Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-12-02

between tSv enty and thirty years. cannot aseiibe
Niny success altogether to accdent--lortune may
Tor short time, exercise an influence, but unnter-
rup,ed success for a long series of years, must be
rooted in deeper and more permanent cause--and
instead OF srudsiDg them their wages, l rejoice to
see that while they securing my independence
they are acquiring one Tor themselves-due to their
honesty, industry and zeal.
IL has long been common remark in Virginia
that property changes hands with great rapidly;
and hence has become kind of apoihegm that it
never reaches the third generation. This is an E.
viii For am persuaded the wish il common TO
all that our property should, especially if the
result of own labour and pains, be enioy ed by
our posteriiy. The man who makes his property,
rarely loses il. None guard to be sure against
misfortune, and hence its consequences are beyond
my remarks. But the generation, ignorant of the
difficulty of acquiring 1t, is generally more apt TO
diminish than increase their pa,rimony This is
produced in part by Our kind of property. The
man whose income is certain, like the holder OF
the publick stocks, knows its annual amount to a
arthng; if he spends more he diminishes his capital
knowingly and dangerously; but with us the pro-
ducts and the price are uncertain, we have much
! tor hope and illusion TO act on. Is there one
among us even the least sanguine who has not
ovcrraed both with the sangune the mischief is
increased. Our next error is to purchase on credit
We are to make ten hogsheads of Tobacco
-
we may anticipate; it is spent accordingly. The
sales and the price strike of one half; we are in
debt, bat next year will repair the loss l will
make In our language, an overgrown crop. We
spend on this calculation; again disappointed, and
again, till at last the Sheriff comes TO tell US some
other person must take the management of proper
~, the use of which we have no, understood One
cure to this ev il Is not spend Till you have made
the money. You buy with the money one third
wore than on credit; and you look at your dollar
before you pay il away FOR 4 useless article. MOI
SO when you buy on credit. Another source of ouI
misiortunes, l., that accounts rarely kept.
prudent man keeps chapter of profit and loss =
He marks his incomings and his oStgoinss II,
who has not done so, can form no idea of the con.
tngent expenses of our kind of property TIL,
items snsly make no impression. United not un-
frequently form tire guilt OF our independence. The
same prudence 10 which | have alluded, should in
duce every 10 keep an account of his debts
no matter how long or black the list if he does not
know them, his neighbours will. Let him have
the or,itudeto look his affairs in the face and dc
, more show them to his family, especially to hi.
wife, if he has one. II a prudent woman, it will
be OF service Ii imprudent it will DO no harm. Blu
there are very few of the latter; and l cheerful,
bear evidence TO the care and economy OF the ie
. males. When in situation 10 give me an oppoI-
tunity to observe, can say | scarcely ever knew
widow on whom the of an embarrassed es
'A'S uSsoiNeu, uidt uu not eAtrlcate II, II wa,
, possible. But when the husband DISCUSSES IN,
state OF his affairs, and his wife acts on what sh,
Sees 1t is not unlrequent that by her expenditure
she becomes the unconscious instrument of extra
vagance.
Let me recommend to you 10 procure by le
Sisiatve act your incorporation. 1t will give YOU
legal existence essential TO the direction of you
fund, and the preservation OF your property.
am admonished by the length of this address.
that have enjoyed at least my share of your al
tention. Al some future period more propi,iou,
than the present will offer some further views
tue result OF observation or of reflection. In tn,
mean time cannot conclude without coniurina
every member TO do his duty, as though our success.
depended on his particular exertions. Many alb
stain nom making communications because they
Tear they will 'cri;iciIed--de fear Our humble
essays are not food for rriticsm--be-des the gart
III Which information is communicated IS never no.
fuced--One Important fact is worth, as to the husl-
ness In hand, whole cart load Of rounded periods
We go ioI the grain careless of the chaff Other.
lear that their information is of Sufficient i'm
portance--how unwise. Is not the Ocean alike
led by the lesser as the greater streams' Does
The mighty tide OF human improvement reject the
Offering because it is small? Profit then by the
moral OF these iilus,ralions--esteem nothing small
or Insignificant whose tendency is the enlargement
OF the stock OF our knowledge.
JAMES BARBOUR.
e.sJpashingtOn, Oct. 81, 1925.