Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-02-12

charges are brought against him, and tliose
charges nationally substantiated, we shall
strive tn protect his wel-merited reputation
with the shield Of argument and truth, and
trust that the people ut the United States
viii not he easily pcrsuaded 10 condemn and
forsake their friend, whose fidelity has long
been tried in the wise, the &c 2lous And indie
fati cable defence Of their rights, the snund
republican whose principles have never va
ried, and, we venture TO pronounce, the
honest and disinterested observation-disclosures
iHi,diSon.
Concerning the great question now de-
PENDING, of peace or war with Great Bril-
tain, no certain information has been re-
ceived; Reports being various & contradict
tory. It may be said that the choice, which
we mentioned In the last Argus, of going 20
war, or Of reinquishilrs all commerce with
that nation, may net be left to the U. States !;
that a determination on our part to adopt
the last mentioned measure would produce
the former; since the arbitrary Tyrants
of the Ocean would probably not permit us
to remain in peace, excluding them from
a trade on which their very existence de-
bends that, therefore, an Act of Congress
totally prohibiting the introduction of Bril-
fish manufactures into this country would
Immediately be followed by a declaration
of war against us.
.sFhis. may really he the case that, the
resehtnsgociation fails, we shall have no
alternative but war, either with England
srFrdner. Bat, surely, an impartial deter
nI7natien to shut our ports against the yes
sells of 10Th, until 6orh shall agree to per-
nit us to enjoy in peace the rights of neu-
tralitv, would not be a just cause of war
With either. Every nation Gas well as the
Chinese has the right of refusing to deal
with other nations, and, however incou-
venient the loss If their trade may be to o.
theirs, they have no right by force to c0nti-
nue. it. Right indeed seems now to be out
Of the question among the Christian ho7v-
ers of Eurofle since violence alone decides
every controversy. The question therefore
which we suggested ought properly to be
stated thus. In case tlie British goveru-
ment will not conc hde treaty with us on
reasonable terms, sbut Will persist in seiz :
ing and unjustly coude inning our vessels,
and lawlessly impressing our seamen, whe-
Their is it most to the interest IF the United
States to declare Svar against Great Br;-
tan, or to make common cause with her
against France, (whose maritime oppressi-
ons are equally exerted to our injury, so far
as her power extcnds,) or to declare 7var
against neither, bu. to prohibit all commu-
nication with both.
On reflection, we conceive the last would
be the most advisable step. IL might in
deed lead to a declaration of war on the
part of Great Britain; but it would be d.
war Of palp.ble injustice and outrage 1t
would exactly resemble the conduct of a
Bully, who should go to the shop of a peace
able tradesman, and, findinghls door shut
should force it open, and attempt, by beating
the shop-keeper, TO compel him to sell him
his goods, tho he should assure him that
. Ire mad determined not 10 sell them at al.
If Great Britain should be guilty of such
conduct, let the consequences be upon her
own head, and let ms oppose her to the ut
most: but when She should discover las she
soon would} the folly and impractcabilitv
of endeavoring to force trade, she would
probab,y herself be forced to conclude a
treaty with us upon our own terms.
The advantages of this course OF policy
TO the United States would be, that all the
world would be convinced of the Justice of
cur condact, and of the injustice of that of
Great Britain that America would net be
shackled with any alliances or connexions
with ei,her Of the parties in the present
dreadful European contest; ba. would
stand alone, proudly prc-e.nmsht 80 main
tanning her independence, 8, nuo.p singular
III being the only nation Acknowledging and
obeying the dictates OF justice, "a sile IS al
so the only one enjoying the blessings ofre-
publican government that her principles
would not be corrupted, aor hes rights Sur
rendered ia purchasing the assistance OF any
of the Dcspots of Europe /; and that, STAN
ding on q defcHsive Only, il would proba-
bly, not be necessary for her to raise a Iaree
standing army, which OF ali enemies, is the
most dangerous To liberty. During ,sc
war, she would be able to take care OF
her own interest, and to conclude A seDa-
rate peace, Whenever she pleased, which
privilege might not be allowed her, if i'm
prudently, Sue should make a common cause
with either Of the bsiiigerent powers
Farther observations on this important
subject will be made hereafter.
1911
IL rs said that a number Of persons in this
city, who have heretofore been rank ed A.
mong our most respectable merchants, have
commenced the very humane are ho-
norahle profession Of loaning money to their
less fortunate fellow citizens (who feel the
pressure ofthe tlmes) at the moderate rate
OF IRON two and half 20 five per CO Mt A
mouth. Several names have been mention-
ed TO the Editor, and ne deems II hi, duty
20 communicate the information to the nun
lie.
1t Is truly degrading to our national cha
racter, thatmcn whuhave heretofore main
fuiufa1 a f..tr l.