Star.
London, England, 1814-12-16 00:00:00

4M!RIC4.

SPEECH or THZ HON.. BIROS KING, OF MASSACHUSETS,
1N THE HOUSE OF BETHESENTATIVESI OCTOBER 22,
AGAINA.: AN INCREASE OF THE TAXES. AS PRO-
POSED BY THE CO:WHITTEN OF WAYS AND MEANS.

Mr. CRAIRSJAN —I feel that I owe to the Corn-
Mince an apology for rising thus early in the debate,
before gentlemen of greeter experience and of longer
standing on this floor had an opportunity of ex-
pressing their sentiments. This course, however,
I am compelled to pursue in consequence of what
toil from the Hon. Gentleman fmm New York, yes-
terday, in debate, upon this subject. Had I been
satisfied with the practical conclusion to which that
lion. Gentleman brought himself, I should have re-
mained silent, and with him have united with the ma-
jority in voting for additional taxes. But this, alter
the most mature consideraticn I cannot do.—No one
lamentsmnre than I do, the distressing state to which
our country is reduced, by corrupt men and ruinous
measures. No one will go further in a correct and
honourable courser to relieve her from our present
emberrassments—no one can more ardently desire
the return of the blessings of peace cn fair and honour-
able conditions ; so necessar for the Government;
so indispensable for the . But I do not think
that the road printed out .y that gentleman, will
lead directly to that clegineble.end. If the war, as he
admits, and as every regecting man must admit, was
inexpedient in its origin, and is ruinous in its prose-
cution, I haw seen nothing to change its character.
As well might the Ethiopian change his skin, or the
leopard his spots. • If the Administration who de-
clered this writ were weak, corrupt, and wicked, as the
gentleman will concede, have they too changed their
natures ? and if not, can honest men possibly unite with
them ? If, as the Hon. Gentleman correctly observes,
the extreme depth of the follyrof these men, in declar-
ing and conducting the war, was such that even his
intellihence could ant fathom it—if, as he says, they
have' abused the confidence reposed in them, and
lavished the blood and treasure of this nation, in
foolish and wicked contests, can we in honour unite
with such monsters ? Can we justify ourselves to our
constituents, our consciences, or eur GOD, in assisting 1
to put into the power of such men the lives and the
remains of the fortunes of our fellow.citizms ? I be-
lieve in GOD we cannot! But the Hon. Gentleman',
attempts to justify his course by saying, that the na-
ture of the war has wholly changed--from offensive
to defensive. is this iedeed the case? Where is the
only efficient army which the Administration have?
Is it not invading' Canada? Is it not carrying fire
and sword into that country Anu.shau wee se-
riously told that this, on the part of the Administra-
tiothis a defensive war ? It is true, Sir, as far as
respects the per pie et this country, and the State Go.
Increment s, it is a defensive war. It is true, Sir, that
she yeomanry, the 'owners of the soil, are obliged to
defend that, and their wives, their children, and their
firesides, against the attacks of the enemy, along the
whole e# your sea-coast ; while your Administration,
who are bound by the Constitution to defend us are
dreaming of the conquest of Canada, and are sending
their soldiers in that direction, to places where we
have little property, and few inhabitants to protect,
but leaving exposed to the incursions of the enemy
the whole Atlantic frontier. L;ke the dog in the
fable, they catch at the shadow and lose the substance.
The Hon. Gentleman has hinted, for he did not
hazard the assertion, that some people in this coun-
try, and many in Europe, believe this war of French
origin. I have no hints to give on this, or any other
subject; but assert, as I beeve, and I believe it as I
do ray existence, that this is a French war ; and I
bave no doubt that a majority of this nation, and all
Europe think the same, anal act upon that belief.
I very well know, Sir, that this Government have
lately pleaded not guilty to this charge, on the
ground. ilo doubt, that direct evidence i f their guilt
caannt be prodeced. So, Sir, in our Courts of Jus-
tier, ne terry day hear the most notorious .offenders
plead the general issue of not guilty—and even be
acquitted by their country, because their was not suf-
ficient evidence of their guilt : though every honest
map in the nation believes them guilty. But let us
hear what these Gentlemen, the Administration, say
in their dt fence. " No reliance was placed oa the
good offices of France, in bringing the war with
Great, Britain to a eatisfnctory conclusion." But they
date rust say thef did
,not rely en the good (Aces
or power of the French tyrant when they declared
that war. But they proceed—" he, the President,
nevertheless knew that France held a place in the
political system of Europe, and of the world, which,
as a check on Erigland, would not fail to be useful
to us." No doubt tie knew it, while France held
under her tyrant, not hclds under her legitimate so-
vertigo, a place among nations, and all Europe knew
it, felt it, and trembled, while our administration were
courting his good offices. Like the contemptible
jackal to the lion ; while the Imperial beast of France
was greedily pursuing his prey, our dastardly admi-
nistratioteexeected to extort their dirty portion from
its fears. f was induced to advert to this French
origin of the war, for the purpcse of distinctly stating
to the American people, that the allies of Europe, tie
great and good Ai, xander the Deliverer, among the
rest, all ao consider it : nay, more, Sir, they believe
your administration only a branch of the power of the.
lafe imperial; now fallea tyrant, which power they
Are determined to destroy root and branch. Let not
toe people then, of this, country, delude themselves
with the hope of peace, while the present men wield
the deethies of this nation. Foreign nations, Sir,
/*VC no confidence ice the amicable professions of your
administration; they, have forfeited all respect, and
no honourable peace will ever be made with them
Not, S-r, that. any foreign nation would pretend to
dictate to us, or in the smallest degree interfere wit!
our internal regulations; to this I would not submit,,

