Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-10-17

exactly such as have been made and are
rb~ making upon you: Doctor Franklin,
in.' le''er written as early as 1854, states the
following among other grievances of the
iheO colonies:
"We are restrained in our trade with
"foreign nations, and when We could be
"supp,ed With any manufactures cheaper
"thaa from them, Blu, mus bay the same
dearer hom Britain--lhe difference OF
"price is clear tax 10 B itain. We are
compelled to carry a great part Of our
"produce d rect to Britain land whereon
S the duties there laid upon it lessen its
sprice 10 the planter, or it sells for less
"rhau it would in foreign markets--the
a7s" difference is tax paid to Britain. In
short our whole wealth centres finally a
"mong the merchants and Inhabitants of
IS " i1r tain" ~ tt
.b Aud what has been our situation for the
a lss,1wo wears! Absolutely worse than il
( Z, was as above represented ia 1854. Al that
time we we're colonists, s submission had
not in The eyes OF the world any ibdigaity
' attached 10 it,. but now iha, we say we
ere fteei' Submission is not Only degrading
J ia he eyesfof others, but it makes us look
-. wi h contempt upon ourselves.
ci q Britain has for.lwo years refused to lei
.lr Us purchase what we wan, al cheaper
80, nia, Sets than her own.
; Bri ain has tetused to let US sell our own
o.. hptodUce at ma kets where we could get
q higher prices than IN England.
Bri ain has established regular tax a.
be Cor our imports and exports--that is,
. we are now compelled 20 pay on all we ex-
= port and import, tax into the British trca-
- sutv. f- tr
3. Wherein. myc untrymen. is our situa
-. ton altered f'om what IL was in l754 Are
we MT still tribn airy 10 Britain ?--Are we
IN the opinion of the world, or in our own
estimation, an independent power
Ftue, we are not taxed al home--we
have no British AK collectors in our towns
- but The change is favourable TO England
---foi, WHEN coionists, the British had TO
protect us, now We must pay all our own
sxpenoe': So that, as some British polij
sians predicted, he change has been in
some poin.s favourable for England--.she
has now ~ trouble but To compel US TO
lay III British ports such taxes as her ava
nee or envy may induce her TO demand.
Thus, then, my ftends, is our pride
wounded, aud our growth staeted--and
thus are III frui!s OF the Revolution wres
ed f'om us---thus does Bri ain punish the
unpatdonsbIe sin. Of ind pendeRce--thus
does she reduce Va in he eyes of mankind
TO ,hc condn, U of colonists.
THAT this is the true sia;e of The case,
no man Will dare to deny. Iipermitted to
enjoy The r,gh of an independent neutral,
We should Aoarish and throw the mercsn-
Tile anhuence of England mo the sin .de-
. ana il is 10 prevent this prosperity, to pre-
vrnI his honest rivalry, that we thus
ignominlcusly gbused.
Look at the imPudent declaration
of &ir. Canning-Britain has power
add she will use it---and tell me If GU
have read OF any expression of Alexan-
der, Caesar, or Bonaparte that equals
il for its contempt OF independent ma
tons: the basest ais oil Rome were
sometimes allowed 10 wear gilded
chaihs, but for America Mr.. C.. has not
even so paltry an indulgence-he pro-
nounces his will, threatens to use his
power, and sends Mr.. Jackson as fit
person, from his embassy to Copenha
gen, TO hint how that power has been,
and may be again employed.
II, in such a crisis, not more interest
ing to your feelings, IT,. n momentous
to your County, you are not broad
wake AMI prepared to support the rights
of your country, you are unworthy the
inheritance bequeathed to you! If, in
this hour of trial, YOU do not support
your government, anxiously looking to
the people for their opinions and their
support, how can you expect foreign
ma, ions to value your fIiendshipor dread
your ressntment1
SENEX.