Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-03-23

""ASi s.A~ ~ isisu government
may pursue towards Mr.. Erskine. II
they disgrace him, we may give the
minisTymore credit for their sincerity:
Ii they do not, a thousand paiaful i.
IDEAS will occur to the enlightened
minds of American PARROTS.
No. w.
Nothing is so silly as to be afraid
OF war, and yet to cry out for war
and, by tn way,ynothing is more alb
surd. If men do not want stronr re-
NEEDLES, why do they below for them !?
It's, however, believed, that Their. is
not party nor even faction In the
country in favor of war, except the to.
ry faction, which is above all things
DESTROYS of a war with France. Some
few raen, getting into big passion
fromthe fermentation of their own
thoughts, t.cry aloud, to battle % and
some Idle men, of little knowlsd ge,
declare that the enemy must not
th'nS we are not prepared, for we arr
prepared" and run on in vein of
that sort, notwithstanding and half
cooking, like lady in pet. II is
nonsense thus to rail, or thus to rsa-
son. Our true policy, like almost G..
very other human benefit, lies in me
dunn. The real friends of the coun.
try and the genuine vindicators of the
ADMINISTRATION are for making ready
but not.at present for firing. This
in theNend, Twill be found TIE only
course of conduct that is traly wise
and digai6ed. When we are pre-
pared for any ex:gency, we shall ne
gcciate with much more effect. The
adversary viii believe that it is, AT
least, possible TO strike when we
threaten; a circumstance which, if we
may Judge by certain paragraphs in
the British prints, the British Cabinet
is very much disposed TO doubt.
BY preparation for the worst, we do
not mean that our government should
seek In other countries for the mate
riais requisite for our defence. We
have every thing necessary for that
purpose in the greatest abundance.
We merely intend to express the OPT
MON that certain depots of arms and
ammunition should be formed, SO that
on sudden emergency we should not
be taken by surprise, and not be com
PEELED TO employ that time in co.iec
ting the implements and munitions Of
war which might be much more pro
ftably employed in killing the enemy
and frustrating his designs.
The English government is wretch
eddy deceived in relation to the re
sources of the United States. No
nation on the globe has such an am.
pie stock: 1t Is notorious, TO our own
citizens atany rae, that we have can.
non-foundaries, manufactories Of mus
kets aud OF gun powder in the rrea..
est abundance. All that our govern
msnt has to do, is to ordain system
which IN any event, may give celerits
to- the movements of bodies Of trooDs.
so that no delay may take place with
regard to cloathing, arms, and am.
munition. We are not the friend of a
standing army of considerable mum.
beTs, e4oosing rather to rely on the
militia, which we believe to be com.
pete5t to every emergency on land.
a smaiFrsgular force, for the garrison
OF frontier posts, and as check to in
surgency and Indian incursions will
in general, be sufficient. On our Sc;
board, however, we shall not be sc
well satisfied, without ample protect.
on. Ourvery eoasting trade demand,
that. The West indians, at no yer,
distant day, may turn Ladrones upol
our hands, and lay our trade undet
severe contribution on our own coasts
A reasonable naval force, therefore
J ought at all times to be kept in readi
diness for service. There is no dan
ger to public liberty from seamen
they cannot be readily converted int
the tools Of ambition wherewith to O