from any nation. But the people ought to know,
that England will not make peace with a set of men
whom she thinks corrupt and wicked. Can we
then Sir, ought we, to unite with such men in the
•prosecution of this French war? Besides, Sir, do we
not condemn the friends of this administration for
'Supporting such weak and corrupt rulers, and shall
we not condemn ourselves if we unite with them in
that support ? Honest men will decide.
For these, among other reasons, I cannot unite in
support of the present Administration. A shall now
proceed to state some of the reasons which compel
me to vote against the whole system, or rather scheme
of finance reported by the Committee of ‘Vays and
Means, whereby they calculated to raise from the
people of this country, directly or indirectly, by new
or increased taxes, 11,635,000 dollars. In addition
to the sum of 10,800,000 dollars, raised in the same
manner, or to be raked the present year. Making a
grand total for the people to pay in taxes for 1815,
T 2,435,000 dollars to the national Government,
which does not and cannot protect them. Bctore I
proceed to the reasons above alluded to,
to hold up to the view of the American pe.ople two
picture; ; one of the expense 4 a year in peace, the
other of a year of war. The expense of our peace
establishment before the war, was (as the late S.
cretary of the Treasury, Mr. Campbell inf .rins
in an able and faithful annual report made to the
House of Representatives on the 21th of Sept. 1814)

D. 7,000 non
Interest on the debt, existing previous to the war 1.1u,0,0mt

Making, . Dat,400,000

Ile further informs US that the sums authorhied by Cnngreu
to be es?cnt:ed chitin: the year 1814, and for which aprropria-
tlon. have Leen niadc, are :
Amounting in the whole to 1).47,e 6,17°. This sum the Go-
moment expected to provide as follow.:
From the Gust - • 6,500,000
Sales of Public Lands - tit,o,coo
Direct Tax and internal Dutie4 - ;800,000
Postage and incidental Receipt. - 50,1100

10,930,000
Loans and Treasury Notes - -33,592,66 S
Balance said to be in Treasury • 2,7t7,567

