Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-04


Nof,onai .5drocafe.
From the ~ Y. J Mercantile -9dversiser.
The urwelcsme tidings which have lately
rea led town, concerning the fate OF the Pre-.
s,Uon, irigste, have excited sensations of the
deep, st regret; and the ana ETY. cyinced by the
public to learn the particulars of the u,for,u-
rate affair has seldom been exceeded on any
previous occasion. Indeed, any misfortune be-
falling our gallant little navy, at this time,
calls io'th our wsrmest emotions and awakens
the most sympathetic teelrg, but when VIC
are told of the esquire Of the finest frigate in
the service, commanded by one of our bravest
and most valuable officers, at time too when
all were anticipating that the expedition or
which I've had Just mbarked WOULD prove high
ly glorious and successful to the American
arms, and greatly destructive TO ,uc pride aud
interests OF Britain, the breast of very genes
rous and patriotic cItizen is filled with emoti-
CTS OF peculiar concern.
But while we lament this untoward occur
renee, it affords us infinite satl faction aud is
extremely gratifying to reisct tina, she was no.
bly, defended TO the last, with spirit not less
congehial than honorable to her brave officers
end crew, against 70 &c so vastly superior -
Their conduct dds to the page Off val an
nsls, brilliant instance of what Americans
dare do, and serves to maintain the proud pre-
sumption that we can beat cur enemies en-.
yer we have an opportunity icr q figh ing and
fair field for the display OF courage, discipline
aad perseverance,, in strenuous and decisive
contest.
II ese obse v,tions have been made prepsra.
tory to the suggestion of the following plan for
procuring another vessel 10 supply the place OF
the President which is. that the citizens OF
New York Immediately open subscription ter
tie purpose o. building first rate Frigatc, the
command OF which shall devo!ve upon Commo-
dore Decatur, on his return that the Coipo-
ration and other public bodies tender some liz
beral contribution III the first instance and
then, that private individual b stow whatever
circumstances may permit. This plan, # put
into execution, would be highly honorable to
the character of tue country and afford fresh
irStsnce Of the weil>known generosity and pa
trio;ism OF the citizens 0. New York.
i There are two consideration which more es
peciaty Poin. cut the proPriety of this mea-
sure. In the first place, rs VIC are now endea.
youring increase the number Of our ships so
as 10 lst.bl'sE a respectable naval force. tie
only permanent engine or national security and
glory, We ought certainly whenever chasm is
produced by the loss o q vessel to repair il i'm.
nediateiy by building another of the same
force Secondly Those who are acquainted
mist certainly have an idea OF the feelings
which the capture of the President viii create
in hi mind. BE no doubt ardentlY desires and
vii rot remain coniGnted until he obtains an
opportunity of meeting the enemy on more e
quail terms, to prove TO the world, though his
ship may have been ( ken by much superior
force, tina; bis dauntless spirit is still unshak
and that he dare again step forward and av, nge
the capture Of the President
/. That The foregoing measure is practicable
there is no doubt. 1t only requires that the
Corporation or some her public body set the
subscription On foot, and who is there among
us that would not strive to be foremost in ,nr
surfing its SUGGEST Let it be considered tina.
the number Of our officers is rapidly Ircreaa
ing, and that many want a fie d wherein to dis
play their courage and skill. Who would not
therefore eagerly seize such an opportunity to
assist in atifyihg those intrepid and gallant
souls wHo'seejnto breathe only for the sake of
protecting and defending .the honor of their
coantryl
Let il also be remembered that the command
OF this ship would be presented to the gallant
Decatur, who so often led his followers to VIC
tory and whose name and heroic actions will be
remembered to the latest posterity in the hearts
Of his grateful and admiring countrymen.-
fhe nation at large is indebted to his exc tons,
and should be proud and forward to acknow.
ledge ard discharge the obligation. II is a
public duty to ant cipate the claims Of publ &c
men, ard to confer the highest distinctions up
on those who have been it's most extensive be
nefactors. Let every man therefore, in this CT
~ who calls himself an American, eagerly EN-
brace such an opportunity Of serving HERO,
whose romantic and daring exploits in the Me-
dherranean are unparalleled and are alone suf-
iicient TO render him immortal. BY doing this
they will afford him an opportunity Of sdding
another ray TO the glory olthe American srms.
z w,
Hnew Jrigafe, we understand. is conten-
plated by the citizens of New-York. to be