NEW SERIES. No 21 -VOL. I] BALTIMORE, JAN. 17, 1818 [No. 21--Vo XIII WHOLE No. 333 THE PAST-THE PRESENT-FOR THE FCTURE. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 PER ANNÙM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. BANKS AND NEWS-PAPERS IN HE UNITED STATES. try of the country in every branch, is either destroyed or paralysed, that still Mr. Niles, who professes to treat of political economy and statistics, should so strangely mistake or ove. look, what must be plain to the commonest smatterer in such discussions. We have already noticed a receipt of a list of the news papers published in Virginia, through the politeness of the editors of the Richmond Compiler, with whom the project of listing all that issue in the United States originated. Since then we have Perhaps Mr. Niles finds that those opinions are received very neat tables of the banks, established better adapted than plain matter of fact, to the by law, and of the news-papers published in the state taste of his readers. He has a right to indulge in a of New-York, from Jesse Buell, esq. editor of the taste of that kind, if all things within agree: but it Albany Argus--and lists of the news-papers of Ken is neither a reasonable nor a proper mode of estitucky and Ohio, from the editors of the "Commen- mating what is right or wrong in the United States, tator," and of the "Scioto Gazette,"* respectively. to contrast the affairs of monarchies with ours. In To those gentlemen we respectfully offer our thanks, our private condition as a people, we owe nothing assuring them that no pains will be spared to ac- to our government on the score of prosperity; our situcomplish the purpose to which they have so prompt-ation bears something like the relations which subly contributed. It is hoped, however, that the most sist between a great estate, under the hands of a useful information about the banks may not be ne- land steward, who has to overlook and pay the perglected. The fact is, that a list of the chartered sons employed, and pay himself for services; but Banks in the United States, with some general re-who instead of attending to his trust, and improvmarks on their condition, might justly be consi-ing the trust reposed in him, had turned his attendered as an important article. "A Kentuckian," through the Frankfort "Argus" of the 26th ult. has addressed a long letter to the editor of the Weekly Register, in respect to the colored population of the Uuited States. It has received an attentive reading and is laid-by for insertion as soon as a needful attention to primary objects will afford room for it. "Financial Prosperity." FROM THE AURORA. tion to a little private farm of his own, and let the estate in his care go to wreck; the fences torn down; the roads without repair; the bridges fallen in, and not a new path, bridge, or road repaired: the negroes indeed go on and delve, and work as well as they can, the soil is fine, and it requires only a fos tering eye to the improvement; but the overseer knows this, and knowing attends to his farm; he receives all the correspondence and answers letters, and what the negroes earn is paid in; but as to any care about the rising family of the owner of the estate, the steward cares very little; he must surrender his stewardship; and let those who are to follow repair the fences. Mr. Duane-I am surprised that you have not noticed an article in Niles' Register of the 27th of Exactly in this way, sir, do I consider our govern December 1817. That paper is a very valuable ment administered; and while the great income one, from the diligence and care with which the from the negro labor only proves what the estate passing events and documents of every public kind, might become under free industry and good steware preserved in it. Mr. Niles has presented at ardship, I cannot by any means admit, that the different times many discussions on political econo-steward shall have a merit ascribed to him which my and statistics, and the opinion has prevailed, arises only from the natural riches of the state. that on these subjects he was a good authority to He appears not to know that there is any nation be referred to, and his personal character has sanc-in Europe whose receipts are equal to its expendi tioned this opinion. ture. Then he has not read enough to know the In the paper to which I refer above, he has pub-truth. England receives more in one year than lished what appear to be his opinions, under the her expenditure, besides debt: France receives title of Financial Prosperity, in which he either mis. more in one year than her expenditure: Sicily, takes what financia! prosperity is, or he must con Sweden, Prussia, and Russia, receive more in one sider that kind of prosperity as a distinct exitence year than is required by the expenditure of that from political economy and national prosperity. year. Spain and Portugal are perhaps the only I notice this occurrence, sir, because if Mr. Niles nations in Europe whose annual income is under is right in his notions, I must have been mistaken the expense; and one of your correspondents, who through a long life; I recollect when the worthy writes under the signature of Colbert adds another, Isaac Briggs brought before congress his admirable that is the Grand Seignor, who has