NEW SERIES. NO 14 - Vou. I] BALTIMORE, NOVEM. 29. 1817. [No. 14--Voz XIII. whole No. 326, THE PAST-THE PRESENT FOR THE FUTURE. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. an increase, about two hundred new subscribers to Unparalleled, perhaps. During the last three will uselessly rouse popular feeling, and excite months, without any extraordinary exertion, or any passions that seem to be hastening to a state particular cause that we know of to produce such of repose. Nay, many will think that the the WEEKLY REGISTER have been received, and simple preferment of such claims will shew a nearly fifty complete sets of the work been disposed want of modesty that ought to give additional of. The editor will thank the public for such sup-force to the righteous opposition that must port by endeavoring to deserve it. meet them. But if they are preferred, we hope Expecting to be absent next week, and having that the merits of the case will be calmly enno one to take his place at the desk, the editor very respectfully asks the indulgence of his readers, if quired into and "clearly explained"-after the usual order of things should not be observed which the further consideration may be postin the succeeding number of this paper. poned until the year of our Lord 2818. At It is grateful to receive circular letters from which time, perhaps, the people may believe inventors, authors, &c. giving an account of their that a man ought to be paid for expenses incurimprovements, &c. for which, however, we reluc red in acts of wilful disobedience to the comtantly pay postage, and hereafter shall not take up mands of his superior. And by that time, also, Buch letters. The least that any gentleman can do when he asks a favor of another, is to put him in it is possible that posterity will have detera condition to grant it, free of expense. mined for what purpose the militia of Massa We have received an elaborate opinion, deli-chusetts were embodied at all. vered in Baltimore county court, by Judge BLAND, It is with sincere regret that self defence has in a matter in controversy about the right to the required it of us to touch a topic so producoriginal bed of a stream once navigable, &c. which tive of severest reprehension. We had hoped shall be inserted in our next. confession of the belief that it was that consi that the good sense of our eastern brethren Massachusetts' Claims. would have suffered it to rest in peace. The We learn from the Boston papers that the money claimed cannot be paid by the national claims of Massachusetts for military services councils, without a violation of principle that during the late war, are now so "clearly ex-be hurled from their seats by the suff ages of will cause the most of those that vote for it to, plained" that "nothing will be wanting to se-an indignant and justly offended people--a vicure their ample adjustment but a spirit of jus-olation of principle that it cannot be supposed tice and candor in the national councils." We always thought that they had been of. We know very well that the physical force the congress of the United States is capable enough "explained" to secure their "adjust of Massachusetts was on the side of the repubment" by "just and candid" men; to wit-that lic in the late war; but we are humiliated with a Massachusetts should pay them herself: but if by "adjustment" is meant an assumption of deration only which prevented their rulers these claims by the United States-that is ano-from acting openly on the side of the enemy. ther affair; and the logic must be very keen, We will not be taxed because the people of that indeed, to explain why the national councils state permitted such men to rule them-it is ought to pay for cool, deliberate and unrepented-of acts of disobedience to their authority. an affair of their own, and we will not have Every body recollects that the legislative, ex- any thing to do with it. They undertook "to ecutive and judicial powers of that state, unit- to think them, though they were not so) in their unit-manage their own concerns (as they presumed ed in solemn decisions that the United States could not call out and direct the militia, even the same matters in peace. own way" during the war-let them so manage when that state, he self, was invaded-how, then, can they be called upon to pay for pretended services rendered? And, unless that state, by acts as solemn, as public and as There has been much oppugnation in the se pompous, too, as those by which she disobey-lection and election of a member of congress, ed the orders of the "national councils," is for Suffolk or Boston district, in the place of prepared to retrace her steps, acknowledge her Mr. Lloyd, resigned. There were some cirerrors and beg forgiveness, she had better pay cumstances attending it that seem to demandi these claims herself and as quietly as possible. a record in this work. The United States will not, cannot, dare not when Mr. Lloyd had resolved to resign,i pay them, but at the entire loss of self-respect, except in the contingency stated,--when charity might give what rigid justice would refase. Without it, the urging of those claims Vot. xnli. -- -14 Boston Election. appears that he not only sent his resignation ta the proper authority, but also formally commu nicated it to a caucus called the Central Cons mittee. A "federal caucus,” which was strictly, legitimate, was then held, and Mr. Mason was counts early in the next year, I will throw them duly nominated and declared to be the federal into a tabular form, and continue it annually, candidate:"-but some were dissatisfied, and as long as I print the REGISTER and the facts another