Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-03-16
n 50 IS so 4,


Thus il appears that Mr.. Adams was
chosen president by majority of three
votes only; and it is to be remarked that
the electors Of the Adams ticket, in Penn.
sylvania, were returned by majority Of
forty-six votes only, that the return of
Green county was not furnished in the
time limited by law, which would un-
doubedly have been in favor of MIR. JEFF
ferson, and that were It not for this mis-
take Nr. Adams would not have been cho-
sen by three votes.
Thus terminated the FIRST hresidSnfiai
contest. and in consequences the weak and
the dependent locked in numbers 10 the
standard Of Il party, which owed its sue.
cess to intrigue and no; patriotism, to ac-
cIdent and not fair voting. The British,
faction now began to assume tone Of au-
thority ndinsolence, which prudence had
previously restrained: Porcupine's Ca
ze,te first appeared on the day of Mr.
Adams's assumption of the power. which
he afterwards SO much abused--in his
paper the true objects OF ,he party, were
stated without reserve, and the reDubli.
cans saw with sorrow tll,t their PREDICT
ons were fulfilled From the 18th of
March, i7e7 commenced the perseci,lon
OF the living aud the defauna ION OF The
memories OF the dead-aa this dav began
the reign Of terror every man susne 4 I'd
Of being the friend OF Jefferson was de-
nounced as lacobn and Frenchmaa,
he was pointed at in the streets, even his
children were denied the indulgence due
, to innocence, and in order to have a mark
5 set upon the republicans coclsade orna.
a mented the hats Of their opponents, Vo.
. lunteers were raised 10 preserve order ane
e good government, but they wer. constant
d ly engaged in tumults and oppression, L
i the manifest evidence that no such thing
) as good government existed in the coun
d try. The press was shackled, and HE Ii
= berty OF speech cond not be exercised bn
n with danger. Aristocfatic parade and fan.
/ tastic imitation of European absurslities
: being made by the chosen &c ", he thought
r less followed the example, because they
, wished 10 be fashionable. An army and
, navy, for which there was no manner Of
: use, were erecled; and every other means
, taken to procure an sscendanoy over the
: people. Such were the enormous expen-
ses of his administration, that although
new and numerous taxes were imposed
the expendi ure for ,he year exceeded the
income for the same period, and the def.
cheney was made up ty the aid of loans,
for which eight per cent. was given, the
credit of the nation being thus fro fercenf,
lower than that OF an i1iiOidlsdl. A strong
attachment to the English government
and AN enemy 10 that az France ,o.,.L. A
the conduct OF this almnistration--the
violation of our rights by the former was
tolerated, similar Outrage by the latter
wasrescnted--ihe soleunity and existence
of treaties did not prevent this admin.
stration from aiding ia the dismember.
ment of st. Domingo fom France, altho'
, our own safety required the utmost deli.
cacy on such question, But it is useless
10 enumerate; these aid many other a.
: buses were remarked, and, notwiths,and.
Z. ing the obstacles, public opinion became
enlightened to the dangerous situation oil
: the republic.
! In i8oo-l, second presidential elees;.
; on was held--ihe federaSsts had dec;ded
and much opposition wa, made to the &C.
: cond nomination Of Mr. Adams howeve,.
} he and Mr.. Pinckney were again held mn
and the republicans supported their for or.
ncr candidates.
There never was stronger evidence NJ
the correct judgment Of &c mass Of tbr