Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-09-14

in this City is another act which comes ne.
cessarily into view. Inths wars of modern
Europe, no examples of the kind. even a.
mone nations the most hostile to each other.
can be traced. In the Course of ten years
past, the Capitals of the principal powers
OF the Continent of Europe have been con
que,ed. aud occupied alternately by the VIC
toricus armies ofeach other, and no instanc.
81 such wanton and unjustihable destruction
has been seen We must 60 back to distant
and barbarous ages. to find parallel for the
acts of which complain.
Although these acts Of desolation invited.
II they did not impose ON the Government,
the necessity Of retaliation yet in no instance
has II been authorised The burning of the
village OF Newark in Upper Canada, poste.
ror to the early cottages above enumerated.
was not executed on that principle. The
village of Newark adjoined Fort George, &
us destruction was justified by the officer
VINO ordered 1t. on the ground that It became
necessary in the military operations there.
The act however was disavowsd by the 90.
'yernment. TIE burning waich took place
at Long Point was unauthorized bv the 90.
vernment, aud the conduct of the officer,
subjected to the investigation of a military
tribunal For the burning at st. David's,
committed by stragglers, the officer who
commanded in that quarter was dismissed
without trial, for not preventing Il.
am commanded by the President dis
tinctiy to state, that il as little cpmports with
any orders which have been issued to the
military and naval conan rderg Of ;he, Uni
ted States, - it does with'the established &
known humanity OF the American nation, to
pursue system which it appears you have
adopted This government owes Il to itself.
to the principles which it has ever held "a,
cred, to disavow, as justly charSe4ble to il.
any such wanton, cruel and, anjusti6ebIc
warfare. = 4 q =
Whatever unauthorized irreguiarity may
have been committed by any Of its troops,
would have been ready, acting on taese
principles Of sacred and eternal obligation,
90 oisavow, and, as far as might BE- practica.
bic, to REPAIR. but id the plan of desolatine
warfare which your letter 50 explicitlv
makes known, and which is attempted to- be,
executed on q plea so utterly groundless. the
President perceives q spirit of deep rooted
hostility, which, without the evidence of such
facts. he could not have believed existed. or
would have been carried to such an extre,,
nifty.
For the repatriation of injuries, Of whatever
nature they may be. not sanctioned by the
law OF nations, which The military or naval
force of either power may have committed
against the other, this government will al
ways be ready to enter into; reciprocal ar
Engagements: Il is presumed. that your 90
'vernment will neither expect nor propose a.
ny which are not reciprocal;
Should yonr government adhere to q syss
TEN OF desolation, SO contrary to the views
and practice of the United, States, SO revolt
ing to humanity, and repGsoant TO the sen
ument and usaeas of the civilized world
whilst twill be seen with the deepest re-
greet. y must and will be met with deter
m'nation and constancy becoming free
people, contenalng in just cause fo- their
essential rights. and their dearest interests
Ihaye the honor 10 be, with great consi-
cera,ion, SIR. J our most dbedient ngfnb.e ser.
saiit, - ::
{sigued3
!, las MONROE.
Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane.
Commander IN Chief of H. B. Ma
jesty's ships and vessels, BIC.
We are happy to have it in our power to
state, that the President has conferred the
following Brevef commissions for distinguish.
ed ard meritorious services in the Army of
the u. S.
Brig: General Gaines, Aug. Is, Major.
General.
Capt; D. Ketchum, asth infantry. July
25th, Major.
I'd 1t. z. B. Randolph, Goth Infantry, July
IS, Lieutenant. sf-.,3,
Capt. T: BiddIe. jun. corps Of artillery.
Aug. Is, Major.
Capt. A. G. w: Tanning. corps of ArtH
lery, Aug. IS. Major.
!. Capt. B. Birdsall, 4th Rifle. Aug. IS. Ma
iorc -.
LIST 1t. N. fl. Hall, 2lst Infantry. As.is.
,ant Inspector General, August is, Cap
tain. =
:, Capt R. Desha. oath Infantry, Aug. 4,
-Ma.. Is.
TO THE EDITORS
49, CONCORD. IN. H.1 Sent 9. N