Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-10-12

ed banners ct their Country. ms appeal
was not made in vain. For the moment. par
ty distinctions we're forgotten des,
criptiou of citizens. the high. and the low
from the Fast and the West. and from the
North and the South. animated bv one sem
timent, came rushing on; they surrounded
their Capitol. the monument OF their inde>
pendenee. and sworc they would defend it..
or die---AA spectacle was exhibited most
grateful TO the friends Of republican govern
meut. It presented the proudest day which
Virginia has seen since the foundation of the
Commonwealth. -
a few DAYS only. elapsed before il became
necessary 10 arrest by another proclamation
the influx of our martial citizens-And in
desd upon asCertaining the numbers already
arrived, mrltimdes were disbanded--N Nor
were the cxertions'of our fellow. citizens con-
fired within the limits Of Virginia.--Wash~
ingtsn and Baltimore also Witnessed their
patriotism and ardour; and in the defence Of
the latter. they acquitted themselves so no
morally as to attract the attention and re-
ceiyc the appreciation of their Commanding.
GsnevaL ~. 50.
Asthe assembIage of so large force for
the defence of the state had NOT been hntici1
pated. many ct these brave mcn for weeks
together, we're deprived of every accommo
da.;on. With no other shelter than the can
opy OF Heaven, they stretched themselves on
the naked earth encountering every priva-
tivn without q murmur. And were the re.
cords If time to be explored, l know not the
nation ofany age which would bear the palm
from Virginia, for devotion to the laws. sub>
ordination re- discipline, acquiescence under
priva,ions, and distinguished proofs Of zeal,
and patriotism and courage.
Whist candor requires we should admit
hot \
of the last important to the interest and hap
pihess of rur Country and calls for great sa-
critces, bcth OF personal service and money,
yet we may look with confidence to the Is
sue, when We reflect on the character of the,
ATer'can people, who hold all things worth
lesF. when compared with their honor, their
rights and their inGependence--that howe
yer humiliating To- US the conflict may he, in
opposing high'Eiirded and honorable free
mer, to the outcasts of every nation which
conpose the iegious Of the enemy yet we are
ip some degree consoied by the reflection.
that IN this very circums' ance we see the most
Satisfactory assurances OF success hat it
to this be added Union Of Counsel and OF eff.
for (Which happily begins to prevail thro.
this ~dey extended Country, we may hope
without the charge of presumptio,,, that we
have, under Providence, the direction of our
own % .ri-. 3.
Although the state Of things which brought
together the force assembled at this place,
he. somewhat changed by portion of the
enemy's feet having left our waters, yet the
greater part of the militia are still in service.
This course has been dictated bv various
consderatons--yiz :the enemy may he prac.
tising fiDesses; satisfactory intelligence hav.
ing been received that large reinforcements
arc daily exps cted on our coast a belief that
whether he returns or not, it is important to
avail ourselves OF the opportunity WHICH the
occasion presents of imparting some portion
OF drcipline to the trsor,, who upoi, their re-
turn TO their respective Counties would Gems
mur;cate to others. and because, as the LIE
glslatuve was about 10 convene, an oppurtu-
nifty wpnld be presented to the Representa-
tives of the people, 10 adopt such course
as the eXgcncy ot tie crisis night cali for
Whilst am disposed To believe that the
General q, vernWer: feels the strongest dir
position. TIA acquit itself of every obligation
1t owes &c Virginia, vet this it not the time
to be guided by calculating psicy, which
Is ccpteDt with drawing an abstract line,
marking with scrupulous nicely the limits
where the duty Of onr government terms-
mates, and thar of the other begins. On the
contrary it belongs, as we'll to the extra
Ordinary times in which we are called TO act
ast the generosity OF our character, to look
in part TO our own resources. To what cx
tentthey shall be employed. is subject pro
Periy cont!ded to you. Under such auspices,
no doubt can be eutertajned but the result
of your deliberations will be stamped with
energy. With such sentiments towards the
Legislature, may lie permitted to sugges,,
without the imputatiou of sD arrogant intiu-
sion OF my opinions, that the system to be {.
dopted should correspond with the extent of
our means, the power of the enemy with
whom VIC have TO contend, and a conviction
that nothing is 10 be ex, ected but pro.ract.
ed duration ct the war !; for the pursuit OF
the isnis fatnrs Of speedy return Of peace.
if farther INDUCED. viii lead to our undoing.
Independently ofthe ruD,ors thar our Com
piss'cDevs are returning, without having eff.
fecttd ,bs.r object, and thar large reinforce
merits are daily locked for In our waters,
IA reference to the continued series ofag-
gress'~re prac,ised oil US by Great.Britain,
which pro0ucs the war. the barbarons spi-
Tit whic' has msrked its progress, the very
great fol &C she has now at her disposal, the
known ipyeterate hostility she entertaiss to-
wards us and our republican institutions
K, above ali, the character Of her govern.
Eent, watching with the sleeplcss eye OF dis
quietiDg Jealousy, the growing prosperity of
every commercial country all irresistibly
lead to the conclusion, that no rational
ground remains on which to rest the exoec .