Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-11-30
FROM A HALIFAX rApER,

London Paper.
FROM A HALIFAX PAPER,
American Har. Reflections bear with |
more than usual weight in thess even,ful
times. when. every day brings intelligence of
some new disaster and they are still more |
deeply impressed, when combined with such |
feelings as were excited by the mnurnful
ceremony which consigned to an unsimely
grave, the body Of major general Ross-one
OF our best commanders brave, active, -en.
terprlslng. and experienced highly distin
guished among those heroes who effected
the dellverance of Spain, aud who first in
spired that spirit which enabled the powers
OF Europe to break the stackles of almost
universal slavery An officer so much res
pected and beloved by the troops under his
command. and so fully possessed of their
confidence that no danger or difficulty could
deter them from cheerfuliy following where
he led the way. Is it possible to witness
such solemn scene to see the silent tear
steal down the manly cheek OF his veteran
brethren. and mark the general expressi.
ons OF unfeigned sorrow without asking.
with anxious apprehension, whether the war
forced upon us by America is entered into
with means proPeriioned to its magnitude.
and conducted with that ability and vigour
which may lead Us to hope it will be homo
rably and speedily terminated :; tits painful
to be Convinced against our wishes but no
satisfactory answer Can yet be given to the
first question Sand recent events. added To
preceding ones. o5lise Us to acknowledge,
that where our greatest force is stationed
we nave least reason to expect success
1t IS understandable with what perverse
infatuaslon cur ministers at home ever have
rejected, and still continue to reject, the
proper means of acquiring knowledge of
the American character and country they
appear tobe at this moment equally AS igno
rant OF both, as at the commencement of The
| revolution. At Liat time. if the force sent
over IN small portions, with long intervals
between, had been sent at first, with gene.
rats of acknowledged ability and experience,
Jealous IN the cause they undertook to serve.
andprompt in execution; the revolt cf hose
Colonies would never have ended in their
Complete separa ion and independence. And
now that war is declared against us for the
express purpose of forcing us 10 give 40 mr.
dearest maritime rights, and began by the
| invasion ctthe Canadas; they, with such An
example before their eyes, continue In the
same course Df feeble easIres and pettv
efforts. following each other at such distan.
ces OF time as to destroy the efficacy of all.
Great Britain never was engaged in a
contest so warmly and generally approved
by all classes OF her subjects: at peace with
all the WORLD beside, and in the possession
k,of a larger disposable force than ever she
had before; while the Americans. are diyi.
ded anon themselves, distracted in their
councils, inadequate In their resources !:
with anaraiy comparatively small FOR their
occasions, ill appointed, and in general COM
manded by inexperienced and incompetent
officers; and without single ally to give
them the least encouragement or support.
Underthese circumstances, what has been
done on our partl On the one SIDE, it is
true, that navy is fitted out, of sufficient
force To blockade the whole coast of the ene-
| my, and has, generally speaking, effected e..
very material purpose of blockade. But
when anything of more actively offensive
nature is undertaken, force is sent out
not a fourth part sufficient to ensure sue,
cess TO any object OF magnitude or impor.
lance; and brave commanders and gallant
| troops are exposed to lose their lives, With
out benefit to their couatry. On the other
| side where we are most inyunerabe, and
where the greater number Of troops are
| sent, the chief command is entrusted to
| person ofwhom we never heard. till through
| the influence Of interest he suddenly started
up among US 1t is not to be wondered at,
that without ability or experience, success
shonid be wanting, and that sore discount
ture should result from miserable misman-
| tgement.
| tits . fact, that can readily be ascertain
ed by those who will take the trouble to
| compare accounts that more, many more
valuable officers and men have lost their
lives in Canada, Tin proportion TO the nuns
Der employed and the enemy opposed, J
| without effecting any thing of consequence,
or making any desirable progress in the
war than the duke of Wellington lost in
the emancipation of Spain. and ia accele
rating the downfall OF the tyrant of Eu-
rope Il is impossible to know this without
EN- otions Of sorrow and Indignation to
know that our armies are FILTERED away,
our best officers killed, one after another.
our soldiers cut up in detail land no COM
pcnsatIon for our losses, no atonement for
the sacrifices. a dismal gloom to look
back at, and no cheering prospect before
us---it is impossible to think of these things
without execrating the cause or causes,
principal or subordinate and without ar
IDENTITY wishing those may be removed, from
| whose con duct there is every thing TO fear,
apd no reason on which TO ground he small
lest degree Ct hope.
FROM THE SPANISH MAIN.
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