Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-03-25
.audi ct alteram hdrfem.
PROSPECTUS.

n rary talents and requirements, or n
wish TO recommend ourselves to favor with
the party in power, we're the motive to
our present undertaking, no occasion esstlol
Roffer better field for defamation than
the conspicuous station and unbaunded
scope of a Prospectus. But as reTher oil
these splendid views originally atrxsctCd,
or now excites Us TO action (; as lr:can-
didly own that we are i'll qualified Erthe
former; and, having no design to- FCaise
Mr.. Madison or to blame his enemies, can
baye no expectation or hope Of the latter !:
we resist every temptation to = brilliant or
noisy Development of our plan, and pro
coed to state, in plain English, what we
intend or wish to do.
Under the simple ard appropriate title
above expressed, we propose to publish at
this, the seat OF Government Of our native
State, Daily Paper combining, together
with local matter and the news Of the day,
q view of whatever may be most interest
ing in the principal newspapers oil the U
States.
We shall trespass On the patience of the
public by adding a few observations 10 show,
first, that such print must, at the pre-
sent crisis, be generally desirable; second
ly, that it will be particularly cominodiohs
to the inhabitants of Richmond and all who
have much communication with this oSnpo
rum of Virginia; and lastly, that our plan
will embrace some peculiar advantages,
not offered by any other print, that we
know Of, in the United States.
/. The prceont is no common crisis.
Peace, and all her smiling prospects, being
withdrawn; her innocent and virtuous pur
suits beng at least deranged, If not total
IA. 10 s.r.i-
mated by patriotic or social principles, can
ow go on, calmly intent on his favorite
studies, or TRANQUILITY ccuPicd by his pro-
fessional duties andaccnstomed avocations.
" The Blast Of War drums in oar ears
the storm. aeSlS every day nearer--the Enc
Iny ass; ffz>.<S rom abroad--and parties,
unfortu N.S< MI He sHudc 20 the Eastern
9tates) ghnited az homo. At such
time, Whsl.tan be so devoid Of sentiment
and feeling as to remain unmoyeds None.
u is q crisis thatNFhp luntarily affects al
classes OF sotfety Band IiAat is He
ners Uhat~is, M%nesVs % is qucsti-
on which all vh2,gf Cut hasten to ask, and
every one that co9'es III IL expected to an
swer. 1t is so thY Interesting enquiry that
we propose to gffe daily respone. The
times demand, %S,HE.1Bcal circumstances
particularly require it.
9. There is no situation-in Virginia, none
in the United States perhaps, where, in pro-
portion to the population, there can be
found more ofgeacrai intelligence and COM
met ciaI activity, ;han in the City Of kich
mend. A disposition in particular, to en-
courage whatever tends towards literary or
political Improvements, pervadesan classes CT
citizens. Hence, together with other IN
situations, evidences of RichmoBd's growing
prosperity, three large Printing Establish
ments find liberal and abundant support
The News papers that issue from these,
however, (wiih the exception o1fkhe En-
quirer for part OF the year, are printed
only twice week ard what, at'this event
ful period, Is circumstance much to be
regretted, they all three appear very near
ly al the same time; so that, twice in each
week, there occurs tedious Interval oftwo
or three days, during which no Gazette APP
pears, to CRAFTY cuiiosity, or relieve sus
Pense. Per,ens whose retired habits dis
qualify them1or busting among the crowd To,
Obtain information, have often fouffi in thg y
sSseEoe Of news, a painful priyation; and
have long wished for the establishment ef
dlgily Paper, to remedy the evil. We be-
''tieve there are hundreds IN this situation TO
1Hhom,such paper would be highly ac-
reputable; and 10 men of business, in town
,or country, whose commercial pursuits
swouldsse so much. aided by access 70 aDai
ly ADVERTISER there can be no doubtSof is
convenience and utility. in peaceful times,
their patronage alone would amply support
it; apd borne With ease on the buoyant
current Of their trade, it would float, light
as a. feather, on the stream OF their pros
perits.
a. r.. - -.
cun.sta noes Of situation, we have now to
point out that CHARACTERISTIC feature Of cur
plan 10 which lie title and motto wc have
| selttted, may be referred OF the many
] Daiy Papers ia Tive United States. not uHe'
| wsbelic1e, is saiisfed to be neutral Each
has espoused the cause Of some party al
Fmits with facility what.iayors the views 81
1 that. and seldom gives rts,ir play" h. Use
!. opposite side This paftiality we are deter
1 ttined to avoid. Ourmotto speaks cur nten
'htion to respect the sentime6ts OK all, anC
the title ~ our paper declares the mod,
We shall adopt to represent them truly ant
fairly. The arrangements we are making
VIII procure us tie earliest notice Of what .
paaajng in our own, and in tho rcghborinG
Mates and we shall be attentive TO u,
I Oracics and the arguments Of Every party
Elf any thing novel or striking iorcfOie o
4 elegantShall any where be said, the Ora
Dor shall be summoned from has favorit
I2Sgtrum, 90 spaak over again, in prescnc
4 * his Political opponents, for the nlorma
ton or amdsem ent OF cur Readers III
Candidates for popular favor shall be CT
] fronrsd, Theis rival eloquenec, Ingenuity