Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-08-08
From the RspERToRy.
Extracts from Mr. Bates Grafton.

dome, now nuCn nave even ltlelF opponents
found 10 ceasure The Funding System,
the British Trsatg,l The Provisional Army,
the Land Tar, ana tbe.Sedgtion Lauv.
The funding system was devised BY a
man, who looked beyond the bourne that
limits the vulgar sight aad who judged
from the Induction of : rticulars. Were
You 10 have
IS Heard h;n debate Of commonwealth affairs,
y,u would FAY, il had been, all in ali his ftudy;
e Lii his diiconrfc Of war, you would hear,
lsarial battle rtndered.you in mufc;
Turn him toany eaue of policy
50 The Gordian knot OF it he would unlois
IS Familiar as his garter.
He would sometimes melt you to compass
sion, by the sweet sunshine of his eloquence
---somtimes he would arouse you 10 iudig-
nation by the thunder of his rhetorick -
sometimes he would strike the harp OF Cos
mus, and g make laughter burst his sides; )"
sometimes he was terrible as the spirit OF
Loda and sometimes mild as the lutte OF
Ossina, g Sed Hum fuie, Troy IS no more.
Pardon the DEPRESSION my countrymen, tor
whereas the traveller, would NOT turn from
the high way to weep at the tomb of Ham
i!ton! The funding system in the opinion
of the wisest and best politicians, was the
sreas Panacea, which saved the naEiou.--
But on this measure, and the treaty with
Great Britain, time has decided aud cavil
and censure must cease.
The army was raised at a period which
called for decision and d&feuce. Oar seas
were sweptby Frenehprivaseers; our trea-
ties violated and our land covered with
vultures, who were screaming tor tribute,
and " foreboding pcstilence and war. -
twice we sent solemn embassies 20 France,
vested with the most ample powers; twice
they wersldismissed without recognition, or
even the formaity OF a hearing. The ag-
gressions continued ;iniusqce followed con-
tempt Insult accumulated upon Insult, I'M
ell the enormities exceeded torbea-ance. II
was then that the nation rose, and with the
spirit aud independence of man, told the
emissaries, who were whining for sab-
sidy, and creating 6isafection, 81 that she
had millions for defence, but rot cent for
tTi5ase oUnder those circumstances the ar
my was raised. What could have beendone?
Negotiation had failed. Were we hum
b!yto bend the kneeaJ SITE Eof ii the language
81 a pugilist when he had tweaked our
nose, made his pass and fill: d US in the
face, were we not TO be on our defence
Or were we to stand like the stupid aes and
take IT? Nothing should be dearer than
nations honor. In aswar TO support 1t lord
Chatham said, he 6 would tear the shirt
from his back" Yet my countrymen in
land of FREEMEN, an administration
has been branded with disgrace>for making
the attempt.
If no good resulted from this measure
the indulgence we owe to human frailty, In
stead of blasting the authors, would have
Excused the error. That our country was
exposed to dangers, and that we escaped
when other republics, who slumbered to
the lullaby of French liberty and protec-
tion, fell victims to their folly; that our
concerns were speedily adjusted. and
peace and security restored ;-are facts
(which none will dispute. Is it not reason
'able TO conclude that when France saw a
anerica raising armies, and fleets to defend
her shores, and her commerce, thar she
might have relinquished projects and made
concessions, which she might have accom-
plished, and enforced, had we exhibited
the complying spirit of obedience. We
have the testimony of Washington who
knew the interest, and who certain felt
for the honor ofthe union, that the measure
was founded in necessity, and dictated by
wisdons.
In the case of war the revenue must have
tailed, because it was dependent On COM
merce. A land tax was therefore neces-
Ysary, to give support TO the army. Both
were designed to cease with the emergency
that produced them. But the policy ofthe
direct tax does not rest merely upon the
,exnediencu Of The army II 10 a.nnesti-,r