D.47,T70,172
Of the sum the Government expected to raise by
loans, after begging and submitting to the grossest
usury, they were deficient more than thirteen mil-
lions and a half dollars, according to the first and
dashing report from the new Secretary Dallas, to the
Committee of Ways and Means. This statement
shews evidence in favour of peace 38,570,172 of
cents. an amount which one year of war costs the
people. 1 will now, Sir, by your indulgence and
that of the Committee, state some of the reasons
' which compel me to vote against the war taxes; of
these reasons, Sir, some will be local and others gene-
ral ; while our attention is directed to the interest of
the whole, we might-not neglect that of any part.
First—l shall vote against this report as a citizen
of New England, because that section of the country
wris not repres.o)ted in the Committee which made .t,
aithough its inh.:bitaitt, if the taxes arc imposed,
will be called upon to pay a large proportion c.f them.
How this happsned, whether by design or accident,
II know not ; nut such is the fact, that no Member
from New England was put upon tilt important
j Committee. But the Middle, SJutherp, ant: Wes-
t.r" Otal.G3, ‘l[lBi td the iIVIAC.I‘• I would tint ba
understood to implicate the Honourable Spealier of
this House, who appoints our Committees ; and
who discharges the dates of his office with distin-
guished ability. It may hav Lean accident, or he
may only have followed the examp:e of some prede-
cessor. Nur, Sir, wia.id I sogL:est that • the Com-
mittee is not composed of Gentlemen of ability and
integrity. But, Sir, they cannot understand t::e in-
terest of that part ut our country so well as a Mem-
ber therefrom. They cannot have the feelings, the
interests, or the views of citizens of New Esgland.
New England appears to he proscribed, put under
the ban of the empire. These things create suspi-
cions of designs against her rights and liberties. I
cannot sanction this procedure by my vote.
Second—This administration have, by 'their weak
and wicked measures, so impoverished our citizens,
that they have not the ability to pay these oppressive
taxes. Shall we lay upon them additional burdens,
when they are now almost pressed to the dust by those
which you have already heaped upon them ? Let us
hear what Mr. Secretary Dallas says upon this subject.
" The wealth atlas nation, in the value and pro-
ducts of its soil, in all the acquisitions of personal
I property, and in all the varieties of industry, remains
almost untouched by die hand of Government." tsli
this, indeed, true ? Let me ask the farmer in the
middle States the value of his wheat and flour, now
spoiling on his hands : the merchant in the East, the
value of his lumber and his fish, without purchasers,
his acquisition of property deprived by the acts of the
Government of the accustomed means of enterprise;
the shp-owner, the rich return of his vessels, now
only food for worms; the sailor and mechanic, the
value of their industry in all its varieties. These will
all exClaimo. that they have been sorely touched by
the hand of this Government. That " the little
finger of this oppressive Administration 'is thitsker
than the loins" of the father of his country. That
this Administration had afflicted them, as the great
enemy of mankind was permitted to afflict the per-
fect and upright man, by touching all they possess,
and they almost ready to " curse them to their faces."
But what does the Chairman of. tile Committee of
Ways and Means say on this subject 66 In Europe the
price of agricultural products is not materially affect.
ed by a state of war; tie produce of the earth is
there consumed within the country in peace and war.
—l'he situation of the United States is entirely diffe.
rent—with an extensive and fertile country, and a
small population compared to the erten' of our terns
tory, we have annually a large surplus to export to
foreign markets, over and above what is necessary
for consumption. On the export of this surplus,
wt4ch is cut off by war, depends in a great degree
the ability of the farmer to meet taxes."—By this it
appears, that the wealth of the nation, composed by
the wealth of every individual in that nation, subject
to taxation, does bi:t remain almost untouched by the
hand of Government. And, Sir, I consider this war,
for every purpose of misery and distress, as having
existed for nearly eight years—since the embargo by
Mr. Jefferson, in I SOCi. A constant hostility has,
since that period, been maintained by the Govern-
ment against the industry, property, and enterprise
of our citizens, by their restrictive and oppressive
acts, whereby thousands of our citizens are reduced

