Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-03-18

iSSoiiSNss w poSsSss riSntSs Dtt Inose Tx It's
must be exercised without offence--or the,
must ee resisted. 1t is the business Of this
country, therefore, 10 seek an amicabe dis
cassion of contested privileges-to listen to
objccuons--and, finally, to modify and com
promise, that the thing commended for NAV
be made practicable otherwise it is good
for nothing. Nls
After all, however, the value of the OBJ
lject IN dispute is the thing as to which we
cah:lidly Confess that we have the greatest
doubts. The question is, What is the actu-
al amount oil tho damage sustained--what is
the number of seamen who take refuge from
the naval CONSUMPTION of Britain in the SER
vice OF American Would the number of
men likely obe annually lost to the coun-
try, under such an Arrangement as would
| satisfy the Americans, And under the most
rigorous exercise of Sur rights, differ in
SUCH degree rs to have any perceptble in
nuence on our naval operations? These are
questions of great importance as it is high.
~ necessary to know how far the object at
issue bears any proportion to the risks and
losses OF the contest: For if it be of little val
ue. then we are qnarr elling foran abstract
principle, a mere theory in the law of natl
ons, which is no way binding On our policy.
We had occasion, in a former Number. to
remark, while discussing the same subject.
| that as nation which raises {, surplus &
! subsistence Tor expectation always ensures
supply tor its own consumption, so there
is every reason to think, that by training a
| surplus number of seamen fol-. the use of o.
! theirs, we shall have always more abundance
tor our own service. The maritime trade
OF the country is the great fund for rccrui,-
| ing our navy; and there is surely no great
reason tor Jealousy or apprehension, because
the supply overffows into the service of o.
Their countries. Ecvery view of the case,
tnen' seems strongly to prescribe the policy
OF Caution and forbcarance in the prosecute
OH Oh TINS Claim and IN any negotiation to
which 1t may give rise, it never ought TO be
forgotten that the trade which this quarrel
mas already interrupted gives bread to thou
sands OF industrious mechanics in this coun-
try; while, in America. it clothes the de-
scrt with cultivation. and extcntls the bound
| aries of rational nature
! we touch but lightly at present on these
| topics ooth because we still entertain a
nope that matters may be accommodated in
such way as to render it not necessary to co
more deeply into the subject-and because
we must return to them i'm another tone and
J another temper. it it shall appear that the
means OF accommodation have been irno-
rahtiy neglected or madiy refused.-It is
impossible to leave the subject, however,.
without again calling the attention Of our
readers TO the unexamplcdand unnatural
| 10Y OF TINS war between men of the same
hniered and tonguc-the only two free
| nations that are now left in the world
and the only two that have a constant. an
eqaai, and AN evident interest to keep well
with each other. On ouropait especially.
1t IS obvious that we have absolutely nc
| thihS whatever to gain, and almost every
tnhiS to lose. IN this deplorabe conflict
ounce the revocation of the Orders in Coun-
ch' therc is really no frincisLe at issue be
ween the two countries. The limits fo
tue right ct blockade are fixed by the law
Oh NATIONS upon grounds that admit of no Sc
rious dispute; and stand declared by our
own living Judges in terms with which Anne
r,Ca Processes to be completely satisfied
| WIN regard TO the impressment of seamen,
AGAIN America does not deny that we have
I'Sht 10 reclaim such men as we can prove
10 De Brush subjects, and owing allegiance
W our Srown; and we do not pretend to
nave any right to impress any who are real
~ ana truly Citizens OF America. The whole
, qu"rrei is ABOUT the proper means Of as
scrting these rights--ofthe substantial value
OF Which, we have already said little
and as to the practical exercise of Which.
we lake 1t to be utterly impossible that tw o
nations, like England and America, can e.
yer cordially agree. The truth is, that there
are very many such cases and that neutrals
ana oeineerents do but very seldom agree
as 10 the regulations by whic h the rights of
war and OF neutralit. are to bc respectively
secured. lhe matter is always practically
adjusted by sort of compromise, under
winch both parties consent to pass from a
part OF what they maintain to be their legal
risht; and things go on, with little grum-
ohhg' tiii the restoration of peace takes a.
way all occasion of discussion.
We are now at war, hewev cr. for the as
sertion OF our own way of exercising those
rights; and have begun accordingly by de-
stroying the very thing for the beneficial pos
session OF which we profess to be contending
| What we claim is right to treat neutroh
IN certain way-to derive what they con-
slider as an excessive adv antage from their
neutrality--and to impose what they call az
unreasonable restraint OH their intercourse
with the enemy--and, in pursuit of this OBJ.
ject, VIC put an end to the very name ut neu.
trality. We convert all ncutrals into oper
enemies and drive them into the cordia
alliance OF that hostile power with whom we
would not allow them very limited com
munication i--Sucll is the object and pre-
text OF the war,--and such its immediat,
and necessary effect.
Other object or pretext it can have none
An erica has 40 possession that we can take
from her--none, we believe, that we haV,
even desire to obtain. We have no hope
therefore, of acquiring any thing whatsoe
yer by persisting IN this contest and we ar
: | at war for the naked and barren power O