Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-02

Inc iater ana still more important
Gas NLessrs. Russell & Cutler have it,
10y tie arrtyalat Philade lphia, of rw,
vessels from France, bringing letter,
and papers lats r tn n those by the a
bove Nvessel-Asnvolve an uucer tainty
IF possible, in still greater doubt. Ye,
it some how or other so happens, ths,
in all this tumble of doubt upon doub,
and uncertainty upon uncertainty. the
papers of this town " full OF notions
to proverb, have made out two alb
solute certaiutie s"--oue totally ire.
concilable with the other. One thar
Napoleon, who says. he loves the
Americans" loves their property still
better and adhering TO the better pur-
pose of his heart, retains their proper
ty---and In fact, has not repealed or
modified mis- obnoxious decrecs>-the
other, that he has In fact repealed or
modified these DEGREES in our favor.
Which of these opposite positions are
true we know not, though we believe
we do know IA much ON the subject as
any man i'm Boston; and upon this
knowledge boldly assert, that there is
not In the place any evidence, sutlici-
ent to authorize man ofcommon ,ense
and common honesty to assert that ell
Their OF The above positions are true be.
yond reasonable doubt.
Wlths-com spectators, as
such have nothing to do but wish,
whepeyer insour power, to furnish the
best posssblc data for fair and honest
merchants to make the ground of their
calculations. We can readily imag ne
that those concerned In the careoes
which have arrived in our ports from
France, might think it convenient to
create an impression by correspon-
dence or reports fabricated for the pur.
pose, that those were the only cargoes
that probably would arrive. But as
Doctor Doubty says, "we may ina
CINE thousand things in which there
is no reality" AS to political specu.
: lahons on this perplexing and still
, doubtful subject, we leave them at
; present to those to whom they i'm me-
diately appertain at Washington--be.
lieving that our rulers will not fail &c
give us authentic Information on so in.
teresting point, as soon as they re.
ceive il from France.
But the Elections--the impressions
made by those things, say some, have
a very important influence in our cleo.
tons. This we do not believe true
to any considerable extent and il
true, fact so shameful to our country
so derogatory to the good sense, indie.
pendence & patrio ism of our citizen.
to bsrindependent, enlightened & pat.
rioic, ought to be concealed from 70.
reigners, and if possible, from our.
! selves
We fraukIy acknowledge we have
been willing every thing from France
i, should wear an appearance calculated
to excite distrus', & even resentment
till her naughty ruler, as he Can an,
! moment he pleases, at breath, give
us reparation for the past and by &
Just and liberal policy give us the only
satisfactory evidence of security foi
the future. The same course we hav
pursued and shall pursue with regard
to England, with this quail 6cation.
J which we conceive applicable to oul
situation and due to the character oil
, the two parties that divide the nation
-Partiallity for France is fluctua,i ns
!, folly thai has nothing substantial to
feed on I'M merica-Partiality to En-.
gland is radical vice that has taksr
deep root, and requires the most con.
slant and caustic applications for it,
cure. The Republicans, as body
may prefer France to England. The
Federalists, as body, governed a.
they are by British faction, certainl,
do appear to prefer England to A me.
RIGA. Every thing they do and say or
the subject Of politics, especially with
reference to our elections, whethe,
from their ostensible head, the hero
OF Lexington, or the urcain who is di IL
led to the double discipline of echoine
their sentiments and distributing theil
+ votes, is calculated to impress the idea
that America is in the wrong and thai
England is right, and " has done "a:
no essential injury"
On this ground British influence
federalism can have no better namc
till it abandoDs itleaders or reforms