Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-12
Summary.
From run Essex CsALrm) Rro,srrs.


tnucd hostlites, aud Of the serious prosecutions o.
the war in Spain aud Portugal The positions Of
the aITnics are 81 little KNOWN aud ostcr changed,
that frequent accounts arrive OF battles fought,
AID advantages never gained, aud we may imputc
these mistakes &c often 60 the imperfect statement
rs to any cause whatever. We may expect some
important acton, but NOT probably til The French
have accumulated an overwhelming fcrcc, BY which
they may hope for, great action The first com
inander In tins campaign ct the French army i st
PARIS, as Is ono of the British Generals in London,
aud the pubic mind has been divided upon the course
of these visits vet nothing has transpret which
explain the purpose to he accomplished nv them
Accounts continue TO arrive which prove great blood
shed, tho each army agfavates tue loss OF the other
beyond as own. Great display is made OF adyanta-
gcs gRincd the scattered forces OF the French
IN different parts oil Spain, h. which the French su
Ger repeated losses OF men, without any essential
change ia the state of affairs in Spain, willie Ike
French enblazor their victories at the points which
they direct their most powerful operations Oar At
tenton is directed towards Spain and Portugal IS 20
the seat OF the war, in other part of the
uncut does war appear to be contemplated. In
sneh parts Of Europe rs are united to the French
Empire, che least resistance is checked at us first
appearance, and re:uonstrarce ut Geneva against
the commercial arraue cments OF the French has been
resisted ut the moment by the sovereign auiari-
ty OF the empire. Some notices were given ofsome
local discontents in Genon, and ofa supposed comb
nation with the British, but event has been repor-
ted which agreed with the magnitude OF such com
bnation Ii is difficult to conceive of such striig-
gle OF interest and policy with small resistance,
especially when the authority is fore;gn and the oh
ect Dterfcrcs with all the habits of commercial
tons. Yet hear of such appearances in the HaRce
towns as give an assurance of q full compliance. A
new commercial establishment is mentioned i'm Hol-
land. New routes of commerce arc found upon the
Guph of Venice. The departments Of Italy are in
tranquility ard Naples is quietly submitting mi
litary government the more surely TO direct the o.
perations, while the continental domioions OF that
crown arc separated from the neighborinp island
ar1 in af - 0f hoefitteS (eh hove
that the powers in Europe, and the countries not
cupied by British troops, are not aequescent as the
conquered m'tions What might be their choice in
other circumstances, is not questions but in the
present circumstances they prefer consent to rcss
lance. 1t said that the king of Sicily has resented
public account that he in 2 negotiation with
France respecting that island. But that island is
held by British and not native forces Noresistance
has been made in Russia. The French are in the
Pruss!an ports, the Danes are armed in defence of
their coasts against England, and the Swedes
The French have not abandoned their influence
in more eastern countries. They hold a powerful
influence in Turkey, which has been an object Of
Jealousy TO Russia as well as England, They have
lately had communications with Persis, and hear
OF presents to this court by the Persian Gulph.--
They have been suspected by the English as having
intended an establishment in Arabia ITSELF & the En-
giis travellers have discovered this jealousy by i'm
putations which time has otherwise explained.
On the otherhand, the English, soyereighs at sea,
have been viewed with jealousy Of this power by all
yered every expedent render this unrivalled pow
er of England vieilant. Commerce, no longer safe
to other natonA has given place to predatory expe-
dtoas and adyenturers, that the nation which
find no opportunity for equal combat can hardly
find ACTIVITY enough to prevent the endless articles
to oirenmvent ity And these sdventurers multiply
the public wants of each commercial people may
nsdgatc them
I'm regard to own states, hopes o. neutrality
were never less. The event OF al our negotiations,
the policy othe British orders still pursued, aud the
late event on the ocean between ships of America
and Britain, combine to increase Just alarm. The
public apprehensions and preiudiccs make continu-
of peace still uncertain, and the hostile
preparations which are announced, aud which are
made to depend upon explanation not easily made
satisfactory to jealous nations, increase the dangers
of war Thoprcsent state of Europe also makes 2
decision which might involve even safe
and honorable, SHOULD the terms Of peace he repro
bated by any nation. So that upon the whole we
must lock 10 the wisdom which guides natl
ON for the event, which is to fix the condition of
peace or war for the American people. The pre-
sent state Of Europe has prevented the Interference
Of the beigeIcnts ia our continental affairs, and we
learn that the independence of one OF the provinces
Of South America has been declared at Caracas,
and that il probably Involves the design among
its c,hbcrs. The military operations continu-
ally yielding TO civil arrangements, and we hope to
hear that instead OF war, the late colonies Of Spain
are forming plans ct government for their future
prOsDcritv. The English, Who hold the sOyercivI'tv
Of the West indies havc found their colonies Tauoh
interrupted by the adventurers who trouble these
Seas and the apprehcnsions for the domestic tram
guilty Of the islands have been accompanied with
some reports Of serious Instructions As the OK
tent OF these evils is doubtful, must wait Gil these
things are better explained SkOuid new causes
combine TO weaken the English in tie West Indies
VIC suspect that these evils in the West Indies viii
Increase and provide for great revolutions in every
portion Of America
Humboldt, who las favored with Tic hest view
Of New-Spau, his not been nattentiye Ca The con-
ruuuicati0ns which America viii adnut between tho
Greet Ocean aud thc AtlsnticIIe hps noticed thnt
\ the nearest approach OF Tho two Oceans is not ~
1 Acapuco on The Great Ocean, or Vera Cruz on the
| Atlantic. The distance be gives between Mexico
city md Acapulco is gQ7, 6ji feet, and from Mexico
/ to Ncn Cruz little above million feet. The dis
| tarce be gives between Acapu,oand Vera Cruz, is
! giveu Fl one hundred lcagacs. This ingenious Oh
! server hrs marked uine points ~ which eommuuca
| tons between thetwo Oceans have been contempla
ted. IN 81 dcg NJ LIT. thc river OF cacc approach
rs TIN seven icaeues of river emptyinE into tht
\ Great Ocean, supposed 20 Lc Columbia river o
usr places invite attention. iu drsc iatitrjcs In Il
I r.. Tat. tie ryer North, which cinptcs INTO Cd,
! Quinn oi icsitO has So sources about - leagues
! from the Coioured .I;ci5 which cmpuca ito N,
/ Guiyh NJ Cbhoii g.. ~ 20 N. Iat.rrc rivers vhci
| ~Hh Is Canal ct about leGtnes, might orcu 600
( thor communication. A road las been actually q
| pcaed, snd aa sctvc commerce oLtsircd \ lOurtl
/ has boon proposed by thc Lake eli Nicaragua.
| f<h Gi fhr iHtmCs cf Panama. tbs htslccn p10
/ pasei d. Locks ,,rl Csnss. Tbs GG oljCs uiicl
4 t..lf tlis arp.oach ri tie two Oceans, aud a.,
\ mprricst information lave On the subject, an
/ .lig d3Hsyed ~ tbc w.5tcr. The sixtii Il CgTir
1 by. From ibis b.J is pass n aLout5 leagues O