no public debt nor but neglected views of the true policy and economy sinking fund, and whose treasury is always overof this nation, that Mr. Niles bestowed on it an at flowing nevertheless. tention which led me to believe he concurred in I am an oldish man and my old notions stick to the opinions of Isaac Briggs; if he did concur, it me-I have always supposed that the happiness of appears inconceivable to me, how the late opinions the people-their prosperous industry-the abunof Mr. Niles are to be reconciled with those of na-dance of their means of supporting their progeny tional suffering, and a system which while it ena -were the true indications of national prosperity bles the administrative authorities to conceal their but Mr. Niles appears to consider that all these incapacity, and to expend millions without system things may be reversed"-aud that however the or wisdom, and while the whole productive free indus *The writer might as well have said that I ap*The editor of the "Ohio Monitor" has also fur-peared to have great affection for legitimate princes, and sighed for an “established church,”—(ED. Rão, nished a list. VOL. XIII-22. COMMON SENSE. industry of the people may be cut up and disre-purport, and I was unable to gather it out of the garded--they must be very prosperous because the observations upon it. It consists of a few com treasury is overflowing. mon-place paragraphs, rapidly written, and REMARKS BY THE EDITOR OF THE REGISTER. published without reflection-because the case Having read the preceding, "says I to my did not require much consideration, and an imself”—if I have said any thing that is in oppo- portance is given to it that it is not entitled to. sition to a firm belief that the "happiness of What is its amount?-that the United States, the people their prosperous industry-the and the several states, were financially prosabundance of their means for supporting their perous. This is the entire sum and substance. progeny-were the true indications of nation-Is not the fact so? "Common Sense" has al prosperity," it is at open war with every either mistaken the meaning of the word thing that I ever said, or at least meant to say, "financial," or strained for it an application that in the whole course of my life. But I never said it was not intended to bear. I have been told any thing like it. that finance is a French word-meaning a sum The articles on political economy and statis-or sums of money paid to the French king; but, tics which have appeared in this work, it is ve- by common acceptation, means also the revery probable, have been more esteemed by some nues or treasures of any state or government. than they deserved to be, ou account of the ra- If, then, we are not in a state of "financial prosrity of such things. Their compilation is labo- perity," I have erred. But it seems, that if rious, and, indeed, it is not many of those who the treasury of any country is overflowing with are pleased with such subjects that will take the money, that its finances must be considered trouble to examine them (when prepared) for prosperous. However, it is no less true that themselves; and results on desired objects may such prosperity may not be based on a sound be too freely accepted. But this is not my economy. An excess of public money is not, fault. Whatever I have said is open to candid in itself, evidence of a nation's prosperity; investigation, and if error is pointed out I though, in a liberal government where the peowill hasten to correct it. I have only to ask ple tax themselves, it is a strong presumption that opinions may not be imputed to me that of it. Common sense taught me these things never were held or expressed. The writer's many years ago, and also assured me that naideas, as to political economy, have been fami- tional wealth depended upon the profitable emliarly used by me for several years past, and ployment of its people, especially at HOME. are as familiar to my readers as my name.- Those opinions I have felt it my duty to advo Leaving out what is said about the alleged "in- cate and press upon my readers with unboundcapacity of the administrative authorities," &c. ed zeal, though with less ability than their great as involving opinions that I do not feel fee- importance merits; and, perhaps, I have done dom so discuss in the REGISTER, though, I ap- as much good in respect to such matters as the prehend that a difference of sentiment might writer who assumes such an imposing signabe supported, I decidedly agree with "Com- ture. mon Sense," and trust that I always shall do The writer is pleased to declare that "my it. My essays have had for their chief, indivi- personal character has sanctioned" my opinions sible object, the encouragement of national in- as being "good authority" on political economy dustry, and a constant looking at HOME for the and statistics. What a pity that such a pretty only certain means of national prosperity. compliment should be so strangely mangled by ith my amiable and intimate friend, "the the "perhaps Mr. Niles finds those erroneous] worthy Isaac Briggs," I have the pleasure to opinions better adapted than plain matter of continue on the best understanding-and if my fact to the taste of his readers. He has a right opinions on political economy should have