Virginia Argus

THE AFFAIR OF THE LITTLE BELT,

Bids us pause more importance attached to it than by right belongs to such a transaction. Every impartial man in America, we believe, has long before this formed a settled opinion on the nature and merits of this transaction, at least so far as the justice and honor of our Country are concerned. Com. Rodgers' statement has not been questioned by any but the known partisans and professed advocates of England—With the exception of these pests of our country and outlaws to national honor, every American has heartily concurred with the President in approving the conduct of that gallant officer. And not merely because his conduct was gallant, but because it violated no principle of justice by which the honor of the nation could be tarnished. On the other hand every falsehood that wilful perversion could play off upon willing ignorance, has been resorted to in order to impose upon the world the belief that Com. Rodgers was the aggressor. It is worthy of remark and precludes the necessity of much discussion on the subject, that Capt. Bingham is vindicated by the same class of men that justified Humphrey's piratical attack on the Chesapeake. It was natural for such "wily politicians" as Pickering, to perceive that these misrepresentations were well calculated to soothe the wounded pride of Britain on this occasion, and that if they came from this country attested as facts by her friends, in their private letters and public gazettes, she would act upon them as such. If we are to attach any credit to the late London papers as to the destination and object of Sir J. S. Yorke's fleet, these enemies of truth and traitors to our country have succeeded in effecting an object worthy their characters. The Hutchinsons of the day, our Judases, have acted their parts, and the enemy is upon us. Let them if they please, as at Lexington, pretend that they received the first shot—Let knaves assert and fools believe the falsehood. As in the last war, so in this, if war it be, we shall have the last fire. Bunker-hill stands the eternal proof that we are at home on the land and that that home is a castle which it is death to invade. If Britain wish the proof, we can soon convince her that the defensive element is ours but home upon the ocean into the fire, picket, which was kept