Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-05-25
From the Washington City WeelAy g.
AMERICAN I,EGATJONS

Ut the Legations of the U. States to TO-
eign countries, the ministers destined for
Paris, and ST. Petersbureh, are at
present IN this country. They are, Mes
'leurs ERvINe, GALLArIN, and P,NKNEy. |
These gentlemen are now, we understand
from correct source, IN the eve of depar-
ture. Mr.. Pinkney has special mission
to the court OF Naples, for the purpose, as
we gather from various indications in the
newspapers, of re-claiming from his pre-.
sent Majesty the American property that
was so per6diOusly seized and confiscated
6y that ill fated King, the late Joachim
Murat.
When these ministers reach their seye-
raj destinations, the u. States will have in
Europe very able diplomatic corps; and.
as merchant might say, the best assorted
for the different markets.. The choice of
characters, whether made by the Presi-
dent, or by the Secretary of State, is truly
excellent.
MIR. ADAMS, who is at London, is at
once solid, penetrating and assiduous.-
lie possesses, in an eminent degree, that
diplomatic phlegm which is suited to the
atmosphere of st, James,. He will note
every thing, weigh every thing, and never
be taken by surprize.
Mr.. GALLArIN has all the necessary sa.
gacity, the profound caution, the prompt.
tude to seize on circumstances. the capaci.
ty to turn them to advantage, which the
actual situation of the French government
requires. He will, doubtless, as sound
policy dictates, endeavOr to draw closer
the bonds of amity between the tive ma.
tons.
The brilliant parts of Mr.. P1NKNEY qua.
lily him admirably for the region of st. Pc.
tersburgh. The court of st. Petersbureh is
court OF splendor, and MFR. p. will be DER.
fectly at home there.
Considering the relations which subsis,
between the U. States and Spain, MIR. Err.
WING Is a very proper minister for Madrid
He will not, it is probable, write such fine
letters as the chevalier de Onis, but he will
do great deal more business. Shrewd-
ness and perseverance are predominant
traits in his character, and we will venture
an eagle to maravedi, that he proves a
match for Ferdinand and all his ministers.
even it they are backed by the officers OF
the Holy Inquisition.
DIR. EUsTIs is man of worldly know
ledge, and of bland manners. II he must
be an ambassador, he is in the right place.
lie is too polite to quarrel with the Dutch.
and was born too far North of the Della.
ware to be taken in by them.
We must not forget Mr.. RUSSELL, a
Gentleman ofgreat commercial experience
and OF an excellent understanding. There
may be individuals of more shining parts.
but few of a sounder intellect.
On the whole, by sending men of such
tslents abroad, on diplomatic service, our
government does honor to foreign courts
and at the same time serves our national
interests.
From the Boston Daily .a9rertiser.
Extracts and Hints, from late impartial
and pretty able French work, written
by great landhOlder in France, who is
friend to balanced government, but
an enemy to Bonaparte, which he SAYS,
two thirds OF all the French people are.
The title is, .4n Examination 0f
the principles most favorable to the ngri
culture, manufactures and commerce of
France
Com, laints having been made in France
that their land-tax was unequally laid, a.
bout fifteen years since. the government
ordered measurement, registry and va
luation of all the lands and estates i'm
France. 1t was finished in 1907, but was
so defective that new one was ordered.
That has been in progress. and in eight
years they had only measured six thousand
out of 10000 communes, and it is SAID il
will take upwards of 40 years more to
complete it. 1t has already cost 60 milf
ons of francs or about 10 millions of dol
lars. III it costs at that rate till it is fl
nished, it will exceed 20 millions of dol
lars. Every individuals Estate is mea-
sured and valued. Short of this, nothing
like accuracy can be obtained, and vet II
is better to have some inequalities than to
tax the people 6 millions year to endea-
your to make them equal. Besides, at
the end of the 40 years it is probable, there
will be such changes in value, that tax.
according to this expensive valuation.
would be worse than the old inequalities.
This ought to teach us how absurd such
are.
There is no maxim, says this French
writer,mOre sacred than tina. taxes and i'm
posts ought only to be charged ON reve-
nue., and that he who possesses no reve-
nue. should pay nothing.'' 1t is sad to
think that the most productive imposts
and excuses have been imagined and pro-
posed with the sole view of reaching the
poor. because they compose the great mass
of all nations. '-.9utior.
.NJte upon it.-Ths remark Is lust.
The taxes on salt, or black teas. on
sugar, or spirits, operate chiefly on the
great mass, at least, in a much grea err RAJ
fin than On fhn rich In r,-n,....l..e.. A.. IL !.