the to indulge in a taste of that kind, IF ALL THINGS appearance of variance from his, I would sus- WITHIN AGREE." Light and darkness-hones pect their correctness from that circumstance, ty and fraud-oil and vinegar, are here united, and most carefully weigh them before publica- and by "common sense!" The writer will extion: o much do I admire the talents and re-cuse my freedom when I tell him that he knows spect the judgment of my friend. But I know nothing about my "personal character"-benot of any discrepancy in our opinions on this lieving that if he did know it, he would not have subject. Nor is there a discrepancy between thought me capable of the thing so ungenerousthe writer of "Common Sense" and myself, as ly insinuated. Nothing has been stated by me to the leading points in his remarks, as I shall in the REGISTER that I did not believe to be shew below. Yet he seems to have wished to "plain matter of fact," unless otherwise dewhip somebody, and to have thought it most ex-scribed; and this paper never has been directpedient to do it over my shoulde s! ed by passion or rendered subservient to pri I had written thus far before I turned to the vate views. Its pages have not been thrown article which called forth the grave remarks of open to the office-seeking factions that abound "Common Sense." The reader will please to in the United tates; hence no disappointment refer to it, page 282. So little had I thought has occurred to sour its pages, and its course of that article that I had really forgotten its has been steady and consistent, in all its parts. Fewest deaths in April, 73-greatest number in August, 213. A few words as the facts stated about revenue and expenditure. "Spain and Portugal Diseases, &c. Consumption, 239! Cholera morbus, are, perhaps, the only nations in Europe whose 214; still born 117; various fevers 111; fits 98; pleuannual income is under the expense," says risv 67; worms 61; old age 57; dropsy 42; casualty "Common Sense." Now we know that the 35; drowned 38; sudden deaths 11, suicides 5; poichancellor of the British exchequer got a grant soned 1; croup 35 &c &c. to raise 12,600,000l. on exchequer bills to meet the current expenses of last year. without Pluviometrical Observations. any reference at all to the public debt. See The following account of the quantity of rain that fell at West Chester, Penn. was commenced on the 20th of June, 1817, and has been commu. nicated on the supposition that it may not only "gratify the curious," but also "serve to il lustrate the real character of our climate."From a personal acquaintance with the gentleman who made those observations, we are per fectly satisfied of their accuracy, and will very cheerfully devote the needful space annually to an expected continuation of them. 1817. Rain. W. R. vol. XII. page 409-10. The king of June, 20 0.1 -0.7 230.7 262.5 29 1.0 110.1 19/0.01 220.2 24/0.45 310.5 5.51 REMARKS. shower in the evening. Igust of rain, at 1, P. M. Males. Females. Total deaths. 12 0.1 14/0.2 170.1 50 105 240.3 34 -7.05 75 Sept. 120.3 · June, 52 August, 127 September, 80 75 155 -4.2 October, 81 102 26/0.05 13 0.02 25.0.9 26 0.1 27.0.2 310.4 2.07 80 61 12.4 17 18 15 9 60.25 12 0.05 150.15 24 15 171.6 55 53 18/1.4 5.85 3.6 30.82 showery. rain last night. shower in the afternoon. steady rain from the east-began on the even ing of the 14th and continued till near the morning of the 16th. rained before day; and showers through the day. rain, A. M. before day, and forenoon. shower, in the morning. rain, in the foreuoon. slight shower, A. M. very slight shower, early A. M. duli-rain, P. M. after night. dull-slight rain. dull-rain after night. dull-rain, P. M. heavy rain, most of the day. rain, P. M. and in the night. slight rain, morning and evening. 2heavy rain on the 17th, continted all night stormy-rain in the evening. dull-easterly rain. rain in the morning, and evening rain, early A. M. rain, A. M. and most of the day. From the foregoing statement it appears that from the 20th June to the 30th December, inclusive, there were fifty rainy days; and that the quantity of rain amounts to almost 31 inches. This is probably an unusual quantity; but future observations must determine the fact, Manufacturers' Memorial. The following memorial, signed by many, was warded to Washington city on the 8th inst. To the honorable the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America in congress assembled the object, their interests being entirely at home, for-yet they co-operated with the government, made it a common cause with their commercial and agricul tural brethren, they contributed their efforts, and bore their portion of the privations and expense. The interests of your memorialists are now attacked; their manufacturing establishments are prostratThe memorial of the subscribers, residents of ed, by foreign rivals; a war in disguise is carried on Baltimore, manufacturers of woolen and cotton against them, by forcing into our market foreign fagoods; and others interested in the support and brics far beyond the consumption of the country, promotion of domestic industry and the improv-which are sold, of course, generally at losing prices. ment of the useful arts in the United States, re- It cannot have escaped the notice of your honorspectively