Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-02

nave tSDGenCV 70 rctaru the genera in =
provemc"t cf toe pcacc-Lio cbstruct the
general duties Of trade and nanuf ctures, S
very probably viii induce many og ,le most
independent ANA respectable citizcns, ci-
shcr To sell or abandon their property and
seek habitation Of more repose.
j. is but lately that this place has assum-
ed the appearance OF strength and influence
which belongs 10 . commercial city. The
advantages Of health, climate. and the &C.
neral benefits which are afforded to every
species Of industry, have invited settlers
from every part OF the worid-Mlnuflc-
lures are EMBELLISHMENTS is invigo-
rated, and Begins to assume IN attitude of
strength and usefulness, which until lately
have been unknown.
The people ut large are not vet sensible
of these general advantages. They do not
lnrescc the benefits which tho agricultural
interests will receive from the mercantile
capital of a city, just emerging fran obscu-
rty, became they have never cnioved
them. But there are MANY men of reflect
on who form their opinions of the future
relations Of this country from natural Cau-
ses, who cannot fail TO forescc tia this CT
" wants only the fostering hand OF govern
mcnt 20 give To II wealth, weight and in
auence, which will not fail TO reciprocate
great benefits to the com aunity at large,
and very particularly 10 all those parts
which now hive, or may hereafter have
connexions with this place.
Such are the reasons, which ousht to in
duce the legislature, i'm the course now ~
bout 20 be adopted, nnt to forget, that the
inhabitants of Richmond are not tie only
persons who may be injured by their deter
limitations The member who Shall by his
public vote, declare that the inhabitants Of
this city shall, at their own expense and to
the destruction oftheir business, guard and
protect the public property and public in
stimuons, viii at the same time declare,
that the city shall not cncrease in it's i'm
provemcnts-that merchants of capital
shsll not become settlers-that commerce
shall not be protected and fostered-in fine,
that every man whose capital and avoc lti-
ons W u afford the means of subsistence mt
any other place, viii find more induce
ments to remove than to remain where
he is.
If the legislature have such causes of
complaint against the present guard. t.
say, that it shall exist no longer. it viii
surely behoove them to turn their attention
to other considerations. Win it be lust or
reasonable, that the inhabitants of this CT
" shall perform duties, which preceding
legislatures have thought, and every can.
did observer admits, has required the con-
slant duty # more than sixty men And if
it should be so; if this heavy public bur
then is TO be imposed upon 50 small a num-
her of citizens as are now contained in this
city--is it likely, that others, whatever
may be the inducements, will remove to a
place where they anticipate laoorious and
unceasing military duty?
If the present guard should be abolished,
why may there not be an establishment of a
different kind, which may at the same time
act rs a military school and as public de-
tenders Such plan is practicable. tire
quires only serious and bold reflection.
PATERNUS.