Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-11-28

chimes against the bo6rns and the fleet. and |;
closing the Scbelds by sinking into its deep
est channels, vessels 6lled with stones, or
whole blocks of stone work. We Nigh,
have entrusted to- the rapid current of t..
river with the care OF opening new chan
nels for our ships, by removing er destroy
ing the number of its FIRE ships, in order to
fight the enemy with his own weapons ami
with offensive means which the numoer and
collection OF his vessels would have render
ed more destructive."
Convinced, at last, that their miserable
attempts, after the pompous display of their
expedition, would only draw sh ime aud ri
dicule upon their arms, the English seem.
ed to intend 10 carry their land and naval
force to otner parts less well prepared 10
oppose them ; They threatened at once
Holland, the countries of Hulst and Axel,
the island OF CadsAnd, and ths coas, of Fan
ders. But, on the side OF Holland they would
have met general Gratien's division on It's
retarn from the north of Germ any, and the
Dutch population in arms TO defend their
king, their country and their allies. In the
countries of Hulst, AXel, and Cadslnd, AN
army created whist the enemy menace
I Antwerp awaited him, Under the orders of
the marsh Al duke of Cornegliano /; and on
the same line of that army, the FIRST inspec.
Tor OF engineers had put all the towns of
Dutch Flanders, and on the coast from
/ Hulst to Newport, beyond the reach of dan &.
lger. Whatever be the point Of attack, the
prince of Ponte Covo, placed at Antwerp,
IN the centre of the line, could follow and
defeat them with his army. Every thing
Showed them that France and Holland
were capable of repelling their attacks.
" The prospect of so many obstacles in
h,rf he s~l- 4, 4,
my, caused the enemy TO prefer the dis
grace of retreat to that of defeat. His
last demonstrations had no other object than
to conceal the evacuation of his sick and
1artillery. The island of Beveland and the
fort OF Bate were abandoned. AS early as
the Goth OF August $50 sail, several men Of
war; frigates and cutters, had come down
to Flushing; few days later the rest des-
lcended the Scheldt. On the first of Sep.
ltember no sail was seen before BATE, our
gun boats took possession OF that fort, and
IN few hours restored it to the Dutch
troops belonging to the corps of Gen. Du.
monceau.
SC Such is the result of this grand expe..
dition In order to diminish the disgrace
with which 1t has been attended, the Eng
llsh viii, undoubtedly, eXaggerate the I'M
portance of an easy conquest lFlushine) -
| N-NASPS "iAA SNSJ " ehNtA Omn dChnOW :.
Judgments that they have missed the prin-
cipal end of their expedition. Their allies
will reproach them with having sacrificed
the advantages of the common cause to their
commercial avidIty. The wish of adding to
their naval force by the capture or destruc-
tion OF few shIps-tne vain hope of shut.
ting river that rivals the Thames, have
outweighed, in their consider alton, and in
the midst of the great event, that took place
IN Austria and Spain, the interests of their
allies. Were not, besides, the national
guards, which, twenty years ago, conquer
ed them under the walls of Denmark, equal
TO the task of defeating their designs :
Should Spain be the sooner tranquilised-
Should Austria hasten the signature of
peace, Europe will, TINS time, owe these
blessings to England. To her. France is
indebted for the present opportunity for DIS
playing her power against an unexpected
attack, and proving that a single cali of the
emperor TO twenty of his departments. rs
sufficient 10 RAISE, in less than month, one
hundred thousand warriors, against his en-.
iemies, without detach,ng a man from his
armies which were fighting at distance OF
seven hundred miles IRON The po,nt of at
tack"