Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-26
FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENckR.
To the PEOPLE,.
THE DEFENCE.
No. Ill.

NO. III.
Albert Gol'at5, was named secretary OF
the Treasury. The duties OF this station
are IN some respects scarcely secondary,
while IN others they are superior TO these
attached to The Department of State. By
the laws establishing the Office, The Sccre.
tary is required not only 10 supcriniend
the collection and disbursement OF the re-
venue, but likewise 10 prevent such new,
or alterations in eXistinS plans, as the pub
lie good requires. II will be perceived
that this requires comprehensive know
ledge of the resources of the country, u
nted with habits of close application :;
and in addition TO this rare union Of quail
tiles stern integrity. In z government
whose chief resource depends upon trade,
which itself depends upon our relative ST.
tuation with the European world, it is es-
sentlal that the Secretary should superadd
TO these attalnments, sufficient know
ledge Of foreign powers, to anticipate the
arrangements likely to be adopted by
them and their effects upon the United
States. For the discharge of these high
and complicated duties the President nam
cd Albert Gallatin.
This gentleman, it is we'll known, was
born in foreign land; but it is likewise
known that the air he there inhaled was
that OF liberty. The republic in whose
bosom he was educated, had, for ages,
been no less distinguished by the Justice
OF its laws, than the equality Of its citi-
zens. Uncontaminated by the ayarcious
passions OF trade, the powers of the hui
man mind sought the proud distinctions
of science and refined art. Hence this
little spot not only rivaiied, but surpassed
the fame of those small states, which, ami
mated by a GreCian spirit, achieved those
prodigies OF valor which were deemed by
surrounding nations miraculous. There
was, however, this difference between
them. While the states OF Greece ex-
hausted their energies in invading the
rights Of others, the Swiss Cantons exert
cd theirs in defending their oWp. Tie
one therefore, was as much the terror ss
the other was the admiration of the world.
This was the school in which Gailalin
was bred. 1t was here, that his earliest
impressions inspired him with Z love of
liberty, instructed him in the subordinate
estimation in which virtuousmind should
hold wealth, and taught him the value OF
industrious habits, as the only guardians
OF independence s, true greatness. These
were the instructions that prepared the
youth for usefulness. AT an early period,
he was animated by the feelings and
views of the n,an-These at the age of
nineteen, before he had formed any poll
teal or interested associations, offered to
n ~. g.,
those intellectual powers Of which he could
not have been entirely unconscious. Per
haps, with prophetic sagacity, .he pierced
the dark cloud that hung over his coun-
try and foresaw its liberty and happiness
prey TO foreign violence. BE this, as ii
may, the first ACT Of manhood was an cx-
change OF his native country for the Unit
ed States. Here he was the plain, labori-
Gus, and unofiensivc citizen. He success.
lively, instructed youth, bore arms, and
cultivated the soil. No man irnpcached
the regularity of his life, his honesty or
his morals. He did not live stranger a.
mong us. He Immediately became a CT
tizen, took the oath Of allegiance, and mar
ried an American wife. At this period
of his life, it does not appear the! any am
bilious views agitated his bosom. Like
those around him, he enjoyed, with CON
teDtment, peace, liberty and happiness.
His talents, however could not lie con.
cealed. His neighbors marked them, and
in the year $50 or 30, he was sent by his
fellow citizens to the convention that form
ed a new constitution for the state of Penn
sylvania. 1t would appear, from his mo-
desty and silence in this body, that pub
lie station had been little in his thoughts
else he would have courted distinl. ION by
a more active participation Of It's duties.
But neither in the records OF chat body, or
recolie ftion, are any ira
ces to be found of discharge Of more
than the ordinary duties Of a member
His advice may have enlightened It's deli
berations, but If 50, it was impaired in
privacy andsilence, and minislcged 20 swell
the fame Of some less unos,enla,ious L..
gislrtor.
In the next, and FOR several succeeding
years, he occupied q seat in thc lcgisia-
ture OF Pennsylvania. The period Was
troubled with the storms of party; ard 10
man not even himself had escaped its
.,t-..g a.. t......f .t,.,.. al. roo.