Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-12-12

England oy excluding from the coati-
tent British merchandize and as to
treat Britain, the principle of her or,
iers in council may be found in the
consideration of her interests and her
lower. She avowedly contends that
'it Is her interest TO engross the CON-
nerce of the world; that she has the
power to eusross it, and therefore she
viii engross it.
But what are the principles more speci-
icaily asserted by Great Britain F.rst-
the right o. blockade by proclamation Cd,
the right to turn your vessels INTO her ports
TO pay duty and take out lcence. rms
right of blockading by proclaim alton is not
right growing out of a state of war: II
is no belligerent right; it is pretension
as applicable to state of peace as TO a
state OF war, and if we submit to IL IN a
state OF war, we must submit TO 1t IN a state
OF peace. The only principle of blockade
Whlch we recognise rs, that which gives tn
Deil gerents right 10 turn froaI forts 60
Closely invested as to make the entry Of
them dangerous, and alter due warning
vessels bosnd to them. Bat the r;Vt,t as
serted by Great Britain TO blockade bv n
piece OF parchment or paper issued from
ner council chamber, port or ports. a <, ny
dom or Kingdoms, continent or contintnts.
Is right no more relative 10 a state Of
war than TO state OF peace and # we
Suohiit 10 the Pretenson IN a state or war.
we mus equally submit. to Ie in a sta e
oI peace. lt 's founded IN the most arbi.
TAry tyranny, 1t goes to the anpihilat;nn
os your commerce. AS to the other right
III forcing our vessels into her ports. ~ %,
duty and take cut licence, this in ecnsIiyy
applicable to state of peace as m -
OF war. We acknowledge the right of G.
britain or OF auy other nation 10 shp4 bs,
ports against us, provided there be 40 trea..
" stipulation to the Contrary. But tbe
right OF Great Britain or of France Tn shut
'he ports OF any otner nation against us is
right no more appertaining to a bslIi
sereht than to neural. II we submit to
IL III war, We must equally submit IN Deace
ana this right, like the other. is founded ~
the most arbitrary tyranny What r,stt
mas britain to tyranIZe on the ocean s,d
prescribe the limits of our trade Shs
VIM not permit to us trade which she can
not herseif ENJOY; she prohibits to nc !.
Trade winch our government permits, he
Cause IL IS her interest to monopolize Il,
IL Is equally our interest to monoDolize s.
therefore II you please, s r, we wiil prom.
oit lhe trade WHOA her government per.
police. "'O"0-
L. Great Britain can rightly probih;. or,
trade because It is her Inte rest - W,
1t, nave we not the right to prohibr 80
trade tor tue same reason I, ca, -
nsht and justice Can stop, and SEIZE snd
conhsc0te our vessels, because inv 81
tempt a trade which she forh,ds and
Ie1y because she foro as il. cam !,
our government do the same in relation to
her trade 1t she can turn our vessels ,nto
her ports 70 pay duty and take out bcence-
what prohibits us from DONG the same az
TO her vessels! England IS nation 60
are "s, EHsiand Is Ind pendent so ave
We. what Prohibus us srom dom, 10 ~
gland what England does 70 as IIno,fss-
uopaoy nothing. To say that we ha1e no
risht TO do to England what England do.s
20 us, rs TO acknowledge our own ;nfer;o-
riY II as to acknowledge that she NAV Ne
mana without limitation, and that we are
ton. ~" 'ihi'sa'
am aware that it may be obiected n
lne iesolusiohs uIat the adoption of them
Wop.d lead to hostility; but the same oh
lection is equally appIicabIe - SUI oo'
luton which would go to the vin ~ $50
OF our commercial rights. TIE, 800. Io'
to lead to hos ility; they are mersIu w mo
taiiatory. They follow the spirit of ,bs
! Brit Sin orders III council and Feet ~
crees, and therefore cannst be cnnns,iai-e'
OF by either power. There is q great . ~
profitable commerce, iand rapidiy incrs,
sings passing not IN iced before our doors
but near enough to make the can,nrs -
vessels gagged in Convenient ~ NJ.
which the resolutions have cn,rAV in v;s,S
allude 70 the Brazil and Spanish Nj,
trade. 'Sh hdi'
Is 1t not matter of surprize that c0m
merce SO profit bic, SO ex ensive s,d :.
convenient should have been permi,ted 80.
government which permits mo roc,ro...
TO US but what her convenience and in,s -
est suggest !===is It not strange tbat -
should haYe suffered that goyernmen, I,
participate IN a commerce whirb bo,b -
interest and our convenience stinnIsta !,
TO engross But, above all, is il NOT ine :,
PEcable that We should passively have sni
tered the m nopoly Of n bv her yvn., :,
ourselves were wiling and able 10 engro.
NJ Inc House will perceive on the fsse ,
tne rsIa'ions, tnat rs sbey regard Fran
! they are equivalent To a var r,c,s,'.,
neither by Va measure, nor bv thai VII
y ave the honor to submr, ca. we go,
In ontact with Fance she bas M
on the ocean. La reiht;e-. A.. r..