A SKETCH OF THE POLITICAL STATE OF AMERICA. [Continued from So. XV.J WE have been, in a former number, speaking of the mode of obtaining money for the support oi Government, in which various and compli cated difficulties were found to attend the levy ing the tariff, or impolt, with an equal hand and nice discerning eye : we now come to the mode of collection, in which ltill greater difficulties ariie ;—ln a country pofl'eHing the extensive sea coast, the innumerable bays, rivers, creeks and inlets, we have in America, it requires not a lit tle f'agacity to conftru<ft those guards and barri ers, to prevent the evasion of the law, which, in cases like these, mankind have ever been found orone to seek opportunities of doing—and per haps the inventive genius and subtle arts of men have, on this fubjedt, had their full scope and ex ercise in all other countries; and to presume on our peculiar virtue, and want of skill or enter prise, in such undertakings, will be building on weak grounds, and doing wrong to the American character : Private interest among mankind, has been generally found to predominate over public spirit—and this principle, so strong in human na ture, will not be likely to operate less faintly here than with the reft of the world. These observa tions being assented to, as I think they mull, the necessity of purfuingfuch measures to prevent as far as possible, the effecft of this preponderating principle, as have been attended with fuccefselfe where, naturally presents itlelf to view : But here let me renew an observation before made, that the general scale or standard which governs the plan of the Import, will efientially affecft the pro dutft of the Revenue—and as far as this is found to be reasonable and judicious, will the need of coercion be proportionably diminilhed ; for in fucn n position of the cafe, the risque of finuggling will exceed the objejfl to be thereby obtained— which consideration will be ever nicely weighed by the merchant in his calculations .—But to re turn to the Ipecific point in view—While every encouragement ought to be held out to the fair ti ader by the principles of the system—on the other hand, every proper caution and preventa tive again ft the pernicious practice of smuggling Ihould mark the plan of collection, not only to secure the reyenue, but to preserve the morals of tiie community from the baneful contagion ari ftng from such pursuits. Those embarraflinents which proceed from the natural situation of the country, cannot be avoided—and while numer ous harbors and inlets will neceflarily multiply revenue officers, yet this reffedrion is in a degree alleviated, by viewing those harbors and inlets as so many avenues to the encreafing wealth and consequent strength of our country ; and frequent inland navigation may be efteeined amongnature's choicell blellings. It is not to be doubted that every particular part of the community will hope to be freed from the disadvantage of going out of the diretfl path of their navigation, in order to make their entries, deliveries, clearances, &c. but it will be in vain to expect the wifhed-for latitude on this point, unless they consent to a total facri fice of the revenue, and view the payment of its officers as the sole objecft for which it was levied. Every partial inconvenience, in such cases, must be submitted to, in order to further the general good ; and until this principle takes deeper root in the public mind, on all occasions, national measures will only serve to present in a morecon fpicuous light our national imbecility. The mode of reimbursing the revenue officers for their services, ought to be as far as poflible so conftrucftcd, as to make the faithful purfr.it of their duty fuperiorto any temptation to fraud : It may be well therefore, to produce this effect, that two different principles should be adopted in deter mining their stipends : In large ports, and where an extensive trade is carried on, let their compen sation result from a fpecified commifiion on the a gg re g ate aii'ouut of their negociations,which will tend to excite their vigilance, and make them zealous to fill up the money columns in the cuf tom-honie books : In smaller and less productive ports, a fixed ialary, in proportion to the probable service, may be thought a stronger incitement to duty, or if paid by commilfions, as in the former cafe, those different powers which in the larger ports are divided, can here be united inoneper fon : It will be difficult to exceed in the number and variety of checks and barriers to prevent falfe entries, reports, manifeftos, invoices, &c. Here oct ular demonstrations and critical compares, will be found serviceable auxilaries to oaths and affir mations : An immediate dif'charge of duties in every instance, is rather to be wiihed for, than expected, where a deficiency of circulating me dium is evident, and a ready demand and con sumption often uncertain and irregular : There fore the giving bond") in i'ufficient security for their payment at afhort, though future period, will be iotind expedient—while a discount allowed upon prompt payment will produce exertion to tiiis purpose : In regard to articles on which drawbacks are permitted, it will be found advantageous to provide public store* for their deposit—lest by some magic or miraculous power, wine may be foinetimes converted to water ; and the duties on merchandize thus dcpofited, will he as in other cases, bonded for—which bonds ffiall be cancelled by a certificate from the naval officer of their ex portation. But I leave any further detail upon this alinoft exhauftleft fubjeft, to take a view of lome other fourcesfrom which the public chelt must alfode rive its supplies : And here let ine observe, that as national wealth is but a composition of the wealth of its individual citizens, from a want of attention to those general principles, which serve to fill the lefier springs and streams, the great common fountain must be less productive, or be come proportionably exhausted ; and without "in dustry and economy, those handmaids to wealth and affluence, among the great mass of the people, America will in vain expect to reach the zenith ol national glory and splendor. AMERICANUS. (To bt continued.) THE TRIUMPH OF FATE. A SON nit. Turn—The banks oj the Dee. THE beauties of Flora delightfully blooming, The ladies ofTrenton, arranging difplay'd, More splendid :n beauty frefh glory alTuming, When arches triumphal with them were array'd; The Hero llluflrious had lately arrived, Who all the past dangers of War had survived ; From whom all the blessings of Peace are derived, On whom the whole burden of Empire is laid. The brilliant aflembly of beauties advancing, With harmony soothing, and scenery grand; While smiles were foft dimpling and graces were glancing, The Hero himfelf condescended to stand. Before him young Virgins gay flowers w-re ftrowing. And all their rich fragrance delightfully blowing, While mulical {trains were melodiously flowing, Sensations of rapture what breast could withfland. 