" In vain has
France proposed peace, it has Away been
avoided upon the preSext Of consulting her
allies, when at the same time, she mas Sc
cretly dissuaded them. The fashionable
opinion has been that Bonaparte was averse
70 plcifcation, but that opinion is rehUed
by the fac, that he proposed to make the
treaty ol AMiens, and other important con-
cessions, the groundwork of peace This
treaty had indeed progressed so far as TO
receive the assent Of both parties, and
would have been confirmed by her ally the
EmperUT of Russia, but for secret opposi-
ticn. This belief acquires additional vi
gor, when we recCllect that in the treaty
of 'r,lsit, the Emperor of Russia, evinces
every disposition for peace, in an article
which lac Incorporated 10 offer his media
ton for that purpose. 1t is not 90 be sup
posed, that the Emperor OF Russia when
he WAS about to conclude = treaty with Boz
nsparte, and to be considered as an enemy
By G Britain, that he should feel as much
anxiety for peace, "a when an ally Of G..
Britain, and when there was every induce
ment Tor bin to ratify the treaty. The
supposition then IS far from being wild and
untenable, that Inc treaty which was sent
TO Petersbu z would have received the con-
frmation IF Russia, but for the intrigue