Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-09
Summary.
FnoM THE Essex (sALEM) Rrc1srrn.

n
OF Portugal in the hands of the English II is af-
hrincd that General Beresfort, who has been tcrv
active IN the late actions, had reached Lisbon on his
way to England. Conjecture is busy wifi tls ctent
why valuable an officer should be witbdra WIN from
the pubhc service at this crisis of affairs We can
only say that no authority is given for any nre
sent opinion on this subject, which time win soon
explain. The last report was that the Freneh In
stead of their intended junction had marched mart
OF Their forces into Spain, and it supposed sud-
acniy To check some movements in that kingdom
Bnt nothing agreeing with such purpose appears
from the last statements we have seen, IL IL then
probable that the movements of the French cannot
be known from those accounts which have reached
us from Lisbon. The expectation of an action is
rom Lisbon, and appears to be drawn from the
great activity Of the French, and the forces they col
lect on the frontiers of Portugal BY the last ao
counts all the reports Of the movements of the En-
giish are rendered uncertain
In Spain the French have GAINED ADVANTAGES %
Tarragona, under Suchot who has Commanded in !
the spanish province of Catalonia In his letter this
general reports to the French government the s,r
render OF this ancient city. We refer to the letter
for the numbers which have persisted or have been
made prisoners, in the assault made upon this CITY
Wy this event the Frcuch general declares that he
has excluded the English from port nv which they
had communication with the rich province of Cata-
iona. Iarragona has long ceased to enjoy It's for
mer prosperity In the beginning of the last ccntu
ry II united with the capital and declared FOR King
Charles, when the succession was DISPUTED between
,ne Two Houses OF Austria and Bourbon. At that
tmc larragona gave up its keys to the English and
the Earl OF Peterborough obliged the French to re-
tire from this province. In 17I3 upon the peace of
otre'ch 1t was subject to the ruling power Of Philip
V. and BATTERED with some Cistinctions which n;Lt
reconcile it to its fate. Tarraeona did NOT enjoy
good harbor, but some late expenses have rendered
the navigation more safe for larger vessels lisa
bout i've miles from the city to the harbor ofSaIou
IL has continued to be the seat of an Arcb;sbon IN
whom the Bishop of the CAPITAL of the proy;nce was
SUBJECT, and has an excellent country around II
Barceionia is given in ii, &c N l.. and 49, SO E. of
zero. larragona has few minutes less latitude,
and not degree of less longitude General Sucbet
has received high honors from France for this ar
ehieyement, which gives TO France garrison of
$4,000 men. =.
AS the nations of Europe feel interested in the e.
vests oil our tunes, we must expect that they will
embrace with eagerness whatever seems to promise
success TO their affairs We are not then To
wonder that the alliances of France are viewed with
jealousy by England, and that we receive from the
Engsh press such representations as inc ct the tb-
ic wishes. But we have no authority 10 give the
least Importance to the belief that Russia is isosed
10 promote rupture with France, or that any such
ngcet is contemplated IN, the northern nations.
Cn the other hand we have reason to believe. that
from whatever cause, the present arran gements are
matte IN concurrence with the French system ofinter-
rnptlon TO the commerce ofthe British empire And
80 Fny are the different nations convinced Of this
purpose, that unhounded liberty is grant cd in tp,
vessels To make depredations on English commerce.
And 10 sdeh excess is this disposition carried tbat
Is TO be spPrchended that the high seas will be COW
md
disposed to every procedure, il the English do not
lind means by their Deaf naval superiority to nre
ventthe We find che North seas filed with these
adventures, and IN the West Indies they increase
continually. Should no neutrality exist every thing
IS to be apprehended from their vigilance and their
activity.
The late representation of the state of the French
empire to the constituted authorities is very fatter-
rug TO the empire Five millions added to It's popu-
laton with revenue of twenty million of dollars
and an additional extent of coast of nearly thou
SAND miles, with the command of the mouths of the
most valuable rivers in Europe, are advantages not
10 De OFTEN enumerated by any nation, and perhaps
IN such time unexamplcd in the worId-Wbile
the commercial view is not in the consent with this
Doi view oil domestic prosperity, yet the prospect is
rei!e'eu from Tue immense population which is to
maintain these advantages, and TO assist in reclaim
ing the greatest glory of commerce. We need not
pursue the comparison further. They who are de-
sirous OF scizing the enthusiasm of the French
VIII read the proud description of the resources r
france, as gwen by the MinistcriD June last They
viii examine 1t in every part, and will find that the
world arc not dazzlcd ordeuded that Prance roll
y possesses the full resources OF that pre-emncnce
A late paper informs MS that Cardinal Feseb. &c
PRESIDENT oil the Council assembled at Paris IL was
often expressed by some Catholics after the Co,inc;I
oil Trent, as deyout wish, that another Coupcil
might not be called. And many n sober Prostcs
tant after the Synod OF bort was wiling IN hone
mat It would be The last.-fhc history orthesc grea
events Will satisfy the world upon what such senti
menus ulu depend Yet there are Occasions never
contemplated by man, and on these we are willing
ior new experiments which may promise serious be.
netts 10 mankind. Should the union of the church
aud the state exclude all power ia the church not o.
fsnating IN the state ITSELF foreign power could
nave interference under the name ola universal BIZ
shop. Should each state define what the eeIesi.st
cal power should be, without danger oi lnferCerence
rom tovesn power, and should the state modify Il
or abolish u at pleasures should this be the law of
nations, and authorised by the highest sanctions n
might promise an end to many calamitios amono
men.
That the French might not appear inatieniive to
the best interest Of commerce. an assurance s giyon
t'at new attention viii be given 10 THIS object Thai
the contrast might be felt in the finances Of the en-,
pire, we told that the stock is in high advance
That II IN gilt appear that docs not absorb all
their wealth many millions arc appropriated for great
domestic improvements. And that France might
not be Supposed TO have exhausted her military
strength, shc has yet the disciplined thousands Pan
ting for action ,aLd fearless OF I'LL the dangers OF war
Lake the greatest nations Of antiquity, France con-
templates in the plans OF education, new strength
from the military discipline Of children. In truth
such Az enthusiasm IS raised, that whatever We NAV
think ofplie language Of ambition, nothing possible
70 man seems impossible to the French nation-
" AMBITION boundiess appetite may outslesk tho
verdict oi IFS fame Yet while the art, stcak new
discoveries, fnd scenes in the active and mo-
raj powers Of man.
We have no aggravatioi.s 10 add to the domestic
picture 81 dangers from TIC Savsees. late sfate
mcnt respecting The military arrangements of the
Governor OF the illinois territory does not discover
Serious and general disposition 10 those euorritics
~l'ch have given local alr.Ds, aud VIC may ,et en-