The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

POLITICAL RETROSPECTION.

STOCKBRIDGE. [Mass.] Aug. 14.

It must give sincere pleasure to every one who wishes well to his country, to reflect on the happy issue of the late session of Congress. The business they had to accomplish was arduous—the obstacles to be removed almost insurmountable. The wisdom of our rulers, their industry and perseverance have attained the objects of their patriotic wishes. They are called by the election of their fellow citizens, to administer an unorganized government, that last hope of America; to provide for the support of public credit; to restore the wounded name of their country to the esteem of the world: to relieve the industrious farmer and mechanic from the pressure of enormous burdens, which had produced almost intolerable distresses; to provide—for the regular and impartial administration of justice; to discharge large anticipations, which from the imbecility of the former government, had become unavoidable; to establish administrations for the colonial governments in the Western Territory; and to propose the necessary taxes to effect all these important operations.—All these things, in two sessions' of the National Congress, have been performed; although in every step of their progress, the most inveterate prejudices of some were to be encountered, and local, jaring, and opposing interests to be reconciled.—They have done more; they have provided effectually the means of lessening considerably the principal of the national debt.

And in all this, the malign predictions of the enemies of the government have not been verified—no direct tax has been laid on the people at large. Congress finding one million of dollars in the Treasury, have directed that sum, together with two million more to be obtained on loan, to be employed in purchasing the debt, while it remains below par. By this measure, many important, valuable effects will be produced. The money will, instead of remaining useless, be again carried into circulation; the public burdens alleviated, and the people convinced that the national faculties are equal to all its necessities. This will remove all those apprehensions of opposition, which the arts of some have disseminated, and the fears of others entertained.

It must be confessed, that it is to be lamented, that in some instances, the allowances and grants which have been made are beyond the expectations of the people in this part of the United States. It will, however, give pleasure to the citizens of this Commonwealth to reflect, that this exorbitancy met a manly and determined opposition from their Representatives; and the good people will, with that moderation which ever distinguishes their conduct, consider this as the effect of the difference of habits prevailing in the several parts of the nation; and that what here would be considered as profusion, would in other places be termed parsimony.

Though in this instance, respecting allowances and grants, the Representatives of this State were in a minority, yet it has been their singular good fortune, and highly honorable to the people they represent, that in no other measure of importance was that the case.