Virginia Argus

The French official Journal, in noticing the provisions of the bill brought into the Congress of the United States, against the pressing of American seamen by the English cruizers, subjoins the following observations: - Nat. Int.

"We can here perceive the energy of a nation which has some sense of her dignity. She has no navy; compared with England, she is feeble; but she is determined to make every effort to support the chances of war, to perish, if it be necessary, in defence of her honor and her rights. Well may such conduct put to the blush that other power, who, intimidated by the cannon of Nelson, betrayed the cause of nations, destroyed the character of sovereigns, and acknowledged the legality of the tyranny of the English on the sea. These are not the paths which lead to glory. -- From that moment, all the unprotected nations were delivered up to the oppression and the plunder of England, whose caprice constitutes the law to which they are obliged to submit. What a difference between the successors of Catharine and that great princess! Prussia is the only power who has not acceded to these principles so dishonorable to royalty. Denmark defended herself in her capital which was bombarded, exposed herself to the greatest danger, but she was under the necessity of submitting to the influence of her neighbors. It will now be the honorable distinction of America to raise her voice, to claim with firmness the rights of all nations, & to maintain a cause which the intrigues, the threats and the gold of England have induced the powers of Europe to betray!"