to beggary; to a situation that; scarce any change
can be for the worse. In New England, too, Sir,
we are obliged to pay to our State tax, county tax,
and parish tax (the latter, some Gentlemen on this,
floor may not understand) ; consider too, Sir, that
our citizens are deprived of the usual means of ob-
taining supplies for these objects, and for the mainte-
nance of their families. Lumber, the fisheries and
commerce, ware our chief dependance. Our lumber,
which, before the war, found a ready market at ten
and fifteen dollars the thousand, is now merely no-
minal at four or five. The bank fisheries are de-
stroyed—and it now seems, from the terms of the
enemy, that we arc in a fair way to lose the best
portion of our coast fi.hery. Our vessels are now
confined to our ports. It must be known likewise
that the inhabitants of the sea port towns in Maine
were accustomed to receive two-thirds of the provi-
sions required for their support, in articles of the first.
necessity, coastwise ; and in proportion as their means
of purchasing provisions have decreased, the price of 1
I provisions has increased. Flour, which was formerly
bought fur six or eight dollars, has for some time
past been fifteen or sixteen dollars the barrel. Indian
corn, which sold for seventy-five cents the bushel be-
fore the ss ar, was the last suinmer one dollar and al
half and two dollars the bushel, and so of many
other articles of prime uccessitty. The consequence
of this has been such as was probably expected and
wished by the Government. Many, of our respects
able citizens, sailors, and mechanics, have, for sub-
sistence, been forced into the ranks of your army,
and marched into Canadaa Yes, Sir, 1 hive ta
regret, nay, to lament, the fate of many valuable
citizens, some personal friends, who have thus fallen
victims to the diseases of that clime aa or to the
sword of the enemy—far distant from their homes,
with no friendly hand to relieve their suffering, it.
saoth their distress; in death, they cast a fond recol•
lection back upon their country, and the dear objects
of their affection, then closed their eyes in despair.—
With the hope of giving some relief, I have since en-
tered the dwellings of their families, once the abodes
of prosperity and happiness—now of. wretchedness
and woe. I have beheld their disconsolate widows,
and helpless parents, in misery and want, and their
children crying for bread : do then, 0 Goo, now
their only supporter, according to the petition in thy
prayer, give them each day their daily bread I But
when the poor have thus cried, Madison has not
wept ; 44 ambition is made of sterner stuff" than this.
Third Reason.—As a citizen of New England, I
am opposed to laying this additional burthen upon
'my fellow-citizens, because no part of the money,
thus to be raised, will be applied to the payment of
the expense incurred by those States in calling out
and subt.isting the militia, for the defence of their
soil and famines. This information we have from
the Secretary 4 War himself, in his answer to the
letter of his Excellency Governor Strong, upon that
subject—that no part of the expense •thus incurred
would be reimbursed, unless our troops were placed
under the orders of the Commanders of their inili-
tat y districts. This is a species of command we
know nothing of ; military districts ! —by what right,
what authority, what usurpation established ?—they
are unknown to our laws—unknown to our consti-
tution, and abhorrent to our feelings. For what
purpose is our country t,errymandcred into military
i cNtt..ts ? Can you inform me, Sir ? I did indeed
I once hear on this floor the purpose avowed, for
! which they were established, and the use to which
1 they were destined ; I did hear an Hon. Gent:meth
in debate, and I heard him with horror and detesta-
tion, alluding to some rumours of dissatisfaction in
the East, thank his Gun, that there was within each
4-military district of thiS country, a physical force
sutlicient to put down the first movements of popu-
lar discontent. What, Sir ! arc we made a military
despotism ? Must we be butchered, if we ~!are
complain of our wrongs ? Is this the rt-pub'oca
form of government guaranteed to us by the con-
stitution ? Is this the freedom for wlech our an-
cestors fought and bled ? If so, then ‘Varrea and
the succeeding martyrs of the It..,vinuti.rn, died in
vain. Ni, Sir, New England will not submit to
it; no military despot small ever reign theme. I,
too, thank my Gun, that there is within each State
in New England, the bravest yeomanly of the
country, hearts of oak, ready and deiernined to
beat down tyranny and oppression under their feet.
—But who are the °Hirers tinder whose command
your President wishes to place our hardy soldiers I
In Massachusets, he is an officer whom your Presi-
dent has recalled from a command in Canada, with
every mark of disgrace—in New Hampshire is an
officer who suffered himself to be taken by a handful
of the enemy ; and of so little consequence was he in
.the view of your Government, that they let him rest'
in Canada unexchanged, until he almost became a
subject of his Britannic Majesty. His pay and rations
I however went on, which was some consolation. Sir,
our militia officers would think themselves disgraced,
and throw up their commissions, if they were ordered
under such Commanders.: But, Sir, the principle on
which this military gerrymander is formed, is what I
must deprecate. It your President can thus divida
the States into military sections, ens, place over each
a General Officer, what prevents his appointment of
all the subordinary officers in the same district,, ready
i to take from our militia officers their commands as
soon as they take the field ; thus violating, in the very
letter, that part of the Constitution winch reserves
, to the States respectively, the appointment of the of
ficers of militia ?' There is nothing that will prevent
his doing this, seeing he has the disposition, out the
determined resistance of the people. Wno are accus-
tomed, ' to anticipate the evil, aad judge ht t:.e pres-
sure of the grievance by the badness or the principle ;
they augur misgovernment at a distance, and.sneff
up the approach of tyranny in every tainted breeze.'
It then, Sir, you will nut defend New England, New
England will defend herself, and will keep her re-
sources for her own occasions. 6, Millions for our de-
fence, but not a cent for tribute."

