Gazette Of The United States

PROVIDENCE, January 20.

Extract of a letter from Philadelphia.

The militia system is before the House of Representatives—they
have been employed upon it
sometime. A New-England legislature would
have probably finished it in less time than has already
been taken up—but let it be considered;
the people of New England have been accustomed
to militia regulations from the earliest settlement
of the country—this has not been the case
in so extensive a degree in the Southern states.
No object of legislation is of greater importance,
or attended with greater difficulties.—The
ideas of the people in the Northern and Southern
parts of the union differ on many matters.—but
they are every day more and more assimilating in
their manners, in their dispositions, and are continually
strengthening in their attachment to the
common good of our country.—Our Northern
friends must not therefore be too impatient, or
think that we are spending our time and their
money fruitlessly.—Let them consider what great
things have been done—what a prosperous situation
our country is in—how our credit is rising
at home and abroad, and let them hope for still
better things when the new government has its
full operation in the execution of those great national
Arrangements which cannot at once be established,
but which Congress are industriously
employed in promoting.—The Senate are now
employed in framing a bill for the establishment
of a National Bank.—It is probable that it will
in general be conformed to the plan recommended
by the Secretary of the Treasury, who has
been very assiduous in this business, and who most
deservedly has the confidence and esteem of the
nation.—His indefatigableness in building up the
national government is unparalleled in our country.
From the time that he signed the constitution
in 1787 to this day he has not ceased on all occasions
to labour incessantly in its support. The
two volumes of the federalist written by him,
and the plan of Finance and national arrangements
which he has proposed, shew him to possess
a great and comprehensive mind, capable of
foreseeing consequences.

The establishment of a national mint, and
coinage seems to be wished for by the legislature
and the nation at large, and I cannot but hope
that we shall, before many months are elapsed,
have an American coinage, of gold, silver and
copper. A plan is now preparing for that purpose,
and is in considerable forwardness.