Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-01-18
a Dolls. per annum.

charge this sacred duty from their own re.
source, and continue to sustain the burden
OF the national taxes. The Administration,
after long perseverance in plans to battle
every effort of commercial enterprise, had
fatally succeeded in their attempts at the e-
pooh OF the war. Commerce, the vital spring
Ct New England's prosperity, was annihila-
tea. Emoargoes, restrictions, and the raS
pacity of revenue officers, had completed
US destruction. The various objects for the
emp oyment of productive labor, in the
branches of business dependent IN com.
nerce, have dlsappe AIRED. The fisheries have
haired its fate. Manufactures, which Cos
Vernment has protested an intention TO ia
vnr and to Cherish. as indemnity for the
failure of these branches of business, are
doomed TO struggle in heir infancy with tax
es and oSstructons, which cannot Gail most
seriously to affect their growth. The specie
Is Withd avn from circulation. The landed
interest, the last to feel these burdens must
prepare to become their principal support,
as all other sources of revenue must be ex-
hausied. Under these circumstances, taxes
OF description and amount Unprecedented
in this country, are in train of imposition,
the burthen Of which must fail with the hea.
west pressure upon the States east of the
Potowmac. The amount OF these taxes for
the ensuing year, cannot be estimated at lesS
thar five millions of dollars upon the New
England States, and the experces Of the last
year for defence in Mas, achu sets alone,
approaches to one million of dollars.
From these facts. it is almost superflous to
state the irresistible inference that these
states have no capacity of defrayug the eX-
pense requisite for heir own protection, and,
at the same time, of discharging the de.
mandS OF the national treasury.
In xuI,a -
ought to be adopted by the aggrieved States,
is in a high degree momentous. When a
great and brave people sh Il feel themselves
deserted by their government. and reduced
70 the necessity elther of submission to a fo>
reign enemy, or of appropriating to their
own use, those means of defence which are
Indispensable to self preservatios, they can
not consent 90 wait passive spGcta. ors of ap-
preaching ruin, W hich it is in their power to
avert, and TO resign the last remnant of
their industrious earnings, to be dissipated
in support Of measures destructive of the
best interest of the nation.
THIS Convention will not trust themselves
To eSpre heir cow ion OF the catastrophe
TO which such state of things inevitably
tends. Conscious of their high responsibili~
~ 10 God and their country, solicitous for
the continuance of the Union as we'll as the
nish bstacles to reSolute never to
submit TO foreign enemy, and confding in
the Divine care and protection, they will,
until the last hope shalt be e5ltngushed, en>
deavor to avert such consequences.
With this view they suggest az arrange
ment, which may at once be consistent with
the honor and interest of the national gov
eminent and the security of these states.--
This 1t will not be difficult to conclude, if
that government should be so disposed. By
the terms of it these states might be allows
ed to assume tier own defence, by the nil
iitia or other troops A reasonable portion,
also, OF the taxes raised in each state might
be pa into the treasury, and credited to
the United States, but to BE- appropriated to
the defence OF such state, TO be accounted
for with tile United States. no d,ubt is en-
tertaincd BY such an arrangement, this Dor.
ton of the country could be defended with
greater effect, aud in a mode more consist.
ent with economy, and the public convent.
cree, than any which has been practised
Should an application for these purposes,
made TO Congress by the stare legislatures,
be attended with success, and should peace
upon just terms appear to be unattainable,
the people would stand Together tor the
common defence, until a change of Admin.
stration, OF ct disposition in the enemy,
should facilitate the occurrence of shat au-
spicious event. 1t would be inexped;ent for
this Convention to diminish the hope of a
successful issue to such an application, by
Recommending upon sUppogition of q con-
trary event, Interior proceedings. Nor is
it indeed within their province. In a state
Of things so solemn and trying as may then
arise, the Legislatures of the States, or
Conventions of the whole people, or dele
gate. appointed by them for the express
purpose in another Convention, must act
as such urgeut circumstances may then ret
qai'e.
But the duty incumbent on the Convcn~
zion will not have been performed without
exhibiting some general view Of such mea-
sures a. they deem essential 10 secure the
nation against a relapse into the difficulties
and dangers, should they by the blessings
Of Providence escape from their present
couditioa without absolute ruin. To this
end concise retrospect Of the STATE OF this
nation under the advantages Of wise adj
ministration, contrasled with the miserable
abyss into which it is plunged by the profit
gate folly Of political theorists, will lead 70
practical conclusions. On this subject II
will be recullectcd that the immediate infu-
ence of the Federal Constitution upon its
Grst adoption, and for twelve succeeding
years, upon the prosperity ard happiness
of The nation, seemed to COuntenance bee
lief in The trancendency Ofiis peris ction over
ag..H,. In lie 4 "a