representeth: able body, that a distinguished member of the BriThat while your memorialists acknowledge, with tish parliament has, in his place, avowed this hostili. gratitude, the attention paid by the national legisla- ty to our manufactures; after speaking of the proture to the manufacturing interest of the country, bable loss on shipments to America, he said, "it in the wise regulations of the tariff, to favor their was well worth while to incur this loss on the first growth and prosperity, they have seen, with deep exportations in order, by the glat, to stifle in the concern, the object of these regulations entirely cradle the rising manufactures of the United frustrated, and most of their expensive establish States, which the war had forced into existence." ments for the manufacture of wool and cotton, dis. We have no public avowal of this hostility to our abled, borne down, and their operations finally ar- manufactures, on the part of the merchants or ma rested, by the excessive introduction of foreign ri-nufacturers of England; but facts and circumstanval fabrics. It is a fact that will not be denied that ces go far to prove its existence; and there is little foreign fabrics, to an extent nearly equal to the doubt but they would be as ready to discover and to consumption of the country, were in the years 1815 avail themselves of the advantages their superior -16 and the early part of 1817, forced into the mar- capital and skill in manufacturing gave them over ket at public auction, without regard to their cost, our infant establishments, as Mr. Brougham, the the duty or other charges, and were sold generally member who made this declaration. The hostility at prices below their cost, a mode of selling allow- thus avowed and inferred, has been severely felt edly favorable to frauds on the revenue; and by our establishments. But we rely with unshaken there is little doubt that frauds to a great extent confidence on the magnanimity of the national lewere thus covered, and the owners of such goods gislature, to frustrate their designs. Your memo thereby enabled to sell at reduced prices and de- rialists are citizens of the United States, bound to feat the honest efforts of the fair trader and the participate in its burthens and distresses; and their manufacturer. Thus were the works of the Ame interests entitled to a common protection with the rican manufacturer thrown idie, their costly ma interests of other classes of the community, their chinery much injured for the want of use, the hands prosperity is necessarily a component part of the employed in manufacturing, a vast body of needy peo-national prosperity, and their depression diminishple, thrown out of employ and dispersed, and the ca-es and impairs its wealth and power;-to afford pitals of the proprietors rendered worse than unpro- them protection would cost the nation no war, no ductive, by the sacrifices necessary to meet so un-money, nor sacrifice of any kind; the public reveusual and unexpected a pressure on their business. nue is drawn from the people through commerce; Your memorialists further represent, that the and if the price of articles, interfering with our dohistory of American commerce will shew, that at mestic industry, be enhanced to the consumer by every period of our political existence as a nation, the protecting duties, the duty on other articles, it has been encouraged, protected and defended, by that by habit have become articles of the first nethe piternal care of the government; and through cessity, and which we cannot furnish at home, might a protected commerce, the agricultural interest of be proportionably lightened to the consumer. But the country has been encouraged and supported.—the avidity with which foreign fabrics of every de When ship-building and navigation were in their scription have been forced into the country, under infancy in these states, such duties were imposed the existing duties is, to your memorialists, a satis on foreign tymtage, and on goods imported in fo-factory evidence that these duties are not too high reign ships, as gave the American tonnage a decid- to comport with the wise objects of national policy ed preference of our coasting and inland trade; and in contemplation by their adoption. in the import and export trade of the country. Your memorialists beg leave further to observe, When the Barbary states disturbed our commerce that the manufacturing interests of the United in the Mediterranean, the government by an armed States, whether viewed as it respects the amount of force, brought them to terms of just accommoda- capital occupied and circulated at home, the num tion, and a respectable force is still kept in these ber and species of bands employed and supported, seas for the protection of our trade. And when and its general benefits to society, or as a source of Great Britain made an insidious attack on our com- wealth and security to the nation, is important and merce, arrogating to herself the right of inter- inferior to none but the agricultural interest.