Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-07-21

49, 49, ps'StS'teJ vi tiC a"bbtiCS u
little fishing tawn in n. England.
rhus it may either abrid.,c or augment
its consumption and supply of the, ne
cessaries or Injuries oflifeby the open
ing or shutting of market.
Of all the errors that are consequent
upon the ignorance, incapacity, or dis
honesty of political writer's, there is
none more abundant in bad consequent
ces than STATISTICS, or the subject
now before US. This subject as it has
been the last taken up by statesmen, so
II has made the slowest advances TO per-
lection. The political writers from the
times OF Aristotle TO the days of Machi
avel, If they were acquainted with this
subject, have scarcely left us any thing
ofitin their writings. The enumeration
of the Jewish people madeby David, &
the Institution of the Roman census,
are the oldest examples that we have
remaining on the pages of history.
The attempt of David, whatever i,
might appear to the understanding of
modern politician, yet because il &C
! corded not with the constitution of the
Jewish polity (Which was fundamen-
tally government of priests) came to
nothing. And the Roman census, as
it was predicated on the principle of
wealth, and slaves were NOT counted.
was in its own nature radically defect
i've.
This science, therefore, though it's
utilitv to the statesman be obvious, yet
its culture in few countries of the con-
tlnent of Europe or even in England,
has been much attended to. Petty
was the first who introduced it into
Britain, and what reliance we are to
place on his calculations, will appear
from reflection, that he wrote for the
express purpose at hattering the court :
iby demonstrating TO them from the
numbers, extent and physical resour-
ces OF their territory, that they had no
thing to dread from the progressive
ambition of France. And to what ex.
tent this science has advanced in En-
gland in our DAYS will.appear from a
few Facts: that the English calculate
their numbs ~, by those who pay the
hear.h-money, by births and bur;als,
by the duties on marriages, and from
the Increased amount of the taxes ON
internal consumption, which iley de-
nominate excise. But as most OF
these depend upon the INDECENT or af-
huent circumstances OF the people and
all upon accidental causes, they can by
no means be used as sure data for COM
putting the numbers of a people. The
Irish, rom political motives are averse
from having their numbers known !:
and in Scotland, where from its eccle-
siassical polity, and from the entire
dependence of its people on repre-
sentative aristocracy of priests, the
numbers of the people are best capa-
BILE OF being ascertsined yet Sinclair's
calculations are nov doubted. When
therefore we reject that in countries
OF such little extern as those islands
are, and under the government of Bril-
tish laws, where there are so many OBJ
vious modes, not foaud elsewhere. of
ascertaining their numbers we would
suggest to politicians the hazard of Of.
fering opinions on the military resour-
ces OF coun ries of such extent AS GER
many add Spain where The boEce $50
badly administered, and where, from
the unconnected and in some degree,
independent authority OF the territorial
governors from the restraints upon
publications, and the communication
OF opinions; their resources in point
of numbers can be so little known.
We would therefore advise them firsr
TO adduce proofs 10 support OF the
statements they are in the habit of Of
fering to the public, before they Law
claim TO our assent to the truth Of the
propositions they would establi h.
As the wars in Spain and Germany
arc the subjects which have for some
time Afforded the most ample mater
ais for the reflection of politicians
and multitude oferror appear 20 have
gone abroad upon these subjects all
we ask is credit for the truths we shall
establish and that in those point.
where complete evidence cannot be
had, that the public will do us the ius.
tlce to suspend their opinion.
The extent Of TERRITORY. ron,1a,;.,