Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-05-19
Why AND WHEREFORE CO TO WAR
WITH FRANCE!

ILL SnihC dhAiCtJ &ppSdTS HOW 10 AMI"
mate the English party in this country, to
involve us in a war with France as in 1893.
The wrongs and insults which we have ex-
perienced from Britain, seem almost for
gotten in her funic Promise to afford us
some redress. Her treachery and HOSTILE
ty are discarded from their views, merely
upon her precarious proposition to adjust
our differences upon principles OF Justice and
friendship. When it is recollected what
a rapid and serious succession of injuries
she has inflicted upon this country for a
long time, and more particularly when we
cast our eye back upon the picture of
insolence and deformity which she has ex-
hibted for the last tive years, we can but
demand why the national honor of our
country should have remained thus long
quiet and unavenged. If there ever was
tine which imperiously urged US to aban-
don onr republican system of peace, it was
most emphaticaliy during the last winter.
But such was the aversion of our councils
to war with England, or perhaps some o.
Their cause less worthy, that they thought
proper not to 10 it. With what grace then
can the opponents of that measure come
forward at our next congress to propose
hostility against France Is it that France
has entered our. own ports under the dis
guse OF friendship and stained our own wa
ters with the blood Of our own country
mon! Is it that France has basely fired
upon our unarmed national ships and seiz-
ed from thence our own seamen? Is it that
France claims the right of impressment,
which has never been done by any other
nation Is 1t that she feels a commercial
Jealousy and hostility towards us, and that
she possesses power commensurate with
her disposition Is it that she has secretly
issued orders inhibiting our lawful trade
and arresting our vessels for adjudication,
which no innocence can elude, no evidence
can satisfy Is it that she has endeavor-
ed to excite our citizens to rebellion, a
practice disgr aceful to the age of Gothic
barbarny! Is it the character of Great
Britain or France Yes, the most nfatu-
ated partizan of the English hdrty cannot
deny, but thatit belongs to the first. Shall
we declare war then against France, be-
cause she has done US least injury, has less
power to do IT, and less disposition? Why
should we, with the most patient humility,
bear with wrongs that destroy our pros
perlty, and with insults that mock our ma /.
tlonal dignity, and take up arms agains,
those, which upon comparison almost lose
their atrociiy. This would indeed be act-
ing the poltroon with one, and the bragg
docio with the other.
But suppose for moment that the adj
yocates OF Britain K The enemies of France,
together with the disconnected anti-repub-
llcaDs should pass over the conduct of En-
gland as justihable and pardonable in them,
while at the same time they should constr
der u sufficient cause of war with France,
would it not be as well TO count the cost OF
such a measure with France, as Great
britaihF Why not consider, whether it
would not be as polite to bear with our
injuries as TO repair them or trust TO a
returning sense of justice on the part OF
France, as Great Britain has Promised i?
1t we &c 70 war with France, what are our
means and what our object?
These are points OF primary Importance
which must always be considered, when a
measure OF this sort is about to be propos-
ed. It's TO be presumed, that the contest
"ou!d be exclusively OF maritime des-
ciiptioD. And this too, not only with
fiapce, but with almost all Europe, who
now Is virtually in alliance with her. When
we lock at home to examine our strength
for an engagement of this sort with so for
Hidable "a combination, we must be con-
vlnced that we should be guilty. Of more
titSbtiy tnaD ever distinguished the kni ght
az LA M2ncha. here is too much absur.
dlty In the idea, thatw should be enabled
toTestore our commerce to- its proper chan
nels, ny gasccnade OF this sort, 10 admit
o. serious reflection. But 1t may be said.
that in this situation, we might rely upon
the active aid and interference of Great
Britain, and that under the aushices of her
flag, we might brave the attacks of France,
SPAN, Holland, &c. &c. In order to ex.
trIcate the advocates Of French war from
the charge OF insanity, it will .,e necessary
TO admit THAI TINS is their calculation, and
that their hopes are entirely founded upon
this q lance. 1t this should be our melan-
choiy and perhaps ruInous situation, Great
Britain would undoubtedly expect for her
AID, an equivalent in money or IN monopo-
~. AS 20 the FIRST, it will be only neces-
gary 10 refer 70 the state Of cur finances for
tee most satisfactory answer IN the mega
i've, ana as to the last, we have only TO
review the history of rs, ~ look for the
object OF our revolution. Unless IL can be
shewn then, that by entering into a war
with France, we shall ensure protection TO
our neu'rai gnts, the u. States sught
never to- encourage it, But the ingen. Gus
advocates Of hostility with France, viii no
doubt exert every nerve TO produce this
eject, aud VI they should find any OPPOSITE
on 10 an open declaration OF war, they will
eDdeayor 10 arm our mel ch@htInen, which
the Eagiish interest in this country would
soon make produce Ihe same result.
Ihete cursory remark are fnttreiV fnun-