Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-10-21

fem, it they were 20 fe within orr harbors
during the night, the constant apprehension |
that some of them were floating down the !
channel, and possibly under their stern,
would keep them in sbch Continual alarm,
that even ii Nelson was TO command in psr-
son he would soon become discontinued i'm
his enterrrize.- A gun-boati is like floating
battery, can move at almost any period,
andthe damage such a machine NAV, do a
hrst rlte man OF war on an tnerftccted onscf,
woald keep up such a CONSERVATION sn board,
Us TO wear down the spirits of ships crew
more efectuaily than dozen real engage
men,s. The British arc par,icularly eau
tous IN BEING exposed to accident aud sur
prise. The small forts opened On Dorchcs-
ter point eifectually drove away the British
feet, and relieved Boston from a state of
siege. A few strong we'll manned gun boats.
which could be set in motion with expedition.
and by watching the most favorable opport,,-
NIFTY, would become more terrific tn n British
squadron lying within our harbors than TWEEN
| ~ filg;ttes-lhe battle of thckegs is olescr;p-
| tive OF the general CONSERVATION which takes
place among the snips crew, when the dam
! ger IS lurking in their own visionary appre-
tensions: every wave would become a gun
boat, and every breeze would be as terrific
as the thunder of a forty-two pound can
non.
The conclusion therefore to be drawn from
the foregoing premises, is, that marine force
composed Of inc If battle skiss, ffra;es, &c.
| would be so inferior 10 the force they would
nave to contend with, thatnnprotecton what
ever would apisc to our commerce from them !;
bat that our scaports would be more secure
from depredations by judicious arrange
| inent of gun boats; as the unceytainfv of
tlClr 70 IL.
alarm among the ships crew (partialarly in
the mght) daring Favorable fidea and sviuds.
as would render this force tss e,,hensi7,r.
more expeditions, more formidable, and n,,re
htcfy TO succeed, than any we could bring
forward. The capture of a gun boat would
Dnt poorly compensate for the risque of losinp
masfby the fortunate discharge of eau
| non, which might take place ut an uncxpeet-
ed moment. IImidity is peculiar trait of
| OF an Englishman': character. He is strong
| IN defence. whcnit depends on enterprise to
effect his purposes. But place him in a stu
alton where uncertainty is prevalent, and he
becomes the sport of the most visionary an
| prehenSops. The Cock-iGue ghost excited
most dreadful turmoil in the public mind :
and the paroxysms of a crazy king, (as an
nounced by his physicians) affects the nation
more sensibly rs to their fears and anticiia-
Hons, than the defeat OF twenty thousand of
! their allies. Uncertainty is the most power
tnl weapon that can be welded against Eng
llshmen. Fultcn's torpedo (whether it could
be carried into operation or not) would fore
yer keep the British from lying long within
our waters 1T the Commodore of the feet,
presumed to brave our lis courage BY disre-
garding the project, yet seven eighths of his
crew would be momently expecting to as
cend in columns Of. fire and birthstone to
wards the region wherein comets and bla-
ling stars perform their portentous eyolu-
tons.
We concluded this nurnberby observing, that
naJy ofJrIgates, &c. would be disastrous
to our commerce; but that the system Of
GUN BOATS as to Internal security, ought
TO DC pursued. The wisdom of Jefferson and
Madison directed us to this point