Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-30
PHILADELPHIA, May 81.
NON IMPORTATION.

NUN -lMPORIAllON.
Ii our rulers had been sufficiently virtuous
and independent to have resisted the in
trigues and clamor raised by British facti-
on against the embargo, and continued it for
a few months, it would not now be necessa-
ry tor the people of the United States to be
suffering commercial privations of any kind,
much less to have the prospect before them,
which now presents itself, that of either a to-
tai suspension OF commerce, or going to war
to maintain IL with those nations who offer to
trade with us, on condition that we supportour
independence and national rights against the
aggressions of those who dispute them.
These are the only alternatives which now
offer to our choice, and the question is which
OF them 1t is most for our interest to ADOPT,
because fir1UGte interest and not national
principle, is now the scale on which the po-
ntlcal affairs OF the nation is measured, and
the worst OF 1t is, that the private interests of
our rulers are always consulted and gratfi-
ed before the national interests are brought
into consideration.
We have now ascertained beyond all doubt
that Great Britain will not permit us to have
any commerce with the continent of Eu-
rope, unless we can run our ships i'll and out
by stealth, or by arming them, force our
way thlther-whilst we are denied this COM
merce with the continent, it would be mad
ness to repeat the present non-importation
law against Great Britain, because by con-
unuing to import from her and her depen-
denotes, merchandise to the amount of sixty
millions annually, whist in return she takes
from US but twenty millions towards the pay
ment for tit is evident that in a very short
time, we should be drained of our specie and in
the end Hlf'ortation muSf ofRccesSity cease.
his event however has been anticipated.
and the existing law happily prevents nnhor-
Fatton IN time TO /TeSerUe an immense guam
MY u our Stecie 10 tie country, (Which other
zo7Se zvouLd LeUUe IL. But then Great Britain
says, eff you refuse to receive our merchan-
dice; II you viii not carry on disadvanta-
geous commerce with us, we will, besides pre-
venting you as we Go now, from all trade
with foreign nations, also refuse to receive
your produce" Thus will our commerce
be completely stagnated, and the alterna-
tves, as we have said before, are either to
endure 1t, or force our way to the continent.
Ii our commerce was to be Mined 10 O..
Britain alone, the loss of our precious me-
tails, the destruction of the circulating med!-
UNI, the bankruptcy of our banks and mer-
chants, and the deterioration of every spe-
cies of property would be the inevitable con
sequence.--So obvious we think this result
must be, that any American who could pro-
pose to import to the value Of cent from
Great Britain, before she fully and etfectual-
ly acknowledges our right to trade with G.
very nation with whom we are at peace, in
all articles not contraoand of war, can be Con-
sldered no other than a traitor, determined
on the ruin OF the country.-Our commerce
being therefore stagnated, let us briefly ex-
anime our situation, and compare it with that
OF Great Britain, whose measures have pro-
duced it. Our country which embraces all
climates, likewise produces every object
which we require for the comforts of life, and
all the materials necessary for manufactures.
Our national deot, and our taxes, amount
comparatively to nothing; our internal COM
merce, and our rising manufa ctures, are ca
pablo OF affording occupation for ali our ca
pItal, and ample employment for every man
in the country. We have not as in other
countries, surplus population, who, for the
want of sufficient employ nent, are a dead
weight on society. The ranks of our arti-
zans and manufacturers only require filling
up, and have therefore only to turn our in
dustry and capital from one occupation to a.
mother.
If we are driven from the ocean, our in
dustry cannot be annihilated on the land, for
new pursuits are daily presenting themselves.
BY refusing to receive British merchandise
we SaUe the nation annually sixty millions of
dollars, and also increase nployment for the
capital and industry Of our people at home.
England on the contrary, instead of pock-
citing 90 millions per annum from us for her
is now deprived OF that reven-
ne. Her population is so great, that even
with her former extensive trade, she had not
sufficient employment for her inhabitants, who
have or either had 70 become paupers, or 20
into the army to be slaughtered. What then
must be the situation or that nation now that
it is deprived OF cur custom for its manufac-
lures to such an immense amount This
question IS answered by almost universal
bankruptcy in Great Britain
Bad as our situation is when compared with
that Of Great Britain, it is enviablc and the
necessities Of that nation, now so much in
creased by our non-importaticn system, afford
q well grounded expectation, thatif we strict
~ enforce and persevere in It, a little time
will relieve our commerce from its present
shackies.
But if the non-importation law be not exec
the produce of Great Britain OF her
colonies be imported into the country, cit icr
BY smuggling CT by treasury dispensatiOls,
adieu TO our commerce and our independence. J
On future DAY we snail touch on me alt r. |
native Of forcing our commerce to those ma
ions who arc wiling to trade with US.
Aurora.