Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-09-03

rSWn & rnouriod riHeu.en. accompanied h
ts'ishon Of infantry, under a soldier Of L
mns. would have been amply sufficient 10 !,
70 serve tie State from It's past insults. and
,'niss and as this body might have been,
hen necessary, conveyed with the des.
a.ch oi horse. by double mounting. it would
some degree have Diminished the disad- |
an,sge we labored under from the facility |
'rti nbiquits Of our navigation. Such a force
nishtreadily have bsen made up by drafts
rom the militia, and being devoted to local !.
defence. II any would have enlisted Them
selves to avoid more distant service"
After many othef. appropriate remarks
by this enterprising, and distinguished officer
ofthe revolution, he thus proceeds:
The position at Rockets is strong, and
peculiarly adapted for militia the encmy's
rightfank being exposed AS soon as his frUnt
crossed the creek to a sudden assault from
che main force posted along the riyuiet, and
upon the heights, while the houses in front
gave defences from which il would not be
very easy IL dislodge an inferior force de
termined to do ms duty. Opposition in this
quarter would have stopped the invader
The country through which he must re :
treat, presents three points where he might
have been successfully and advantageousiy
Assailed. The first at Four Mile Greek,
where the ground not only affords powerful
aid 10 the assaiiant, but is exactly suitedtb
tne Americans, who understood passing
with facility through mud, water and thick
brush, fighting from covert to covert; where
as the enemy would never feel himself safe,
unless in close order and unison of action.
neither of which could long be preserved
when attacked in such position. The next
is as you pass from Richmond to Peasants
! Mills, and the last more advantageous than
either, is close under Malvern Hills, the
nerth margin Of the creek which interests
the road. A discriminating officer with in
terror force, awaiting himself with dexterity
OF the advantages which in many places the
country affords between Richmond & West.
over. against retreating foe, could hardly
fail to bring him to submission"
How far the foregoing remarks are APP.
piicable to the present times, is submitted &c
The consideration Of rejecting people. and
ofthose particularly whose business it is to
protect the persons and property of our citi
'zens. Would it be waste of time. or mo
ney, fer the Legislature of Virginia to esta
blish lesionary corps upon the authors
plan; or is 1t wiser and better policy to sa
crihce millions to save thousandsf In q
short time Is operty enough might be saved
TO support half a dozen such establishments
Richmcrd itself had better pay the expence
than lose the benefits.
Would not any wise or discreet man pre-,
fer To part with tenth of his property RAJ
sthrr than run the risque of losing the whole
Z It would certainly he wise, and patriotic in
the Governor. (whose 6rmness an zeal are
much admired, and whose name will be read
with applause on the page Of history, when
those OF his detractors will be sunk in obi
vion,) TO recommend some such measure tc
the next Legislature! Ought not defences
to be established. at all the most accessible
points leading to Richmond and Petersburg
No doubt can be entertained that voluntary
labor could be procured sufficient to esta
blsii respectable Notifications, exclusive OF
the assistance Of militia. What wtetch in
the State of Virginia, is base enough to be
willing to hazard the loss of the CAPITAL O,
the State, rather than to be atthe exprnce OF
Z Pro Getting it; or who for sue paltr. eonstle.
rations would incur such national dis grace.
give to the enemy such cause of triumph
Are the people of Virginia so far below those
% New York; /. would be a proof of great
e'evatioa of character, and of exalted pa
triotism, to lay any Of our cities in ashes ra.
ther than submit to be laid under contribur
tions, and. to support the enemy in the pro-
secution OF the war, at the same time that
he deprives MS Of the means Of defence by
the destruction OF our military Stores, Ar
mory, &c. Are the people Of America less
svirtuous and less patriotic, or, have they
Less at stake than the people Of Russia p
Many have supposed that Lynchburs. would
have been more safe, and therefore a more
proper SITUATION for a Mandatory of Arms
than Richmond. But it is in vain to say
what it would have been best TO have done
let us guard against the future. The Gov,
ernor no doubt Will do his duty: he will he
always ready upon an emergency 10 save
= what can be saved, and to defend what ca,
De defended. 1t is degenerate, it is infa
NOUS, when our country is invaded, to cal
culate the costs of defence. The man who
celebrates when the interest OF his couptr,
Is at stake, on the immediate consequences
OF dong his duty, is unworthy ofpublio trust
Is unworthy ofthe blessings ofli6ertyr
A CITIZEN. I
" Printers who believe the above IN he
worth the public attention. will gratify "a
Citze ", inserting it In their papers Ger.
tainly the experience Of Mr. Lee IS en,i,I.,d
90 weight, and whatever he may be in stbe :
respects, his military genius and ente,prize
are generally acknowledged, ard his revo.
iutionsry services mnst be long remembered
ne writer of the accompanying remarks i
actuatedby n man, sr selfish considerst;.
ons. vanity hashad no share in the prodnc.
tlon' he has not even attempted TO be ele
CANT. To use intel igble. strong languaes
mas been his only effort. and to promo, Z,
public good his only end.
E=----.-- ---.--------
NEw'YoRK, August %.
r CONTRADICTION.
Inc steam boa Fulton arrived yesterdsy from
albany, and we regret 10 state that The ,ccon,,