Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-10
From the (BOston) YAsxER.
NEUT r AL TRAD T.. Z

r -. H.
NE ULTRA L TR AID E..
In our last we published law OF the tate
Congress, entitled :" IN act 10 hrohi6b s1uc
rica's .pessefs from proceeding 20 ortradirg
with the enemies Of tie Uliitsq iSsdtes, and
for other flttrhoseS."
The former part of this law, agreeably to
the import of its title, prohibits all inter,
course with the enemy by SEA and land, by
WHICH he might be supplied with provisions,
or thepuintio1s of war This prohibitionis
consistent with the usages of war. Whether
founded in sound policy. or not, hc.prohi5i-
ton is rendered migratory by the ia section
of the same law, which enatts- ~.
"That no ship or vessel belonging to any
citizen or citizens, subject br subjects of any
state or kingdom in amitysYith the United
States, except such as at tue passage of this
act shall belong to the CITIZEN or citizens
subject or subjects of such.state or kingdom
or which shall hereafter be built int the limits
of a state or kingdom in amity with the u.
States, or purchased.by a citizen or ctizehs.
subject or subjects of a state or Kingdom; IN
amity with the United States aforesaid, from
a citizen or citizens Of the U. States, shall be
admitted into any port or place of the Unit
ed States, unless forcedby stress of weather,
or for necessary repairs; and any ship or.ves-
! sci, belonging to citizen or citizens, subject
| or subjects of any state or singdonl Ia anftY
| with the u. States, as aforesaid, except such
| ships and vessels as are above excepted,
| which shall, from and after the first day Of
| November next, enter, or attempt to enter,
any port or place aforesaid, the same, with
her cargo, shall be forfeited to the use of the
| u. States"
| The Virginia Argus, by way OF Comment
on the above provision, says
eve regret that it is not in our power at
| present to give the information required re-
lative to our future intercourse with friendly
nations. We publish in this days paper a
law having some bearing on the subject, to
which we refer our correspondent the o.
Their laws passed at the last session of Con-
| gress will no doubt reach us in a day or two,
and shall be immediately published. We
| will, however, observe, that it seems 10 be
the general opinion here, that American yes
sells and those sailing under Spanish, Portu-
guese and Swedish flags, may transport to
these countries our produce, under certain
restrictions. Indeed, we hear that vessels of
this description are taking cargoes at the
northward; and Portuguese vessel now in
port, we understand, will commence loading
shortly. Should this be the case, our enemies
will be literally supplied by us, with the
means of carrying on the war against us as
they please, with but little Inconvenience to
themselves! and the war, instead of being
terminated in or 6 months, may Continue
as many years"
This clause ofthe law in question, purport-
ing to regulate our trade nth nations Gin
amity with the Y. States" appears to 10 to
be liable to other and more weighty objecti-
ems than that urged in the Argus-tAe sup
l Of he 81,
ments inagriculture and commerce, and SO
far has ayarce gained an ascendancy over
the savage spirit OF revenge, in the modern
world, tltat die idea OF starving nation has
become as tdtifeju practice as it's barbar-
GUS in theory.
Our objections to this law, or rather the
neglect OF a law for the occasion, are
1st. There is no estate or kingdom in a.
nifty with the u, States" which has in fact
a neutral character, and the ability to main
tain its rights as such. Instead, therefore, Of
friendly independent nations with whom we
might reciprocate an honest intercourse
neutrals will be but another name for British
licenses. =
ID. The object of the war must either be
lost or changed, if this humiliating procedure
OF conceding our rights to the enemy under
80 NS1~ PNi'S PPN anu VI nations
ia amity with us, is not corrected The
avowed object of the war is, the honor of the
American hag-the rights and legitimate
proht OF American commerce. One of the
obvious effects ofthe act in question will be
the denationalizing Of our fag-another, tc
turn our commerce into channel where i,
will be not only controlled but contaminated
at its source, and in all its branches by the
very nation against whom we have waeod
war for its protection. thrift and honor.
Sd. There is a strong objection to the Drin.
cipc and policy of this speciou5 favoritism tc
nominal hcutrals, as it regards our shipping
interest. BY combining our trade to Ameri
can vessels, manned by American seamen
the ship owner or freightcr would hav,
found it for his interest, and the mariner
employed would have furnished the means
to defend The rights OF the American fac
Instead Of honesty, arms and American va
lor--torgery, false swearing, reuegadoes. ar,
the despicab!s instruments 60 Which our n,er
chants are invited to resort, if they wish I,
find employment for their shipping, or t,
participate with England in the carrym,
trade of our country.
Such things ought not TO be. Upon sucl
terms, we should apprehcnd England woulC
BE- willing that the war should be perpetu
al
These are our Impressions upon the sub
ject. IL is certainly a subject in which to,
| nation, and partcu!arIythe ccmmerCiaIpart