equal rights, to cover the dictates of envy at superior fortune and success in the world, then they had best consider again, whether by overturning the public Bank they would not assist in setting up a private bank. And whether such private bank would not bring very great accessions of wealth to those, whom they particularly dislike. You, gentlemen of the Assembly, who are the guardians of Pensylvannia, and bound by every principle which can actuate honest men to promote her welfare and prosperity, it is with you to consider this great object in all its lights. The objections raised will doubtless be varied. The answers given will certainly be disputed. Perhaps the arguments in support of the Bank are not so strong as the advocates believe. One thing however is certain, that consequences of the last importance to your constituents must follow from your decision. If therefore the event be doubtful, nay if the destruction of this charter should not be absolutely necessary, pause a moment and consider most deeply what you are about to do. How can we hope for public peace and national prosperity, if the faith of government so solemnly pledged can be so suddenly violated? If private property can be so lightly infringed? Destroy this prop, which once gave us support, and where will you turn in the hour of distress? To whom will you look for succor? By what promises or vows can you hope to obtain confidence? This hour of distress will come. It comes to all, and the moment of affliction is known to Him alone, whose divine providence exalts or depresses states and kingdoms. Not by the blind dictates of arbitrary will. Not by a tyrannous and despotic mandate. But in proportion to their obedience or disobedience of his just and holy laws. It is he who commands us that we abstain from wrong. It is he who tells us, 'do unto others as ye would that they should do unto you.' OBSERVATIONS ON THE FINANCES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN 1789. In a letter from the author to Robert Morris, dated Paris, May 8th, 1789, is the following paragraph.-' Enclosed you have a paper marked American Finances, which is partly the result of my maritime meditations; but I incline to think, that you would not have been troubled with them, if circumstances had not retraced the ideas since my arrival. In effect, it has frequently happened, that, while sitting with Mr Jefferson, our conversation turned on that subject. He, who also feels ardently for the welfare of America, induced me, without intending it, to make the sketch above mentioned. I afterwards showed it to him, and his approbation has given me a better opinion of it than I had before, and very probably much better than it deserves. Such as it is, however, I now commit it to a friend, who has, I know, the same fervent zeal for the prosperity of the Union, which warms my heart. If it should be in the smallest degree useful, my wishes are satisfied, and my labor is doubly and trebly repaid.'It will be seen, that this paper goes upon the plan of a direct tax, combined with a duty on imports. THE establishment of a new Constitution in America, while it raises the hopes of all true friends to liberty, cannot remove the apprehensions of many, who are intimately acquainted with the affairs of the United States. Those gentlemen, there |