Fourth Reason.—l cannot unite in supporting this
Administration, with Mr. Madison At their head, be-
cause he has always shewn a settled and determined
spirit of hostility against the enterprise, the com-
merce, the rights, and, above all, the patriots of
New England. What, let me ask, was a Boston
Port Bill, compared with a General Embargo ?
What a duty on a few unimportant aaicles, compared
with the taxes and oppressions which tivs Adininistra-
lion have brought upon this people ? As much as 1
abhor the tyrattny and orptes.:!ion of a Cri!tf.n,

North, or a Bute, and their hireling associates in dif.
ferent Ministries in England, against this country, 1.
would not do them the injustice to compare them
with a set of men and measures which would dis.
grace them ! If a simple King of England, by his
corrupt servants, chastised New England with whips.
this Administration have chastised her with scorpion..
A repetition of the same grievances will remind us of
doe remedy. It may be demanded of me, if lan=Ian=
willing to abandon our navy and army, without pay.
without. reward ; tar, very far from it. My semi.
ments on this subject cannot be unknown or miitaketi.
The steady bravery and perfect discipline of our ga:.
lant seamen. evinced by their repeated and splent;irt
victories, the heroism lately displayed by some 01
our Generals, their officers and troops, in many tan,
guinary and successful battles,flash like lightning urn
the surrounding darkness, rendering it more paiptit.
—New England will not give up the ship, for ti
seamen either I She is prepared to swim or sink, con.
quer or die, with them. But, Sir, this administratiou
has not the ability to reward them ; they have last
the confidence of the people, and caunot command
the resources of the nation. It will devolve on the first
fast friends of the navy, to reward our bray:: tars, when
the " trouhkd n.glit" of this admin:strution (Icp trls.

And the sear of peace returns."
In relation to the subject more immediately before
the Committee, as to the increase of taxes, for tho
reasons which I have given, and as t 3 the scheme of
a National Bank, reported by Mr. Dally, for reasobs
aphid, I may assign when that subject shall be taken
shall vote against the whole. In !-elation
the detail of this business, as it respects a proper s`•.
Itctian of articles or of equalizing them through the
States, I shall endeavonr correctly to do my duty.

THE ELECTIONS.
•
Munchusetts, Octot.er
It seems to be hardly known, that an Eiectioe,
exceedingly important to the interest of this countrv,
is near at hand in this commonwealth. Our repre.
sentation in Congress is at present nearly all federal.
It consists principally of men in whom the State may
solely confide its interests. It behoves us to chew
that we place in them all that confidence which they
'deserve. It is important, if we cannot gain a majority
in Congress opposed to the war, an object which is
by no means hopeless, that we at least demonstrate
that the conduct of the administration for two years
past has gained them no popularity. Let there be
no pretence fur saying that democracy is gaining
ground in Massachusetts.
Democracy is, in fact, still declining in this cord.
inonwealth. There is great hope that the whole
representation in the next Congress will be federal._
But to effect this object the people must du their duty.
In some districts the friends of the war are already
exceedingly active. Endeavours should be made on
our part to counteract this activity.
The hopes of our country have been raised by the
late success of federalism in Vermont and Maryland.
Let them not be depressed by any falling off in Mat.
s:tchusetts, the strong hold of good principles,

New York, Oct. It
PENNSYLVANIA ELECTION—NO official returns have
been received in addition to what we have Already
I)ll,lislied. Dauphin county gives a majority for Sq.
der of

Philadelphia, Cot. 17—Peramy
We are yet unable to give the official return (4- the
votes in this district. We carr state, however, that the
federalists have elected four Members of congress,
t•,:o State Senators, three Auditors, and a Coituti
Como.issicmer, for the district, besides the Members
of Assembly, from the City and Councils. There has
been a very great increase of federal r.puhlican vo:cs
in Penusylvauia, in the election jur: d • Jed.

VOTES FOR GOVERNOR.
Wayne I 6,563 Stivdcr 19,292
CHESTER. AND MONTGOAIELY DISTRICT.
ranaTasairii COMOAtiii+
_ _

S. Henderson (Fed.) 4763

101;it• Haim (Dem.) 4511

EQURTILINTM comaases.

Wayne (Fed.) 4775 11.) ariing. on (t)em. ) 4781
Henderson (Fed.) 4770 klahn Wert. 4748
If the preceding s:Atement accurate, Samuel
Henderson, the federal candid ite, i. elected to a seat
in the present Congres,, And Isaac Wayne. a teden.l
candidate, and Wm. DAs lingual, a •deinocratic can.
didate, are elected Members of the 14th Congress.

CIiASIURSBURG, (PENN), OCTOBER is.
The following is a correct Statement of the Votes
given for Members of Congress in the district com-
p:m:l of the counties of Franklin, Adams, and Cunt.
bcrlind