Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-04
Dirntn(a @rans.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1908.
~ no OUR READERS.

u TO OUR READERS.
1T is with pleasure that we inform car
Readers, because we believe it will be a
source of great qualification ts them, that
n gentleman is going on TO Washington for
the purpose of conducting regular cores
pondence with our paper and to commune
cate the earliest Intelligence upon every in
teresting subject.-This correspondence
will commence with the opening of Congress
and we can pledge our assurance, that it will
not only be faithful, but derived from the We
ry best possible sources. The meeting of the
next Congress may be considered as a most
interesting and critical period in our natl.
onal life. The subjects of their deliberation
will be of the most important cast, and per-
haps the fatality of our government may be
involved in their issue. Our position in re-
gard to the European powers will either be
changed or made permanent, unless they
should recede from their base and unprin-
cipled orders. The virtue of the people Of
the United States will perhaps be more cor
rectly displayed at this time through the
medium of their representatives than at a.
ny preceding period. We look forward to
the trial with all the confidence of success
and the luxury of triumph. Independent
of this, the characters of prominent men
will be sketched, and as it is probable that
the curtain will be hois:ed and every party
seen in its peculiar citation of cause and
effect, we may promise ourselves with fur
nshing fund OF amusement and informa.
ton. If however the times should be still
and calm, the hiatus in public news WILDE
filed with lively sketches on various sub
jects.
This arrangement for the sake of our rea-
doris will be attended with considerable la
Dor and expense. Underthese circunstan-
ces we may at least indulge the hope that
our paper will meet with a corresponding
increase Of patronage.
We were prevented by pressure of o.
Their matter from continuing our speculate
ons as to the course which would be pursu-
ed by the ensuing Congress. In our last oa-
servations it was suggested that some anti
embargo spirit might probably in case the
European powers remained in their present
attitude, advocate the doctrine which is so
fashionable among SPECTATORS and adven-
turers, Of arming orr merchantmen.
Tbs idea was once expressed in presi-
ldentia communication, that merchants had
a right to arm their ships without any IL
cencc from government. We do not rec
olleCt any express law of nations which for
at time like this, when these laws are
thrown aside by the society of nations. and
when it requires the utmost efforts of the
'nisration to keep clear of the Euro-
Ipean contest, it would be species of inn
lpolicy little short of madness to suffer it.
1t would be perfectly anavailing, and at the
same time would put 1t in the power of any
sea-faring captain TO involve us suddenly in
war, by employing his arms in different
way and for different purpose than the
one intended.--Under the appearance of
supporting our national honor in this mode
we might be hurried into a war, when the
people would not have the smallest idea of
an event so serious and Calamitous. Ii is.
however, premature to enter into any ex.
position of this subject until it is actually
introduced, which we hope never will be
the case. The grand point of investigation
we presume will be, whether the embargo
shall be revoked or continued provided the
present circumstances remain. From the
latest accounts we can indu sc in no hope
that either France OF Great Britain will re-
peal their DEGREES. OF course the same
causes which produced this effect last win
ter will continue this, and should prolong
its duration for many and very evident rea-
sons. The temper of Great Bri ain in re-
changed in the course of III $ year and is
perhaps as violent against Us now as it e.
yer was. She has been induced to believe
that the treaty which was formed by Mess.
Monroe and Pinkney was popular in this
country Notwithstanding was rejected by
the President. She has been induced to be-
lieve in consequence of this and many other
causes, that there was a strong and active
party in her favor, and we confess that she
has had too much reason to warrant the be-
lief. In consequence of this, it is very well
known that she has been waiting upon the
event of the presidential election, and that
she has taken pains to insult the president
of our country, as being under too much af-
lection for France, and too much enmity a
gainst her. Under these impressions, 1t is
iexpected that she will be more naughty,
insolent and unjust than ever--that she
will continue to pursue her known rule Of
warfare, to bride and corrupt, and that as
long as she enjoys the idea Of success, she
will perscvere 1t is, we fear, an idle hope
TO expect relaxation on her part--but il is,
at the same time, an additional reason
why we should remain firm and un
bending-that we should convince her of
the impotence and contempt Of the party in
her favor, the grea: popularity of the adj
ministration, and the lnflexible virtue of
the people. How are we TO do this? Not
by surrendering our rights in JAY-like
treaty-not by forming an alliance offensive
and defensive--not by telling them we can