Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-02-10

The late determination of the house of
representatives, has reduced US to the SIM
ple alternative of war or submission. Me-
recitation, il seems, has become the subject
Of ridcsle, stratagem md contempt. Hence
the hope of Cancellation, the acknowledge
ment Of our national rights and just a.
tonement for atrocious injuries, must have
fled from every mind that's rot too deeply
infatuated with British attachment. The
embargo, which we have always viewed az
our native and most efficient weapon, has,
from the impurity of some parts of the uni
IN. recoiled upon ourselves. In withdraw
ing this measure, which was intended, and
which was expected to be strong and ener-
setic enough to fulfil our purpose, we can
but anticipate that some other will be en-
braced not less efficient, but, it possible,
more so. What ought this TO be! We In
timated in our last paper, that we could
Derce:ve no medium between the embargo,
submission or war To this first opinion we
now subscribe our most calm and dispassi-
onate reflections. 1t is presumed that the
idea of submission kindes too much indg-
nation in the warm American heart, to SUIT
fer the mind to pass through any cold pro-
cess of reasoning upon the subject. Every
BODY must know that the embargo placed
US in prominent and conspicuous position
port of neutral rights, to which great o.,
iect, national honor would not suffer any sa-
crifce. Under these circumstances, the
only substitute which presents itself to our
view, is WAR. We most seriously lament
that the injustice Of our enemies should alb
solutely force US to this last resort. But ii
our commercial rights are too dear and i'm
portant TO be abandoned TO foreign insolence
aud rapacity, and if we are resolved nei~s
ther tn surrender or submit, We must adopt
some method of defence. We again re-
peat. that we most seriously dread the
wills ofwar. TIN y be source OF infinite and
incalcuiab.e mischief Bat rather than be-
come bye porf among the nations of the
earth, rather than dastardiy submit to un-
RENTING atrocities, rather than pay cora
mercial trbste to foreign tyranny, rather
than meanly retire from the ground which
we have proudly occupied, and rather than
form an oious and humil!ating aliiar ace, we
are decidedly in favor of trying o,sr strength
at once. But before we appeal to this der
n;er resort, it is surely our duty TO enquire
If it can 5e av ,tle.l. or If any other mems
can be adopted which are likely tn succeed.
In this enquiry, the first objects which
strike our attention, are the permission of
merchantmen 10 arm, and the utterauCe- of
Letters of Marqne and RcprisaL 1t is the
great and distinguishing quality OF the
statesman 10 calculate with the most un-
bending impartiality, the result of his
scheme. What then can we promise our
selves by the arming of merchantmen,
or granting letters of marque and reprisal? :,
!; will be doing little indeed, to save our
property S toprotect our rights, if they are
determined 10 make depredations. IT mer-
chautmen are justified in resisting search
and examination. or defending themselves
from captare ADD restraint, by an act of
government, it amounts at least to a con-
structive determination war, or what
the writer's upon this subject style less
solemn 7uc~. II mus. be admitted that our
maritime force IS greatly inadequate to the
defence of our commerce. Independent of
this, the British navy was never before SO
completely transcendant, never before so
consessedly mistress of the deep. No sea
climate fhat is not witness to her enterprise,
~ scarcely any coast that is not infested with
her cruisers.
Flow then GIN we expect to escape or re-
pei her naval e,espotisln It is impossible.
IF they are determined (of which no body
can doubt) 70 make depcedat ons, we shall
in fact do nothing more than offer ourselves
up as willing victims. II, however, such
ssipuld be the case, AID our merchantmen
permitted 70 arm, would il not he a great
hazard TO trust masters of vessels with
arms, inasmuch as they might prob ably
use them for 4 different purpose than the
one intended Yes, such are the "fearful
odds" they would be obliged to encounter,
and sucli the i.npossiblity of escape, that
our merchants would not be SO fool hardy
as to run the ris9ue. What then! They
would sail from orr ports with the pretend
I'd determination of defending themselves
from every species of violation and insult,
and would instantly direct their cargoes 20
British markets. This TO eur minds is the
most demonstrable and hateful result. AT
ter this we might expect in vain to resume
our commercial prosperity We should be
fixed in the fangs Of the orders Of council,
and no possible policy could redeem us.
Bat suppose that ,hese armed merchant
men should be sincere and resolved To re-
sist with all their might. Would it not
lead TO open hostilities! May they not in
the language of Mirabau, as well commence
between two ships, as between two squa-
drons" Would the government of our
country remain passive and silent, amidst
such scenes of horror, rapine and murder.
Would they remain ureeling spectators to
the insults Of our flag, the seizure of our
G e