Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-03-01
yr0m cofviA's Weekly K .ssster.


From Cofvin's Weckty X .rssfer
NEUTRAL QUESTIONS. From the ssE-
din6nrg Reviesv" for October. 1907. 7 20.
lpy the following criticism of three nam
phiets, on the subject of Neutral RIGHTS
The work from which quote is of much
lceisorIty, and has been greatly distinguish
ed Tor the able manner in which il has dis
cussed the most important topics relative n
he concerns of the British empire and
particularly for its complete exposure of
Mi. Cobbet's inconsistency with regard
Ito the leading principles that ought to be
maintained by the English ministry at the
lpresent time. The first pamphlet review
eds. Inc siteech ofthc Hon. John Ran
doLhh, ona motion for IRE natortntjou
Of Britishmerehandize, pith an i,stroe,xc,;-
on by the anthor Of &C War in DISGUISE.
! The second is entitled, &C Concessions TO A..
merica the Bone Of Bs-it.in,'' S,c and is
attributed 10 Mr.. Maryatt, gentleman
Engaged in the West India trade: TIE
third is Called" oil 7oithout Vinegar. and
Dignity 7vifhont Pride" &c. "by N:acall
Medlord, Esq. of America" That part of
the review which relates 20 Mr. ilandolph'a
speech, being the first in order, is inserted
in this number: The remainder will be
printed in succeeding papers The re-
viewer says
"These three pamphlets relate nearly to
the same subject,---the discusi ons which
have for about two years existed in form
between this country and the United States,
which have i'll reality, however, been grow
ing up with the increase Of the American
commerce since the beginning of last war,
and which have now come to the point of
being speedily terminated, either BY mutu-
al concessions, or by an appeal to arms.
1t is peculiarly interesting as well as i'm
portant, at this particular moment, to ex-
anime well the ground on which the par
ties are taking their stand and we are
not without hopes tina. there is yet time TO
lremove the ignorance in which the public
of both countries have been studiousiy kept,
until the voice of the multitude has seemed
Ito decide for war. But it is not merely for
ITS temporary interest that we have chosen
Ito bring this subject fully beford our rea-
lders upon the present occasion. There are
Questions of a general and permanent I'M
Iportance involved in the discussion some
of them, too, never yet treated of by wri-
ters on public law, nor, SO far as we can
ldlscover, introduced by statesmen into their
Views OF national policy rights The con-
celebrations of these topics is not only cali
ed tor by the great ignorance which appears
to prevail respecting them, bur it is peculi-
arly adapted to the plan ola literary jour
nal. We purpose, therefore, to examine
at large the questions of public law and po
Icy suggested by the present state of foreign
and colonial affairs. The subject ofneutral
commerce and in general, the disputes be-
tween Great Britain and the neutral DOW
ers, are no doubt intimately connected with
the situation of our West Indian colonies.
We shall cndeavor, however, to separate
the latter from the more extensive subject;
and shall examine it, in a subsequent article
of this number, with the care which its ex-
ltraordinary Importance demands We
( shall begin, ut present, with noticing the
I three pamphlets whose titles we have pre-
i fixed
! "The speech of Mr. Randolph is certain
ly the production of a vigorous mlnd. II
abounds in plain and striking statements,
4 mixed with imagery by no means destitute
of merit, though directed'by an exceedingly
4 coarse and vulgar taste. But his arguments
and opinions are of more importance than
his rhetorical preten&ons for he speaks
the sentiments ola respectable party in the
~ States He maintains, that rupture
with Great Britain is by all means TO be a.
voided that America is in much less dam
ger from the preponderance of the English
marine in 1906, than she was in 1898, from
the coalition against France, that the
French conquests have now reversed the
policy of america towards Europe +, and that
the only barrier between France and u
Diversal dominion, before which America
as we'll as Europe must fall, is the British
navy. He fiilcules the conduct of those
who would quarrel with England for ma
rhine rights, * atthe same ime truckle, or
give brides to Spain, the tool Of France, af-
ter the greatest outrages have been commit
ted upon the very territory Of the Union.
The cry for war, he says, is raised by the
clamarous traders of the sea port towns,---
men who cannot properly be said to be-
long to America, and who, at any rate,
drive commerce uncertain and transitory
in its own nature, liable to be terminated at
once by peace in Europe, and much in
ferior, both in respectabiIity and soidity, TO
those REGULAR branches of industry VIII ch
consist in the cultivation or the exchange
of American produce. He treats with still
greater severity those who undervalue the
losses and risks If a war with England. The
transference Of the carrying trade to what
ever nation may remain neutral, ---the ru-
in Of American navigation by the British
navy, without the possibility of gaining a
ny equivalent by means of privateering;
he want of English manufactures the aug
mentation of debts and taxes the choice
leither Of carrying on hostilities feebly, OF
of eDdangering the liberties of the country
| f,trc ii.