Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-07-13

ders, was riding at single anchor il
hearing of the guns, and in contempt
OF the public laws.
This contempt of. our laws has been
SO frequently exhibited in the same
way, that as usesis said to be second
nature, we. think nothing of it perhaps
because we are used-to it.
For the same reason perhaps it is,
that the fact of several Americans be-
ing in state of bondage on board the
Avon British ship of war, instead of
enjoying the toasts of the day as usu-
al, I could net but thinkof the case of
Thomas Collins, and his fellow citi.
zens On board the Avon. He had
been for FIVE years impressed by the
British and detained from his family,
friends, and country He at last ar.
rives In the Delaware, the ship on
which he is on board is violating the
laws of his country; and his heart
'throbs with mingled emotions ofindie-
nation, and the hope, that through the
violation of the laws by his tyranpic
keeper, he may once mere be enabled
to tread the soil of his nativity.
He sees the United States civil Off
GERS perform their duty, in warning
the vio!ator of the laws !; and he hears
them tire ated with an ,insolent and con.
tumely proverbial of the British navy.
Peer Collins fosters hope, and expects
that every aggravation is only an &C.
celebration of the hour Of his release.
VIVA. must his feelings be, what
must the feelings of all the Ameri-
cans on board that ship, son the morn
ing of the 4th July, when at six in the
morning the Avon weighs anchor, and
accompanied by-a vessel transformed
from Camelion to a Refnora, pro-
ceeds down the Bay.
4 could 'sey more--I could indeed
say what would humiliate US in the
eyes even of the most contemplate of
the human species. bat I stiae my
mortified and indignant feelings, and
forbear the utterance of other facts :
and ask myself, can such things en-
dure.? 1 recollect when Pickering
was secretary of state, that there were
several Americans on board British
sloop of war at the wharf in Philadel.
phia, and that when he was applied to,
he was willing to interfere with Lis
ton for the release of one of them; but
not until the vessel should be under
way, "because" said Pickering, " the
Others might then >endeavor TO pet "a
way alse.'
l look at the declaration OF indepen-
dence, read the preamble, and imagine
lhear the founders of our government
swear in the face OF the immortal God,
TO maintain those principles.
l review the precepts of religion.
and ask how they operate in society.
l examine the principles of civil So
ciety, which calls upon every man to
contribute his share to the support and
to partake in the risks oflife and death
in defence of society.
And turning these thoughts upon
poor Collins and his fellow captlves,
on the Avon British ship of war, ex-
claim, o.. unfortunate man! Such is
the spirit of independence, such is the
religious obligation, such is civil soci-
ETY. to you-a faithless, unprincipled,
and perhdious violator of social, civil,
and moral obligation. To your ty-
rants food and hospitality are handed,
but for you, there is neither hospitali-
y, nor charity, nor hope; 70 you, it is
"a ~ this x,a-s coat:naot sy.ra ,,,,.lf<>.
I'd up i'll the ocean. Alas, it is worse,
ior if you had no country, your heart
would not have bled tor its degenera-
y CT its injustice. ESDRAS.