Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-08-26
FnoM THE AURORA.
SHALL WE HAVE WAR oRpEAcE,

y
Were this question to be answered bv the peon,e
of the United States they desire and as it would he
answered, dill it depend solely on them-it woul,.
be peace. The administration and the pco,,. on
this subject speak the lang,a,re-peace IS the
desire OF all Unhappily for u.s. more depends on the
will of foreign nations, than onw government
-whic! nations France and England 10 particularly
appear to nave had views toward their own asgrhn-
dizement, aud to the injury of each other, which
have induced them to encroach on our RIGHTS and
commit acts in direct contradiction TO the rights Of
all neutrals, and the known and acknowledged laws
oi nations. Zach has, IN turn, intringed on our
rights; each has seized on our property and con-
fiscatedit, under the pretence of breach OF snecia
orders, or DEGREES of their own formation: which
orders and DEGREES, being in themselves unjust and
arbitrary, contrary to all neutral rights and unad
mitted by the laws of nations we consider as unjust
and illegal.
Shelving no partially or favor to either of the
oGhserehtsi out on the contrary, using utmost
enorts Tor the preservation of peace and Justice
we have been lawlessly interrupted in the ockpowI
eyed right Of trading EACH in articles not eonta-
band OF war this has certainly formed lust cause
ci complaint on our part, and has been comDained
OF but to De told BY either OF these powers, that we
sum hot trade 10 The ports OF its enemy, is in plain
language, sayins We shall not enjoy the rights Of a
neutral nation and when repeated, that We shall
enter no port an Europe, where the fa- of the pow
or SO interdictmg us, is not freely admtte& il more
t'an strikes at our neutrality, it aims at our inde-
oil base subseryicucy to the will of such nation
This is precisely our present situation.-Ena,and
says We may visit her ports, we may even carry
provisions to SPAN and Portugal to supply her ar
sy anu her shes' put we shall not enter port Of
France, or of aa ally of France and that if we AT
tempt 1t, we shall forfeit the ship aud cargo Nor
is tins an Ilie threat intended TO intimdate1s ~
Ia" IS IA force, aud the late condemnation of more
Ih hity vessels and eargocs destined for the con-
unent OF Europe, is forciblc and undcniabIe
proof.
submit to this, and con6ne all your commerce to
the ports OF England, or such other ports as s,e
rom ''me 10 time- according to circumstances, may
gl.Ii't you privilege TO trade to and Won NAV have
peace, granting her at the same time the righf IN
intercept any vessel bound to any port. 10 which
PERMISSION To go to has not been previously GRANTED
anh To cohiiscatc the same for the benefit of The
% p.o'S' QUA are the terms on which we may have
peace on no Others will England grant IT, To
ENJOY IT. we must enter into stipuIations to renounce
all intercourse with France Holland Prussia. Den
marx, sweden, Russia, Italy, and the ports of Spain
Wneic tue brush cannot 80. How long this uduI-
sshce would be continued to us is uncertain; bot
inc strong probability is that should We Cor s.L
VI peace summit 10 this, year would not pass o.
yer until we should be required to admit freely eve
y species Oh goods manufactured in England and
pr,,Io II, tiS course OF another year, we may be
eaicu on 10 submit 20 the revival OF former reon,
lation, which forbid us when colonies TO transpor,
rom ono state TO another any article that might he
nlahaiactnred IN such state. And by extending this
Pl"oPe, Hlieady acted on in the interruption of
our coastDg trade, alittle further IL may be reo;
co mat VIC destroy our Sitting and rolling mills our
Sl'p'nhY inhs and Jcnnys, that VIC dismiss our wca
FcFs anu break orr looms. This is not ton much to
suPPose-lor that nation ,rows well, fshc can ca
joe us so Far as thst shall submit 10 her -e,,,,l.
"uon VI Uir external commerce, IL will require but
niue more cunning on her part to persuade ne d,
submit our municipal rcgnlation 10 IIer peiidanee-
s'u lot ts object II would appear she Is rrcfarin
reu ncghnofs TO The souiwaid slew by their
P"ts lot "ar-strIngs OF war wampum pass from M
ZION 10 nation. Ia the north west VIC find A. T.
hoise' loot aad artillery, have already arriyedan
.. .s t,me when we are sleeping, not on Our arms,
70, H'tnput arms ~ TINE too when the utmost
cNeftOns OF the British is not sufficient 10 keen The
ranks OF tbeirarmies filed which are aiding St,in
ana Portugal, with Tie view Of keeping the enemy
from thojr own door
, WITH tlds view Of things, think may safely say,
'he answer 20 the question of peace or war dc.
penus not upon MS, but the will Of the British
ministry Their agent here has already called on
Us 10 repeal our laws, and admit British Danufae-
lures, TO interiiet oar commerce wiltshire CONT
nett save the supplying Of provisions to her armies
~ pain ana POrtugal-that we will II least dismiss
y not hang, captain Rodgers for presumn to return
me are Of the Little Belt. How much more has |
been required by hun, cannot say, but the proba
nhty IS, more has and roueh more will be- sbould
.ne above bc granted Refuse TO cempiy, aud the
lrong probability Is, The question will be decided
lot by US, but By the of Great Britain Tbcv
VII thunder var in our ears Aud how are We pre-
~rcd u repeln How stand our frontiers and 4
'pr sea-boaFd Are they IN state to resist or re-
lei AN attack IL they are, alt may be well II
ney are not, more injury may be done in week,
nat cen he repa rcd in year. Prudence saws we
'ught % look TO ~, aud IN time see ali is In rcadi-
'ess To be we'll prepared for an attack is the
'est mole 70 keep an enemy at distance; weak
less invites the foe With preparation 10 resist.
'rInness TO oppose, and resolution 10 maintain our
ishts, we may retlip tie DOW or 10 ,l;snute tie
"csuon-~hether hshaIl be war o. peace