Virginia Argus

THE BRITISH AT HALIFAX.

If we may rely upon the advices from Halifax, (says the Aurora) they are preparing furnaces for red hot shot at that place, the purpose of which is to burn some of our sea port towns. Those who are preaching up security and moderation had better look about them-and hide their faces for shame.

Extract of a letter from a British officer, at Halifax, to a gentleman in New York, dated July 14.

"I applied on my arrival here to vice admiral lord Berkeley for leave of absence on my private affairs for two months, which he readily granted. I had good interest with him, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Inglis, the bishop of this province, asked it as a favor. I had taken my passage and put my baggage in an American ship that had been sent in here by one of our sloops of war, but was released immediately by the court of admiralty. While waiting a change of wind, the Coluinbine sloop of war, lord Townsend, arrived and brought the account of a distressing affair at Norfolk. The Admiral sent his secretary to say that from the accounts he had received from the United States it would be highly improper in him to suffer any British officer to go to any part of the United States; also added, he had no sort of doubt of an immediate rupture between the two countries." I pray Heaven to prevent it, as it will materially injure the trade of the two finest countries on earth. The commerce of England and America covers the ocean, and they are almost the only flags you'll meet on the ocean; then why go to war? Every thing here is in the most active state of preparation; in the king's dock yards all the hands work double tides, and every thing that can float is getting ready for sea. A number of furnaces for heating red hot balls have been shipped for the squadron in the Chesapeake, and in short there are as active preparations on foot as if the war was actually declared. I heard a report this morning at the admiral's that there is an account of a small vessel having arrived at Windsor, about 50 miles from hence, from one of the southern ports of the U. States, that says an embargo was actually laid on by the President of the United States."

Amer. Citizen.