Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-09-28
MISREPRESENTATION OF OUR
COUNTRY

Iiie gross manner in which this country
mas been miSrepresenteG in Europe part
cuiariy IN great Britain, has been produce
tive OF benefits as well as of disadvantages
and has occasioned the actions of our
army, navy and militia, during the late
war, 10 be regarded in a degree of aston
ishment by the people of the cid world that
COMIC not be accounted for in any other
manner Oar fir built ships have dispel-
zen 'ne magic charm of iuvincibility that
was thrown around the navy of that nation,
which looked down with contempt upon
our Ini9nt republic, and seemed ta thiok
that degree 81 success which seldom has
attended country so steadily as herself.
placed iier above the reach Of human now
er. HE success OF the British arms in
SPAN and France, seemed to have made
tnat government believe, that il was ONLY
necessary To show few Of their.rcd coafs
20 the raw and undisciplincd army and
militia OF America, and victory was cor.
tam 80 perfectly did this infatuated na-
non seem 70 have been deceived by the re-
ports oil her agents. whom cHrrnution of
iavished treasure, taught to faIsify our
country, that she gave to the authors Of the
most wiid ana extrayagant tales. the hiol.
est rewards and the troops and vessels of
me United states had the advaBtsee of
iiqd,nga course of conduct generally eyi.t
among the British. founded On the fatal or.
ror OF despising their enemy the nernic;.
Gus effects of which were exhibited bv rc.
Pea;ed defeats. The numerous and br;il;-
ael victories OF the Americans seemed, TO-
wards the close OF the war, to hayc made
aeep impression on the navy and army OF
bFi'aIn, particularly the former. But. for
tuhately ior us, The enemy passed in the
usual manner from one extreme TO anotb-
er. and they occasionally appeared 10 be
Vanquished by their terrors, before the en-.
"a ement commenced. The termination
OF our glorious war in so honorable a neace
may IN some measure, be ascribed TO the A.
60ve causes which, 10 doubt, contributed
IN no small dagree TO the depression ofBr'.
tiel courage.
Europe, which had seen tie almost nm.
p1r1lel!cd success of British arms anI i,r;.
fish gold. 10 the old world, looked with A.
maZement at the splendid actievements Of
the Americans, and the frequent decided.
anu bloody victories OYER those troops and
commanders, who Seemed TO have been
born for victory & who spread devastation, Z
terror and destruction. wherever they an.
peared among them. Respect for ths ir.
fint nation, which they regarded as amost
Surprising the bounds Of human prnwess,
was a natural consequence "a respect
which, 10 candOr the American citizen must
admit, IS excessive although his heart
swells. witlipride, and CLOVIS with feeling
at the briiIiancy that Surrounds the cbarec,
ter OF his country. The transition from
one extreme to another, is bY no means dir-
licult, indeed it seems natural To persons
VIII, are fond Of extremes, to pass from crc
to the other with tie same facility that n
pendulum. after arriving at one extremity
u an oscillation, yibrates to the other. The
general diffusion Of a correct and honorable
account OF these United States, appears Of
great Importance tothe happiness and pros-
perlty, and quiet and peace Of our republic,
md would, no doubt, contribute greatly to
he satisfaction Of Europe, and 70 the inte-
est Of many Of her redundant manuGsc.
urers and farmers. Under these imnres-
lions, 1t is matter Of sincere self eralr'a.
ion Tor Us to understand, Tat some eeu-