Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-02-20

and although the expences OF the govern
merit are daily consuming the states priac'-
pal, the democrats will not pass law to
provide permanent rersanc. The deficit
in the treasury will be considerable. and
we must rely on the payment by the Un'-
ted States of apart Of the sum cfdhnsd tor
militia expenses incurred by The state III
the late war, as the fund to supply The del-
cit. Yet, with full knowledge of these
circumstances they will postpone the evil
day. as they think it, rather than incur
responsibility to the people for the dis
charge ola indispensable duty.
As the state must sooner or later adopt
a system of revenue, Mr.. c. Dorsey has for
the last two years recommended that the
state should asshu the duties arising on
sales at auction, which had been abandoned
by the general government. did not learn
till now. that The corporation last year COLI
sented to farm this, and some other sources
of revenue, for which the state was to re-
ceive annually %, 900 dollars from our city.
The senate refused 10 carry this arrange
ment into execution, objecing TO the prin
ciple of farming the revenue, aud believing
that the necessities OF the state would re-
tuire an entire assumption OF the duties On
those sales. He therefore at an early day
called the attention of the house to this sub
ject, and the expediency OF adopting The
measure was referred to the committee oi
ways and means. Ii is here stated that
Newly ork, Pennsylvania Virginia annu-
ally derive very great revenue from this
source, which goes into the slate treasury :;
and The committee have reported !. bill
containing similar provision, without affect
ing the sum which Baltimore now receives.
You may however he easy, no bill will
pass this session but | fear the whole will
be swept away next year. Our delegates
ought to be satisfied that the progress OF
public opinion will be in favor of The state.
They say the state has not when wealthy
exercised the right, but let us have il the
state is now poor, and must resume il, as
being the most Efficient, productive and
least burthensome lax that can impose. |
give you every thing that is said about it.
THIS gentleman has also got up a reform
in our penitentiary code, from which the
state, it is hoped, will derive much be-
fit Upwards Of one thousand convic's
have been sent 10 the penitcntiary, more
than one haf Of whom were colored, and
very nearly two hundred of whom were
Migrants from our city! The bill which
has passed prevents any more colored per-
sons or vasrants being sent TO this institu-
ton. The reforms promise more efec-
tusl punishment! of those who may be sent,
and great saving to the state. Negroes
and Tree negroes. by the provisions of tho
bill are to be whipt, banisked or sold into
foreign bondage.
Major Wilson reported most interesting
Bit coercing the banks to pay specie which
! understand. produced most animated
discussion. This bill is to he agltated Oh
Friday, in the Senate. have been very
much amused in hearing of the Laugh eau
sed here by the prG'ng in the Patriot of
the democratic orators in The house of del
egates. Never was there such shame
full and abortive attempt to give conse-
quence 10 individuals, 10 which their &C
uuiremeuts and eIocutior do not entit!c
them. Mr.. Haywood is the only one "a
mong them who possesses any thing like
eloquence-Mr. Warrington and Mr..
Breckenridge are sensible men---Mr.
Mau.sby is certainly very correct member,
but he has neither style, arrangement, or
manner to enlile him 10 any thing equal to
his puff,-Nir. Kell you know, | hear his
influence is decreasing with the Federal
ists-they now say that he has none. The
causes which have led TO this decline have
heard-Mr. John Stephen, about whom
the Patriot and the American, and their
correspondents have made such a =" bothe-
ration," is certainly very amiab!e man,
bu, amongst the most inefficient delegates
in the house. Such are the orators so much
bpspattered with praise. and which makes
them feel SO very awkward whenever their
praises are received here.
They say here that great injustice has
been done TO Mr.. Harrison of Queen Ann,
by his democratic friends. Of him nothing
has been said, although he was prominent
on the Jew. executive and senate bills.