Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-04-22


cntAis point, that too plainly testi6es their
modification, chagrin and disappointment
They use an iotemperapce of language, and
their irritated sensibility is proved by the ex.
treme severity of their invectives. Every cap.
ture OF an American frigate, now uhdcrgoes n
regular emblazonry ct misrepresentation, OF
which commodore Decatur may be regarded as
a memorable instance. Commodore Decatur
states, that he surrendered his sword to the
commander of the English squadron--that his
parole testified to the same fact-that the Endy-
mion was so much injured by the engagement,
that she did not join the squadron until SIX
hours after the battle--that the Governor OF
Bermuda waited on the printer who had pub.
lished that The President had surrendered to
the Endymion, and caused him to retract the
calumny. The printer did publish retrac.
ton, and now it seems that the inhabitants of
Bermuda are about presenting the captain OF
thu! frigIte with a service of ate for his cap
ture oil The President. Com. Decatur states
strong facts; if untrue, abundantly capable OF
disprooi, and which arc in fact corroberated By
the test nony OF our former enemies The sur
render OF his sword, the terms of his parole, and
the retraction of the printer. are all strong and
ilndeniable facts. We should apprehend that
the captain of the Endymion would scorn the
reception of present that he could not take
with truth and honor: that he would feel his
sensioility nan and his pride as an officer,
wounded by TIE .:cceptason OF a present, which
ne docs not deserve But, in all Ibis, there is
nothing humbiing to the pride of Anne icshs.
When England with her gigantic navy at her
back descends 70 such artihces 10 maintain hen
pre-eTDinence or the ocean, what shall we think
1t shews spirit OF jealousy, Of rivairy and
alarm, which she will cndeavor to vcft even az
the expense OF truth and honor Indeed we
have thought for some time past, that the Eng,
iish character has been undergoing an awful re
volution. These gross and palpabie misrepre-
sentauons are not conaued to subordinate a.
gents; they in ect the court and par,iameat.-
The Prince Regent congra,u,ates parliament on
the splendid successes of his Maiesty's arms in
the Chesapeake. Admiral Cocbrane in his off.
tial account OF his attack on this city, passes
IN silence over the gallant defence of For,
b1ciIenry, and at the same time states. tbat
the fifth regiment were said to be annib;l
ted. General Ross relates his destination n,
commodore Barney's hotilla; whereas it w..
blown up by the Americans themselves. when
the british squadron were four miles below
we DOUBT whether there is one officer, who, If
he would declare his real and honest on;n;on
would echo the assertion of the Prince Rep,en,
that the success ct his Maiestvis arms in tbe
Chesapeake was brilliant, TWAS net,v rnn,,
and marauding system OF warfare. unwor,bv of
high.minded and generous enemy. II w., !.
warfare calculated to awaken and pernatr.ts !. n
the worst passions of the human heart. le.5;na,
to ferocious retaliation, and destructive or .
hooie minded and generous hostility. II had
All tne Hiseries OF war without the glory Vic.
tory was acquired without danger When - =
addition TO these dazzling facts. the fire, -,
OF the Admiralty is made to declare in full par.
lament, that his Majesty's feet had c.nturad
more American irgat,s than ever floated on
the ocean; 1t is but too plain that ENGLAND. in
ner contest with us, has lost the high and snIen
ala character that she gained in the conEeder.cv
over honaparte. Never did England appear IN
sP'e"u,o character as IN The moment of that
victory LondoH was then the resort of the Al
ned SovereigHs, VINO seemed anxious 70 ,a,,
sheir homage to such perseverinp bravery mi
tortitude. What contrast to this bpb and
oazzling scene is now presented
Inc British cannon that poured snrb ae,f.,
lng thunders IN the Bay OF Aboukir. wb;ch n
the Cane OF Trafalgar Illuminated the one o,,
with suc, spang.ing blaze of glory, has been
N"P'oyeo me chesapeake IN the destruction OF
oyster boats & fshing smacks. These successes
wlhout contests victories without danger. and
triumph without battle, are pomponsl, 5anor,
mated by the Prince Regent in his sneecb 10 ~
Parliament, splendid successes. onr noyafoa
GERS, the pride and boast of their corntrv h. -.
almost, to man, preserved prouJe- To-
When compelled, by the fate of war 10 sn"'.",
der, they have candidiy stated the chsrsct.. -.
the opposing force, the hopeiessness of the con-
test, and their eventual surrender, in the ven
erous confidence that the sensibiIities of the r.
country'nen would appreciate their motives
and bear them out They have no, hen 10
ceived Decatur, whether yictor;oms ~. ',S ue
qqished, is the object of our undimiaished and
admiring regard. anu
we anger wen iron such auspicious omens
we indulge, and we trust no visionary bo,e
that the naval splendor of our countrymen !,
destined to fill large and dazzling space in the
annals Of American history. '''
The impetus is now given-minds ern,,o,,.
ofgIory, are rushing into The naval service. and
wemay anticipate the day as not far distant
when the American thunder will be heard and
felt before the walls of Algiers. We Gs,ic;ta.s
ourselves in the hope, that it is reserved fo,
this continent, SO recently wild, and haunted
only by Prowiing sayages, to discipline those e.
rocious barbsrisns to Justice, ard to reI;eve o.,
civilized world from diagraceful serytude snd
tribute. ""e
From the XSSeJ- Rear;s.er oC 6hs-y %