Republican ledger, and Portsmouth price current — Portsmouth, N.H., 1802-05-04 00:00:00, page 2

printed.
The Collectors of Customs Compensa
tion Bill pafled without a division.
The New Judicial Bill,
Was again taken up, by the House, and
amended in various parts.
sifccHan^
From the Chronicle.
INTERNAL TAXES.
THE internal taxes, ou articles of onr own
growth and manufatture, are repealed ?— Who
will fay, after this, that the exiting administra
tion will not encourage the mechanic and manu
facturer ? This agreeable intelligence, which was
anticipated in our last, is now confirmed beyond
a question. Thus the late anti-republican and
anti-federal excise system has tumbled into ruins,
and is now “ in dnft and ashes,” we sincerely hope
never to rife again. Until this moment, the peo
ple could not be considered as truly free. We do
not, however, pretend to fay, that a total exemp
tion from every national tax, excepting the import,
is the only criterion by which the degree of per
sonal liberty we enjoy can be correctly estimated.
Other taxes, very different in nature and princi
ple from the late tax on our houses and lands, and
the excises on productions of our foil, may no
doubt be levied, which will not be so oppreflive,
tihjuft and unequal in their operation, as they
have been. Yet few things are more clear than
that nothing home m^de ought to be a fubjett of
taxation, in this young and riling country, efpe
c'ully if the unwrought material is ot our own
growth. Although refined -sugar and New-
England rum are not at present made from
materials railed within the United States ; yet it
does not thence follow that these primary articles
never will be cultivated with success, and in fuffi
cient quantity to fopply the several manufactories.
But New-England rum ought not to be excused,
because the fvrup from which it is made, paysa
high duty in the general import on foreign goods :
—and this reason also extends with equal force
-i tp our loaf fugir, as the foreign brown fagars are
heavily taxed on importation. Yet there is no
doubt this tax ought to be lessened, as well as that
upon salt, in the next session of congress, for the
convenience of the poorer and middling clades
of the people ; to whom such a reduction of the
duty on these articles, of general confumptiou a
A bill was reported for compensating
persons employed in collecting the customs.
It directs that hereafter the receipts of a
collector Ihall not exceed D. 5000, of a na
val officer 3 0 5% of a surveyor 3000.
—900,000 dolls, were appropriated for na
val service. 195,000 dolls are for the pur
chase of timber, &c. forahe seventy-sours ;
50,000 for the dockyards.
Mr. Smith and Do&. Euftis, proposed to
amend the law, by authorizing the devoting
of the excels of any (pacific appropriation,
to make good any deficiency under any bther
fpecific appropriation ; except the sums de
signed for the purchase of timber, and for
dock yards. Negatived.
Monday, April 19.
The. Collectors of the Customs Compen
sation Bill wasdifeuffed in committee.
This bill allows certain competitions,
provided the clear annual receipt does not
exceed 5000 dollars. A motion was made
to Strike cut 5000, and insert 4000. It was
contended, on one fide, that this latter sum
was fufficient ; that it greatly exceeded most
of the cortipenfations allowed to the federal
officers ; and that as money was appreci
ateing it become neceiTary to reduce the fal
arier of officers generally. —In reply it was
observed, that very few collectors would re
ceive so large a sum as 5000 dollars ; —none
. other than those of New-York, Philadelphia
Baltimore, and perhaps Charleston; that
the re fpon fibility attached to these officers
was greater than that attached to any other,
as in some inflances two millions of dollars
passed through their hands ; that the tempta
tion to violate duty was proportionably
great ; and that from these considerations it
become the government to afford them a
liberal compensation ; and that the sum was
considered as below that heretofore allowed.
The motion was negatived. After the re
jeaion of another motion, the Committee
reported the bill. When the Hotife took
up the bill, the motion to (hike out 5000,
and insert 4000, was renewed, and loft.—
Yeas 31. —Nays 40. The bill was ordered
to be engrossed.
Naval Appropriations.
The bill on this fubje&, palfcd without a
division.
The new Judicial bill, from the Senate,
was txkeq up. Mr. Bayard moved that
there should be two sessions of the Supreme
. Court at Washington, in every year, instead
of one. This motion gave rife to a debate,
in which Messrs. Bayard, Griswold, Den
nis, Henderson, T. Morris, Dana and God
dard, fupportedand Meflrs. Nicholson, El
mendorf, R. Williams, & Holland opposed.
The motion was loft.
Mr. Bayard moved to strike out the clause
which adjourns the session of the Court un
til February next. The motion was loft.
