Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-07-15
FRIDAY, July 9.
THE CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

Mr.. BRADLEY rose, and said that in of
fering to the House the resolution which he
was about to submit for their consideration,
he hoped he should be pardoned any agita-
ticn he might betray upon subject which
had given him peculiar anxiety, and which
was vitality interesting to his native state,
which he had the honor to represent
He said he need not now inform the House
with what devoted eagerness the people OF
that state engaged in the prosecution of the
present war, after it was declared shy the
constituted authorities of the nation. 1t was
sufficiently obvious, from the number of
troops which had enlisted from that state in
TO the armies Of the Union, and from the cir
cumstance that until the enlistments could
be completed, she not only poured forth her
militia but levied tax upon her hardy and
Industrious citizens at home, in order 70 pay
an increase of wages, which she gratuitously
gave to those who marched in obedience to
the call of their country. This, said Mr.. B.
was not done for the mere purpose of de-
fence, but with proud and confident view
to aid The attack and conquest of Canada,
which he was not ashamed to say was one
of the ultimate objects of his countrymen--
an object rendered dear to them by the re-
collections of other times--it was the thea
tire of their former glory-and he could al
most say that'its occupation was the first
and last wish of their souls. 1t was also the
avowed ject Of the government, and he
would believe, notwithstanding certain sur
misses which had lately reached him, that it
was the wish of the great body of the Anne
rican people. He was not insensible to the
changes which time and reverses might
produce. but it was his unalterable opinion,
that when the present war was declared,
there was an almost universal expectation
among the people that it would be conducted
in manner commensurate with the Increase
ed populatiorand power of the countryi Sir,
said he, they did expect and they had right
to expect, that after 10 months, not of mere
preparation, but of downright actual war
fare, and in a contest between population
of seven millions and another of one four
teenth part that number, victory was not
to be a matter Of question. But they have
been cruelty isappointed--instead of Veto
'ry they have met with nothing but defeat.
or il succ. IS has perched upon our unsteady
standard, il has been evanescent, unsnpport-
ed and unimproved. Instead Of that har-
'monY and cooperation which can alone in
sure success, we behold division and par
tial and unconnected enterprise. Instead of
the giant with strong and rapid arm seizing
or crushing his puny adversary we behold
his awkward movements and htful start, !; |
while the pigmy with his sling buries the
paddening and deadly pebble in his brain. |
Instead Of shouts Of triumph resembling thro' |
the country, and making even the walls of
this capitol 10 vibrate with joy--almost eve |
~ paper which is daily laid upon our tables |
teens with somenew tale Of disaster and dis |
grace Mr.. b. said he could not End lar |
guage to describe the melancholy which |
pressed upon his soul when he reflected up. |
on the contrast he could not depict the hu |
modification which he felt in be- |
ing obliged, as he then was, to rise and dis
charge the duty ofmoying an enquiry intothe |
sauses OF these things I; but he knew it to be
a duty irnperious and unavoidable, and with
out the performance Of which he should ne
yer again dare to look his Constituents in
the face. They expected it from their re- Il
and It was morally certain i
that he country expected from the House !,
10 inquire inso the causes, aud il possible ap> II
bly, the remedy ofthe evils which Surround. I,
ID them. If this is not done, said be, if tbs