Virginia Argus

FREDERICKSBURG, July 3.

At a Meeting of the citizens of Fredericksburg and its vicinity, convened at the Town Hall, July 1, 1807.

William Smock, (Mayor) Chairman.

James Brown, from the committee appointed at the last meeting (of June 27th) to prepare and Address to the President of the United States, presented the following

Memorial.

To the President of the U. STATES.

The Memorial of the citizens of Fredericksburg and its vicinity,

Sheweth, That British injuries, long and unremittingly pursued have filled the bosoms of your memorialists with sentiments of the strongest indignation--that, in these injuries there has been nothing wanting of predatory outrage and national insult, to stamp them indelibly on the feelings and recollections of Americans--your memorialists are attached to peace--are warmly attached to fair and honorable peace. They have hitherto suppressed the emotions which British violence has kindled---they have warmly applauded that policy of our government which has sought redress of wrongs, through amicable and rational discussion---and have anxiously marked the progress of negociation, which, they fondly hoped, would restore to their country her rights redressed, and her name untarnished---but that negociation has been found to be the protraction of wrongs. Instead of ills redressed---outrage has become more daring. The vessels of America have been seized and plundered--- her citizens have been impressed and murdered---her ports and harbors have been infested with British force---her sovereignty and independence have been arrogantly insulted and violated. And when justice has demanded from the Government of Great Britain signal punishment on the violation of her flag, and of her territory, and on the murder of an American citizen--she has been discharged from the mockery of trial with triumphant acquittal.

The late unwarrantable and unprovoked attack of a British squadron upon the United States frigate, the Chesapeake, fills up the measure of astonishment and of patience--it strips the American flag of its honors, and, if submitted to, will leave this country without a name.

Your memorialists pronounce that the present is a crisis which is to fix the American character forever. It will either terminate the career of American glory. or will prolong it to the latest posterity. It must furnish the sad memorial of blighted honors, of withered strength, and of premature decay; or it will transmit to succeeding generations the untarnished splendor of that name, which is derived from the conquest of freedom, and the achievement of the revolution.

At the present crisis, but one sentiment thrills through the nation. It warms, invigorates and connects the hearts of ALL in one firm, unanimous resolution to resist British violence and outrage. It renounces that hostile peace which presents the spectacle of unrelenting cruelty and warfare on the one side, and of forbearance to retaliate by force on the other.

These memorialists repose a confidence in the government of their country to which its virtuous and upright administration pre-eminently entitles it. They rely upon its wisdom and its firmness to adopt the most prompt and efficient measures to rescue their country's honor from disgrace and to secure her rights from violation.

In the pursuit of such measures, they pledge the government their warmest support, and their firm resolve to devote their fortunes and their lives to the preservation of the rights and the dignity of their nation.

These memorialists beg leave to offer their best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the President of the United States, and to tender him their friendship and high esteem.

Which memorial being read, was unanimously agreed to. And it was thereupon ordered, That the same be signed by the chairman of the meeting and transmitted in the behalf of the citizens of Fredericksburg and its vicinity, to the President of the United States.

On motion, ordered, That David C. Ker, John W. Green, Robert Stanard and John Tayloe Lomax, be a committee of correspondence to communicate with the committees of Norfolk and other places.

Whereupon the meeting adjourned.

(Signed)

WILLIAM SMOCK.