Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-02-28

! people. But, sir, when it de genera es into
| rear OF war, 1t becomes of all passions tn,
most despicable. In its application, it is o
all others the most unfortunate and ruinou
TO nation-it excites contempt, and in
| vltes attack from abroad, whilst at home
1t dispirits the people, and disqualifies them
from exertIng the energy they possess. Is
there not ground TO fear sir, that Great Bri.
tam mas mistaken the rae er of the peo,
pie and government of the u. S. in TN Al
respect! And if so, sit of no Importance
to undeceive her! And now can this be
done! Ii can only be done by manly, open,
direct and ruinous war;! L>t war, then,
sir, be openly resorted to and vigorously
conducted. Give the people an ooc,rtu-
NIFTY OF retrieving their character; or at
least OF prociaIm,ng their true character to
the world. 1t will even be found econoyi-
Cal of blood aud treasure. II VIII in the
end be favorable 20 peace Itself: for sir.
epermit me TO borrow an ;.pur 3prlate and
empnaticai expression IRON a gentleman
from Connect Gus, Mr. H,ilhouse} II vii d.
a warrior peace. Yes, sir, as tt,rt genele i.
man expresses tive must hsl.t far peace.
without war, or fortunate events abroad,
m Satisfied We can nave no pc ace !"
as rid'cunusly said ny the champions
Il Britain, that If we go 10 war with her.
3
fighting for self.existence, our he battLe.
81 the World. This remark is founded en
t'rsiy upon the suppas'iion, that if zue max
war against England, we shall DESTROY the
great harrier aS,lns, the universal domini-
Oh or france. Ii the friends of Grea, Rri
tam, OF the ministry of tin Infatuated ma
ton, tee' any Impression Of this cast, there
couid De no doubt, that instead OF atempt
ipS TO destroy us, Sne would rather be anx
iuuS 20 C urt our ass stance bv inst and
honest means. But for a moment 10 adj
nit this de remark 10 he true--,hat If we
make war agai 'st Sri ram, we may possibly
re move The impeachment to French doininion.
IS this any possible reason why the United
. rs should surrender their national cx-
isteace to Great Britain, merely under the
inSuence of conjecture, that France mipnt
afterwards attempr 20 ensiave US I'm act.
ing tlus, we should, in the vulgar saving.
htera'iy give up q certainty for an uncer-
t01nty.
we should instantly become slaves to one
nation, merely from the idle fear of becom.
Ing so TO another. IL is the most ridden
lous and Insulting idea that could possibly
ne advanced, that because Great Britain
conceives her prosperity 10 depend UPON a
perdorabie war with France, and at the
same time disporting in esery species of
neural spoiiation & injustice, that we should
lay down our existence to preserve hers,
lest she should be defeated, We trust that
no American in heart and sentiment Can
ieei these impressions, because we believe
that none can think that any foreign pow
err can Subdue US. This argHnaent, As it IS
dS"'tied by nicgrim ftoiificrsns a,d British
h''ebnss, we dismiss, as being too odious,
and unworthy Of serious attention.
a lig .-mh.I'.~f, Syere m, ro,,S. ,.o,r;J..,
ed rs vr;ually alb ndoned, tn : interesting
queIioa recurS, WJg,t IS now best 90 be.
done We have already declared oar OPT
mons m ssveral preceding numbers, and
W. INST co,.eSS y-lau= NC circumstances
winch d9 ly occur, tent TO their confir ma
tion--thag 'mmediate war ought 10 DC de
ciared. Tlc discussions Of, congress viii
convince the British cabinet, that if they
do not resclnd her orders of council before
May, they nay then Calculate upon war.
we look upon 1T as The most wild absurd ~
to think tor moment that Great Britain
Wal give way. The advantages winch she
VIII derive from the embargo being thus
partially removed, will, in our estimation,
be equal to tota! repeal. The mercan-
tile cupldity Of our citizens VIII neither ne
state to Carry on an indirect trade, or to
avail themselves of the licenCe which is
commanders o. his stnps oil war and privd-
teers, which command them not % inter-
rupt any neucrai vessel gong to any of the
ports of the British empire, no matter to
whom the propefty nay appear TO belong,
md from thence may depart either in pa
last, or with goods that may be legally ex.
ported III such vessel and-io proceed to any
uhblockaded port, &c. &c. There can be
no doubt but hat our CONNIE rec WILL almost
entirely be conducted through this medium,
anu that the wants OF Great Britain will be
completely rel eyed. Is IL TO be presumed
then, that when congress holds It's session
IN May. that Great Britain, after this i'm.
mcnse influx of properly, will be more in
chned to retire from her present position,
winch she has retained under Inc most aw
fui anticipatlons of famine? 1t is impossible
to answer IN the affirmative. She Will of
Course then Calculate upon war at a given
time, and will make her preparations &c
cordiDgly, when she will not only be incli-
ned, but better enabled TO do, IN conse-
queuce Of the immense relief which we are
about to cast into her lap. The great rea-
son, why war should not now be declared, is
that we must take hme 20 make hreharaEf-
oHs. And IN the mean time, great guam
tity OF our resources will be thrown into
her uOwers As (.re.t Rritatr c,usr 49,,