Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-09

i
4 tory over larger body of them, gained a
der the immediate command of Major &c
jackson an officer equally distinguished I,
his patriotism and his military talents.
The systematic perseverance, of the eAem
III courtingihe aid of the savagcs in all quar-
tiers, had the natural effect of kndIing thei
rtlinary propensity to war into passion
which, even among those best opposed tow
ards the U. States, was ready, if not EN-
| ployed on our side, to be turned against us
departure from cur protracted forbenr
| ance TO accept the services rendered b,
| hem. has thus been forced upon us. But
in yielding to it, the retaliation has been mi.
! tigated as much as possible, both in its ex
tent and in its character, stopping far short
ut the example of the enemy, who owe the
advantages they have occasionally gained
in battle, chiefly TO the number of their saw
age associates and who have not controll
ed them either from their usual practice of
indiscriminate massacre on dcfenceless in
habitants, or from scenes of carnage with
out parallel, on prisoners to the British
arus, guarded by AL the laws of humanity
and of honorable war.
For these enormities, the enemy are e.
qually responsible, whether with the power
tn prevent them they want the will, or with
the knowledge OF a want of power they still
avail themselves of such Instruments.
In other respects the enemy are pursuing
a course which threatens Consequences most
afflicting to humanity.
A standing law of G.. Britain natura,izes,
as is well knowE, all aliens, compiling with
conditions limited to a shorter period than
those required by the u States; and natural
lied subjects were. in war, employed by her
government in common 9th native subjects
In contiguous British province, regulations
promulgated since the commencement of,the
war compels citizens of the u. States, being
there under certain circurns, anoes, to bear
arms; whilst OF the native emigrants from
the U. States who compose much Of the po-
pu!a'ion ot the province, numbei have &C
tually borne arms against the u. States with
in their limits some of whom after having
done so, have become prisoners of war, and
are now in our possession.--Ihe British
commander in that province, nevertheless,
with the sanction, as appears, of his govern.
ment, thought proper to select from Ameri-
Can prisoners OF war and send to G. Britain
for trial as criminals. a number of indi, iduals
who had emgra ed from the British domini-
ons long prior to the state IT war between
the two nations, who had Incorporated them
selves into our political society, in the modes
recognized by the law and the practice Of
war, under the banners of their adopted
country. fighting for its rights and its safety.
The protection due to these citizens re-
quiring an efiectual interposition in their be
half, like number Of British prisoners of
war were put into confinement, with Motif
cation that they would experience whalever
violence might be committed on the American
prisoners Vt war sent to G.. Biitarn.
1t was hoped that this necessary conse-
quence OF the step una,i visedly taken on the
| part OF Great Britain would have led her 20
vernment TO reflect on the Inconsistencies of
i,s conduct, and that a sympathy with the
| British. il not with the American sufferers,
would have arrested The cruel career OPEN
| ed by its example.
| This was unhcppiiy not the case. In vi
| olation both of consistency and OF humanity
| American officers and nun commissioned
] officers, in double the number Of the British
| soldiers confined here, were ordered into
! close confinement, with formal notice, tn at
| iii the event OF retaliation for the death
which night be inflicted on the prisoners
OF war sent tt Great Britain for trial. the
officers so confined would be put To- death
| also 1t was notified at the same time that
! the commanders of the British fleets and ar
| mes on our coasts areinStructed, in the same
| event TO proceed with "A destructive severi-
| ty against our towns and their inhabitants.
That no doubt might be left with the en-
| envy of our adherence 10 the retaliatng re
| sort imposed on us, a correspondent num-
| Der of British officers prisoners Of war in
| our hands were Immediately put into close
| confinement, 10 abide the fate OF those con
| fined by the enemy and the British govern
ment has been apprized of the determinati
! on ct this government, 70 retahate any other
4 ~.
| innate modes of warfare.
( 1t is as fortunate for the United Safes that
they have 1t in their power to NEE. the IN
eny in this deplorabe contest, as 1t is hon
| orable To them, that they do not join IN it
but under the most impcrious obligations,
! and with the humane purpose OF eliectuas
| ting return to the established usages of
| war.
The views of he French government on
| the subjects which have been so long com
mitted TO negotiation, have received no elu
cidatIon since the close of your late session.
The Minister Plenipotentiary of the United
States a. Paris hadnot been enabled, By pro
per opportunities, to press tie objects of his
mission, rs prescribed by his Instructions.
The militia being always To be regarded
as the great bulwark of defence and securi
~ for free states, and the constitution having
wisely committed TO the national authority
use OF that force, as the best provision
galnst an unsafe military establishment, as
well as a resource peculiarly adapted to q
country having the extent and the exposure
OF the United States, recommend to Con
gress. a revision Of the militia laws for the
purpose of securing, more effectually, the
services of all detaehments called into the
employment and placed under the govern
ment of the United States.
1t will deserve tie consideration Of Con.