Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-02-24

with Mr.. Foster was of a concl,atory character.
and distinctly manifested anxiety for the preser-
vation or peace. But this was impracticable. |
The British government bad resolved TO enforce |
rs system of impressment and spolation. The |
alternative presented 10 the American govern. |
Inent and people was submission or war. The |
latter, happily for this country was preferred |
Continued acquiescence and submission would |
have sunk ms 10 the lowest point of national de-
"radation, and have fixed upon our republican |
ins' tntions the chargeof inbecility, with which
they have beenso camoronsly assoiled Tothis
chargethe conduct of the American people dur
ing the war, and the result of the contest have
afforded the most satisfactory renly.
The offer of the Russian mediation o,,ve e. ON
government an opportunity, of which adv.n,ams
was Immediately taken, TO evince its tlspos;t;or
torPeace The instructions to our ministers. an
pointed to negotiate with the British C:avernrer,
under that mediation, and the s,bsen,e,t nst,.,c
tions authorising them to negotiate sen,ra,e
and directly with G. Britain af'er the me.
ui1'on nad peen rejected, have all been publish.
cd. and, we believe. highly approved. y
New and extraordinary events soon af, erw,rls
pressed ON our government and country TIE
overthrow OF France enabled the British gove-n-
nent to employ its whole force in the pros ecu,;on
OF the war against the Jailed States. THE storn
seemed aoon, to break on every part of the union
~ ue same moment. On the lakes and the ST
| -, N' ~ VIC uiStrct OF Maine, and on the
whole coast from Penobscott 10 New.O-le,ns 10
part was free from the menace of imme5;,t. ,n
formidable INVASION. The city of Wash;np.,on
was entered, and its public buildings destrnScd
u was at this period that the President r.1,,os. al
Mr NJ. TO take charge of the department of war
ne ala not hesitate to comply. It wasa mea.
sure OF great hazard, but the situation of the
Gpun.ry pointed out the path of duty, and from
| the performance of duty no danger. M fi;f5.,,,
reia'ng merely TO himself could induce him 70
| GePart' his conduct in the war department. I'm.
dertaKea at the most disastrous period of ,fTa;rs
mas, we believe, given general, If not un;vers,
satisfaction IT IL well known that he devoted
himself to its duties, with an industry. ,o unm;t.
ea.eu ana indefatigabe, that he had nearly fallen
&C .e.nn 70 eNertions, which scarcely any strength
OF constitution could support. The good effects
OF has administration were soon felt IN over, 80,
| .ioh OF the union. Reinforcements were nromnt-
| ordered to the menaced points, and marched
WIN certainty &c the place of their destination :
we state, with confidence, that the aid which he
sent 10 General Jackson, enabled him To project
NeW-orleans, and to save from spoiat;on the vast
ptWroPey Wnich mad been there accumulated
we state with equal confidence, that the force
whicn had been previously stationed at anv ex-
posed point was in no instance diminished. and
that II was augmented at many points with the
utmost practicable dispatch, and with eminent
auVah'sge. Relying on the sense, virtue and
hrinness OF the nation, Mr.. NJ declined no res
Psnslpny winch the crisis imposed upon him.
nuer u'e superintendent of the President, he
iormed plans calculated to call into action the
generous, ardent and patriotic spirit ofhi fellow
cieuzens and even at the moment of most sx
iArulhary peril his arrangements were not
merely defensive. We have rood reason tn he
neye mat he had already digested plan, for the
next campaign, by which he contemplated an en-,
.Fe ehalis IN hecharacter of the war The ma
e.on, IN ruin, was arising in the ful!ness Of its
srenBlh and We have no doubt, if the war had
continued, that we should have gained new fri.
Mnpns as oriiliantes their consequences would
nave been important and useful. An bonorabIe
peace terminated this glorious career.
Inc following very interesting letter from the
pen OF gentleman now in this place, is merely
ar n,.rouuction TO series of letters comprising
researches in the Western territories ) The
object of these letters appears to be the encour-
asemeh' OF emigration 10 these territories, and
a developement of the natural advantages and re-
sources connected with them. The classical
purity and interesting syle in which this intro
euceory letter IS presented to the public is suf.
hcient evidence ofthe abilities of the author. to
give MN an indisputable claim to the patronage
of the public. U,,,eru So,
RESEARCHES
In Indiana, Illinois and Missouri serritories-rou
Pr1ang Typographical, Statistical and 9yrlcul
firal Sketches. For the Information of emf
grants.
Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. LIST, 1916.
lfeceived your missiye, my dear Hss+.<. Inn.
mediateiy after my return from a pedestrian tour
through the wilds of Indiana but have never till
now been able TO collate the materials which
were to constitute the subjects of our correspon-
dence. You little thought ofthe embarrassment
which my part of the contract invoIyed-The
unavoidable delay of setting out-the inclemencv
OF the season-the want of scientific helps-and
above all, the inability Of the correspondent To
Slean IN wilderness materials for the informant;
on and amusement Of his friends--In a season OF
tue year too, when the incongeniaI blast of win.
ter nae laid low the glories of the forest and
mingled the verdant beauties of the groves with
the dust OF the earth, could afford the cores
pondent but little matter either for the pen or
the pencil. Yet, to the friend who exchanges
the severity OF criticism for the unsophistical en-
IJoyment of soul telling truth, I may venture.
without fear, to submit the most inclpient effu
Sons OF my heart.
You seem fully aware ofthe interest which the
surplus population OF the eastern states ought TO
Jake III the rising Importance Of the western coun
wy he habits OF these hardy sons ofAmerica,
lorlned 10 industry and enterprise from the pc
ris and prvatiors of their forefathers, vet uncor
rupted by Incidence and luxury which render
man un1t tor the ordinary avocations of life are
well adapted to the pursuits of aericulture and
| commerce Of these territories.
! But you complain that the want of more M
mute details Of the soil, climate, vegetable pro.
auctions, local advantages, and progressive i'm
provement of this highly favored portion If the
American Union Il Az L. a. - :,