Tuejday, April 20.
Two Messages from the President were
received—one inclofing a letter from the Di
re&pr of the Mint, representing the injuri
ous effea of an abolition of that establish
ment :—The other inclofing from the Sec
retary of State, a report on Spanilh fpoiia
tions. Both meflages were ordered to be
THE political controversy in this coun
try, is unparalelled in the hillory of the
world ; a government availed by the in
trigues of a faction, who have no other pre
tence for their conduct, than the attempts
of the administration to lelfen the Taxes of
the People, is a lingular phenomenon in
society. This peculiar mode of creating
animosity among the citizens, is rtferved for
a wonderful event of the present day : it is
a political paradox, and must exite the ad
miration of Europe, as a circumstance of a
peculiar nature.
The calumny daily bestowed upon the Execu
tive and a majority of the Legislature, naturally
chills upon the Citizens to enquire, What evil have
they done 7 Why are such constant alarms excited ?
Why are the papers so fraught with abuse apd de
traftion against every man who appears desirous
to support the present government ? Why is a
party calling on the People to rally ? Why are
they urging a reparation ot the States, and endea
voring by every means to defray our confidence in
the Executive ?
What evil have they done ? is a qneßion which
still recurs. Where is the man who is injured by
the m%fures of government ? Is the Merchant,
Tradeftnan or Farmer injured by the decrease cf
Taxes ? Even the Stock-Holder ,as no reason to
complaints hisquirterly demands are as punctual
ly discharged as when the government borrowed
money at 8 per cent.
Is it possible then that there can be a serious dis
position in the People, to oppose the present ad
minillration ? If no mad is injured, who is to be
gin the opposition ? If no citizen is aggrieved,
who is to rife in arms, and under what It-ndard
are we to rally ? An army in the field, with all
their military apparatus, in opposition to a gov
ernment which is relieving them from Taxes, must
be as ridiculous as the vagaries of Don Orixofte.
It is possible, however, that some Knight Errant
may contemplate foch a Whimsical crusade, and
some Sancho Pancha flaud ready to attend Mm in
his enterprize ; but the good sense of the People
must ever hold such wild extravagancies in the ut
most contempt.
President Jefferson, since his inauguration in
to office, has by a system of Economy, saved the U
nited States upwards of three millions of dollars ;
and yet, Orange to relate, has been abated in the
most outrageous manner, for the very meafores
which effected it ! Indead of which, had he made
raong them, would be very agreeable. But it
was necessary to take every thing in its proper or
der. Firti toabolifh an odious fy Stem of excise u hich
might feoß have been extended to every neces
sary of human life—and then to consider of some
more convenient modification ot the impett, that
the labourer's hard-earned ' food may never be
moistened by the tears of his children, as in every
other country.—Any deficiency that might accrue
front this improvement, could be jell Applied
from an additional tax on real luxuries : not on
those items ot our own growth, and ot general
use, which are treacherously called luxuries, to
embarrass the progress of a wife and upright ad
mintttration in its well concerted plan for them
melioration of our public concerns , —but on those
of foreign growth and manufacture, with which
we continue to be inundated.,
If G. Britain, and other foreign Governments
bad dictated every fax we have laid on our internal
productions, it seems very probable they would
have pointed out those very identical taxes, which
have been fa induttrioufly contrived to impoverish
the country.—But it is high time, if we mean to
prevent the total exportation ot our Specie, Since
- the accidental profits of our extended carrying
trade can no longer continue, that we Should cher
iSh our infant manufactories; and particularly
those that can be conveniently carried on in fam
ilies, especially in long tedious winters. It is not
only necaffary then that we Should make our own
beer, cyder and inflamable fpii;its ; but we mull
almost exclusively make our own (hues,
boots, dockings, hats, blankets, coarse broadcloths,
and even glass for our windows. Something was
Surely, designed, byway of example, when the
late never to be forgotten Washington, at the
opening of the first Congress, under the belt of
constitutions, appeared in a full fait of clotlies that
were home made.; We very well know that the
opinions and conduct of that real patriot, and un
doubted republican, if his last words can be con
sidered as an irrefragable proof of his republican
ism—are always quoted as if his Signing the fund
ing and banking fyflems were the molt (hiring
parts of his political character. But his predilec
tion for the manufactures and productions othis
native country was certainly tc be ranked in the
iirlt class of his numerous virtues. This predilec
tion would soon have led him, had he have been
willing longer to have flaid in office, to have a
dopted the very fyllem which Mr. Jefferson
has so happily reduced to practice ; and among
other things, to have repealed oor internal taxes
on home made articles, as an indifpenfible pre
requifiteto that fort ot liberty, which he so Wrong
ly vindicated and approved b, his last will and
tellament.