caucus called the "Primary assembly," for it can be had-keeping all the while a reassuming a higher degree of authority than the cord of things as they occur. So far I am conformer, directed that Mr. Ritchie, and not Mr. tent: but it is not for to me establish "canons Mason, should be supported, as the "distinct for the regulation of the press." I have no preand indivisible federal candidate." Mr. Mason, tentions to an office of such dignity, feeling my however, would not bow to the "Primary As-self quite happy if I can please myself in the sembly," and resolved to stand a poll. The management of my own-which is not always republicans then held a caucus, and seeing no the case. Almost every day I feel the want of chance of electing one of their own party, and education, or talents, to conduct it as I would. considering Mr. Mason as having more liberal Fine ideas (as I suppose they are) frequently principles than Mr. Kitchie, they agreed to flit before me, without an ability to embody support him. He was elected-the votes were, them and communicate them to others. if the for Mr. Mason 1664; for Mr. Ritchie 1376. proposition is meant as a compliment, I thank I have read, perhaps, six or eight columns of the editors of the Compiler for it, but the "lead matter in the Boston papers that I might un- of self-examination" tells me I cannot accept derstand the organization of the several cau- it except as a compliment: I have not the vanicuses, without being able to perceive where the ty to believe that I am fitted to the discharge "legitimate authority" of one caucus ended, or of the important duty that it would impose the "legitimate authority'' of the other caucus upon me. began. But it seems that they are orga- I should be very much pleased, however, to nized into a sort of a house of commons and see the first part of the proposition reduced to house of lords-the latter being a permanent practice, and will cheerfully assist in bringing body to manage and direct the business of elec-it about, as just stated; for which purpose tions &c. apparently possessing great dignity, shall address ce tain queries to my "brethren from the semi-official correspondence that Mr. of the type" in the next paper. If the thing Lloyd has had with them, as well on the subject succeeds, well-if it does not, a little ink will of the claims of Massachusetts against the be wasted and a little paper spoiled, and there United States, as on the affairs of the election. will be an end of it. The result has "excessively mortified" the high-toned politicians of their party, and portends its severance; for they have severely denounced those that supported Mr. Mason as "contumacious;" as they say in France of those that refuse their "adhesion" to the Bourbons. FROM THE RICHMOND COMPILER. To Mr. Niles, editor of the Weekly Register. SIR-We present you the respects of a weak brother-for weak is our wing, and humble our pretentions. We thank you for the work you have given to the American public-We regard it as the most valuable depot of facts which issues from the This election, though interesting to the peo-press. ple of Boston, is unimportant to the na- Time is no doubt necessary to give to such a work tion at large; and has its claims to this notice all its perfection. Day after day must furnish some only because of the caucuses that were held new hint for its improvement, and open a new field about it, to shew the manners and history of for you to enter with your sickle. party. State of the Press. One of the most useful things you are wont to do, is to sketch a list of passing transactions, which are capable of being reduced to numbers, and from time to time sum up the whole, and present them in one collective point of view. Such was the list of prize-vessels you collected during the late war. Such is the list of emigrations you have lately fur nished. I read the following article twice over before I could resolve what to do with it, or determine on what I should say to it. The collection of the facts desired is exactly in my way, quarter-one in which both of us are deeply inteWe beg leave to turn your attention to another and I will gladly devote myself to that purpose; rested. We mean our public journals, their condi which may be easily accomp'ished, if some tion, multiplication, declension and fall. editors of newspapers in every state will give In the first place, we want, what we may call, ca. complete lists of the papers published therein, nons for the management of the press, a sort of "codiand take it upon themselves to notice the "con-which ought to guide the conductor of the press— fication," as Jeremy Bentham calls it, of those rulet, dition, multiplication, declension and fall" of to regulate its liberty, and restrain its licentiousness? their respective public journals; explaining al-Not rules enacted by the laws of the land; but so the causes that have affected each or any of rules, drawn from the sound principles of discussion, of them. An annual table or expose of no lit- and forming a sort of moral legislation for the press tle interest, and perhaps, of some importance, rules, which every editor ought to observe, and might be formed from these reports, assisted which none should violate without an offence to de by casual information otherwise obtained; and, the rights and duties which one editor owes t cency and good taste. These rules will prescrib if publishers will assist me by giving such ac-another, or which editors and correspondents ow to each other: They would teach us the species, merce and civilization will soon be extended of manner which editors ou, ht to use towards each to yet