Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-03-14

position were directed solely against
her and there was a time when the
merchants of the United States, were
clamorous to their government Tor
protection against her outrages. To
those acts OF outrage were opposed
restrictions applying solely TO articles
OF British manufacture, coming from
British ports but before this measure
was suffered TO go into operation, in
juries had been SO multiplied, and di-
rected lii so oppressive, and injurious a
shape, that that would have been but
very inadequate remedy. Two adj
ditional circumstances had also mark,
ed the determined spirit Of hostility
on the part of Great Britain, in the
year 1So7---the one in the attack ofthe
Leopard on the frigate Chesapeake,
and the other in the proclamation of
the king of England of October in that
year, in which he asserted and iustih-
ed the principle OF impressment on
board neutral vessels, and again eniojn-
ed 1t us duty on his naval comman-
ders, to search for and impress into
his service, all who should be consid-
cred as natives Of Great Britain, where
soever found and the execution of
these orders was con6ded to inferior
officers, who, ignorant and insolent,
cared rs little tor the correctness OF
their Discrimination, rs for the feelings,
and distresses OF our unfortunate fell
low citizens, who were wantonly borne
off, into captivity and wretchedness.
Under the pressure of these compli-
Gated injuries, the tenth congress was
assembled, the first In which had the
honor OF seat in the national coun-
ellis.
To this intoIerable state of things,
there appeared but the alternative of
war, or embargo. The latter was re-
sorted to as the least evil. This mea-
sure afforded protection so complete
against the injuries we were subject
ed to, that the American community
seemed almost to have forgotten them,
while the helligerent which had been
most offensive IN enornity & the repe.
tirion of injury, groaned under the in..
huence of the measure, and put in op-
Grafton every machiuation which mer-
camille cupidity and her numerous
friends and adherenis among US gave
her SO favorable an opportunity TO ex.
ert. The British subjects in this
country, the tory interests of the revo-
luton which had remained among us,
the native American citizens who
were the opponents of the party now
IN power, and the mercantile class of
almost every political description,
combined their interests and influence
againsr the measure. The former
classes took an open and decided part
In favor of England. The British So
vereign, valuing himself on this acces.
sion OF strength in our country, and
feeling he effects of our policy, issued
orders ~ the captains OF his eruizers
Offering indemnity and inviting the
citizens of the United States 70
breach OF their own laws, by del parting
from our ports in despite of them,
without the clearance of our CUSTOM
house officers. The national councils,
too confident of the integrity of por.
tion OF our citizens, were lulled into
security, and suffered their indisposi-
ton of the use Of coercion 10 lose to
the country the only wise and eHicient
measure which it was possible TO have
adopted. The embargo was raised
the wants of Britain were supplied
her distresses relieved, andlhe friends
OF monarchy exultingly exclaimed,
that the experiment. oil. republics had
failed. We were pronounced in the
British parliament, 10 be divided and
distracted people, and our government
unfit for the purposes of civil associa-
ton. 1t was indeed crisis of humi.
liation to the friends Of that measure,
TO find themselves constrained 10 relin-
quish it for the alternative of the non.
intercourse, or silent, unqualified sub
mission TO the aggressiops Of the bel.
ligerents. Such however was our 81.
tuation, and we were told by the Eas.
tern irie Ids of the administration, that
they must desert US, and, the repeal of
the er barge would be unqhalified, un-
less we shoult concur in the substi.
tute. SO nearly were parties divided,
thar without It's Eastern friends, the
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