Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-01-19
FOR rHEeAReUs.
THE RESOURCES OF THE MA.
TON.
No. III.

Much of the power of nation con-
sists IN the opinion hich other nations
entertain Gifts force and the basis Of
that opinion is always the statistical
reports which s-e made by the govern
ment; the sohuity OF its financial ar
rangemenss /; and the tone which the
administrators Of public affairs give to
I the body polite by their communica-
lions. We perceive this truth as it re-
iatss co private men every day and
it is wonderfully exempli6ed in cases
where individuals Of shattered for
suncs, by the mere opinion of their
pecuniary circumstances which their.
felfow-citizsns have imbibsd, are ena-
bled to obtain credit to any amount,
when, in truth, they could not, strict.
-ly speaking, pay one shilling ia the
pounl.
Great Britain and, France are both
well aware of this fact, and lay no
slight stress upon it in their state pa
pers. The following extract from a
letter written by Mr.. c aiming, to Mr..
Pi,rkney, dated Sept. %, 1903, will de-
moastrate how highly that minister va
luea the reputation. of G. Britain with
respectto her ability to resist the enc
my:
The struggle has been viewed by
'oiaer powers, not without an appre.
hsnsion that it might be fatal to this
country. The British government
hssnot disguise from itself, that the
trial of such an experiment might be
arduous and long; though it has me-
yer doubted of the final issue. But
II that issue, such rs the British go.
ve.nment conhdsntialiy anticipated,
mas providen:ially arrived much soon.
scr than could even have been hoped !;
if 8 the blockade Of the continent
as it has been triumphanly styled by
the enemy, is raised even before it
had been welt established; AL
II that system, Of which extent and
continuity were the vital princi-
splss, Is broken up into fragments, ut
tterly harmless and contc;n ptible, il
Is, nevertheless, important in the
snIcHEsT DEGaEE, to the REPUrAr1-
ON OF this cosntry, ca REPUTA-
TON WHICH CONSTITUTES
.GREAr PART OF HER pow
Err, that this disappointment of the
g hopes OF her enemies should not have
treen purchased by any concession;
that nat a doubt Shoull remain, to dis
tant times, of her determination. and
sof her ABILITY to have continued her
resistance," &c.
Thus we find that Mr.. Canning lust
ly OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, estimates
the reputation of Great Britain for pow
CT so highly, that he makes it the sole
reason why he could not annul the
British orders in Council even If we
did raise the anbargo. He knew that
such asst, would be construed among
the nations Of the world into confes-
sion Of inbecility, or of inability to
support measures which the English
government had declared necessary to
its preservation. Although we have
tsorely suffered by it, although wrongs
f-sapon wrongs have been heaped upon
us, and we have borne them with sim
gular patience, Mr.. Canning argued
correctly. Why do we trust a man
III dealing with him! Because we
coniide in his honesty and resources
for payment. Why, in the time of
danger, do we rely upon the courage
= o! soldier? Because we believe
him TO BIZ valiant. But once DESTROY
that idea of honesty and capability for
payment, that impression Of bravery.
and VIC coaiide no more. The rebu-
fdtions OF the men are gone, aud our o.
pislons OF their value are gone too.
= lset us turn to france. The senti.
ments width we entertain of her OIL.
ganIic military power have been en-.
gendercd and are maintained by the
bulletins Of her battles, by her sena.
torial decreeS, and the reports of her
war ministers. What other evidence
have we of the fact that Napoleon Bo-
napaTFe has under his command one
million Of armed men, than the state
nlents in the French Official newspa-
rers made by authority of the govern
ment? And what evidense exists be.
fore the people Of America that Grea.