Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-08-29

Though BY the by, from their numbers in
tn's country, do not expect that the pro-
auce OF sIch a tax should be consider arion
oflictle importance. -
The collection of this tax will recessari-
ly obiige the tax gatherers to keep lists of
the names aud residence of aliens, and If
to these, they were obliged to add the coun.
tries TO which they avow allegiance: Upon
the deposit OF such rolls of collection in the
treasury OF the state the Country would
nave an opportunity of Knowing VINO and
how many IN number are subjects Of those
powers with whom 1t may be either At
peace or var. 1t will be thus enabled to
Judge OF their power ami influence in each
state; and whether III case of war they
should be imprisoned or expelled the coun-
try IN conformity with the dictates of sound
policy aud of the laws of natio S. PERHAPS
even the adoption of both measures add.
uonai duties on the imports, and capita.
ton tax ON their persons woul,l be most add
vissoe. Bosh would re ,ch aliens of every
descr'p ion whether employ ed in trade or
othe FnY.se.
Although it be principle in the laws OF
NATIONS, that the state or country which re-
ce'!es Aliens, eng ,ges to 'a2ord them the
10 JUS natural born objects and therefore,
that govern neat after their admission,
cannot with Justice, make laws affecting the
Per>ois OF altens, which render ,heir si,u.
t'on more rigoross than heretofore; for the
contrary wouiyi be a viol atom Of the racit
OF Express stipui atoms upon which they are
supposed 20 nave migrated yet the alien
oy nus adniis on has subjected himself to
The laws Of the body polite, aud is equally
punishable tor their corrravention as the
natural born citizen. This obiec,ion at
most can only apply tn those who reside
mere previous to any fstare< Legislative act
upon THIS subject, but to those who shall
come subsequently, il is entirely without
any application. Resides it should not be
torso ten that adn'ss on is granted TO per.
sons em'sratIng 10 this country upon the
suppos'ton that they intend renouncinc al
ieg' ance TO every other government, and
OF becoming citizens of this Country. If,
therefnre,Iin violation of this implied con. :.
tract, they cont nue TO avow allegiance to
| the government of any other coun. nv, they
VIII have no reason to complain of these
personal restrictions
AS to the complaints of the governments
to winch they belong, they are entirely on,
OF the question: every smatterer in the
laws OF nations must know, that the meas.
ures mere proposed are only rights of eve
ry independent sovereignty, unless such so.
Verlgnty happen to be boand to the Contra
ny by existing treaties.
We know that there are many who, to
avoid the hardsluPs consequent upon such
leg slative measure, will take the oath of al
iegiance TO this country, though still thel
hearts, shall rem I'm attached to the inte-
rests OF another country. This is an unde
niable truth, but if this were taken in its
widest sense, twill prove the inu,ility Of
such oaths altogether. We know that tn q
man who will knowingly violate his word,
will little regard the obligation of an oath,
but still, as an oath is the most soiem q
| pledge OF good faith between man and m an ;
all governments have agreed in the utility
OF its adoption.
The U. S. have census of the inhabi-
| tants of their country, but not of their
friends. The measure here suggested
would eject this. IL W pull Cause those tn
declare themselves who are willing to staaJ
by the Country and it is is true in poiisi cs
as it is ia relig,os, that he 1yso is nor wifl
me 20 against ne. E-HA.
Il N