Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-04-01
From me Piftsburg Mrrc-rY,
BRITISH MANIFESTO

The late advices from Europe, among o.
Their interesting articles brings the British
manifesto against the United States of Anne.
RIGA. This document is of great length. is
drawn with much art and ingenuity, intend
ed no doubt for the ediication of his "ua.
Jesfy's friends in .Awerica" It's leading
feature is prolix recapitulation of the e.
vasions and sophistry which characterised
the diplomatic correspondence OF the Bril-
fish ministry, during the period of negocia-
tor But although it throws no new LIGHT
on the great questions in dispute between the
two countries, it is important in one res
pect, as it makes an explicit ayowal of princi-
pies hostile to neutral rights, and to the
sovereignty and independence of neutral
nations.--This explicit declaration of the
enemy will forever put all cavilline on thai
subject at rest, and must, therefore have the
best effect on the great body of the Ameri
can people. Notwithstanding the pretend
ed repeal of the obnoxious orders, which
have been 80 eagerly seized upon by MANY
well meaning men in this country, the enemy
still contends that these orders c1ia,lited ~, q
RIGHT from me crerSisc Of 7chich he zuiR
neUer admit htmSeif 10 be de6arred --AlI
hope ofindemnty for the spoIations COM
mitted under them he Considers NOT only re
diculous for us to entertain but insulting on
our part to demand. Besides he reserves
to himself the right Of renewing them. ac-
cording to his sovereign will and pleasure.
While such principles as these, are dis.
fmctiy and unequivocaRy avowed, the go
vernment of the United States must MAIN
tam its stand. Ii is idle and ridiculous To
talk about fhe retGiiafory system of the bel
ligerents, and to enter into nice calculations
as to who were the first ageressors. One
fact is plain, the refaiiafoY.y orders and DE-
crees OF the belligerents, form a system sub
versive OF neutral rights, to which the citi-
gems OF the y. States have been the innocent
and unoifending victims On this subject
negotiation has been exhausted and the
present manifesto proves, that all hope of a
peaceablc redress of our grievances would
have been in vain. Let redress then be com
manded by the sword. The day of shame
/W endurance IL nom host. 1t is enough.
that we have suffered pilIage and robbery
without provocation or cause that our COM
plants have been unheard and our wrongs
unredressed; and that the tyrant of the
ocean" explicitly avows his determination.
TO renew the nefarious practice whenever
ITS interest may deem it 10 be necessary
Let the belligerents Of Europe now seek to
inJure each other as they may. The Uni
ted States will exhibit to the world the in
,eresting spectacle Of free, powerful, and
independent nation, maintaining their ozyn
rights, under whatever speeious pretextthey
may be invaded.
The manifesto opens with history OF
the French DEGREES and British orders in
council, and ct the American embargo, non
intercourse, &c. consequent thereon, all
which have heretofore been repeatedly bro't
before the public, in the diplomatic CORES
prudence between the two governments. II
prelends to discover, in the course Of the
American negotiations, not the efforts of q
iree and independent nation, peaceably &c
cause its tights to be respected, and il,
wrongs redressed, but an undue subseryi,