1789. SKETCH of PROCEEDINGS of CONGRESS. In the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES. Wednesday, June 3, 1789. The bills for the arrangement of the two de partments of war and foreign affairs were read a second time—and afligned for Tuesday next, in committee of the whole. A meliage was received from the Senate,inform ing of their concurrence in a report of the com mittee of 28thult.refpecfting the printing bufmels. The Senate also sent a ineflage to inform the House, that their members were this day to take the Oath required by the Constitution—and re quelled the original law refpetfting oaths, which had been yesterday returned to the House bv The President. 3 In committee of the -whole. The Bill to regulate the collection of the reve nue again under consideration—when further progress was made in filling up the blank, by a greeing to the following, as ports of entry and delivery, viz. Clieftertown, Oxford, Vienna, Baltimore, Snow Hill, |> Maryland. Georgetown, Annapolis, St Mary's, Patuxent. Norfolk, and Portfirtouth," Hampton, Yorktown, Urbanna, Alexandria, Virginia. Kinfale, Foley's Landing, Cherrystone, South (^uay. Charleston, p Georgetown, > South Carolina. 4 Beaufort, S Savannah, -1 Sunbury, . Brunfwick, r Georgia. St. Patrick's, on St. Mary's river. J P epperelborough, Bath, on Kennebec river, W ifcaflet, on Sheepfcut river, Penobfcot, Machias, [> Paflainaquoddy, 1 or k. [Barnftable. Barnftable, in the county of she Committee then rose, and the House ad journed. June 4. In committee of the whole on the bill to retm late the colle<sHon of the revenue. !" Rom the firlt article which provides for the constituting ports of « entry only" the word ' .only was it ruck out, to insert " and delivery." The next article which runs thus, " That the: e shall also be constituted, the following ports which lhall be ports of delivery only, viz." was read, and the committee proceeded to fill up the blank by agreeing upon the following ports, viz. Kennebunk, Matfachufctts. Weft Point, Newport, Tappahannoc, Frederickfburg;, ; ... . Suffolk, f V ' r g""'- C Burmuda Hundred, | £ [City Point, | Rockets Landing. . J Burlington, 1 Newark, C New - Jersey. New Brunfwick, J Mr. Lawrancf. proposed to insert a clause to this effecft, that all ihips, or veflels, arriving at New-York, from any foreign port, and destined to the city of Hudlon, Albany, Efopus Creek Poughkeepfie,or Newburg, in Hudson River, lhall enter atthe port of New- York—and having there paid the duties, or secured them to be paid, they may then proceed to either of said ports to deli ver their cargoes—the collector at New-York putting on board a land or tide waiter—and tak ing effectual means to prevent frauds. This clause was adopted. Mr. Jackson introduced another clause, pro viding for the forming the sea coalt of the State of Georgia into four districts, to include ports of entry and delivery : This division was agreeable to the laws of that State. This was adopted as was also a clause, introduced by Mr. Goodhue, firnilar to that from Mr. Lawrance—which pro vided that veflels bound up Merrimack river, should enter and pay, or secure the duties at New bui-yport. The committee then rose. Mr. Baldwin, from the committee appointed to bring in a bill, or bills, for the arrangement of the Three Executive Departments, reported a bill for the Treasury Department—which was read, and laid on the table. Mr. Benson gave notice that to-morrow he should move for a committee of the whole, on the state of the Union—to take up the proposition ref pe<fting Rhode llland. Mr. Benfon's resolution is in the following words. THE Congress of the United States do resolve uni declare it to be their mo ft came ft dejire, that the legi ftature of the State of Rhode IJland and Providence plantations, do recommend to the people oj that State to choose delegates to meet in Convention, and to whom the Conflitution »f the United States is to be fubmittei, conformably to the unanimous resolution of the United States in Congress ajfembled, of the llth Sept. 1787. Friday, June j, i 789. A meflage from the Senate, which was received yesterday, providing for the tranfmiflion of the atfls of Congress to the executives of the several States, was read a second time and received the unanimous concurrence of the House. Mr. Wynkoop asked leave of absence for a fortnight, which was granted. J lie bill providing for the arrangement of the treasury department, was read a second time, and referred to a committee of the whole House. Mr. Jackson gave notice, that on Wednesday next, he fliould move for the appointment of a committee, to bringin a bill for the establishment of a system of naturalization for the United States. Mr. Benson proposed, that the House should then form itfelf into a committee of the whole, on the state of the Union, and take into confedera tion the proposed resolution refpetfiing; Rhode- Island. , This occasioned a fliort discussion, which termi nated in taking the previous question—Whether the House fliould now fonn itfelf into a commit tee of the whole for the above purpose ! This parted in the negative, and so the proposed resolution was loft. The House then formed into a committee of the whole, on the bill to regulate the collection of the revenue. The article of " ports of deliver■/' being under confederation,the following addition was made to those agreed upon yesterday, viz. Ipswich, .. Manchester, Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, • Claarleftown, ; Majfachufetts. Med ford, Swanzey or Freetown. Weftport, Duxbury, Peterfburgh, p Cumberland, f Virginia. Smithfield, \ Mi. Ames introduced a petition from the Ar tificers and Manufacturers of the town of okon which being read, was laid 011 the table. Mi. Vining gave notice, that on Wednesday next, he should fubrrrit to the House a resolve, providing for the eftablifhinent of a fourth fnbor mate executive department— to be denominated, the department of the Secretary of the United ot ™? s ° r Domestic AFFAIRS. le House then adjourned to Monday new- ui \'»utvjy Jo toutaouj
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