unexplo ed regions, and the "wilderness other; the species of mutter, which they ought to be made to blossom as the rose." Our popu publish, and those which they ought not; in other words, what is fit for the public eye, and what lation will advance its ratio of increase in is not; the species of evidence they ought to re- proportion as the means of subsistence are the quire and furnish for their statements; with other inore easily obtained; and, as the field of encases, which are apt to occur in the editorial line. terprize is enlarged, the more numerous will We hold, that the number of well regulated pa- be the adventures in it from abroad. That pers is a species of test of the state of the public we are destined to become a great nation, mind; their multiplication, is an indirect proof of the growth of a liberalizing spirit among the peomighty and powerful beyond any that at preple; their declension, of a depreciation of that spi- seut exists, is morally certain; and that mere rit. Hence we should like to see a Register of the natural causes may bring this about. is highly numbers of newspapers; which should notice every probable---but who does not wish that he him newspaper that is set up, or the discontinuance of self may enjoy some portion of the delight that every old one-with the change of editors, &c. &c must spring up from the consciousness that we Thus you would take notice of every typographical are so Franklin wished to visit his country star that rose above or set below the horizon. In the same manner, you might state the causes at the end of an hundred years---and many now of the declension of any paper, whether from mis- seem to think that they were born too soon.management of the editor, the want of punctuality But let us be content, and faithfully perform in subscribers, or from any other cause as you the respective duties assigned us---confider t could ascertain it. The press too would be under that our children will immense obligations to you, if from these facts you by their fathers' care, and go on to improve its the harvest plante: could deduce a plan for putting a good paper on reap a good basis:-viz: How they are to be best sup. increase for the good of posterity. Every man ported, and how the numerous complaints against has his degree of usefulness---some to a greatsubscribers and false "patrons" may be prevented. er and others to a lesser extent: it is sufficient Another considera ion-Let a sort of account currept be kept, carrying forward from time to time the number of papers that are stopt, or have been set up, in the different states, &c. &c. and striking a balance, &c. But, verbum sat sapienti., Yours respectfully, &c. Isaac Briggs, esq. that these are exerted, or encouraged, as they ought to be---the talent should no more Lo "wrapped in a napkin' than squandered; every man owes something to the society to which ba belongs, and ought to be zealous not to leave the world worse than he found it. For myself, humble as I am, but believing, as I do, that the great canal may be completed in from 19 to 15 years, at the inconsiderable expense of 5 or 6 millions of dollars, I feel pleasure in Cha hope that, when its benefits are manifest to all men, my children may say, our father was friendly to it, and to all other internal improve ments, without regard to their location in the United States. I cannot believe that there is an American, who delights in the application of practical mathematics to great national purposes, who will not feel grateful to my much esteemed friend, Isaac Briggs, for the communication that appears in the present number of the REGISTER. It is well, indeed, that a gentleman! But I must stop---taking up my pen only to of his learning and science so zealously de- invite attention to an article in this paper, I have votes them to the public welfare-teaching us entered upon a subject which, if I could waite political philosophy, and enlarging our minds as I think, would occupy me a twelvemonth, so that they at once comprehend subjects of "by way of introduction." But when a n the highest importance to the national prospe- looks at the map and sees that the contempla rity. He is at present employed as one of the ted canals will open a water communicate engineers of the great canal that is to unite through lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michie the lakes with the Atlantic; a duty in which gan, uperior, &c. &c. to the lake of the his talents are most happily supported by an ar- woods; through Champlain to Canada; and, at dent zeal for every description of internal im- a very little additional expense, through t'e provement, and especially for that, the most fertile and extensive countries of Ohio, Anyse sublime object of its kind that can offer itself ana, and Illinois, &c to Orleans—and fru to the reflecting statesman. Practical mathe- the lakes by the Susquehannah to Baltimore, matics and mechanics are, certainly, this gen- as well as to New York, and to many of cr tleman's fort; and our confidence has been in- places through different routs, the mind is lost creased as to the final and complete accomplish-in calculating the magnitude of the code ment of the great work in which he is engaged, quences, and sighs to see them completed. by his employment therein. For myself, as a There is no spot on the globe wherein so member of the American family who has en- effects may flow from such little causes,” as la deavored and, perhaps, partially succeeded, to the junction of the tlantic with the lakes, bra bring himself to regard the whole as having northern route. By refering to the 6th vole community of interest, I