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

A report was in circulation on yes,er-
day, which stated that Mr.. Nelson, di-
rsc,Iy from London, passed through this
city with dispatches from Mr.. Pinkney 10
our government. We have endeavored
ca ascer ain whether the report was COR
rect, but G auId 6nd no fired authority from
whence II aio.e. We are inclined TO be.
1--we that although such a gentleman
might have passed through, yet that he
vas.not charged wi:h dispatches as repor.
I'D. We learn roma gentleman imme-
dia,ely froa, Washing on. tina dispatches
were received few days since by Mr..
Er.kine fcorn Halifax, and thar on Sa,ur.
day Jas, I've had an interview of some hours
With The presiden, and Secretary of Safe.
No conjecture was however formed as to
the tenor of those dispatches, or the resul,
OF the interview.
The Grand Jury for the 5th Circuit of
the United States, District of Virginia, pre-
sent John Lynch, David Hail. David Bar
clay and John Leslie, for violation of the
law laying an embargo on all ships and yes
sells in the ports and harbors OF the United
States and the acts supplementary thereto,
by carrying the bris Sally & Jenny into the
port of Halifax without the United States,
although cleared out from the port of Rich.
mond for the port OF Boston, on the shirti-
eth day nf June last. On the evidence Of
James Ghbon, Rylapd Randolph, Jackson
Fr:.vser, John Craddock, William Price,
Benjamin Hatcher, Robert Graham, Alex
ander Kerr, John Whites, Henry l.. Bis
coe, William Rowlett, Fleming Abbott and
Muddy Denninp on.
FRANCIS PRESTON, foreman.
a Copy--rcste
WIN. LAMBERT. Jr. D. c.
EXTRACT OF a LITTER FROM A GEN.
TLEMAN AT WAsHINGToN.
The interesting subject of the embargo
is at last upon the anvil of discussion before
the Senate. Expectation is ON tiptoe, and
sens.biity tenderly excited, but not so much
as to the Issue, as 20 the developement of
various views, and the direction of various
parties.
The calculation must have been familiar
to every mind, which has been at all con-
Versant with our affairs, that the embargo
would not only be continued, but accompa-
MED wi h additional. rIgor
The triple alternative of war-thc en-
bargo-or submission, is too evident to be
.
n,t of any intermediate Compromise
Those whosre in opposition to the admin
s,ration, and for this reason alone, hostile
IL tie measure, appear 10 pc embarrassed
In their designs, and coDfouuded in their
arguments, because they can tao longer re-
pei the res,stiess proof OF British injustice.
They ire driven TO this admission, but at
the same time, affect the purest sincerity,
;ind the most patriotic Indignation. 1t is
Impossible TO witness this curious comb.na-
on, without being torcibIy reminded of the
Latin proverb, LUcuS non LuceAdo.
The friends OF the administration are du-
ly aware of the natural consequences of the
embargo they doubt, feel for themselves,
and more for their constituents; but these
considerations die away at the altar of ma :
tiOnsi honor. They have observed the most
un.eIgned and conciliatory style OF conduct,
IN order TO soften the -harshness of party
spirit, and 10 bring about the delightful con-
summation of unity in sentiment, and unity
in action, which are 50 extremely essential
20 the present crisis. This is emphatical-
ly the time to try mems souls, to find out
whether they possess the common virtue of
sacrsiicing personal resentment to impair
tial judgment. and party prejudice to pub
lie good. II Is, indeed, an awful period in
Our destipY but not so much in fact, as in
fancy. We have inexhaustible resources,
which will always secure to us the elemen-
tary comforts at life, and we have only to
take care Of the surplus to punish our foes,
and, perhaps, 10 re-estabush the order of
justice and neutral rights, which have been
SO basely violated IN Europe.
This surely, is but small tax upon our
patriotism, and if we cannot bear it, we
ought never To reflect upon those en;ombe d
patriots, who fell martyrs to their preser-
walton. But we know, that upon al sub.
Jects Os human concern, how frequently APP
pCals are made to precedent, and what cou-
siderable force and Importance are attach
ed to their application. Under these cir
cumstances, it is not only a subject Of the
highest concern TO the present times, but to
ages yet to come.
Great Britain, we are told by dreamers
and iesuis;s, is fighting the battles of the
world-and upon the aUo7Ved hrincihLe o.
seif- frc8erUaHon To this principle, she
has proved herself determined to break e..
very tie of social, moral and political JUS
tice. IL was upon this principle, thAt she
endeavored To wash away the ndeI1ble sins
of murder, treachery and pluoder, which
were So prominently united in her attac K
uDOn ErDgnhgren Persons uf fhiS dPscr n