When tiie opponents of this reform, and the
present contumacious enemies of our excellent
government and the constituted authorities are
continually agitating the public mind with falfe
rumours, and the mod Scandalous publications,
they indirectly libel the firlt president, and his
most favorite maxims, as well as those ot the pre--
fens executive. Tire sense of this obvious incon
sistency in politics, does not, however, yet ope
rate as a check on their mifconduCt. But as loon
as the people feel the full benefit, which they ne
cessarily muff feel, from the repeal of the law im
posing duties on our chairs, chaises and hackneys,
and on our home made Spirits, as well as on onr
negotiable paper (for we have had a Stamp Aft
among other impositions, to designate the sense of
our firft resistance to a Similar law) —they will no
doubt decide whether that administration is the
best, which maintains the faith of government un
diminilhed and inviolate, with the leaf tpoilfole colt
to the people; or that which has multiplied onr
burthens by new and unusual taxes, and even laid
the press in fetters to prevent the full expreflion
of those Sentiments, which would have been but
too natural on some late occasions,
-<|tf<#,,|> ->->-=
OLD SOUTH.
/ CANDID APPEAL,
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE U. STATES,
On the meaJures of the present Administration.
The Scurrility against the President is so gross,
and the causes of complaint are so absurd, that 1
conceive it necefl'ary to apologize for feriouily no
ticing them. The Federal party appears determi
ned to place the United States in the mod deroga
tory point of view in the eyes of European na
tions. While other powers are laying exorbitant
Taxes on their fubjetfs—while England is bnithen
ing the People at the rille of an infurreftion, the
British Fa&ion are endeavoring to raise a rebel
lion in America for leffeniug Taxes. What can be
the design of this measure ? The reason is obvious,
they wifli to convince the world, that " TftE Peo
ple" are never Satisfied ; that there is as much op
position in the Republic of America, -for decreasing
Taxes, as there is in the Monarchy of Europe for in
creasing them. This faction are endeavoring to
confound all governments ; to riot on rhe earnings
of the indulil ious, and if any complaint mould a
rile to bring America as the voucher to prove, that
The People are. never easy. Their plans are deep
and subtle ; they are rallying to overthrow the lib
erties of mankind, and every Stratagem is used to
effect their diabolical purposes.
To prove my polition, I would remark, that
there is no more opposition to the British ministry
for augmenting Taxes, than there is in America for
lefemug them ; rhe English papers are not more
severe against the British government, under the
preffiire of Taxes, than the federal papers against
the American government for the extinguishment of
them. Would it not then be a flrange itory in hif
tory, if the people of England Should rife in arms
to obtain an exemption from their Taxes, and the
citizens of America Should at the fame rime rally to
increase theirs. It would be a curious chapter of
wonders, for a Recruiting Sargeant in the city of
London, to beat up for volunteers to seek a redrejs
front Taxes —while in Bufon, one ffiould, with e
qual ardor, hold out the tempting inducement of
an additional weight. This is a paradox ; but the
“ modern philosophy" that “ a national debt is a
national blefling, is the only hypothecs on which
Such an absurdity on our part, can be substantiated
in this country.
The Federal Faction are not contented to lay
heavy Taxes upon us, but they are anxious for a
division of the Northern and Southern States. If
this Should take place, whar would be our Situation ?
The Shipping of the Northern States must lay at the
wharves, and British veflels would enjoy the exclu
sive privilege of the Carrying Trade ; our Ship-
Carpenters would speedily be obliged to lay by their
tools ; and every Tradesman in town, connected
with navigation, must retire into the country, or
become an underling in the Store of a Britifi) A
gent ; our Young Men would be cut off from every
commercial enterprize, and have the mortification
ot seeking British Ships unloading British manufac
tures in the Northern States, and from thence sent
to the Southward tor a freight of tobacco and other
valuable produce.
an addition of this sum to the expences of the last
administration, his present calumniators would
have been his warmelt advocates ; for it must be
remembered, that his opponents are of the "ft ft,"
who hold the doctrine that "a Public Debt is a
public biejing ;" consequently, every dollar ex
pended is a pledge ot that blefiug, and every fl.il
ling fared is the foreboding 01 a national curje.
