Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-08-11

from those shackles.
| Inc fisheries on the coast and the fur
trade would be in themselves iavalu1bie
acquisitions to this country. The frs
would he an increase to our trade TO the
south of Europe and to the Levapt; and
the other to our exports for the East Ia
dies.
But II Is an important question, to know
whtt number OF troops would he sufficient
to REFUGE those countries. Il Mss been At
hrmed ny some ilble VIZ tsrs tina. the n. Eur
gland states are alone adequa To the re-
.uction of Nova Scotia; and few de-
tachments from the middle aud southern
states sent forward BY the rivers of tne
western country, "ou!d shortly conquer
Uper Canada. As for the reduction of the
lower provinces OF that name perhaps the
RIVER St Lawrence should b. the u most
boundary, the arms of the Uni,ed 5, es
8 o ID attempt TO pass. Tnis Is a 60 d
usiurl frontier and The reduction oil
the British provinces on the eastern
bank of that RIVER, would reader the
possession of the remainder of very lit
tie value tn the British. This river is fro
zen over six months III the wear, and when
we shall once become masters of her ports
| on the Atlantic, 1t would become the in
terest of Great Britain herself, 10 cede 70
4 oS shS iIGfu from tue
expense of its ma ntenance. But however
this may be, should we once possess our
selves of the provinces / have mentioned,
her remaining settlements would f.li
Into our hands of cou 81, whenever we
would have an inclination 10 tske t,en.
In the event OF a war between the tW,
countries, fhopsh Great 3 itsin by tue time
we nave allowed her, may be sad 20 have
| Gcipated an alta. on tina, quarter, yet
| in case of defex5, she viii ne iu,ie aale
| to Augment her troops SO as 10 ACE any
force when we can bring into the ftld
| She has carried on wars in Europe oy
subsidies. INIT in Cansda, here are n men
| 70 be procured Tor money: and menac *
IS she is DO abroad and a, rom w,h des-
truction; she dare 70; ysntui to reduce het
fp!i'ary establishment ~ large jrausa,s TO
carry on war IN TINS country
Bur she W ii a. out exp dty.ous and burn
! our towns This becomes our mex topic 10.
Cons deration.
ExpedItions, rs tasy are at ended with
vast expense, he hire OF transports pur
chase OF artillery, camp equptge. &c. ar,
seldom used ualeSs TO land troops, 40 de-
tend an Importers ac9u siticn, 10 get pcs
s ssion of the capital OF sonHs country or %
destroy an hos lie fleet or army. Bat forthe
sole object of plunderins or Burning petty
town. no Cabinet shat is Conducted on The
PRINCIPLES offs uni policy viii tnink it pru-
Ient To spend millions IN order to 10 a slight
injury tn ITS enemy. Tbs is the reason that
the resumption of h, Norwegian method
of warfare that has been suggested 5y Mel
son, has never met the appreciation OF The
English government. II we will there
fore fortfy cur small harbois and sea
port towns in such manner. as that
*, boIi IA ,hf % a. 4
attempts of piiyateers, or even one or two
ships offorce: we need be under little APP
prehension of their suffering from large T.
maments. And perhaps after all, when we
shall have exhausted the resources of art in
their defence; we shall NOT be GU tie secure
against the destruction of that property
for which we have nnler went so much ex-
pense and trouble. Fleets and armies can
now days by bombs and sEeils burn towns
they Cannot enter: and though we might
place great confidence ia the strength of
their military works; yet we know Of no
manner of defending towns that has hi
therto been discovered, that Will ensure
the preservation of the properly that is
contained within them,
The best mode that has been found out in
modern days of pro Getting a coast or from
tier not sufficiently guarded nv military
WpThS uoo OCSu liO tSNtDusnCUl OF Camps
along the coasts or frontiers of the c untry
| liable TO INVASION. This measura from the
intelligence which is 20 easily transmitted
| by telegraphc communications, has all
the advantages Of sta onsrY force and
from the natp of its establisnn NJ, ar
mics are enabie j o act separately or con.
Jointly for the defence Of any important
| possession.
! To US in our present circumstances
| this appears measure tue most AL
visable for our adoption: and though the
! low situation of the sea board IN some OF
our S. states is unfavprabe to the erection
of signal ports vet il we WILL not bria =
them into general use along our coast no.
thing binders their particular adoption in
places where we shall have particular en-
campments.
Did we wish 20 act aggressivcly against the
British possessions in ". Amer -, beside,
the force required in that quirter, ". pc .
baps shall also find those encamp' rneu,s ne.
cessary in the mar time paris Of our ccupt' !
for the protection Of our sea poros. AnC
were our chef IN Iritime towns suficien .,
strong to resist coup de-main, an arm,
encamped in the vicinity, would sutfcient
~ deter any naval power from nttiug exp-
dItiOns to burn our cities. Besides, tb r.