Virginia Argus

THE VOICE OF STARK, AGAIN!

Extract of a letter from the immortal General Stark, written in the present month.

I have never been so fortunate as to have any personal acquaintance with Mr. Madison. But the virtues of a Madison have been known to the world, longer than we have been known as a nation. "Could any recital of his important services add to their weight, I could freely do it. I think the strongest evidence we can have of his greatness and goodness, is, that he was the chosen man of his immediate predecessor, and still retains his confidence. The value of these two great men has appeared as conspicuous in cultivating the arts of peace, as in the conflict for our national independence,

Peace, undoubtedly, is our Greatest good, as long as peace can be honourable? But I fear if we tip the cup of conciliation any higher, we shall have to drink the dregs! That nation which has been our secret or open enemy for more than forty years, has now by their last messenger of insult heaped the measure of our wrongs and I think must have prepared the minds of all that prefer their own country, to any other for the last resort. I think Mr. Madison will not wait for the consent of the Arnolds or Pickerings of our country. Although he has not recommended a declaration of war to congress, I think he will not suspend it long, without there is an immediate change of measures with the change of ministry, before he will recommend it with the promptitude that he has dismissed their insulter of nations.

"Mr. ADAMS writes like '75 again.

"It can be but a few days before I must leave my country and my friends. I wait the moment with impatience, for although I have spent a long life of enjoyment, life is now a great burden to me. Conversing with my friends that are about me, or at a distance, makes life more tolerable. But it is the greatest consolation I have, that I shall leave the general government of my country in so good hands."

[East. Pap.]