Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-04-24
R I c H NJ o n d,
FoR THE VIRGINIA Aneus.

.
OUR FOREIGN REATIONS.
Ne. vi.
IF it be admitted, and we think it has
been proved, that commerce is essential to
agriculture aod manufactures ; that the
one cannot flourish without the corrobora.
ton of the other; it follows that commerce
ought to be fostered aud adequately pro-
tected. What that protection ought to be,
is, perhaps question of some difficulty as
well as deiicacy. Most reasoners upon
the subject appear to have no objection to
the promotion of commercial enterprise in
a pacific. municipal way; by duties, by
restrictions, by premiums, and the like ls-
gislative provisions. But whenever it is
made topie OF discussion, zvletker q ma
vdl|0rce shalt be enihioyed for that hur..
nose an outcry is Immediately raised on
the score OF expence, eff corruption, of pro-.
baole wars, and the whole train of calami-
ties to which humanity is liable. The
m stake OF these outcries, however, lies IN
this-=those who make the clamor argue
against the use of navy from the abuses
which exist in a navy. This, little re-
Election will shew, is very faiIacious mode
OF reasoning, it is the mode which dests
adopt In their rhodomontades against the
Christian retigion--for. say they, innu..
merable crimes have been committed in the
name OF Christianity, ergo, Chr. slianity is
baneful to mankind
All the logic employed against the exis.
tence OF even the smallest naval force, IS
founded upon the misery which the British
navy mas produced to the people of Eng
land. Blu, does 1t follow, that because G..
Britain has thousand SHIPS or war, A.
merica must have thousand ships OF war
IL 10 halta =.
thirty good vessels would at all times bid
defiance to the assaults of any European
power that should presume to invade us
Indeed the maintenance of. thirty stout
ships of war by the United States, in bat.
Tue order, would almost deter even the Bril-
tish from adventuring against us==for they
could scarcely ever spare more than twen-
ty or thirty ships at one time to be employ.
ed upon any expedition on this side OF tue
Atlantic-snd, when they tsok into consid.
Grafton the possibility and even probability
OF being defeated before they could effect
iancing OF troops, the difficulty of speedily
rehitng disseminated fleet at the dis
lance CT three thousand mica from the mo-
ther Country, the facility with winch the
Americans could repair their damages, I'm
Case they should be defeated, and the GER.
fanny, II the naval force of tue u. States
should be compelled to retire before an
invading squadron, that the military force
OF INVASION, CATER being shattered and
weakened at least, by engagement at
sea- would meet on attempting 10 land,
formidable opposition OF gun-boats, floating
batteries, ana armed men 10 drive them
Datk lnto the ocean-uader all these DIS
advantages, 1t is hardly fossi6ie that any
european power would De desperate en-.
ouSh to attempt an invasion. But, as zve
ore. CeNO,d a Of -.
! lew ships OF war ana sun-uoa.s and tor
thcations we have, attempted 20 DC par.
ahzed oy men whose sole business II IS 10
pun down all government IN THIS country,
fhe /irsf shock Of var must be met by our
Citizeus, their wives and families, withou,
beng broke by solitary Efficient struggle
at sea
AS TO the erhence, it is certain that 1t
wouia5Not cost so much as we lose by the
iegisRlye hafer-sySssm now So much in
Vo6uS&As an instance, We appeal % the
ofheiai declaration Contained 10 a French
state paper signed by the DUO de Cadore
tShahipasnysJ that France seizSu our
sniPs and merchandise iu consequence ut
provision contained in some OF our pro-
h'bitory laws, faus, whilst we think our.
| selves exceedingly cunning with our sys.
TEN ct zgorzs, Napoleon as well as Great
Britain mis- ms Golfers with our property by
lis system or Gcts. England uses, or IA.
'her prostitutes cur flag, whist france
! series all before her-and we, higeling for
the oInerence between sixpence ana sink.
nag, are losing all that IS worth ENJOYING. =
our h0nor and our hrtf'erty too.
THIS state of government cannot last for.
ever. Ihe essential nature OF things will.
IN one way or anosher, force the govern
ment TO protect tue nation anu its RIGHTS
and TO promote its prosperity, or the gov
eminent Itself Will dissolve Tor want OF en-.
ergy. Tne weakest politicians will come
at last 70 understand, that whatever de.
scrsfss4 OF politics the administration nav
proies0@e safety and dignity OF the coun~
Try are&8 primary OBJECTS OF governmen.
tai concern, and That whenever those o..
Jects aie either openly or covertly aban.
doneo, tue common sense oil all ranks OF
men viii force ihsm TO icrget their SUI.
orGinate squabbies OF parry IN their ankle.
" Tor 'ne preservation OF the hrst icIerests
o! sOcleIy.