<S>szeJfe
PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS BY JOHN FENNO, No. 4 i, BROAD-STREET, NEAR THE EXCHANGE, NEW-YORK
[No. 14, if Vol. 11. j
DISCOURSES ON DAVILA.
(ONCWDI D.
The Senate's thanks, the Gazette's pompous tale,
With force resistless, o'er the bnve prevail ;
This power has praise, thai virtue fcarcc can warm
Till fame fupplics the universal charm.
NATURE has taken effectual care of her own
work. She has wrought the pallions into
the texture and efience of the foul—and has not
left it in the power of art to deflroy them. To
regulate and not toeradicate them is the province
of policy. It is ofthehn hell importance to edu
cation, to fife and to society, not only that they
should not be deflroyed, but that they fbould be
gratified, encouraged, and arranged on the lide ot
virtue. To confine ourobfervations at pretent to
that great leading passion of the foul, which has
been so long underourconfideration : What dif
couragement, distress and despair, have not been
occasioned by its difappointnient ? Toconftder
one instance, among many, which happen contin
ually in schools and colleges. Put a supposition
of a pair of twin brothers, who have been nour
ished by the fame nurse, equally cncouraged by
their parents and preceptors, with equal genius,
health and strength, pursuing their lludies with
equal ardor andfuccefs. One, is at length over
taken by some sickness, and in a few days the
other, whoefcapes the influenza is advanced some
pages before liitn. This alone will make the flu
dies of the unfortunate child, when he recovers
his health, difguftfnl. As soon as he loses the
animating hope of pre-eminence, and is cortftrain
ed to acknowledge, & few others of his fourin or
class, his superiors, Ire becomes incapable ofin
duflriousapplication. Even the fear of the ferule
or the rod, will after this be ineffectual. The
terror of punifhnient, by forcing attention, may
compel a child to perform it talk—but can never
infufe that ardor for flucly, which alone can arrive
at great attainments. Emulation really seems to
produce genius, and the tlefire of superiority to
create talents. Either this, or the reverse of it,
must be true ; and genius produces emulation, and
natural talents, the deli re of fuperiority —for they
are always found together, ain't v;iiat and na~ i
ture have united, let no audacious legiflaror pre
fume to put asunder. When the love of glory
jnkindles in the hearty and influences the whole
foul, then, and only then, may we depend on a
rapid progression of the intelle<slual faculties.—
The awful feeling of a mortified emulation, is not
peculiar to childten. In an army> or a navy,
sometimeS the intereftof the service requires, and
oftener perhaps private irit'ereft and partial fa
vor prevail, to promote officers over their super
iors, or seniors. But the conffequence is, that
those officers can never serve again together.—
They must be diflribute<l in different corps, or
sent ondifferentcommands. Nor isthis the worll
effe»t: It alinofl universally happens, that the
fuperceded officer feels his heart broken by his
disgrace. Kis mind is enfeebled by grief, or dis
turbed by resentment—and the instances have
been very rare, of any brilliant a<flion performed
by such an officer. Whatamonument tothilcfaa
facfter of human r.ature is the long lift of yellow
Admirals in the British service !- Consider the
effects of similar difappointnients in civil affairs.
Minillers ofState, are frequently displaced in all
countries—and what is the consequence ? Are
they seen happy in a calm refigtiation to their
fate ? Do they turn their thoughts from their
former employments,to private fludies or business?
.Are the"}' men of pleasant humor, and engaging
conversation ? Arc their hearts at ease ? Or is
their conversation aconflantefFufion of complaints
and murmurs, and their breall the residences of
resentment and indignation, of grief and sorrow,
.of malice and revenge .' Is it common to fee a
«iatl get the-better of his ambition, and despise
the honors he once poflefled—or is lie commonly
employed in projects upon projects, intrigues ast
ter intrigues, and manoeuvres on manoeuvres to
recover them ? So sweet and delightful to the hu
man heart is that complacency and admiration,
which attends public offices, whether they are
conferred by the favor of a Prince, derived from
hereditary descent, or obtained by election
people, that a mind mufl be funk below the feel
"iiffs of humanity, or exalted by religion or phi
lofnphy far above the common character of men,
to be insensible, or to conquer its sensibility. Pre
renfions to such conquests are not uncommon ; but
the fincetity of fitch pretenders is often rendered
fufpiciom, by their conllant conversation and con
duct, and even by their countenances. The peo
ple a; e fq Tenfible of litis, !hat a man in this pre
No. VII
SATURDAY, MAT 29, 1750.
dicainent is always on the rotnpailionate lift, and,
except in cases of great resentment against him for
foine very unpopular principles or behavior, they
arc found to be alwaysftudying fomeother office
for a disappointed man, to coi sole him in liis af
fliction. In short the theory of Education, and
the science ofgovernment nay be reduced to the
fame simple principle, and be all comprehended
in the knowledge of the nnus of activity, con
ducting, controiing and the emulation
and ambition of the citizens.
FROM THE UNITED STATES CHRVSIU.f..
