Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-03-11
PUBLISHED By
PHILIP DU-VAL & Co.
fsom Co6bst,'s Weekly Register, Dec. 10.
LETTER
70 THE EARL OF LIVERPOOL.
ON TIE AMERICAN WAN
ON rrE AMERICAN WAR.

MY ILUEl,
In the American newspapers have
seen an article entitled" British Sofhero
nons N which article are uoticed in a most
iud'cren'' bur most provoking manner, all
the wise Observations made in E.1g,aul as
10 the cause nf onr ships being hestsn bv
those Of America. At the close OF the ar.
f,c'e, she writer states what he regards az
the real cause bnt which statement will
Tor my hea!th's sake, refrain from reneqtiny
10 your Lordship. Blu. IL this sapcv Ra-
publican gave the title of Boshera,fon To
our former puszlings upon this head. what
VIII he cay now when the question is be :.
come ten thousand times more embro; led
than e5erf
The speeches attributed to the opnosi.
ton, upcn this subject. present matter wor
shy okPublie observation, MIR Hnrner lev.
ne hihn'e of the failure % The Lakes Erie
and Chomhlaia he attributes those memo
rante victories OF the Americans to the
1hanissry. He Complains that YOU and
your co leagues left our naval comman.
aers to Contend with past auherfsr9 of
3orce' TIE American official accouns, in
Co'n cases, MAKES the superiority of tire
iorce on our side i; and as To Lake Cham
plain, Sir George Provost himself give, ne
superiority Off guns. / am, for nv par,
at loss to discover the policy OF ascribirc
evsry disgrace to the Ministers, and evcrV
success TO the commanders. OF It's fiagrapt
1nlusuce there can be 70 doubt and, it ap,
pears TO nae, that its folly is not mach more
X"esuonaoie. ihngton was made a
luxe ifr bis success; but, according to the
present "ay OF thinking, or Of talking, the
cecreeary OF the War Department should
nave been made Duke, and Vyellinvton
remained what he was and she Lords of
,he Admiralty should have had all the rib
oons, stars, and titles that have been be,
slowed on naval commanders. If TO the
oom nahders belong the praises of victories
Ito them also belong, upon the face of the
matter. the blame Of deseat.
much reliance appears to be placed bv
tue opposition, on the Circumstance of can
tain Barclay having been houorabiy acouit-
yea by Court martial. For, saw they, if
ne was provided with force equsl to thai
ot the americans. he must have been gull
Tf ara ii he was not, the Ministers are e.
Oiame. lley tske THIS sentence of the court
martial, therefore, az q proof Of the pp;,y
oi tie Minister'S. Gut ia II net very col.
dent that this conclusion ia false ? Canisin
BARCLAY might be as brave a man as ever
existed he might have acted with wisdom
s9aai 10 his bravery he might have had
asuperiority OF guns and men; NJ might
nave been defeated yet he might De per.
iect'y free from any blame, and might, on
tiie Contrary, merit hopors and rewards
sun me Admiralty might deserve no cen
sure whatever The Americans MIGHT have
aoier seamen they might, from their SUI.
Perior bodily strength and agility, be able
30 IRE quicker than we they might fight
with an unhsard Of degree of resolution &
ssgerness; thsy might be animated by
keelngs unknown to the bosoms of their adj
vsrsares. What! is IL to become max.
Kun, that whenever one Of our commanders
Is defeated, there must be crime either in
nm or IN the Ministry? Must he be pun.
lshed or they condemned /? Must he be
their accusers, or they his accusersl This
"on'd soon introduce a very amicabie sort
OF connection between the commanders and
the Ministry.
The truth Is, my Lord, tina. thers IA de-
gFee'of MODIFICATION and of shame attached
10 these naval victories OF the Americans.
that drives men, and particularly naval
men, who have all the mass of the p,ople
with them, 70 al! sorts of follies and incon
sistencies. They do nos know what to saw
OF TO do, in order to get rid of this insr o.
portable modification. Sometimes Johnny
Bull says to Jonathan, rou have eot
some English sailors in your sbips"--" NAV
be So" says Jonathan "but you have got
all English sailors in your ships" Ave"
replies John, 4" but you have got the best Of
sur sailors"--" May Re So. SAYS Jonathan.
"6ut then, how comes the best of ym,r
sailors to desert fFom your service, TO come
INTO mise P'--" No, no !" reioins John has
lily, don't mean the best men II mean
that they fight more desEeyately han thole
we have on board, because the rascals know,
that It they are taken they vii! be haaged''
-" Oh fie Johnny" rejons Jonathan, do
you mink that FL Sl'sh men will fight bet.
ter from dread Of the galIous. than from
love oftheir King and their glorious Con-
stitution ? No. says John, / said no
such thing-you have got heaUier shat and
stronger foTsder. and mare guns, 5F more
ren'-' Indeed Johnny says Jonathan.
why, am sure you pay enough for your
ships' shot, guns, men, and powder. Your
navy and ordnance last year, cost you Is
millions sterling, which is more than twen-
~ times as mnCh as ours is to cost MS next
year, though we are building fleets and for
ming dockyards. besides defending Lakes
and all, three thousand miles Of sea coast
- Well Gays John, ready to burst with an.
ger wha, is that to you, what paw I
will pay Il, If / ike TO pay it, Oh dear .
says Jonathan, don't be angry old friend.
Ihave not the least objection TO your paw
ing only, hope shall not hear any more
Of your gTunbliug about the property tax
- You are a saucy seoHndrel,' says John.
taamjng with rage you deserve a good