Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-05-04
D Q M E S T C.
From the Baltimore Evening Post.

From the Baltimore Evening Post.
A gentleman, whose daily avocati-
on tends TO the requirement of mi
mute ~ wledge OF the shipping be-
longing 10 this port, lately observed,
that in the list of vessels IL # at various
places in Europe he frequently saw
the names of ships said to be of Ba!ti-
more, which to his certain knowledge
did not belong there. On mentioning
the Circumstance to other gentlemen
possessing similar means of informa-
ton, we fad the assertion strengthen.
ed by the observations of all.
This remark merely brings to mind
anotorious fact--to wit, that hundreds,
perhaps thousands, OF British vessels
are sailing under the American fae.
furnished with American papers, and
claiming those privileges from the go
vernment OF France which belong only
to the bona hde cilizens of the II. S.
as neutrais.
To engross the trade Of the cont.
nent was the real cause of the British
orders in council. They were not in
tended to ope ate against Bonaparte,
but in favor of the British merchant,
at the expense of American CON.
merce what is there cotton, believe,
alone excrPted) which VIC have sent or
could send to the eentins6t which &.
Britaig ill notpermit Her own mer.
chants knd p kneE not of sin
gle ar<sh; but I recohect that certain
London merchants Yade a representa-,
ton 20 lord Bathvet in isvor of an
adherence to III orders council,
because they prevented the Americans
from undsrselling them (thc British
merchants) in these ports of the CONT
nent winch 6 his majesty" solemniy
d. clared to be in state of blockade I!
1t the blockade wers actual, every
Britton contravening its provisions
would be accounted traitor, and ex-
ecuted for aiding the enc Nv, If caueh,
in the fact--bNt, as it fs, a trade to
bioeksded ports openy protected by
the government. PyevAed, the trade
goes to benefit the British subject i'll
an AnHGcan shall Gary the same
soods,s3 the same $lase, ne will com
nit nigh crime lind be liable 60 sci.
zure AID confse lion. 4
This is the Zeal pointSpf view iu
which the British orders IN council
should be considered for such, an fact,
IS their operation. Gao it then be |
that the emperor of France
feels a spirit of resentment on ac-
count of the effects they produce in
Favor of his rival--and, when such ex.
EN- i've impositions are practised un.
Ter our flag, hat the innocent should J
suffer with the guiltyl
The tory prints are continually tel
ing us OF the magnanimity and justice
of tac&ritish governments Where is |
II! Nnthe murder Of our people, the
'tea'thSef our citizens, the plumber oil
our property, and the prostration of
every moral and divine obligation y
Heaven forbid that ary true hearted
American shall speak Of the " magma
nimity and justice" of Boraparte, act |
ug rs he does at present--but is there
not az powerful reasons that he should (
seize British and American property
in his ports, being unable 20 distinguish |
'etwehn them, as that his enemy should
seize American property on the high
seas, bpund TO those very places their
own vessels are permitted to 20 direct
from their own ports, and under con-
voy OF their vessels Of war;
We have lately had very alarming
reports from the continent we have |
hadpany stories with more authentic
appearances, which turasd out to be |
falsef Let us for 4 moment reject.
hat If Great Britain Perssverss in her
orders In council for the sake Of al