MR. Wheeler,
LOOKING over some F.nglifli Magazines, I was ftrilck with
the following Extra# from a Pjmphht published in the year 1781,
by the Dean of Glouceifccr, entitled *' An Enquiry, what benejth
can arifc, to the Engli/h, the Americans, &c./rm thtgreatefl yulcrits
orfuccejjts in tht prejevt war." The predictions of the coji- '
cerntng our country are so far from being fulfilled, that the very ;
reverse has taken place—America is now united under a firm, !
efficient government, adminiftercd by her xhoiccli Son$ —her in- j
habitants are happy,---Agri ulture, Commctc: and Manufa&ures
are encouraged and encreafing—and in no country in the kno\yp
world are there k'fs enemies to the ejlabljhed Cover nment, or more
warm fupportcrs and friends to it.
A CITIZEN OF THE INITIO STATCJ.
Rehoboth, May 13, 1790.
" A Sto the future grandeur of America, and
n. its being a riling empire, underonehead,
whether republican or monarchical, it is one of
the'idlefl and molt visionary notions, that ever
was conceived even by writers of romance. For
there is nothing in the genius of the people, the
situation of their country, or the nature of their
different climates, which tends to countenance
such a supposition. On, the contrary, every
prognostic that ran be formed from a contem
plation of their mutual antipathies, and claiming
interests, their difference of governments, habi
tudes, and manners, plainly indicate, that the
Americans will have no centre of union among
them, and no common interest to pursue when
the power, and government of England are finally
removed. Moreover, when the interfecflious and
divifiom of their country by great bays ofthefea,
and by vafl- rivers, likes ridgmnf mountain*
and, above all, when those iuimenfe inland regi
ons beyond the back fetilements, which are dill
unexplored, are taken into the account, they
form the highest probability, that the Americans
never can be united into one compact empire, un
der any fpeciesof government whatever. Their
fate seems to be, « Sifunitcd People, till the end of
time. In short, the only probable supposition
can be formed of them at prsfent is this: that
being so very jealous in their tempers, so fufpici
011s and diftruftful of each other, they will be di
vided and subdivided into little commonwealths,
or principalities, according to the above mention
ed natural divisions, or boundaries of their coun
try ; and that all of them in general will be more
intent on profecutihgtheir own internal disputes
and quarrels, than desirous to engage in external
wars and diitant conquests. They will have nei
ther leisure, nor inclination, nor abilities, for
such undertakings."
FOR THE GALETTE, Of STATE*.
ON EMIGRATION.
" A GRICULTURE should be the main objecfl
jfl of inltuftry in such a country as ours.—
Lands, uncultivated, are like gold sleeping in the
mines—it is only culture that makes them valua
ble."—Why then Ihould our citizens spread them
selves over so immense a territory—why ihould
they emigrate to the wilderness, and leave ex
tensive regions behind them, in the neighbour
hood of their friends ; conveniently iituated to
export the produftsoftheir labor, and to acquire
the neceflaries and comforts of life—thofe vari
ous articles they have long been accuftonied to,
and which conllitute the richest ingredients in
the compofttion of animal existence.—" Why
fhouldll thou die before thy time" ? is an old en
quiry.—What is death but a privation of the com.
pany, friendlhip, and conversation of our old ac
quaintance and aflociates ?— Ihe sensations of
an ingenious mind on abandoning his former
lefideuce, to retire beyond the mountains to
pass the remainder of life, are little fliort of
those which rack the foul 011 the near prospect of
nature's diflolution.—Spirit and industry in cul
tivating the numerous tradts of fertile country in
the neighbourhood of the old states, would pre
vent the diflrcfs oC individuals, and fupercede
the neceflity of diitant emigrations for centuries
; to come.—
469
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, MAY 10.
On the proportion to increase the duty of Tonnage, on
foreign bottoms.
MR. JACKSON said, that he was one of the committee on
the petition before the House, hut that by some accident or
other he h.i<i not notice ot their fitting when they concluded on the
icport. He would however tax the numbers with any design,
buc fuppole it to have proceeded from the neglect of the meffcD
gerr
The object of ;he report terminated with him in three points of
view--— It might be coofidered in t{v. light of an addition to the
revenue—lt might be taken m a prohibitory or retaliating law—
5r it Vnight be tfortfidered as an additional encouragement to Ame
ican lhipbijig.
""r r o"
If it was to he considered a* an obje£l to produce revenue, th<
Houfc mould be careful riot to overcharge it, by ovtrcharginj
any article of revenue. It was an old maxim and a very just one
that frequently instead of two and two making four, two and tw<
made but one—This opeiafed with the House the laftfeflion, wher
a higher tonnage was proposed—The revenue on tonnage is it
fatt no other than a revenue on customs. for the freight is adder
to, or dedu&ed from the sale of the article paying that freight;
and the higher this tonnage is made the fewer vessels will entei
your ports, and of course the less will be the revenue coming intc
your treasury.