am deeply interested of the WEEKLY REGISTER, page 417, the endin this most important work, by which com- er will see that in 1814 I indulged myself with a an ideal voyage in a steam boat from New York | country in her time of trouble, invested almost the to New Orleans, by way of the lakes, &c. and whole of our capital in manufacturing establishI am not without hopes that I may live to take ments-we expected a remuneration, it is true, but connected with that expectation was the delightful such a voyage, in reality, if I wish it. The conviction that we were affording to our country rich, populous and patriotic state of New York valuable relief that we were promoting her best bas seriously taken up this matter, may she and permanent interest. We believed, beyond persevere in, it and effect it! It will be more doubt, she would, in the days of her prosperity, revaluable to her, and the union at large, than the deem her pledge. What is the mortifying result? From an easy competence, we are landed in povermines of Mexico and Peru-in dispensing dispe wealth and all the comforts of life millions y and debt. When we humbly ask for relief, wo are met by the interrogatories-What would ye on millious of high-souled freemen; in knit-have? Shall we tax the cultivators of the soil, the ting them together as a band of brothers; and main body of our citizens, to pour wealth into your in giving strength to their efforts for the com-pockets? Such are the views of short sighted polimon good of the republic. Domestic Manufactures. ticians. We disclaim the imputation. Agriculture, manufactures and commerce, espe cially internal commerce, are in perfect harmonyAN ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFORE THE ONEIDA SOCIE- they mutually aid and support each other-together, TY FOR THE PROMOTION OF AMERICAN MANUFACTUEES, they constitute national prosperity. No one of AT THEIR ANNUAL MELTING IN WHITESBORO' ON THE them can exist alone-no two, exclusive of the 21ST OF OCTOBER, 1817-BY ISAAC BRIGGS. third, can permanently thrive. That nation alone At a meeting of the society for the promotion of which wisely fosters and patronizes them all, in just American manufactures, on the 21st day of Octo-proportion, can continue eminently prosperous and ber inst. the following address was delivered happy. No tax can be so grievous, as that course by Mr. BRIGGS. The committee of the society of policy which (however indirect and concealed believing the address to contain many important its operation) ultimately exhausts the sources of facts, stated in so plain a manner as not to be wealth-takes away the motives for enterprizemisunderstood, requested a copy for publication, and withers, even in the morning of its growth, the which request has been granted. October 31, 1817. To Theodore Sill, Recording Secretary of the Society for the promotion of American manufactures. UTICA, 10 MO. 29, 1817. prosperity of the whole nation. We may aptly compare a nation to the human body, and agricul ture, manufactures and commerce to the limbs. The right hand may be in full health and the feet strong, and for a while may vigorously perform all My Friend I have received thy note, in behalf their functions; yet if even the left hand be diseas of the committee of the society for the promotion fed, and the disease, through improvidence or false of American manufactures, requesting, for publica judgment, be suffered to advance, the healthy limbs tion, a copy of my address delivered before the so- and the whole body may become infected-be gradually robbed of strength, and sink prematurely ciety on the 21st instant. into the grave. I cheerfully yield it, in hopes that its publication may stir a question very important to the United States; and, whether I may stand approved or convicted of error, candid investigation is always favorable to truth. Respectfully thy friend, ISAAC BRIGGS. ADDRESS. In old and corrupt governments, political econo my is a great mystery; and it is perhaps the interest of those who manage the machinery of state. craft, to keep it so, by involving it in a labyrinth of technical terms and intricate speculations; but in a government like ours, founded in honesty, My friends and fellow citizens—I have some appre-resting on the virtue, and having in view the hap hension that I may be deemed presumptuous. Al-piness of a whole people, the science of political most a stranger as I am amongst you, and surround economy is quite simple-"He who runs may read." ed by men so much more competent to the task, I hope we have amongst us but few of those political my attempt to open the business of this meeting empirics who would endeavor to involve so simple certainly has that appearance. Oppressed too by a subject in great mystery, in order to astonish us the consciousness that, not being in the habit of poor natives, and to acquire for themselves the republic speaking, I have not those facilities of ar-putation of great statesmen. rangement and utterance that flow from practice. It is freely granted that the farmers, the cultiva My feelings, however, at this moment, are very tors of the soil, constitute the first, the greatest different from those of presumption: but encourag-and most valuable part of our population. If we ed by the hope of your kind indulgence-by a tho-rationally develope the best and surest means of rough conviction of the goodness of our cause, I their permanent prosperity, we shall have exhibitproceed, with diffidence, to offer my sentiments; ed a system of political economy. and I shall be satisfied if, in plain and simple language, I can make myself understood. In order to do this, let us