The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-08-15

ons, or at lean By operations mach more ra-id,
han the gradual and fncceiiive iabourg of the
agriculturi1, il is no. furprGry that they ibouid
lcontratt the habit of fpending more u-,on tbe,,
lpleaiures. For it is believe 4 very general
maxim, that the expenses Of MOT individual.
are not 10 much in proportion 10 the extent al
their revenue, as to the cafe and rapdlty with
which it is obtained.-With thric two ex-
captions therefore, toe increaEng wealth OF
the individuals, who deal with the bank, are
not neceiiari!y connected with greater degree
otiuxury, that what is produced by an equal
increaie OF wealth, ariling from the other en-
poymen.s of capital.
4. An objection is made to banks that they
! cannot be put under any contribution which fnail
prevent them from increaiing the prodigality s.
the power of the government. Its prodigality is
| lncreaied by the facility of borrowing money. Its
power extends with the influence, which it af-
tunes in the choice OF the officers. Theft two
disadvantages however do not appear inieparab,y
connected with the exiitence OF a bans.
Under monarchical form of government, or
indeed under any government which INDUCES in
great expence, banks certainly become the in
itruments OF prodgality. There are certain
ipecies OF cxpence, which require an immediate
fund to fupply them, and which cannot wait
for the collection of a new tax. This tax if il
he impoied at all upon the people, mutt there
fore be anticipated. The money mutt be bor-
rowed from another fund, and the proceeds OF
the tax mutt be mortgaged for its repayment.
But this ipecies of expence principally relate
to the great movements of the government, 20
treaties, foreign war or internal commotion.
Whatever government therefore polleiIes the
power of directing thefe movements, and at the
fame time is guided BY a weak and expeniive DO
Icy, or threatened by great dangers, mutt al
ways have recourfe to the expedient of anticipa.
ting its revenue, and of borrowing immediate
fuppiies from fome competent fund. But no
fund is more convenient for this purpofe than a
bank. Hence it is, that the government of Eng
land has 10 often had occafon to borrow money
from the Bank of England and that the Ameri-
can government under the administration of MIR.
Adams, obtained a loan from the United States
Bank. "A different form of government or DIFF
ferent policy will produce very different effects.
Hence the fate of Virginia, which imply retains
fuperlntendance over is local and internal con-
Germs, and does not mix in the great movements
OF diplomacy and war, will fcarcey have occafi-
ON to borrow from the bank and it will fcarce-
ly contribute to encreafe her prodigality
The fnperintendence of the bank and the
choice of its officers might certainly be made in
dependent of the government. When the act
OF Incorporation has once been paifed, it is appa-
rent that the operations ofthe bank might go on
with no other aid from the government, than
what they may derive from the cuitomary admit
niftration Gifts courts of juftice. All its officers
might be appointed all its details might be adj
Jufted, by the preparatory votes of its itockhol-
ders, and by the fubfequent fuperintendence of
its directors. Why the legifature of Virginia
has adopted different policy why they have
given to the fate an influence i'm the appoint
ment OF Its directors not proportionate TO its
flare ofthe flock, but greatly exceeding that ra-
ito, is problem, which it is not difficult to ex
PLAIN, but it involves meafure, which it is not
70 eaty tojuitify.
NorE-No pro9jGor eftbis fart 5as been introduced
iato he ebartsr for aeO0rati4g the Bank Of Igiai4. II
prdbabe, that :Gis amendment zrW be adoptedi B
gaeHt LgjRaiGys.
The report, which has circulated of Aaron Burr's
being attacked with the hydrocephalus Or dropfy in the
head, is probably falacous. A gentleman of Rich
mond who arrived from Philadelphia Saturday has
informed the Editor that he dned with Mr. Burr in
that city, and iaw him ON the Sd Of Augut that on
that day the intelligence arrived in Philadelphia of the
verdict which had been found againG him by the CO.
roner's inqueit and that he did not Zee Mr. Burr,
from that time to Sunday (the 5th of Auguft,) when
ne hmielf left Philadelphia.-The report which has
circulated among appears to have aren from let
.ef' written from PhiIadeiPhlato gentleman OF New
York, and dated the End Of Auguf. That letter G.
ven places the origin of Mr.. Burrs dforder as far
back as the day before yeerday" the SIN of July
The executive council Saturday lait proceeded to
I'LL the two vacancies in the enate Of the United States
occaiioned by Wilton c. Nicholas, being appointed COL
lector of the port of Norfolk, and Abraham B. We
nable PRECEDENT of the bank of Virginia Will
am B. Giles, was unanimoly elected. Andrew
Moore (ofRockbridge county, who is now in con-
greis was elected the other ienaor by out, Of
eight.