Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-08-19
IA dollars per annum.l


/ picion, men, even though relations, are not
allowed to visit their apartments, or SIT beside,
them IN public places. Their abstemiousness
| is conspicuous in their couhtenance, which is
pale, Tranquil: and modest those who accus-
tom themselves to exercise, have, nevertlie-
less, beautiful Carnabon. Their eyes are.
biack and expressive, their teeth extremely
! white and regular. In conversation they are.
polite and agi eeable. In manners assuasiyt.
and unaffected. The form of their dress does
not undergo q change, perhaps once in an
age Miiiners, perfumers, and fancy dress
makers, are as unknown as in Lacedemon
The history of their laws supplies sufficient
evidence of the national character. After
the sentence of death may have been pro-
nounced, it was provided by law that the
sentence should not be executed till the expi-
ration of 90 days, in favor of the criminals
defence. This law ha2 existed ninc centu.
res; under it the lives of prisoners had been
prolonged for many years. The Marquis de
Pombal ordered i return of all the prisoners
in the kingdom. The gaolers for a gratuity
had liberated many of them. Among them
was one whose sentence had been passed Sc
ven years, and in that time he lived in the
country and earned his bread very honestly.
Mr.. Murphy says, e The Gaoler now sum-
moned him to appear. He instantly obeyed,
re-entered his cell, and was ordered for exc
cution. But ON a representation Of his con-
duct made to the King, he was pardoned, in
consideration of his punctual regard to his
promise, and the blameless character he
maintained in the neighborhood wherein he
worked" 1t was not an uncommon thing
tor prisoners to remain many years in prison,
and some were employed upon expeditions
in newly discovered countries, and their pit
nishment was ezpiated by their services:
The punishment of transporting criminals
to foreign settlements originated with the Por-
tuguese. mode of punishment, perhaps Of
all others, attended with the most salutary
consequences to the criminal and the com
munity" But another traveller observes.
that the Portuguese are more superstitous
than the Italians, as they converse less with
other nations, and add cruelty to superstiti-
on in the penance, by which they torment
themselves publicly. That they have jea-
lousy of foreigners, and yet the people owe
all the comforts of life to foreigners, as their
European and Indian dominions produce lit
tie more than wine, oil, oranges and gold !;
and they grudge the money paid to osher ma
tons for their corn, clothes, and other mora
necessary commodities. Their industry has
not been well employed, or their commerce
directed favorably to their national interest,
Another situation may remove these evils.
The accounts from France continue favor
able to the hopes of commerce. New ar
engagements continue to be made. Fewer
restrictions ON commerce appear to be con-
templateSi. 1s.d ~rhils neutral trade remains
such, we may hope for its continuance and
| its enlargement But while the French and
| their allies expect some relief from the par
| tial commerce anticipated in the present pa
| cifc appearances with our States, in Eng
land the difference of condition is examined
| with deep interest We are told Of many
thousands from some manufacturing towns,
who have petitioned to Parliament upon the
subject of their foreign relations, and upon
American affairs, and from these petitions
we discover that our non-intercourse is COM
| sidered as deserving serious attention from
the nation. They are not in England with
out their alarms. The state of their finances
requires their best talents. The past diff
culties of Ireland are pressed, when the claims
can be most easily asserted, and the appoint
ment Of the Duke of York to the command
| of the Army, has occasioned many recollec-
tons on the past history of his public and pri-
vate life.
The merit of a Madison, Gerry, and
! Gray, is to be swept away because there has
been several rogues who have pretended to
be friends to the cause of the People. The
| same men would curse Joshua because there
was an Achan in the camp of Israel But
Americans viii not'be surprised, if the great
strength of the nation should attract the am
bition of the worst men in the opposition.
And it will be no surprise if a David have in
his Court Husba and an Ahitophel When
the opposition will shcw us Government,
that has no Hastings in it's Colonies and no
Dundas in its Treasury, we may expect
something to fasten on nation the villainy of
few men, who have not always been in
good company. When Democracy has the
blame Of villainy, Royalty must suffer no inn
parchment. But if thousands viii not count
the waste Of one unprincipled Son of Royalty,
it must be greater sum which must FIX the
exchange in its favor. The change which
would involve millions in the crimes of few
men, must be as malicious as tits wicked.