If the President instead of repealing our Internal
Taxes, had augmented them; —iufteafl of dilctarg
ing a numerous body ot useless officers, had increa
sed them^-inttead of paying the Stockholders with
the duties writing from impost only, had requested
a Loan of Millions, at'B or 10 per cent interest :
If lie had done these things, the Federal papers
would have been crouded with congratulations on
our national prosperity ; address would have
covered the Presidential table,and in all probabili
ty we Should have been called on to revive the
Cockade, as the emblem of our attachment to his
administration.
But, alas, it happens unfortunately for this class
of gentry, that Mr. Jefferfon explodes the fenri.
merit that "a public debt is a public blelliug'^—
he does Dot with tb place the happiness of Ids
country on this foundation ; this " modern phi
lojophy” he disowns ; he Studies the general wel
fare of his fellow citizens, and is not desirous to
heap bleffiugs on one chi's of men, by curing
every other with ! axes.
This, lellow-citizens, is the elil "which he hath
done —he has leflened tte burden from the Shoul
ders of his constituents, and has pledged himfelt
that be Will pursue this line of conduct to the ex
tinguishment of the Public Debt. These are his
crimes, and these are the fins of the present ad
ministration—if any man is injured, let him Speak.
Here, methinks, I hear a number of men ex
claim, He has turned me put of office. Alas, gen
tlemen, your cases may be deplorable as to your
particular private interest ; bußyou must console
yot rfelves, that the Prefirient is not to aft by par
tial, but by general laws. If you have had the
good fortune for many years to live by your offi
ces, it does not follow, that you Should continue
in them, if the exigencies cf the country do not
require it. It may be a pretty thing lor you, to
receive an annual compensation arising from the
public Taxes, but it would be a grievous thing t<|
those who pay them, if your Services are no longer
needed. If you have enjoyed these bleflings for a
number of years past, you ought rather to congra
tulate yourselves that you have been so far benefit
led, thin to censure and condemn the government
for not continuing you in office. The citizens are
grateful, but not prodigal—We thank yqn lor all
the good you have done, Since- your appointments,
but you mull excuse us, it we are willing, that the
,ay Should flop, when your labours are wholly
useless.—Though some ot you are displaced, and 0-
thers take your ivirihs, yet modefly Should forbid
you to exclaim against the President ; for if he Was
Strictly to lay justice as the line and righteousness
as the plumet, be would extend his removals to a
much greater length ; for why Should those oppo
sed to his administration, enjoy his particular pa
tronage.
Let us then, fellow-citizens, look around us,
and enquire whether an enemy is not doing this ?
Who are the men that are urging a reparation,
and confuting the present adminillration ? Tell
me whether among the whole number, there is
an Old Tory uho is not concerned in this busi
ness ? They pretend to call ic Federalism, but the
truth is, it is Toryism in dijguife ; it is the poi
son of tiie old leaven, which threatened to ter
ment the whole lump, during our revolution.
The enemies of that day, tiled every effort to
make us jealous of our patriots; Hancock and
Adams were then abused similar to Mr. Jefferfon
—our Congress were fligmatized as a banditti—
the Temple ot Judice was then described as hav
ing " every window broke and every door borlt
in" —the " friends to order" were then called on
to rouse from their (lumbers, and on the night of
the i,th April, 1775, (when the unfufpe&ing cit
izen s had retired to refl) they fJlkj art ci, .he
defence lets Yeomanry, red tie the inn Lad rok ..>
its meridian, emtrued tl eir hands in the blood of
our ILughtercd country men. At that time they
endeavored to divide tie Ncthern and Souths
State:—but < unite or die' was then our me o
^nd it is now as Wrong a pit dge of our poliia.l
Safety, under the guidance ot heaven, as the :u -
amidst the deluge of the old u^kl. Let us tie, °
fellow citizens, be collected, be firm and p.uJ
vering,—retv on the goodness of ycur cause, and
the rectitude of ,onr conduß—depend on it, it _
ven never will Suffer us to fall a prey to our en
emies, after so many miracles wrought in our fi
ver, during the diftrcffing period of onr revolu
tion. OLD SOUTH.
foreign Htttcjes.
By a late arrival at Mew- lock.
LONDON, MARCH 8.
Warlike Preparations.
From the great activity in naval equipment ,
some people are inclined to think that the fucceis
of the negotiation is extremely doubtful. Its
certain that the utmott exertion is employed to
fend a prodigious fleet to sea immediately. A vi
gorous press of teamen has been exerted ; and a
great force has been ordered to rendezvous ;c
Portsmouth. Whilst Lord St. Vincent remains ac
the head of the admiralty, we ma, expert vigour
and execution ; and Should the war recommence,
the annihilation of the wrecks of the enemy's na
vy b
MARCH 9.
