Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-05-04

offer another resolution, pressing the same
object still farther. Mr.. F. had no hesita-
ton in saying, that if the present tariff
passed, from the effects he believed It
would produce upon the country, that It
! would cause radical change in all bis o.
/ pinions, as it regarded The army and navy
/ the United States. He felt it due to him.
self to say, that heretofore he had been
friendly to the army and navy but would
rather dispense with both than Cypress the
country with a system of excise and taxes.
! He knew there was, some time ago. a poll
tical party 10 the United States, who 'ho't
| that method, most wise and best. of sup
porting the government, which looked to di.
rect taxes but he was not one OF that mum
Der; his antipathy to that system was still
the same. The motion. therefore,, which
be was about to submit, proceeded from a
strong conviction, that, unless we reduced
our expenditures in this way, this oppres-
sive and ruinous system, which we are
threatened with, must very shortly be bro't
into operation, which will require at least
eight or ten millions annually OF direct tax |;
sum which the community, in times OF
greater prosperity. could not bear, and, in
these times of difficulty and distress. cannot
be paid unless by a sacrifice of property,
perhaps at less than fifth of its value.
Mr.. F. believed the revenues OF the ceun-
try would, for several years, be less and less
--that each year would shew still greater
deficit, until the trade Of the world settled
down to a proper point, viii, the wants
and situation of all would ultimately deter
mine. Whilst navy could be of no use to
us, having no commerce TO protect, as we
were about to become nation of weave1s,
he could not think il necessary to retain that
which formed so large part OF our expen
dtures. A few small vessels, to protect our
coasting trade, whilst they took their manu-
features 10 the south, and returned with car
goes of cotton, might be useful more was
unnecessary and burthensome; and must IN
short time decay, and, with the tonnage
of the country disappear.
The army, Mr.. F. said, which likewise
formed so large portion OF our expences,
could with much propriety be dispensed
with. few, very few, were necessary 10
take care of the fortihcat ions which might be
now finished, or which, by existing con-
tracts or appropriations, may soon be SO.
The defence of every country, Mr.. F. said,
depended upon the security of few i'm
por!ant points, leaving the intermediate
parts TO be protected by movements from
these points though now, he believed there
would be still less cause Il apprehend any
thing from contact with other nations, as we
were about to become manufacturers.
Mr.. F, said, he did not see the necessity
of an excise and direct taxes at the present
time, particularly as the friends Of the pre-
sent measure seemed disposed to adopt the
Chinese policy an army and navy, under
such circumstances, could only serve to re-
remind us of what we once were; If there
was war, or any necessity Of the country,
not resulting from measure OF our own, at
this time, knowing it to laad directly to
system Of internal taxation, he would vote
for tax as high as any gentleman would
desire but, when no necessity, in his OPT
MON did exist, be was ayerse to any thing OF
the sort The particular distresses Of the
country, instead of prompting to imposltions
upon the people, required, in his opinion,
great care and economy in the management
OF affairs, to avoid the necessity for any new
demands. He conld not see the wonderful
benefits which were to result to this people,
from this government, when they were made
to feel heavy burthens to support an army
and navy, which could have no other EN-.
ployment than protecting the weavels.
This country, said Mr.. +. is unlike any o.
ther all local expenditures are made by
the states the general government can have
no subject of expense, but such as is truly
national; an army, navy, the civil list;
the commerce of the country in time Of
peace, ought, if possible, to pay that ex-
and not harrass the citizen with two sys.
TENS of taxation. Ii things were per-
mitted 10 remain, the revenue Of the coun-
try, with proper economy, would be, as it
ought to be. equal TO all the demands upon