Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-22
FROM CARACAS,


Baltimore April Cove have received from
files of the "EI Colombiano' up to the 10th ult.
inclusive. They do not, however, contain any
news. The leading Editorial article in the pa
per Of the first Of March contains some remarks
upon the Expose addressed to Congress by the
Minister at War, General Soublstte After COM
plimenting the General for the humanity and
ability with which he had advocated the cause
Of the army, the Editor expresses his fears that
the remedy is beyond the reach Of language,
because of the want Of means to afford relief
The want of financial skill and better mode
of collecting the revenue, is very forcibly de-
plecated The Editor says awe believe it to
be political axiom that no nation ever surviv-
ed the wreck of its finances; and though we do
not touch this point, it seems to us we are fas,
approaching it. Under such circumstances, it
is the height Of credulity or hypocrisy, to'make
fine set speeches, celebrating the state Of the
country, its revenues, and administration -
The Vice President as we'll as General Soub-
lette, have candidly came forward and told the
Congress, that they have much to do 20 make
the necessary financial arrangements, and The
Editor adds, their situation will not admit Of
trifing with their warning; tina, the fate Of the
nation is in their hands; and that the crisis
needs all their wisdom and energy.
The following description Of the financial 81
tuation of the country, will be found to present,
gloomy picture indeed:
"With heavy deficiency in our last years
revenue, and this in spite of the aid we deriv-
ed from our foreign loan, with the funds of that
loan reduced from 90 to So per cent. within the
last twelve months, with our home debt of sew
eral millions, still unpaid and accommodating,
with an admission from the secretary of the
treasury to congress, that he has no data on
which to presen. to the nation statement Of
its receipts and disbursements; with a large
standing army, and costly enterprise. in the
face Of this financial confusion" The Editor
after drawing this sketch of the situation of al
fairs, recommends the disbanding ofthe army,
and the establishment of an effective national
militia throughout The Republic. He contends
that such measure would be productive Of
great advantage to public morals, the revenue
of the country and its agriculture. The month
y estimate of the military expenses alone, a.
mounts to $4,000 dollars, to which amount
must be added half as much for the support of
the navy-which two items alone absorb the
whole of the revenue arising from custom house
duties and internal contributions.
AS respects the improvement Of the revenue,
the Editor OF" El Colombiano" recommends the
formation Of distinct departmental revenues a.
dapted to the localities and circumstances of
each; the abolition of all monopoIies, and a.
mong these particularly that Of Tobacco, upon
which article he thinks an export duty Of so
per cent. nigh, be levied and still reward the
cultivator.
The Editor concludes his article by assert
ing that without radical change in the whole
system Of finances, the credit Of the government
of Colombia, at home and abroad must be de-
stroyed; he, however, thinks that this result can
only be produced by most shameful misman-
agement, as the Republic possesses command
ing resources, and abounds in agricultural and
mineral wealth, blended throughout every
province.
The legislature of Maine, at its last session
passed law, exempting from attachment ex-
ecution and distress, all produce Of farms while
standing and growing, and until the same shall
have been harvested and all the interest any
debtor may have in one pew in any meeting
house where he and his family do stately wor-
ship.
A squaw is now confined in gaol at Rome,
Oneida, for the murder of her husband The
indian killed was John Cornelius or John the
Sleeper, an old and very respectable man. His
wife is said to have been intoxicated and to have
beat out his brains with club. The crime
was committed on Thursday last at Oneida