Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-07-08

that amiable sovereign-the acceptance o.
the mediation was the true course of pro.
ceeding for it leads, on the first supposition,
to an early termination of hostilities and
OH the secoud, it will completely battle the
cunning of our antagonist.
In accepting the mediation of Russia, there
was no principle relinquished, nor was there
any measure relaxed. The war, ON the con
trary, seems to have proceeded with reinvi-
| gorated spirits. The President appears to
have acted under the impression of that just
sentiment which he expresses to Congress
in his Message, that notwithstanding the
considerations which might lead to a rea-
sonable expectation of peace at 10 distant
period, " it,becomes the wisdom of the ma
" tional legislature to keep In mind the true
"poiicy, or rather the indispensable obliga-
"tior, of adapting its measures to the sup
position, that the only course to that hap
"py event is in the vigorous employment of
the resources of war" Acting under the
influence of such sentiment it was impossi
BILE to err; for, if the mediation fails of its
ostensble object, neither time nor opportu-
nifty viii have been lost. On the other hand,
a great deal will have been secured. The
friendship Of Russia will have been concilia-
ted; and all the Baltic powers, whose inter
ests are so nearly allied to those of the u.
States, will, from selfish motives, if not
from any other, feel an inclination favoura
Bile to our success. At first view it does
not so plainly appear how the welfare of
those powers can, in any degrce, be affected
by the question of impressment. But il we
reflect that the British impress from Ame-
rican vessels not only their own subjects
and citizens OF the United States, but also
the subjects of Denmark Sweden, Prussia,
&c. we may easily discern very near in
terest which those states have in the con-
! troversy. Danes, Swcdes, and others thus
impressed, are never given up. None are
given up, even by the confession OF the Bria
fish themselves, but such as arc proved by
American documents to be American citi.
zens, which, of course, it is impossible To do
in the case ofthe subjects of Denmark, Swea
den, &c. The naval officers of G.. b. would
not presume TO take these Danes & Swedes
out of the merchant vessels of their own
nation; and, therefore, if they are excluded
from American ships, or protected by the
American flag, they will be better secured
in their personal liberty and more easily re
claimed to the peculiar service of their re
spective sovcreigns. Should the mediation,
however, fulfil the wishes of the friends of
justice and humanity, the adjustment of our
differences with Great Britain of CONNER
cial character, will necessarily be promoted
by the progress of our arms in Upper Can
ada. Any one, in the least acquainted with
diplomatic transactions, knows how advaA
tageous it is, at the close of war, to hold
possessions of the enemy, which may be eli
Their retained for unsatisfed claims or be
bartered for objects essential to the stability
and improvement of Government and
Country. Ia that respect we are to presume,
nevertheless, that our rulers will never make
treaty which shall surrender positions that
may deprive us of the means OF holding in
complete check the Indian tribes on the Dor
ders of the Lakes. The inhabitants of the
western parts of the union have suffered and
bled too much to be ever again subjected to
the irruptions of savages whose mode Of war
fare is so repugnant to every idea connected
with civilization. The same motives, like
wise, that would induce a friendly feeling in
Russia and the Baltic powers in case of the
failure OF the mediation, would operate very
strongly to the game eud in the event of its
success. They would, by seconding the
cause of the United States, be cprroborating
their own rights with view TO which we
might expect them to lend their aid in
strengthening our just claims BY all the pra-
dent means within their control.
In thus briefly considering some of the
reasons for admitting the interposition OF
Russia as a mediator. we have thought that
it might in some measure crafty thu reader
if we we're to bring into view the froba6iH-
tieS which lead to the opinion that the inter
ference Of the emperor Alexander will pro-
duce termination of hostilitieS. In doing
this we shall have to run into an historical
episode, pertinent enough, indeed, to the
subject before us, but for indulging in which
we Chiefly rely, as an apology upon the
Circumstance of its being at the same time
illustrative of European politics.
We shall not stop formally TO answer the
objection to the acceptance Of the mediation
| set up by those who, either really or pre-
| tendcdiy, think administration ought to have
waited for the concurrence Of England, The
same pride which prevented her proposing
| terms of peace in her own name, would
prevent her from appearing, in the first in
| stance, eager 70 accept the Russian Propo-
! siton, because that would have led to a suspi-
cion that the mediation was projected in
London: Nor, for the same reason, could
we expect an armistce through Admiral
Warren or any other British agent. 1t
would have looked too much like beEginc of
from the war. Old nations like old families,
generally keep up their dignity more by an
artful Savhg Of GhhearsHces than by sim
cere and frank demeanor.
Whoever has attended to the minor polit-
ical discussions in the American prints, must
| frequently have observed an afcctaton in
] the writer's OF both parties to treat with con
! tempt the events thattrauspirs IN Europe
as having any influence upon their arguments
| IN relation to The concerns of the u. States.
| One OF these writer's will tell you that he
NEEDLES not with European affairs that he
does not interest himself in the policy Of
France or ia that OF England that he is a
| good American, & cordially detests George