The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-02-23

pondence with France by our resident nil
mister. or the nature of our negotiations
with that power, we can form but an i'm
perfect opinion, in consequence of the mu-
tilated state in which it has been presented
for public inspection. but from such small
portions of it as have been published or re-
vealed, from the insolent and dictatorial
letters of the French minister, published
in the face of all Europe. and the indifer-
enee or patience with which they have been
received. and from the appreciation express
sed by France Ut our late restrictive mea-
sure, we are compelled to fear, that neither
the honor nor interests OF the country have
been guarded and maintained with the spi
rit and digni:y becoming an independent ma
ton. The Importance of these repulsive
measures is increased by the deplorabe
state of The public treasury. From the re.
ports OF the Secretary of the treasury it is
apparent, that the nett revenue of the Unit
ed States, during the year 1907, was six
teen millions fifty ninG dollars. That during
the year 1909, under the first operation of
the embargo, the same revenue was only
ten millions three hundred thirty. two dol
lars. That during the year 1909. under the
further operation of the same system, it
was reduced to six millions and an half dol
lars, so that the difference of the amount of
is nine millions and an half of dollars. 1t is
also stated in the last report from that de-
p2rtment, that the expences of the govern.
men, Tor the last year, exclusive of pay
ments on account OF the principal Of the
public debt, have exceeded the actual re
ceipts into the treasury nearly thirteen hun
dred thousand dolla,s, which deficiency has
been paid out of the surplus OF precediag
years.
1t is further stated, that the expcnce Of
government upsn peace establishment Tor
the year 1911, will be about ten millions Of
dollars, and eight millions after that year !;
| and that a loan of four millions has already
become necessary. In The report of the
| same department for the year 1906 it was
stated, that after r'efraying all the eXpen
ces OF government, an annual surplus of five
and an half millions of dollars would remain.
But according to the last statement, there
will be deficiency for the present year of
four millions, making against the United
States an annual difference, as before, of nine
millions and an half. But when, with these
| statements are taken into view, the still
progressive diminution and probable ami
hilation of revenue from commerce in the
event of war. and the additional and in
caiculabie expences. which must be render,
ed necessary in its prosecution-your COM
mittee can perceive no means of supplying
| this miserable deficiency of revenue, but
| from direct taxes. The expedient of great
and enormous loans might be resource for
| the first exigencies of the war. But ma
tion entirely deprived of visible and actual
revenue, could support but doubtful credit.
and the contemplation of debt constantly
| augmenting in an unjust and ruinous contest,
would disgust the patriot and terrify the
contractor. In these circumstances, it is
Ihiif tnn nHxr,.N tInf 81,
| ing resources Of this government would be
either forced contributions or oppressive
taxes upon the yeomanry. While such have
been the pernicious effects of the measures
OF the administration upon ourselves, your
COMMITTEES would willingly spare themselves
the humiliating confession, that by the bel.
ilgerent nations they are regarded as par
tial and harmless. So far have they been
from disposing France to any relaxation OF
the imperial DEGREES, that they have been
the subject of praise and appreciation with
her Emperor, whose only dissatisfaction has
been manifested at their temporary suspen-
| sion. BY Great Britain they have been re-
garded with Indifference, though in their
operation they have secured to her the car.
riage of our produce and the monopoly OF
| the commerce of the world. Her manufac
lures have not decreased, nor has her re-
| venue or power been in any visible degree
impaired. While an intercourse with the
United States has ever been deemed by that
nation of secondary importance, in compa.
rison with the great objects for which she
is contendng. its advantages have never
been disregarded or undervalued by hor
| statesmen 1t remained for our national
councils to reveal the fatal secret, that the
commerce of these states was of less impor
lance to her prosperity and greatness, than
her own politicians had predicted-That
our country has sustained injuries from tn e
operation ofthe British orders and from the
outrages of her officers, for which it is enti
tied to satisfaction, is not to be denied. 1t
ought not, however, TO be forgotten, that
during the entire period of these commerce
al restrictions, France, with whose consent
they were imposed and continued, has seiz
ed and sequestered nearly all the American
property which has fallen within her grasp +;
while Britain, against whom alone thew
could be expected to operate, has respected
our flag, conveyed our ships and admitted
us to free and lucrative commerce with e.
very part of her dominions.
With this view of an empty treasury and
an abandoned commerce, il is impossible to
overlook the defenceless state of the coun
try, and especially the entire sea-board of
the United States-while the American flag
would be driven from the ocean, our sea-
ports would be at the mercy of the m ost for
midable navy that ever existed and before
our Notifications o. armies could be in ST
tuation to sustain the first assaults OF the
enemy, our cities might be buried in ruins,
ana our sea-coast exposed to incoDceivable
distress