Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-29
1t is said that the adoption Of tha. propo-

'hs nc taken Tor granted, although the pre-
iss line OF conduct now pursued oy most of
hose nations, IN relation to the u. States,
5 nor correc ly ascertained So far as re.
ates 10 any advantages which would result
rom that measure, IT confined TO its osten-
aole object, it viii be sui,i Gent 20 observe
hat the exports of articles of the domestic
produce of :he United States, during the
year, ending the 30th September, 1907, a
mounted to s 1890 600, and that the por-
tion exported 90 the countries above enuIne-
rated, falls short of seven millions; an a..
mount too inconslderable, when compared
with the bulk of our exports, to deserve at
tention, even if a question affecting the in
dependence of the nation was to be deCid-
ed by considerations of immediate profit.
But he true effect of the proposition
would be to open an indirect trade with
Grea, Britain, which, through St. Barthul-
bmew and Havannah, Lisbon, Cadiz or
Goltenburg, would receive, at prices re-
duced by glutted markets ADD for want OF
competition, allthe provisions, naval stores,
raw materials for her manufactures, and
other articles which she may want. Whe-
Their she would be satish ID with that ia.
vorable state of things, or whether, con-
sldering that boon as pledge of unquaI-
lied submission, she would, according to
The tenor other orders, interrup, our scan.
y commerce with Russia, and occasion.
ally under some new pretext, capture ra.
her than purchase cargoes intended for
her own use, is equally uncertain and un.
important. Nor can it be doubtedtha, a
measure, which would supply exclusively
one OF the beliigerents, would be war with
the other. Considered merely az ques-
ton of profit, it would be mech more eli
gible at once 10 raise the embargo in re-
iaioD TO Great Britain. as we would then.
al least, have the advantages of direct
market with the consumer. but he pro.
position can only be defended on the
ground that France is the only aggres
sor, and, that having no jnst reason TO
complain Of England, it is our duty TO sub
NIT TO her orders. On that inadmissible
superstition, it would not only be mole
candid, but also more dign.fed, as well
as more advantageous course, openly to
JON England, AID 10 make war against
France. The object would be clearly un
dera,ood, an ally would be blamed, and
he meannesss of submission might be
better palliated.
IL appears unnecessary 10 pursue any
further the examinations, of propositions,
which the difficult situation Of the United
states could alone have scggcsted, and
which will prove NOR inadn ss,ble, or
ImPractcable, as the subjects more thor
oughly investigated. The alternative is
painful; it is between continued sus
pension OF commerce and war with both
England and France. But the choice
must ultimately be made between The two :
and 1t IS important that we should be pre-
pared for either the one or the o,ker.
The aggressions of England and France
collectively affecting almost The whole oil
our commerce, and persisted in, notwith
standing repeated remonslrances, expIa-
nations and propositions the most candid
and unexceptionnblc, are, to all in ents and
purposes, maritime war waged by both
nations against the u. States. II cam
not be den ed tina; the ultimate and onlv.
etfsctual mode of resisting that warfare
1t persisted in is war. A permanentsus-
pension OF commerce, after repeated and
unavaIliDg efforts 10 obtain peace, wculd
not property be resistance it would h..
Withdrawing from the Contest, and aband
onlng our lndisputabIs right freely 10 navi.
gaze the ocean. The presen, unsettled
state of the world, the extraordinary sim.
alton in which the u. States are placed
and The necessity, if war be resorted tn.
oil making II at the same time against
both nations, and these the two most bow
eriui OF the world, are the principle can.
ses of hesitation. There would be none
in rssorting to that remedy, however ca
iamtous, 1t a selection could be made ON
any principal of Justice, or without sa.
cfihce OF national Independence.
On question of such difficulty. inyoly
ing she most important interests of The
union, and which has not, perhaps, until
lately, been sufficiently considered, your
committee think the House alone CONNIE.
tent to pronounce decisive opinion and
thy have, in this report, confined them
selves 10 an exposition of the subject, and
10 such Introductory resolutions, as vii. b.
equally applicable to either alternative
The first of these, being merely declarato.
~ OF determination not to submit 10 TO-
reign aggresslons may, perhaps, at a first
view, appear superfiuous. tits, however,
by the committee, tina: pledge
BY the representatives of the nation, that
they will not abandon its essential rights.
vii not at this critical moment be unsc.
;epable. The misapprehensions which
.eer N have .y..t..d -.