Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-01-23

,ereforc might piundcr with immunity. The
'eme impressions direct the British cabinet in
Is inheXiblc hostility and is y-1r upon our
both in character and efec', 'sro't.
homo to the threshold OF our terr,or-' -Four |!
protractcd moderation, wonderful moderation, |
&c. by which he presumed were meant our Fec |
Die contrivanccs for the last three wears, and Of
which. he feared. the reauisition Of 1905 men,
was branch both in spirit and policy, should
still be continued, lie believed it would degen-
crate into something OF a very different charac-
ter, and would receive a very different denomi-
nation from the public.
MIR. Giles begged the senate TO turn It's atten-
ton TO the means Of resistance now sctua'tv in
Canada, which would probably be opposed to
the contemplated force. From the best ;n'or-
nation he could obtain, the British had At this
time in Canada from TO 1900 rcGu'ar troops,
AMI from - to l. 5000 well appointed, we'll sir-
nished militia, drawn from population Of nca"-
y 100000 souls. Etherefore vor troops could
be ready To act in the spring before the b., Ak
ing up of the ice, and before the british could
throw further succours INTO that c0uutrv, It ap-.
poared to him there would be very good en-
ployment for 10000 men in suhdling this force
and population and If undertaken will, fewer
men. failure Of the enterprise would probably
be the consequence. Resides, sir, we should
rccollcct, that Great Britain is the same Great
Britain we encountered in 1775, l776, &c. and
although some gentlemen seemed 70 suppose,
thai she was fully occupied with her European
war that She was impoverished, f;giting for
her existence, &c. &C and oe course had at com
mand very little disposable force, he viewed the
subject very differently.
1t Is true, G. Britain is engaged with = for
midable enemy; but hitherto she has greatly
the advantage in the war. Where has she lost
one inch of territory What acquisitions of
territory and population has she not made, both
in the East and West Indies. What obstacles
is she now opposing to the occupation Of the
southern peninsula by her enemy So Gar from
her population being diminished at home, it an
peared 10 be greatly increased by The last CEN
sus, notwithstanding all the distres.es and STAR
vations we have heard OF, &c. Count the num-
Der of French and English prisoners, and YOU
will find that G. Britain has the advantage of
perhaps ten to one. Her Acct is unrivaled--of
course left more free to act than at any time
during the revolutionary lie therefore
concluded that we should have to contend notp,
with the same G.. Britain, we did then, with re-
novated powers and resources. Yet to this pow
er, IL is proposed 20 oppose only 10000 addti-
oual troops. Mr.. G. said it was uncertain how
long G. Britain might keep her army upon the
peninsula; BUT whenever it shalt be withdrawn
either by choice or necessity, she will have a
very formidable disposable force, in numbers,
skill. and bravery; and whether she withdraws
that army or hot, you will find that she will
command a respectable force for the prot ection
nf Canada, if you wait for the breaking up ofthe
ice, which now envelopes all the avenues of that
country. Time therefore is all important and
not a moment for preparations ought to be
lost.
France, it is true, has astonishingly acgrandi-
zed herself during the existing war IN Europe
but it has been done at the expense of other natl
tions, not of G.. Britain. G.. Britain has had her
| share of the spoils also.
Let us then not undervaluc our enemv. Sir.
this project ofliniting our efforts to 10 900 men,
| seems to be too much upon the plan of a scare
crow, and it appeared to be regarded in that
light by some gentlemen. lie said Great Bri-
| tain was the last nation on EARTH that he would
| undertake to Brighten with scare-erows; be-
sides, even upon the scarc-crow plan, lie should
| suppose that $4,000 men would be better than
| 10000. Mr.. G. said he disliked this project
extremely, from another consideration, which
| IT forcibly impressed upon his mind. It must
evidently have been recommended bv the same
| spirit and policy, which had heretofore relied
! upon the chapter of accidents for success, and
| not upon our own energies and resources. Ii
seems to have been founded or the hope, that
Great Britain would recede without az effort on
| our part 1t is failacious hope The hone it.
self will always defeat Us own objects, by a.
voidIng the means necessary to ensure its own
success. He said, we had enjoyed a long course
w HAS7GN'A'y bh% VIC ought llOI 10
| upon perpetual exemption from the common
| calamities of nations. When days of adversely
| shall arrive, we should meet them with becorn-
ing fortitude and energy. He deprecated that
spirit, which appearedto belonging and whin-
ing after prosperity that is past, as fit feared
to look adversely III tire face. Mr. President,
when adversely comes, you must look her in the
| face; yes, sir, you must stare her out of coun-
tenance you must meet her with Courage, and
with means sufficient TO subdue her Mr.. Pre-.
sident, If after we have been solennlv called TO-
gether to receive communications of great and
"eighty matters and after our meeting, have
been told, that DIR independence is at hazard
that there is actual war, both in character and
effect, upon our lawful commerce, brought home
to tho threshold of our territory that rights
are tramplcd upon, which no independent natl
on can rclinquish, &c &c. when in short. our
wrongs are pointed in such glowing terms, as
TO have set the whole nation on FIRE If, after
all this, We should taper down 10 providing 10,
900 men to subdue such a crisis, would IL not
be q wonderful discovery in the art Of sinking
Would 1t not uadervalue the resources and en-
orgies OF the nation Would it not insult and
deceive the national spirit and expectations
Whether he viewed this subject in reference to
the interests Of the sation, or the party in pow
or, nc should equally protest against this little
miserable policy oil resorting to means so utter
" incompetent TO the objects lie cautioned
the party ID power nOT as he oaen had done be
fnye, against longer sporting with the national
sensIbility, the national character and the ma
tional interests.
Mr.. Giles said, in making the calculations Of
the degree Of force required, the coU,nittce was
prcs'udcd from taking into the estimate anv
auxiliary force to be derived from the militia
because an impression az pcated 10 be almost u
Universally entertained, that congress could not
consiItuiiona!ly command tie services Of the
militia beyond tie limits Of the United States
of course the regular force must be proper
tiUnabiy augmented. lie said aitho' he believed