Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-10-20

tain the most inestimable rights of our na.
ton.
Divine Providence has destined our ex.
istence TO an extraordinary. and interesting
state of human affairs. The'most superb
cial observer must perceive himself sur
rounded by vast and astonishing spectacles.
Ambition is NO longer st.ed with the con-
quest of kingdom or province, but re-
cardless of the means it asp;res to the do
minion of universal empire. In such a stu
ation il was not to be expected that We
should en- rely escape those agitations
which convulsed the nations with, whom We
had established continual habits of inter
course. Our relations towards the great
belligerents were too important to each to
be beheld by the others without an eye
of jealousy. To this consideration we must
in great measure attribute those repeat
ed acts of aggression, which have been
pcrpetrated with different degrees of vio-
ience but without in ermisson. To keep
aIoof from these prodigous contests. TO Gull
tiyate our own resources, and to enable our
country TO profit by its favored situation un-
til its natural * progressive growth, should
render it invuinerable to foreign attack,
appears to have been the great design of
your wise and salutary administration.
Many of our countrymen, who have OPP
posed the measures government,'or with
held from them firm support, may live to
regret that infatuation, which prompted
them to violate our laws, and by presenting
an appearance of our domestic weakness,
encourage a continuance of those injuries
which might otherwise have been restrain.
ed.
We believe sir, that the embargo and
non intercourse acts, were impartial in their
character, devised from the purest of in
tentions, and wise in their operation They
furnished an opportunity to collect our float
ing property from abroad. They prevent
ed inconsderate men, from placing their
merchandise within the reach of inevitable
cap ure. Thay recalled or mariners, from
scenes of insult and imprisonment to the bo-
som of their native country. They evinced
to the warning world that the ". States,
however pacific in disposition, were incapa.
Bile of submitting to every extremity of in
justice. They afforded our own govern.
ment time to Consult the opinions & wishes
of the nation, before it Consented to en-
gage, in more rigorous and decisive meas
ures They were calculated to withhold,
and had they not been evaded, would have
effecsually withheld, from foreign aggres-
sors, those supplies which were necessary TO
the perpetuance OF their own power, APP
peaimg 20 their own interests, TO restore the
free exercise Of those rights which their
pride and passions and Injustice had violat-
ed.
With Difference to the better Judgment of
those whose experience and superior means
Of information have enabled them to- form
more correct opinion, we believe that the
truly independent situation Of the Unitel
States aud the power which we possess to
withhold from hostile foreigners, supplies OF
many articles OF the first necessity isa vdlu-
able weapon IN our hands. And although
r Il
Inconvenience they are lncomparabiy less
than those which result from incessant in
suit and ca ,,ryrS. Patriotism snould endure
these temporary prIvations with fortltude,
and we have abundant reason to be thank-
full to beneiicient Providence, for 4vns
place,f our OF in an extensive and fertile
territory, so abundant In the production of
every essential comfort as to prec Jude the
possibility of real distress We exceeding
ly regret that untoward circumstances, AMI
an improvideni opposition have prevented
the effects of this rational aud obvious sys.
TEN from being fully ascertainsd
The desola.ng calanitles insepirahle
from war, its innufnerable distresses, it's per-
nicious eiIee.s upon the manners and NOR
ais of society, and the dangers with which
it assails the duration OF tree governments
are powerful dissuasvcs against the enter
ing into such q state, without the utmost
provocation and most direiul necess;ty.-
With regard to ourselves, 4 warllke dispo-
sition would entrail upon rs she most per-
maEently injurious consequences, we sh auld
be enlisted IN all the inrricacies of Europe
an connections and alliances; We should be
alternately menaced and threAted, coerced
and couried, driven or seduced, to destroy
our general safety and forfeit our national
character ofjustlce, and become haDitu aIly
enlisted as a standing party il the distant
contest of the old world. And we farther,
sir, believe, that when the injurious system
of warfare is once adopted, that it is bsyonC
the limits of human sagacity TO foreteil ii.
ultimate consequences.
But attached az we are TO the continuance
of peace, and adverse to any European con
nection, pac &c disposition, or an appre.
hension OF danger, would neither occasion
timidity, or produce the most distant cODse u
TO abandon, the natural and national right:
of our beloved country. The sp,sit of IN.
revolution is unextingnshed, we snail emu
late the virtue aud vigour of our forefather
and maintain at every hazard, tn Liber
ties, Union and Constitution of tho U. 5
together with the government, OF thei
general choice,