—Át a dicting to our ships and goods the market of our time when almost all the states of Europe are enchoice, and carried on a war in disguise against our gaged in arrangements for the protection of their property on the high seas, the government, under manufactures, by the prohibition of rival fabrics; an indignant sense of these outrages against our and by duties prohibitory in their operation; and commercial rights, repelled the aggression by force under the accumulated difficulties with which your of arms; and brought that proud nation to a sense memorialists have to contend, they indulge a hope of justice. A continued and heavy expense and that they will not be thought to ask too much, many privations have accrued, and are still accruing when they earnestly and respectfully pray, that the to the nation for the protection of commerce,-al-protecting duties of the tariff as now in operation, though those of your memorialists immediately con which by the existing law are limited to three years cerned in manufacturing had no direct interest in from the 30th day of June, 1816, be made perma nent; and that such further legislative provision | Expenses of government, Domestic Manufactures. 188,095 14 46,308 23 34,240 61 Pennsylvania claimants, 21,837 09 18,696 46 Expenditures consequent to the late war 6,412 35 3,026 53 962,564 54 The following resolve, adopted by the Jefferson coun- OISTER. sury 1st December, 1817. 191,862 56 $1,154,427 10 Whereas it becomes all men, who profess to be engaged in promoting the great work of national economy, to be living examples of the doctrines [The items of expenditures are also given in or principles they teach and as, in the opinion of detail. The amount for "improvements" is for this society, it is of vital importance to our coun- roads, bridges, water courses a long list of imtry that her manufactures should be sustained, by portant matters, for many of which only certain inthose whose duty it is to legislate for us, by such stalments are taken into the account. The cost of the wise and liberal provision as will effect the object legislative department was $83,969 14; of the ex-and as we believe we can best testify this inte-ecutive 11,911 63; of the judiciary 52,747 10; trearest by recommending to the members of this so-sury and auditory 9,473 62; land office, 21,383 52; ciety to abstain from the use of all foreign fabrics and a variety of contingent and miscellaneous and productions to the extent that may be found expenses.] practically consistent with the respective duties they are called upon to perform in life, and by Resolving, that each and every member of this society who shall, after the next stated meeting of this society, be in the habit of wearing cloth or cotton garments, not of the growth, produce and manufacture of the United States, shall pay to the treasurer of this society five dollars annually, to be distributed in premiums for the encouragement of agriculture. Finances of Pennsylvania. Receipts at the state treasury, for the year commencing on the 1st day of December, 1816, and ending with the 30th day of November, 1817. Monies loaned to the United States, returned with interest thereon, Dividends, &c. on bank and other stock, 200,571 00 Monies returned of the advances by the state in relation to the late war, 333,670 97 State's Capital. Bank stock. Bank of Pennsylvania $1,500,000; Philadelphia bank 523,300; Farmers and Mechan. ics bank 83,400, all at par Turnpike stock, Bridges and lock navigation The appropriations made for roads Piers, wharves, colleges and aca- $2,108,700 CO 404,863 04 285,000 00 $2,798,563 04 385,900 00 131,400 00 13,700 00 $531,000 00 A large amount of those appropriations and of 110,617 32 others theretofore made, do not appear to have been 78,826 13 called for at the treasury. Tax on banks, Tavern licenses, &c. POPULATION.-The constitution of the state of 8,716 67 Georgia provides for a census of its inhabitants 2,019 45 every seven years for the purpose of apportioning the representatives of the people. This is a whole. 968 45 some and truly republican provision, which we most sincerely wish had been adopted in the con877,762 92 stitutions of Maryland and Virginia. By the census just taken in Georgia we have the following results. 175,981 White persons 276,664 18 Blacks To which add the balance in the treasury, 1st December, 1816, 133,459 309,440 252,493 57,007 From seven counties, however, there were no returns, and the numbers put down for them was as in 1810-and shews an increase at the rate of 31 per cent. per annum; which is a progress more ra. pid than we had anticipated, by one half per cent. [The different items that form these aggregates are particularly stated in the pamphlet before us, The population in 1810 but we have not room for them, and perhaps they are not of sufficient general interest to require in sertion. Of the tax upon banks the lowest contribution is from the bank of Montgomery county, $212 88-the highest, the Mechanics' bank of the city and county of Philadelphia, $2,578 14.] Payments at the stute treasury, for the year commencing on the 】st day of December, 1816, and ending with the 30th day of November, 1817. Improvements, Loans per act of 11th March, 1815, to pay the militia of Pennsylvania in the service of the United States, 333,682 16 FINANCES. By the treasurer's abstract, ubmitted to the legislature of Georgia, the receipts of last year (including $378,970 from the United States and the former balance in the treasury) S764,130 315,265 97 amount to |