examine the circumstances of a single family, for what is true of a faThe object for which we have convened-the culmily, will in principle, be true of a county-of a tivation of our industry and improvement of our state-of the United States. This family shall be own resources-is indeed of great importance-per-as a fair average of the whole nation. The propriemit me to say we, for my judgment and feelings are tor is seated on 200 acres of land, which he cultiunited with you in the common cause. It is of vates: he has a wife and six children, aud hires one of great importance to us of Oneida county, but not aborer. In the first place, we will suppose we to us only--not to the state of New-York only-it presents to the UNITED STATES a question of naBonal policy. Some of us, invited by the official voice of our have no manufacturing establishments, but depend, for our surplus wants, on foreign fabrications: and in making our estimate we will avail ourselves of the lessons furnished by occurrences since the ter On this sum is laid (at least 8 per cent.) for $26 mination of the late war. Having no market, but highways will be infested with mendicants and rob The whole population of the United States is now about 9,190,000 souls; and the classification of it which is here presented, although not pretended to be mathematically exact, it is believed will be found sufficiently so, to elucidate fairly the principle for which we contend. If an error be committed, we are confident the supposition is less favorable to our argument than will be the fact. Of this whole population, we will suppose 1-12 part to be practical farmers 1-3 women and children capable of common labor, 1-8 mechanics and tradesmen .1-12 hired laborers 1-16 seamen and fishermen 1-4 children incapable of common labor 1-16 lame, poor, and idle persons 760,000 For duties (the national tax) 25 per cent. 2 28 17 5 $40 than would be found true, were things settled in their regular channels on the ground of abandoning our manufacturing establishments. We should be unwise to deceive ourselves, by expecting a permanent market, for our agricultural productions, in Mexico and South America, should they achieve their independence. In that event, we might indeed share, with other nations, their market for manufactures, but instead of our customers, they would be our rivals in agriculture Let us now view the other side of the pictureon the ground that we sustain and effectually en3,040,000 courage our manufacturing establishments; and 1,140,000 clothe ourselves by the employment of our own la760,000 bor. 570,000 The farmer, in this case, having a brisk market 2,280,000 in his own neighborhood, will raise abundance of 570,000 articles, other than a foreign market would require -he will at least double his former amount-he 9,120,000 will now have for his labor on his farm two hundred He can now afford to give dollars instead of one. his laborer a hundred dollars instead of fifty. A great portion of the lame, poor, and (otherwise) idle persons are employed in our manufactories. Idleness, crimes, poor-rates, and taxes diminishhe pays, on these accounts, but 5 dollars instead of 10-he receives wages for one of his small children employed in a manufactory. His wife and We will even admit that there can be found a steady foreign market for the agricultural produce of the United States to the value of 76 millions of dollars annually, which certainly exceeds what will be the fact. Then, one hundred dollars, per annum, will be the share of each farmer-all he can receive for the produce of his farm. Fifty dollars, at least, of this he must pay to his laborer, or do without one-so that there will be no inducement *An objection against employing children in mafor the laborer, or any one else, to purchase land and become farmer, and the value of land will de-nufactories is often urged, and widely circulated, crease. Besides what the wife and elder daughters on account, it is said, of their demoralizing tenof our farmer can spin and weave-for we will sup- dency. This objection is certainly founded in prepose them all very industrious-He must have judice-in a superficial view of the subject--and something a little smart to clothe bis family for on candid investigation, would vanish before the high days and holidays, and imported goods, are light of reason. In those countries where wages very cheap, he can buy them (per yard) for 25 per are pressed down to their minimum, and labar cent. less than our domestic manufactures, and when forced up to its maximum, the objection may be he has laid out all his cash, the merchant invites valid; but this is a state of society which I hope is him to take more, the goods are so handsome and very distant from our happy land. From my own so cheap, and tells him he will credit him till next experience, I know, that a course of the purest, crop!-Honest farmer, beware, thou art on the brink moral, and religious instruction may, with great of a precipice!-The sum of 50 dollars must be fur-facility, he connected with these establishments, ther reduced. It may be recollected there are without preventing reasonable profits; and, were 570,000 lame, poor and idle persons to be maintain- they under the niberal patronage of government, ed, and courts of justice and prisons to be support their internal economy, in this respect, might, if for punishing some of them; for as markets fail, necessary, be regulated by law. Thomas Moore, the demand for labor will diminish; many will be a worthy and conscientious man, introduced into a egme idle for want of employment; our strects and cotton manufactory, of 5000 spindles, near Baltis |