On Saturday, Adro. Paifly, at Plymouth, receiv
ed an admiralty express, dire fling the Plantage net:
and Conqueror, of 74 gons, to be taken out of or
dinary, and fitted tor commission with all possible
difpatchj
On Friday even, Admiralty orders were receiv
ed at Plymouth) to prepare with the utmost expe
dition, Stores and provisions for al! the men of war
in Caufund Bay and Sound, tor feur months —
The line of battle Ships to he fnpplied firft. The
Agents commenced their operations a few hours
after the arrival of the orders ; and it was ex
pelled, that they would be carried into full effccl
before the end of the present week.
MARCH 10.
Besides the fquadrons, r nined to foreign Sta
tions, a Channel fleet of 30 tail, including rjthree
deckers ; will be pot to sea immediately, under
Ad. Cornwallis. The North Sea Fleet, under Ad.
Dickson, will fail during the present week. Au
official order has been Sent to Woolwich, for fede
ral thotifand hammocks, to be sent forthwith 10
those Ships which had been laid up in ordinary to
be refitted ; and the best bower cables, which Since
the Signing of the Preliminary Treaty, have been
discontinued in many Ships, are to be brought in
to use immediately.
In the House of Commons, this da,, one hun
dred and thirty thotifand Seamen were voted for
the service of April and May.
MARCH IT.
A Bclogne vessel brings a report, said to be
from Amiens, that unless the definitive treaty
Should be Signed on Friday next, at the latelt,
Marquis Cornwallis would return to England.
MARCH 12.
On Wedhefday an interview took place betu een
Lord Bawkefbury and M. Otto.
It is said, Lord Nelson is to have the chief com
mand of our fleet in the Well-Indies.—He goes
out in the Madras frigate, Capt. Gere.
Several more Ships of the line and frigates have
been ordered to be fitted out for immediate fir
vice, and to join the Channel fleet.
PORTSMOUTH, MARCH ~
The grterfteft activity prevails in all the dock
yards, to get ihe line of battle Ships, which vet
ordered yeflerday, ready for sea ; Several ccn:,2-
nies of Shipwrights were immediately Sent cn
board of each ; where they are upon double tides,
and will sleep on board until the Ships are ready
for fea d
march 4.
In the Horse of Commons, last night, the neto
cicion was but Slightly touched upon. Analhi
hon uas made to former negotiations of Defini
tive Treaties, in order to mew tl it the preßut
delay was not unusual nor extraordinary. As
the last peace, nine months elapsed between the
preliminaries and the definitive treaty.
Pacific Appearances.
LONDON, MARCH ~
Our Ministry, it is apparent, have infilled upon
bringing the negociation to a determination, one
way, or the other, m a Short limited period. The
great warlike preparations making; are evidently
designed to give efficacy to the demand.
MARCH TO.
Policies were yeflerday opened, on the ground
that no Definitive Treaty would be concluded.—
Twenty guineas were taken to pay one hundred
if the negociation is broken oft.—Though things
are doubtless Somewhat critical, we are still in
clined to think that there will be a treaty, and
probably the lleps that have been taken will ac
celerate its conclusion. ?
MARCH T 2.
No doubt, Ministers have authorized Marquis
Cornwallis to bring the negociation to a speedy
iffiie. Mean time the activity of preparation is
unremitted. Although matters are thus fufpenc
ed, there seems in general to be a considerable
confidence, that a definitive treaty will be con
cluded.
The delay of the Definitive Treaty excites
much alarm. The liberal concessions already
made by our Minitiers takes all blame from them ;
and it is hoped, that though inferior arrange
ments may require time, both parties, are too
deeply engaged to their refpeftive countries, to
embroil them again in war, without some very
extraordinary cause.
The preparations making in our ports may be a
meaforeW precaution totally unconnected with
any disputes that may arise amongst the plenipo
tentiaries ; and may be fatisfa&orrly accounted
for, from the French expeditions to the Wed-In
dies ; yet a little more explanation, on the part
of Ministers, is very desirable.
— FOR^ACE'^Y
PETER WILSON,
30 M. Refufe BOARDS. -
Apply at No. 6, Long -Wharf. ^
Wanted, immediately, l
CT An a&ive Lad as an apprentice to the
Blacksmith's business, enquire of the prin.
ter. , May 4,