Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-08-14
That we have become ''a Bye-suo,d
among the nations' of Eurone. as

o"oitS shS NATIONS OF Europe, as
this paper has continually asserted
wel should become in consequence
of the imbecile proceedings of tn
members ofthe late Congresses, will
more manifestly appear from the
following Remarks, which we copy
from the London Times of the 10 h
OF June, 1910. We do not get the
least credit for good Intentions; tits
not believed that we have acted
from any homes. principle whatever;
bur even our imbecil= conductis at
rrieuted to an overwhelming passion
tor gain. Letthe people read, and
Took sveHto the right! Argus.
In the late act of the American CO.
yernment, resumipg commercial rela-
tons with the belligerent poxers of
Europe, we see with satisfaction the
falsihcation of all those gloomy pre-
dictions which denounced ruin to the
mercantile concerns of this country,
from thzt dreadful engine Of war which
America thrust forward for our dex.
truction -the Non Intercourse Act
Against US it has been pointless /; aud
the hand that held the weapon being
the only one that has been wounded
by II, has naturally and Spontaneously
lett drop. Their. is something ,aigh.
ty amusing in the contrast observable
between the buster and parade with.
which the Nom Intercourse Bill was
carried, and the quier manner ir which
1t has been suspended, rs injurious 10
Its authors. The Americans creep out
OF the measure as still as mice. 1t is
usual in the preamble Of Few Bills
with whereas" or two, to state the
m olives which have led TO their en-
actment; such, for example, as the in
efficacy OF prior ones: bur there is not
a word OF this in the case before us,
the present Act being entitled |" An
Act concerning (mark concerning) the
commercial intercourse Eetwee1 the
United States and Great Britain )" and
is most strange, that though this is
stated TO be the very subject Of the act,
yet does the act itself not utter one
single syllable--no, not syllable. con-
eermag the commercial intercourse be-
tween The two countries. Ii merely
interdicts, with dreadful threatenings,
the entrance of our armed vessels IN
to the American harbours, where they
were never likely to come; and leaves
the free passage to and fro Of mer-
chantn.en (ler which alone the bill was
framed) to be matter of inference!
This is, We apprehend, singular
piece OF Legislative ingenn u ness, that
the objects meant to be comprised by
'it were never once mentioned in the
act, but are only 60 be got at by inuen-
do. And the cause OF this will not
escape observation: for it is obvious
that Bill expressly sanctioning the
renewal of commerce with England,
when no alteration whatever has taken
place In onr conduct towards Ameri.
ca, must have as expressly condemy ed
ehS suspension VI tnat fCOtnmerCS.--
The preamble TO such Bill would
have run In effect thus: Whereas
with a view to the annoyance of Eng
land, an iutemperate and Ill advised
law, prohibiting all commercial inter-
course with that country, was some
line ago passed, the operation of which
law, so FAR from touching those against
whom it was levelled, has been found
injurious only to the Citizens of the
United States; depriving Them of the
necessary manufactures ofGreat Bril-
tain, and compelling American vessels
&c rot In port, while the carrying trade
OF Europe has been gradually remo-
wing to other hands and Whereas
great and just disContents have hence
sprung up among the citizens of the
United States, evidently threatening
a dissolution Of the Union, and a Sc
paration of the North-eastetn provin.
ces from the rest. Be it therefore en-.
acted" &c. Such we say, If not in
words must yet have been In tenour
and effect, the preamble to any bill
which should have provided in d.
rect and intelligibie manner, for the