Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1829-11-27


:. Mr.. Madison then rose to say, he felt
himself bound to state, though be did no,
perceive the important hearing of the fac,
upon the question before the House, that
he had furnished a key to the author ci
the Fe,lcralsi and that the 54,h No
was not written by MIR. Hamilton or Mr.
Jay. but 10y the third person concerned in
the book. 1t ia scarcely necessary tn
say, that Mr.. Madison referred to him
self
Mr.. Mercer remarked that there were
Hamilton, which proved the position he
had taken. and he would therefore read
extracts from them-[which nc proceed
ed t. do
He stated. that while there had been
IN indulgence of the people of the East IN
laying the taxes towards the West, he was
willing to admit there had been no oN,res-
sinn-and that the taxes were generally
laid in proportion to the ability of the pe"-
pie TO pay them. This subject he extend
ed into various statistical statements of
the taxes laid on lands, slaves, &c. in this
State.
Mr.. NJ. said for one, nc would vote
for what he thought a sulIicien guarantee
against excessive taxation-that is, an adj.
| valorem tax upon lands. slaves, and hor-
SEES. He contended that this would he a
sufficient protection; and that If there
could be any doubt of its application, the
Supreme Court of the U. States would
enforce the provisional guarantee which
| was so explicit, that even county Court
| should be able to apply il. But If that
should not be considered sufficient guar
antee, let gentlemen devise another TO
please themselves. And surely under
such protection, the tenure of that species
of property ought to be considered per.
fectly safe.
| He commended, that there was no reason to
doubt the sympathy of the citizens of the West
for the East-he contested the statement which
had been made by the gentleman from Culpeper
mir. Barbour] respecting the Defence Bll-he
showed, that during the war, after the fall of
Washington, the Governors Proclamation ami
mated tho whole State, and drew thousands
from tho West to the banners of the Common.
wealth. They rushed down like their noun
tain torrents, until the number of soldiers was
SO great tina. it was necessary to send large por
ton of them home. He drew very affecting
picture of the sacrifices made by the Western
people who had boon reproachcd with want of
| affection for their brethren of the East. He
trusted, that such language would not be repeat
ed on this floor and in this debate And why
did those soldiers repair to Norfolk Why did
they, and not the citizens ofNorth Carolina, who
used it as commercial emporium as well as
ourselves? 1t was not to save the property
there for if the whole town was reduced 10 a.!,
es, the money expended, in the military equip
ments that occasion would have been much
more than sufficient to rebuild it. Why was it
but because it was the love which eaci, citl.
zen, whether of the West or the East, felt for
the whole State.
He then touched upon the subject Of Int erna
Improvement, in order to show that the money
expended on the James River might yet be turned
TO valuable account, If we would employ it pro
perry; and that this improvement was not tc
/ be attributed to the West, hut to the citizen,
Of the lowands He also alluded 10 the
the system of schools, in order to show how
easily schools might be established. and diffmsec
| through the State, and the children cf this
State be educated in the same manner as they
are at the North-tIo contendcd that wise
change in our Constitution might be pro-
ductivc of other advantages TO the State--that
| 1T would redeem the lowlunds from the dosoa
| ton which had covered it, He concluded with
an affecting appeal to the pride and patriotism OF
tho Virsinians II was to the measures which
were now in agitation, that we were to look fol-
the extensive improvement of Virginia, &c.
Mr.. Barbour of Culpcper made an explanation
| upon the Defence Bill which Mr.. Mercer cx.
pressed himself gratifcd to receive.
| MIR. Doddridge also rose to make an explana.
t'oa upon some remarks which he himself had
previously made, respecting the origin of our
present Constitution.
| lMr. Joyne's remarks will appear in our next. I