Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-04-03

exhibition, what would be his surprise on |
appealing to official documents, TO find
That in period of 90 years the popula- |
ton bad increased FROM 2,65 900 TO 1885, |
OO0.
That the dwelling houses had in the same
period INCREASED from $4,000 to ,225,-
600.
That the improved lands had risen from
21,s0o,000 to 100000 acres.
That the average price per acre had RI
sen from two to six dollars.
That the number of horses had increa-
sed from soc, 900 to / 200, 900 and the hor-
ned cattle from 1,2O0,O 900 to 2,95o,000
That rhe merchant pesse(s had Increased
from 100000 IONS 10 1,107 200.
That the fnaforts had risen from eleven
to eighty p,iiions Of dollars.
That tie e:rhorts of'donieStic production
had increased from nine 10 .forty-one midi
ons.
And the exports of foreign goods from
one TO thirty six millions.
That the national revenues had incrca-
sed in period of twelve years from eight
to thirteen millions of dollars-whiie the
expenditures, making an allowance for the
extinguishment of the principal of the debt,
have been nearly stationary.
That the specie in circulation has risen
HI DCIlOd Vi NNNH(( years nun VII - Sc
venteen millions.
Would he no, OH imbibing such informa-
ton, Indignantly shun the society of men,
so lost to character, so lost to truth, so lost
to patriotism, so lost to every honorable fee
ling? And would he not, freed from this
contagion, acknowledge, no matter what
country gave him birth, that the existing
Situation of the United States present the
most illustrious commentary on the princi
pies of the republican system, and demon
stration of its superiority to all others.
Would he not have the magnanimity to
admit that in no other country has there
been such a rapid progress To wealth and
power, such an astonishing advance in the
products of agriculture and the extension
of commerce.
4. As to oppressive burthens single
glance at the annual official statements,
would shew him that in amount the taxes
are infinitely lighter than those of any other
nation, and that in their actual operation
they are, from their nature, scarcely felt
for being equal and impartial, and collect
cd at very inconsiderable expense, they
by no means press OIL each individual to
the amount he pays, or take SO much mo-
ney from his pocket, but are in fact virtu-
ally reduced to an amount comparatively
small, by every man actually charging
them, to considerable degree, in the
price fixed by him upon his labor. 1t is
for this reason that there is no country I'M
der heaven in which the taxes are SO I'M
oppressive.
s. After contemplating these effects, af-
ter passing through the country and behold
ing an unbroken prosperity from one end
of it to the other, and more than all after
looking back upon period in which the
whole civilised world has been in convuisi-
on, and this nation alone exempt from the
calamities of war, and in the undisturbed
enjoyment of peace, although often threat
ened by the conduct of the most formidable
powers of Europe, would he not acknow-
ledge those at the head of our affairs at
least as capable of guiding the helm of
state as any of the administrations of Eu-
rope Would he not so farther, and judg-
ing of the actions Of men by their effects,
which in period of any tolcrable length is
a correct criterion, however unjust in a
single case, allow that the American 90
yernment had pursued more enlightened
policy than any other government on earth,
and was consequently composed of men
possessed either of greater virtue or great
or talent than any other country could dur
ing the same time boast He would not,
with the federalists, ascribe every thing
10 chance, but judging with an impartial
eye, he would have but two alternatives
He would either believe the American go
vernment the most enlightened OH earth, or
the American people the most virtuous and
best informed. Without acknowledging
one or both of these propositions, every
thing around him would appear miracu-
leus
6. Studying the character, and contem-
plating the pursuits of the respective clas-
ses of the Americans, he would perceive
an activity and enterprise never at rest,
that by daring every thing overcame all
obstacles, that with equal ease and success
struck the harpoon into the whale, cultiva-
ted the earth, pursued the mechanical arts,
filed with honor the learned professions,
or discharged the more arduous functions
Of government talents which imply no Ill
considerable share Unnatural sagacity, and
require large share of acquired know
ledge. Would he not be forced TO acknow-
ledge, on contemplating this picture, that
apathy was unknown, and that an univer-
sal and almost Unsuitable thirst for know.
ledge peryaded all ranks.
7. Finally, lie would be induced to ask
himself this question Can it be that ma
ton which marches with such unprecedeDt-
cd strides to numbers, to wealth and to
power, by developing her solid resources,
OF which nothing can deprive her, which