Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-02-21
ventiOn with Great Britain herself, on the
subject of runaways and deserters

'einS very considerably affected by the Y
vicinity ot.a people stocked With European
goods, SO much in request, and which we
can so casilypay for with our own produce.
Smugglingis at present carried On to g !
pretty considerable degree with peusaco-
Ia but it will probably be carried on to a
tenfoid extent, when that place, instead of
being in the hands of the Spaniartls, who
have little ot their own To sell but coffee
and sugar, shall be occupied by the Bri-
fish, who have every thing.
SmuSelers have a great advantage in
this country. If they are proceeding from
Pensacola northwartl, they have so much
Teleow-roOm, that it is not very easy 10 in
tercept them, between the northern fine of
West Florida and the southern line of the
Creek Indians and know of no court
which IS authorized to take cognizance of
offences against the revenue laws, commit
ted within their territory.
These things, however, are comparstiye-
y small matters for must confess to YOU
that | cannot free my mind from the an.
prehension OF the greatest national evils
from the cesslon of the Floridas to the Bri-
tlsh government. The very purchase of a
piece of country which, Except SO far as
it is occupied by the United States) is Of no
sort OF value, IS itself very suspicious
circumstance. Itputs it in their power to
quarrel with us, upon very plausible pre-.
fences, whenever they please. do not
believe that it gives them any jssst ground
to complain Of US, though they should de-
mand, and we refuse to them. the possess
sion OF the whole of West Florida but
having acquired seeming title, they have
acquired what some will think at least
plausible ground for war, whenever they
think proper to use it; and they have,
moreover, acquired the means of fully
preparing themselves on the south, as we'll
as OH the north, before they actually begin
the war.
l observe the northern papers speak of
the preparations making by the British on
the Canadian frontier, as shelving it to be
their object to penetrate by Lake Cham
plain and Albany, to Ne~-York, and thus
sever the eastern states from the rest
May we not also fear that their view in
occupying West Florida, is to enable
them easily to establish themselves in the
country lying between Georgia and the
Mississippi, and thus to sever the western
states and territories from the Union
Lett be considered that that part of the
Mississippi territory which lies between
Pearl river with line running north from
its source, and the state of Georgia. and
between the state of Tennessee on the
north, and the sea and West Florida on the
south, contains probably between 20 and
~ thousand square miles. And what is a
population OF so thousand souls, to defend
such an immense tract of country from the
inroads of an enemy Such BODY of
people, scattered over such an extent of
territory, could scarcely afford any sensi-
bic and towards the support of an army.
and no very material facilities, even in the
transportation of its baggage. 1.-THE Bri-
tlsh should establish themselves in Florida.
and should eventually engage in war with
the U. S. all their supplies will come by
land, and their means Of land traDsporta-
ton wilibefurnished in the same way. But
as to our army. if the water communication
between the Mobile and the MississipDi be
intercepted, the loss OF it cannot be suppIi-
ed, unlessprevious preparations be made 10
facilitate our intercourse with Teunessee
anu Georgia. These preparations must
not De postponed for time of war. Expe-
rlence has proved that however urgent be
the necessity, new and more easy channels
Of intercourse between the different parts
Of our territory will not be had recourse ia
in the midst of warlike agitation.
We shall pay, as we have done, from 30 70 40 |
dollars per barrel for the transportation of fonr
by routes previously known, rather than venture !
On experiments, and eventually our armies will |
PERISH Tor the want of subsistence They have
been on the point ofdoing so already; the govern.
nent was too remote TO apply the remedy in suf. |
icient time, and nothing but peace saved the ar.
ny from destruction. What local commanders
We may have, no one knows. We must not look
or Jacksons IN eyOry corner of our vast domain.
should the maintenance of an army be found NO.
'essary IN this country, provision cannot be drawn
y iand rom the Mississippi, but at an expence
which would be ruinous. A land carr;sos g.,
ne tennessee river TO the posts ON the Cooxe
las already been tried, and such was the state oil
he roads chat, it is said, they could haul hui or
barrels to the load, and that, with even thai
man quantity, they went but very few rnies a
lay. Just before the termination ofthe war NJ |
ames Gaines ofKnoxvile explored another route
shch seems 70 merit national attention. n
ound that between the Tennessee river and che
sack warrior, Tor eastern fork of The ron,b;o, Il
W Al vas level, firm valley, of excellent White
YAK and poplar land, well watered and settled /
~ principal men of the Cherokee nation, Tbel
Instance from Knoxville TO the mouth Of rbotrn.
ohS creek, near fort Deposit, on the Tennessen
AVER, IS about 500 miles from thence bv and 20
he highest nayig .ble part Of the Hlack yvsrr;or
think Mr.. Gaines informed me, is IS m les onI,,
tut some say IS, and perhaps imis.ook him,
lie Black Warrior is there between 40 and 20
ards wide, and not easily fprded 40 . .,,,.,,,.l