Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-17
Dirgtnia Araua.
&c H M O N D /:
TUESDAY, JANUARY II. 1909.

~ III "loUSs
We most sensibly feel the embarrassment
of our political situation at this time. There
wNs never, perhaps, such accumulation of
difficulties az those which we are now obi
ged to encounter. A neutral nation conten-
ding for the acknowledged rights ofneutrals,
without maritime force, against an empire,
whose sceptre waves triumphant on the sea
in every part Of the world, and whose JUS
tice and per6dy are commensurate with
her power. It is impossible to suppose a
gainst this " fearful Odds" that we can en-
force justice by our proves. when we can
not by the most solemn appeals to national
law and national interest.
Great Britain, it seems, is determined to
avail herself of her supremacy at sea, and
under her affected sense of self-preservati.
on, she is equally determined upon every
species of piracy and spoIiation which may
ultimately result to her benefit. She has
completely adopted the doctrine which the
ignorant have ridiculously ascribed TO God
win' that 1t is perfectly right to steal, to rob,
or to inurder if Individual advantage can
be attained.
1t Is idle and absurd in the highest de-
gree, for the opponents of the admnistra.
ton, to be clamoring about the tarrahin no
icy OF the embargo; il is Eacf, that our
mariti ne strength is unable TO defend our
commercial sights. and it would. indeed. in
that state of things, he the most fool.hardy
bravery, or the deepest insanity, to hut orr
heads or, 7vben yue all Know so zveN that
they you'd be taken off. To every species
OF animals, nature has given a species of
defence, and it is certainly the extrava-
gance OF folly TO desert il, and to rely upon
that which t,does not possess--so it is with
nations. We mean to say that the tarrah;,
hoiicy, or the embargo, is our native weapon
and that IT we go ~ war, we take to an G..
lement that was not intended by nature.
Nayies and standing armies, are confessed.
~ repugnant to the genius OF republic
'tthen, this is the fact, we should make e.
very other sort of ESSAY, before we go 20 the
Ultima ratio reiau5hc&. But independent
OF this consideration, we cannot anticipate
the smallest advantage in declaring, IN fact,
defensive Tvar. To protect our sea-pors
Gowns, would be the first object, to annoy
British commerce by privateering would be
the next, and to conquer Canada would he
our last. From. the various conference.
which we have had with military men. we
are induced to fear that our seaport towns
would, without doubt, be sacrificed. This
wouid afford an immense acquisition to our
enemy and loss to ourselves, which might
require a century to repair. We NAV cal
cniate upon doing some partial mischief on
nriush commerce, by privateering. but
when VIC recollect that her trident is trium.
plant on every wave, aud that her cruisers
crowd upon our coast, we are led tn an
prehend that we should suffer in the ex.
Per'ment. We have witnessed the unex-
ampied want of virtue in many of our ci.
tizens IN Violating the embargo laws. and
therefore we entertain no douf,t but ati,at
they, IN case of war or letters of maron.
and rePrisal, would actually trale under
British auspices Hence we Tnayiofsr. thai
Great Britain would derive more assistance
through this avenue, than from even the
many violations of the embargo.
What are we to get BY the conoues. ne
Canada ! Fruitiess vaiGes md hr3die;ous
mountains, attended with the sacrifice of
our best citizens. Qaebec, the first object
OF attack, IS second Gibraltar, situated
| on a rock of marble and slate, and in pos
session OF all the conyeniencies of defence.
It's true that we should, after copious
source OF biood-shed, conquer the country
ana destroy the FOOT hold Of Great Britain,
and likewise prevent her from procurinp
timber. 1t is well known that Canada can
not furnish much provision, and in this no;nt
OF view, u cannot be so very Important to
Britain. 1t we are to go to war, it is our
| serious opinion that we should do so at once.
Delays are dangerous. This old maxim
is, perhaps, in no department of life more
true, than ss relates to military affairs.-
we are not for war, but at the same time
II we are driven TO this resort, re sooner
the better. The idea of our enemy giving
way upon principles Of Justice, is out of the
question. If any thing is to be eotten by
war; let us have it at once. We should i'm
hniteiy prefer rigid and inAexible adhe.
renee to the enbargo--but if war is medi-
tated as substitute, our voice is for in i.
staH' war. We caanot calculate with any
degree OF proprety, that Great Britain will
recede from her present offensive position
u SO, we conceive chat it is similar to one
individual saying to another, that on a GER
tam time he would strike him, go as to pre-.
pare him for defence If the proposition of
re-assembling congress in the spring, should
succeed, we may calculate upon something
worse than the tragedy of Copenhagen
we are likewise induced TO think, that il
war IS the measure of the day, that we
should not only declare it against Britain,
but against Spain, and possess ourselves OF
her possessions in North America. Spain
mas offered to this country the same violence
which has been done by France and Great
Britain. She adopted the Berlin and Milan
Il r. In