Virginia Argus

AT this crisis, it is important to inform the public that the British merchants and their factors in this country, who are very skilful in noting the signs of the times and see the "storm of war brewing in the gloomy sky," are making all haste to get their property out of harm's way, and are very busily engaged in getting themselves in debt to our citizens. We are authorized to declare, from unquestionable authority, that, within a fortnight past, they have been straining their credit to the utmost in making large purchases of tobacco, and shipping off their cargoes without delay. The shipments of tobacco from Richmond and Manchester have been larger than ever were known before in so short a time; and, no doubt, proportional exertions have been made elsewhere.

In this state of affairs, a word of advice ought to be given to two descriptions of innocent persons, whose interests are deeply involved in these sagacious & crafty movements, viz. to the planters and farmers of our country, and to the seamen in the merchant-service.

The planters and farmers will act prudently in not selling their crops on extensive credit to any of the British merchants and factors, or even to the intimate friends and connections of such characters. By avoiding this they may escape the regret hereafter of having placed too much confidence in them now, and may prevent their deadly enemies from reaping the fruits of their labor.

The seamen in the merchant service will do well in not engaging in voyages to Great Britain, or any of its dependencies, until peace and amity shall be restored between the two countries. Otherwise, they may have cause to lament their folly, when impressed on board the British men of war, and compelled to fight against their own countrymen; or, if they escape that misfortune, the vessel in which they sail, may be led away to adjudication, they may never receive their wages, and be left to contend with the miseries of poverty in a foreign land.