Virginia Argus

BOSTON, Sept. 8.

By the arrival, on Friday last, of the Sally Ann, Capt. Glover, in 18 days from Liverpool, we have our files of London papers, continued to July 26. A few extracts are given from them in our foreign department. On the subject of Peace, they afford no positive information, beyond the fact—of Preliminaries being opened, or the purpose between the Governments of G. Britain and France.

On the 23d July his Britannic Majesty's, in proroguing his Parliament observes:

—"Being always anxious for the restoration of Peace, I am engaged in discussions, with a view to the accomplishment of that desirable end; their success, must, however, depend on a corresponding disposition on the part of the enemy; but in every respect his Majesty looks, with the fullest confidence to the continuance of that union and public spirit, among all ranks of his people, which can alone give energy to War, and security to Peace."

The conjectures and opinions bestowed on this prolific subject, in the London papers, are as various and contradictory as the shades of character in real life. From the mass of this species of newspaper discussion, we have selected the following, as possessing, in our opinion, the marks of pretty sound and apposite reasoning:—

"1. Has the object of the war been obtained in whole, or in its farthest possible part?

"2. If the object of the war has not been obtained in whole or part, have we obtained any thing as a suitable equivalent?

"3. If neither the object, nor any suitable equivalent has been obtained, is it yet necessary to abandon the pursuit? Is attainment hopeless, or of more cost than the worth of the object sought?

"4. If necessary or advisable to abandon every hope from the war, what is the actual value, i.e. actual strength of our present situation, and what may that situation demand in a treaty?

"5. Whether, supposing the war without any other possible object than precaution, even that precaution and security against the ambition of France is not of itself a sufficient object, and worth all the cost of war!—Whether the situation of the enemy does not require us to be on our guard i.e. to be in the camp, and always ready to march at a day's warning.

"6. In such a situation what is the actual difference between peace and war, i.e. between a jealous precautionary peace, and a defensive war? whether there is any further difference, than that a state of peace, still requiring us to remain armed, would fix us, as posts to the spot, and leave us every part of war but its inspiring, and not unfrequently indemnifying activity, whilst war, together with all the cost, would give us the neutral advantages of the state. By the superiority of our navy, our foreign commerce flourishes, and that of our enemy or rival is annihilated from the face of the seas. Our strength and wealth is thus rendered, whilst that of France must daily decline. In a word a jealous precautionary peace is but an inactive war, war with all its cost, and without its spirit—a war that would exhaust the nation, whilst by setting free the commerce of the enemy, it would render her power progressive.

"7. Finally, whether what will actually, by be given for peace by France, will be sufficient to remove or indemnify us for these evils?—Whether we shall be secured in the Mediterranean by the possession of Malta? Whether any bounds will be established which shall confine the French power on the east? Where will be the advantage of Malta if the French shall proceed to possess themselves of the coasts of the Mediterranean? The commerce is with the coast and not with the sea. The seas will in vain remain open if the ports are shut. The British Channel is open in this manner, but we are not the less excluded from all commerce with France."

Downing street, July 21.—The king has been pleased to appoint the Hon. David Erskine, to be his Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States of America.

LATEST DATE.

July 26.—It is reported in the German papers, that the Grandees of Russia have attempted to treat the Emperor Alexander in the manner as his unfortunate father was treated.

The report on the continent, that the Emperor Alexander, would make a separate peace with Napoleon, is rendered highly incredible from the fact, that in the Paris Moniteur, the court of Russia is charged in severe terms, with having fomented the troubles in the Turkish provinces, for her own interest.

The embarkation of troops, for the grand expedition, is now completed.—Their destination is certainly the Mediterranean and it is presumed for Sicily.

Whatever progress is made in the negotiation with France, remains only known to the cabinet council. Nothing farther has transpired, than that the most perfect good will exist between the two governments—that the Paris papers breathe a spirit of mildness, and temper, well suited to the opening of pacific discussions.

No accounts are yet received of the actual evacuation of Cattaro, and of its final surrender to the French. The report, that this place has been taken possession of by the English, is entitled to no belief.

Mr. Fox continues to go on in a state of regularly progressive convalescence.