Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-26


system nf NJ. Hamilton, had it prevailed,
Ne u'ay form "a incompetent idea OF The
evils tist hays been ayerted aud 10y est
lra,jng the gain derived from the sale of
sands iDctwo dollars, instead IF twenty five
ce3Os, we Shall perceive the extent OF the
national advantage, when We rccoiicc. chat
the uu!hcated territory Of the Uaited States
j. computed AZ ave hundred millions OF a.
CT, :,
I'Gese are the talents, and these the SER
v'ces; whc;irecoDmendcd and lustiiiedihe
deviation OF Sa.stin.
With the publc career of Gen. reGr
6er". we do not profess 10 be intimately
acquainted. We kaow, however, that he
vas a waim aud c.iiceRl advocate os the
revolution; tliat curing ne whole OF its
Vrcissitudes, lie WAS actively erga9ed IN
the councils ur Tie armies OF the country
a.d thai h- inv Iiab!y sustained the cha
-ricter ii brave and able cfiicer. For Sc
Verai years previous to the presidency OF
T,tr, jefferson, he was Ti,GiTI,lCr OF the
house ofrcpres in which he took
a distinguished lead in all the military ar
RAJ gcmsnts. lie has been, without inter
mission, the decided whig, the finn re-
publ!ceN, ard the strenuous adversary Of
al ,hc .nvas;cns o! liberty. Possessed OF
Il sp;rit, that djsdains 10 yield 70 circum-
stances, he nescr wavered in his political
faith, even IN the days OF the grca'est in-
f-tuatloD. But his manliness was temper
ed with a moderation that, while it as5er-
Cd lis own rights, left undisiurbed the
tights &c others, Quick in his percepii-
ons, and prompt il his decisions, he had
been long considered as The tnan OF bust.
ness, and, OF consequence, SO far cininertly
qualified lcr the discharge OF dutiss not al
uniting OF delay.
Ne appointment Of The head Of the
Navy department. produced considerable
difficulty. 1t was successfully offered 70
three { tiers respected for their talents
whose d.censon cvinczd the dsin,erest-
tl2ess OF their patriotism. Rc5crs Smith
~a7. at ;srT;h named.
k's cIizcn hal distinguished himself
Nv his talents as 4 lawyer and legislator
"a the cily IF Baltimore, the seat of great
commerce and SsLh, he had early gain
a ia cQu cm;uence with any member
It the bar, AID had bY the reputation OF
talent and iHt, et'ly, raised himself above
The .rowos oil .o..unc. Notwithstanding,
ic5.ioG, 80 mad fer severa, years. accepted
q seat in me legislature of Maryland.
DpGnE the gteatcr pave of ;his period, he
'yai a. tie minority, and although the re-
ROD was marked witH unusua, violence on
tie s,Ic x the dominant patty he mani
f. ed o diruiiy and moderation that earn
ed Inc est,em even ot his opponents. 1t
j. rue, that tins moderation was shielded
IL srt.., and dat whIe nc scrupuiously
IespeCtra lie feelings Of others, lie com
Tc'.cd OILERS TO respect his own. No
n.an, perhaps, had amore powerful agency
In accomplishing the revolution in public
or.pop which topk place about The peiiod
oi.lhe Presidential eleSi.on. To powers
81 mind highly cultivated by study, he adj
dcd habits OF he closest application, with
wricn he united manners "a the grcatest
L.Oani;y aul poiiieness.
LrUi Lmcoin, q citizen Of Massachu.
se'te, was appointed Attorney General.
II 5 gentleman had is- received IN eyi.
GeHc- ii ne confidence Of his fellow ci;i-
z-us by an election a. their representative
il ( ng,ess. The short period, during
vi III he held lis 'eat, had rot Admitted
of a development OF his talents. But he
WV III A44L OJht NtNii ttt~ IL t'GkAkiOl Oh Z.
mnent talents. The competence, acaui.
red 10y his legal labors, proved the esti-
nation in which they were held in a state
distinguished BY an eminent bar. With
out invidious comparison, he had lone
stood along side of a Parsons and Splji-
va. These qualifications Cor the first ie-
g.! officer OF the government were crown.
80 by manners the most simple, and a
disposition the mildcst that ever tell To The
10, of Iaaa. The spirit OF liberty and re
form often inspires lhc heart with austeri-
49,; - the h AT CT this man the purest
Philanthropy Was mingled with the sweet
os sluebty.
Such WAS he administration, which the
chief magistrate formed as the deposi,ary
q his confidence, ard as worthy to guide
the great departments of the Republic.
CIa 'e'. occasion, sjr. Nicholson, on the
floor 20. The House d Representatives, has
pronounced his the roHgcSt adrunistya.
"ol III re 1oo,LS How lar this is the
award i .ru.h, the review Ofthe proceed.
inss "a the government. which We are