Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1802-06-23

@i4NAA AA'Nl ~ tfN4lNN-' IL ss1Et WALL
ing 10 DC the victims wheh the pubnc gooa
required.
The duties on is,2orts and tonnage for
nlshed a preCaro'ls revenue, . revenue I'll
ak tunes exposed to dcnciency from caus-
es beyond eur czech. The intrnal taxes
offered fund less liable to b impaired
by accident, 4 fund which did not rob the
mouth of labour, but was derived nom the
qualifications otluXOry. These taxes are
an equitable distribution Of the puhhc
burthens. Through this medium the wes-
TERN country is enabled 10 contribute some
thing TO the expenses OF government
which has expended ana daily expends
such large sums in It's defence. When
these taxes we-e laid obey were indispen-
sable. Vita tae ala OF them 1t has been
difficult to prevent an increase OF the pub
lie debt. Ana Notwithstanding the fairy
prospects which now dazzle our eyes, /
undertake 10 say, if you abolish them this
session, you will be Obliged 10 restore chem
or supply their place by direct tax be-
tore the end oftwo years. VIII the gen
tieman say, that the dire6t tao; was laid in
order TO enlarge the bounds OF patronage.
VIII he deny that this was a measure TO
which we hadheenurged foryears by ouTad-
versaries, because they ioresaw in ittheru-
in of the Federal power Myword fer it, TO
| administration will ever be strengthened
by patronage united with taxes which the
people are sensible Of paying.
We were next told, that TO get an army
an Indian wax was necessary. The remark
was extremely bold, as the honorable gen
tleman did not allcdge single reason Tor
J the position. He did not undertake to
state, thatit was a wanton war, or provok-
| ed by the government. He did not even
venture to deny, that it was a war of de-
fence, and entered into in order to protect
/ our brethren on the frontiers from the
bloody scaiping knife, and murderous tom
a-hawksof the savage. What ought the
/ government te have done Ought they to
| have estimated thcvalu Of the blood which
probably would be shed, and the amount
OF the devastation likely to be committed
before they determined on resistance
They raised an army and after great ex-
pense and various fortune they have secur-
ed the peace and safety of the frontiers.
But, why was the army mentioned on this
, occasion, unless to ioTewarn US OF the fate
which awaits them, and to tell US, that
their days are numbered cannot sup
pose, that the gentleman mentioned this
little army distributed on a line OF three
thousand miles, for the purpose of giving
alarm to three hundred thousand free and
brave yeomanry ever ready to defend the
liberties of the country.
The honorable gentleman proceeded 20
INFORM the COMMITTEES, that the Govern.
ment availing itself of the depredatioDs OF
the AigerinesS created navy. Did the
gentlamen mean 70 insinuate that this war
was invited by the United States? Has he
any documents or proofto sendss ,he sns-
plcion colorado? No, sir, he has none.
He well knows that the Algerine aeeres-
sions were extremely embarrassing 10 the
government. When they commenced,
we had TO Murine force to oppose them.
We had no harbors or places Of shelter ,,
the MEDITERRANEAN. A war with these nj
rates could be attended with neither honor
nor profit. It might cost great deal of
blood, and IN the end it might be feared
that a contest so far from home, subject 10
nUmberless hazards and difficulties. conld
not be maintained. What would gen
uemen have haG The government TO do! Il
know there are those who are ready to
answer-aDsndonthe Mediterranean trade.
But would this nave done? The corsairs
threatened to pass the Straights, and were
expected IN the Atlantic. Nav, sir, II was
thought that our very coasts would not
have been secure.
Win the gentleman so farther and say,
that the United States ought to relinauish
their commerce. ] believe this opinion
has high authority TO support it. 1t has
been sad, that we ought to be only cult
yators OF the earth, and make the nations
Of Europe our carriers.
This is not an occasion to examine the
5olidity of this opinion; but will only
ask, admitting the administration were
disposed to turn the pursuits Of the peo-
pie OF this country from the ocean to the
land, whether there is a power in the eo-
yernment, or whether there would be five
we're as strong as the government of Tur-
by, or even of France, TO accomplish the
oCject WIN sea coast Of 1900 miles, |
with Innumerabie harbors and inlets, with |
a people enterpnsing beyond example, is !
II possible to say, you viii have no ships !
nor sailors, nor merchants. The psopIe |
OF this Country viii never consent to give
up their navigation, and every adrninistra-
uon wiliiindthemselves constrained 10 pro-
VIDE means to protect their commerce.
In respect 70 the Algcrines the late adj !
ministrailoas were sigularIy unfortunate. +,
They were obliged to fight or pay them. |
Inc true policy was to hold a purse in one /