If it is meant as a prohibitory or retaliating law on other na.
tions,for not permitting your veflels to enter their ports ; si* observ
ed, that it should not have been brought in,in itsjprefent form—Th<
house (hould be manly and open, (hould ast up to the American
chara&er and inform the nations complained of, why it was done.
For what, he aflced, could be expe&ed from a law like the present
regulation, but counter rellridlions and regulations, and on whom
he a{kc4 would ihofe reftri&ions and regulations fall but on our
own ve(tc!s 7 Suppose, however, that it h?s its full effect, and th«»i
a prohibition is the consequence, what is to become of the pio
duce of our Country—ls the hand of industry to be flayed ?Is jt
to be arretted irt the hands of its owners ? \K ill the lumber cutter
reft fatisfied with your telling him that this prohibition is neces
sary for the encouragement of ship-building ? Will not his intci
<-ft compel him to complain, and fir, js not interest in some mea«
sure or other the principle Will he be fatisfied that
hi> intertft (hall be uegletted, and that the interrft of the ship
builder shall be regaided ? Will not the rice and the tobacco
planter hnve likewise reason to complain ?—For fir, if this pro
hibition is to take place, where is your flipping to carry oft the
i surplus of produce ? Sir, it is not in existence, the best situated
state with refpeft to (hipping, employs foreigners. That we had
not fufficient was conceded on all (ides of the House at
the last feflion, and particularly so, by forrie gentlemen of the
greatest abilities and knowledge. He did not know that thofc
gentlemen now would be of different sentiments, he hoped not—
he had no authority » flowfe it, but he would mention the
words of one or two of them to (hew the House what their opin
ions then were. An honorable gentleman near him from Virgi
nia (Mr. Madison) on the tonnage law, last feflion, had declared,
that 46 it was admitted on all hands, that America did not furnifli
(hipping fufficient for the transportation of her own produce,
and the apparent quantity would decrease from what it was re
presented to be, If gentlemen considered that the American veflels
mentioned in the custom-house reports, may clear three, four or
five times a year. This redu&ionof our (hipping serves only to
(hew the indifpenfiblc necessity of applying means to raise it up to
what it ought to be. But in doing this we ought to be careful in
avoiding any sudden or violent effect upon our commerce by the
rife of freight." Another gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Fitzfimons) at that time had abfolutcly declared u dollar too great:
for the trade to bear—his words were " Then we will not adopt
such a duty as mud deter foreigners from coming amongst us un
til we are in better circumstances. If we lay a duty ot two-thirds
of a dollar per ton on nations in alliance, we cannot propose to
lay less than a dollar on those with whom we have not treaties. A
ship of 200 tons will then have to pay 200 dollars, a vry con
siderable expence, perhaps much more han our trade can Sear."
If then a dollar was too much for the trade to bear the last feflion,
can we have so soon changed our situation for the better," that our
trade will not feel it now—he could notfuppofe it.
Suppose it taken up in the last view he had mentioned as an ad
ditional encouragement to (hip-building. He would a(k what
encouragement was wanting.—He wiftied the house to examine
the relative situation of an American and a foreign ve(Tel. The
latter, if of two hundred tons, and entering our ports three times
a year paid three hundred dollars, whilst an American vessel if (he
entered our ports twenty times a year paid but her fix cents per'
ton, once in a twelve month, which would amount in a veflel of
that burthen to just twelve dollars. He begged the house to view
the immense difference, and then a(k if the payment of three
hundred dollars to twelve was not encouragement fufficient.—.
For his part he was at a loss to account for the application.—Fifty
cents the last year was thought fully fufficient ; one hundred is
fought for this feflion, and he had no doubt but the next another
petition would request two hundred. He could not tell how such
people were to be fatisfied, nor how far the length of such con
sciences would go.—He brliev d they would not be fatisfied with
any thing (hort of a total prohibition, and if they even poflefled
this total prohibition, they would be like the dog in the manger
—they could not eat the hay therafelves, nor would they fuffer
others to eat it. For the (kipping it was manifeft they did not
poflefs, nor was a fufficiency to be obtained in a moment. It was
not this House's declaring that American (hipping only (hould
cany the produce of America, that would produce this shipping
—time alone could effect it—it was granted that America could
build (hips cheaper than any other paitof the world—this ought
to be encouragement fufficient without this tonnage, and no doubt
would operate as such when merchants turned their attention that
way, and which their intcrefts would naturally lead them into.
The fa& was, that the American capitals which formerly were
turned to that branch had been diverted from their course during
the war, and would require time to return into their proper chan
nel, which he had not a doubt would be effected—but time and
time alone could do this. Here he would observe that an honora
ble gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Sherman) had on a former
occasion argued dire&ly contrary to what he had yesterday de
clared. 1 hat gentleman, when the tonnage was then before the
noufe, had said •• that the policy of laying a high tonnage was at
heft a doubtful point. The regulation, he had observed, was cer
tainly intended as an encouragement to our own shipping, but if
this was not the consequence of the measure it must be an impro»
per one," Surely if it was • doubtful or an improper measure
[Whole No. 118.]