Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-08-15
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
RIG M o " d,
THURSDAY, AUGUST IS, 1911.


We give in this days paper, two docu-
ments furnished by the late arrivals from
ijngland, of strong and distinct features
The Judgment of Sir William, Scott, in the
kings Court of Piracy, il the cases of the
Fox and others-and the speech ofthe French
Emperor. From one. with the explanation
of Foster. Pickering, the Boston Rebel, Wag-
rer, and other biriseofiiesl omen, we may
gather the policy Of Elsiand--From the o.
ther, that of France.
Both have been the tedious race of diplo-
matte chicancry, and exhausted their inven-
tive powers, in every species of injury and in
suit. We shallnow have something less equi-
vocal than words.
TIE French Emperor demands of us as
condition of our trade with the continent, thar
sye cause oar flag to be respected: and pro-
misses his Corporation in indicating the
rights of the sea.-England tells us tine con-
dition required, is IMPOSSIBLE to be fulfilled.
We have only to avoid entangling alliances,
On one part and on the other to meet Eng
land ON her proper element; and to leave it
with our Rodgers and Decaturs, to convince
her and the world that whatever is just and
honorable, is possible for America.
The affairs of Portugal begin to look as
sadly for England as those of her mcrcenary
army in America. My Lord Talevera and
| OuT SOHlOTC Oh lnC JuillO DIT I<OuuOu,
may soon shake hands without envying each
other their laurels. Bos. Par.
1t is the peculiar felicity of the government
and people of the U. States, that we conti-
nue. uDcommitted in the stupcndous war,
which agitates all Europe, and deeply affects
| the four quarters of the world. 1t has pleas
ed God TO smile upon cur, righteous institute
| ons, in this their early, unexpected and Won
derful trial. May he equally favor the hon
| est purposes of all other nations and give, to
| the peace-loving and prosperous Americans,
| thankful hearts.
| It is believed that it Will not be good for Ell
Their of the belliserents to make an unjust
war upon us. Therefore it is, at this crisis,
of the utmost Importance to us to satisfy our
own consciences and judgments as to the
course, in which we ought to proceed. 1t is
also of the utmost Importance to them.
In performing this high duty, we ought to
keep our minds equally unprecedented by the
| sophistries of foreign governments, and by the
| inCessant tide Of matter which flows from the
presses of foreign nations, within and without
our country, and from those of national, local,
or professional parties among ourselves. II
| is only by our calmly ascending tohigh ground
and taking view from thence Of the great
events of the war, and of the belligerent acts
which have grown out OF them, that we Car
hope to comprehend our situation and pros
poets: our real duties and our true policy.
On the fart otthe gdDernn,ent Of France
/ from the renewal of the war in 1905, until the
date of her alleged retaliatory decree of tn,
| 2lst November, 1906, there does not appear
among the foreign acts, ofwhich copies were
transmitted with the message of thelate Presi
dent Jefferson on the Esd December, 1903
any one single decree or proclamation, exc
cutive, legislative or military, affecting
rights, before that of the 21st Of Nov. 1906
commonly denominated tie French Berlin de
cree. Itappears therefore. thatno antineutra
act of the French government could have lat
any just foundation for any antineutral or al
, ledge6 retaiiatory Orders in Council, on tn
part of G.. Britain, between the renewal c
war in 1908, and the issuing of the BerlinD
cree.
On the hart of Great Britain, several i'm
portant acts occurred and were proclaime
TO the whole world, her allies, her adverse
I ries and amicable neutrals.--Dem. Press.