Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-06-07

DAYS after the arrival of dispatches at Wash
ington, by Mr.. JefIerson's special messen-
ger from Paris, his embargo was recon-
mended to Congress, and the bill for I'M
posing it passed in the Senate on the same
day.
The unpopularity of the internal taxes
(however necessary and prudent IN their
establishment we have seen that Mr.. JET
ferson well understood. Yetthe direct tax,
on houses, lands &c. originated it mis-
take not, with Mr.. JeGerson's own party
and I believe Mr.. Madison (then in the
house of representatives. reported reso
luton for the direct tax. The journals oil
Congress (Which have not at hand) will
show. Perhaps it was an artlhce to add to
ethe existing uDpopularity OF the federal adj
ministration respecting internal taxes. A
direct tax was laid, in exact conformity with
the constitution which declares, that repre-.
sentatives and direct taxes shall be appor.
toned from the several states according tc
their respective numbers, or population
1t was then said by Mr.. Jefferson's parti
zans, that the taxes ought to be direct, thai
the people might know and feel what the,
paid. But these gentlemen have since tax
en- care to repeal every such tax and nozt
dare not propose any Ia. Which the beoPA
can knoso and feel. Instead of which, they
have contemplated vast addition to the
duties already laid on imported goods-e
ven at the hazard of encouraging smuggling
which would occasion losses probably be
yond such legislative additions. Possibly
the fear of this may hitherto have prevent
ed the projected increase of the duties
Instead of which, or any sort OF taxation
thep have had recourse, IN time Of peace
to the borrowing of several millions OF dol
lars for the ordinary expenditures of ths
government!
We now see the reason why the govern
ment is determined mot TO protect com
merce BY force" nor risk war until oui
resources are sufficient to detray the ex
penses, without creating burthens to make
them UNPOPULAR But our ordinary re-
sources neoey will be sufficient to defray
the expenses of war; the government
know it and the conclusion is unfavora
ble--That Notwithstanding all their blus
teriug (and there has been enough OF this
to make US ridiculous in our own eyes, as
well as in the eyes of foreign nations) oul
government are determined to submit. as
they have submitted, to every sort OF in
suit and injury, rather than go to war: fol-
war will require more taxes, and taxes may
render them unpopular. They choose ra
Their to fatter the people to their ruin, thar
tell them the truths necessary for rhelr safe
ty, because the latter may prove unplea
SAINT, and perhaps occasion some upbraid'
ings of their deceivers.
Thus course of thinking and of opinions
having been industriously effected by Mr.
Jefferson and his fellow laborers, as the
means otraisipg to the supreme power; and
these opinions, in opposition 20 the system
OF administering the government, which
under WASHINGTON was judged essentia
TO the public safety and welfare, having beer
long and zealously inculcated by the leader:
of that opposition have become the
fixed creed of the people. And now these
same leaders dare not attempt to correc
those erroneous opinions, although they
hazard the safety and independence of the
couutry--as they have already caused the sa
crihce of its interests and honor.
TIMOTHY PICKERING.
Nay 13, 1911.
NOTES.
= This letter To MazZei was nrobabIt written II