Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-16

The principal sources oil revenue arc
the capltation tax, the tax on spirits, &c.
and the receipts from the custoss, a
mounting in all TO upwards of three hun
dred millions OF rubies (at the present
depreciation TO about IS, Goo. 900. -
The system of taxation in general ~ most
wreiched being extremely expensive IL,
lis collection, and oppressive to the poor
er portions OF the population, on " nom IL
almost entirely falls. Instead If the tax
on spirit operating AS q cheek 10 its ,oo
abundant use. II Is so conirived as to
have just The opposite effect. For the
pnsllegs OF retailing spirit, through the
wh'ie empire, is iiriucd OUT for a term of
vears toe riain spectators, (chiciiy no
h'cmei., for sixty millions OF rubies (In-
wards ol eleven mlliuns of dollars J -
year; who. III order 10 sell as much sui-
ri, aud To make as much money as nos
slbie, erect tipping houSes in all places
waeie spirit eau be sold, aud every effort
/, made tiS them, audtheir numerous re-
tanners, 10 induce persons to bny. With
such system, IL is not IN he wondered
ar that the Russians should be cx,raya-
gantly fond of spirit, and 10 use il 10 great
excess.
Such has been the want OF fiscal know
ledge, and The wreictp,i management of
tne finances. that with a population of
nifty millions. and an extent of territory
unequaiied by any nation III ancient or
modern lines, and with a prodigGus eX.
tent oil NATIONAL dcplesnes, Russia, when
IN need of money, has been unable, from
want Ui credit, 10 borrow IT, at any iuie-
resi-, either at home or abroad. The.
consequence has been are>oTt to line issu-
lnS Oi paper so much which has be II
forced INTO circulatioH, that il Is noS
worth only one-iOurih of us hominul va
ine, and As daily depreciating. Tie pre-
sent amount IN circulation II is difficult
TO ascertain, as the government, i, is
sad, is unwilling il should be known:
they acknowledge, however, upwards of
SOC, Op0,G00 rubles. (more tlian one hun
drcd and eleven millions ofdo,lars at the
present depreciation 81. the paper.) The
government paper being the legal curren-
ey and tender, lis depreciation is most
senslbiy felt by every class of society,
but particularly by the officers of the 20
vefnment ond the nobility the former
OF whom being paid init, az It's nominal
value, ice: most sensibiy the diminution
of salaries always small; and the latter
Ill lie reduction of the incomes from
their estates, and which they find ex-
ffemely difficult 10 regulate, in conse-
quence OF HE continued depreciation of
currency which, they are led to believe
every year VIII be improved; and TO
"hlcii might be added the dissatisfacti-
OH winch would be created among the
VdSSais at sudden increase of their con
trIbutions.
Although several ofthe soyereisus have
made considerable efforts for The diftusi-
ON OF knowledge, vet but little progress
las been made, and much remains still
TO be done TO place Russia on a level. in
this respect, with the other powers of
Europe. The people have, in general.
Few opportunities of obtaining knowl-,
cage ami are OF course extremely illjie
rate. Those who have it their power TO
acquire an extensive education abroad.
or from foreigners al home, have in con
sequence OF the shackles imposed on ge-
mus and literary requirements, but little
tnulcement 10 exertion. There is no
Theatre tor the display of oratory, not ev-
en- IN lie courts OF justice, where the pro
ceeuinss are always carried on in wiring
-dio me press Is so restricted as 10 diff
fnse nothing which ignorance or preiu-
ace can coDstrue as initiating in The
slightest degree against the state or
church, or what is deemed TO he the DO
hey of either. Nothing can 90 TO the
type which has not been previously ex-
ahmed and sanctioned by an officer of
The government called censor, appoinf
ed tor that purpose. To these internal
restraints are added distractions TO The
admission OF knowledge from without
lhe importation of all foreign books is
pfohiDlted, as we'll as all foreign journals,
unless ihey undergo an examination by
the censor at the posi-Oiiice, where If any
thlng is found which is thought obiecti-
ohabie, they are suppressed, Which is Of
zen Tie case with the British newspa
pters. The London Morning Chronicle is
always kept back, and is not therefore
permi'ted To be read in Russia. unless
when obtained by stealth through Dri-
Saie hands. The policy of the govern
ment seems to have been TO concentrate
me Whole mental and physical force of
Ihe ha'Ioh 'oIts military prowsss. Even
the sacred altar InCuicates doctrines sub
seTvient to his end. There the Russi-
Gus are Taught from their infancy to be-
ieye that he WHO dies in battle is secure
oinappIness hereafter; and in predesti-
nation which dlspeis fear in the convict
on that nothing he can do can nossiblv
Change his destiny. The army has beeT
made the great highway 10 titles and
fame and those WHO have the good luck
10 travel II tarhest, and meet with ,he
most successful adventures, are most re-
Warded With wealth and honors. The
military is held Ia such estimation that
fhe highest nOblemen lose much of their
consequence ifihey are not attached TO
IT. These considerations, together with
the great size of ihe army, give it an o.
overwhelming influence. The whole en-
pre- might with proprieiy be considered
military camp, for you can pass through
TO town or village, or turn your eyes in
any direction without seeing soldiers