Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-03-23
T to the Commonwealth, near the Bell-Tasiern
WEDNESDAY, MARCH IS, 1914.


pretty strong reasons adduced before could
pehevc that any people would establish a
dominion with unaiterable boundaries. III.
Is done in this case. it is believe the first in>
| stance.
There is, it is said. a jealousy Of the CON.
mercial states aud a wish to destroy their
| property. What or who arc these CONNER
cial statese In what part of the Union. is
it for the interest OF the people to DESTROY
| commerce.? Have these new states of the
west no interest in commerce Is it for the
| interest of the states which border on the
Ohio and Mississippi to destroy commerce ;
Dir, the single port of New Orleans, in the
state ct Louisiana, will in few years export
more Of domestic growth and manufactures
than all the ports of Massachusetts,. In one
year these exports to foreign ports have a.
mounted to two millions and half. while
those from Massachusetts. in the same ne,
Rod. did not exceed six millions. Aud if we
take into amount the exports coast .wise.
which perhaps from New Orleans exceed
those OF foreign exports as three to one. we
may not be far out of the way in saving.
that those from New Orleans are at this
time equal TO all those from all the ports of
Massachusetts. Perhaps there is not spot
IN the globe that is better situated for com,
merce than this back woods state of Loui.
siana. Bounded on one side by the ocean.
and on the other by the river. which, with
its tributary streams, water the most extern
sive and fertile tract of country in the world
with luxuriant soil and delightful cli>
mate, this state, it is unprecedented, will be a
Clog to the commerce of this nation Idle
and vain alarm! And when we contemplate
the facility OF opening the navigation of these
waters with the great lakes, the mind at
once expands at the future prospects and
commercial pre-, perity and greatness of this
part of the nation. But there is nothing of
this sort which can CRAFTY the opposers of
the government, unless it is connected with
the commercial prospects of Great Britain.
tits her glory alone which they seek. She
IS the chief among ten thousands, and the
one altogether lovely the centre of gravity,
round which all the planetary orbs ought to
revolve. b
The memorial from Beverly, one of those on
which this report was predcated, has stated
something which L wish to notice, and rather
because it was drawn by a gentleman, whose
talents as a lawyer, politician and calculator.
livery much respect. It is there said that three
fourths Of the taxes have been paid by the ,;ae
| northern statcs. L did not know till now that
there were nine states which might be cmpha-
ticaily styled nerfhvr Admitting this, howe.
yer, deny the position. The tax here alluded
to, is ianposf principally. Now, sir, how is it
] paid by he nine northern states consider
tar as contribution levied on the citizen for
| the suppnrt OF government, and for which hc
receives no other remuneration than trorecfi-
on. No~ who fays our ipspost tax 2 Surely
not the Collector. Why, Because he receives
I it from the merchant, and is consequently re-
| enumerated. Surely not the merchant, for the
same reason. He receives it Of the buyer, with
profits thereon, and often has credit on his
| bond until he can sell the impost articles and
collect the tax. Who, then, pays it. The con-
sumer. When that gentleman has shewn us
that the nine northern states consume articles
which pay three fourths of the impost, then, and
not till then, Is his proposition proved. I did
not think it was new doctrine, that the consul
mer pays. did expect that it was a we'll set
tied principle. Smith, Blackstone and Montes-s
quieu, all agree in the principle. Hamilton
lays it down more cautiously, but the reason is.
because he was then writing in proof of an cr-
rise. know there are instances, in which, by
a sudden depression of the market. or by sVs
| tematir smuggling, this tax is thrown on the
seller, but such cases are rare. The people of
Massachusetts, never violate the laws, you know.
Sir. They seldom resolve that the laws must
and will be resisted. Their merchants never
smuggle, more especially their federal mer-
chants. think then, If the consumer paws the
tax, none OF us should be over ambitious, or
think ourselves very meritorious, by having
been distinguished consumers. If we proved
that we had consumed more brandy than our
neighbors, it would be proof of our patriotism
at the expense of our temperance. You will
perhaps say that this tax was acquired by our
industry. But who furnished the means OF ex-
port ? The man who raised the article:
We are told, sir, that this is war wared
upof the people Of New England. What mo.
tive could induce the majority of the nation to
make war uponus We are not their rivals
IN any thing. To suppose that they would OPP
press us 10 make us lope them and induce us
to live among them, is very childish suppose
ton.
j do not know for what they could envy
us. Surely not for QUE union or patriotism
Are they offended at our uninterrupted a.
buse Mo- During all the insults of our
politicians. and the bilingssate of our news,
papers, they have shewn no tokens of re-
sentiment, but viewed them with pity or con-
tempt.
You need apprehend nothing from the ar
| my of $4,000 men. If you conduct as you
ought, and SIS we believe you will, the troops
will never disturb our peace, and should you
attempt any resistance, the friends of the
government are amply competent to put
you down. But, If you are really alarmed,
pass one or two more such resolves as these,
and be assured the government of the Uni,
ted States will take no pains to dragon Won
into submission. Nor are these troops. as
| yon intimate, intended to make Mr.. Madi.
son president for life. AS II choosing him
by intrigue, / should have thotght gentle
men wosld have had jurisprudence than to
| say one word OF that subject. Never was a
more Infamous system of intrigue practis.
| cd IN any Country, or on any occasion, than
| was put in operation by the opposers OF Mr..
| Madison's election But we can choose MIR.
AInsI