Rhode Island Republican

Finance, or the Curses of War:

The late war added to the national debt of Great Britain 258 millions of pounds sterling, a sum equal to eleven thousand four hundred and fifty eight millions, nine hundred and eight thousand dollars: to the annual taxes of Great Britain, it added 15 millions sterling, equal to 66 millions, 390 thousand dollars. The population of Great Britain, is eleven millions—thus by the late war, averaging each person to pay equally, every man, woman, and child in Great Britain, has contracted a debt of one thousand and fifty-two dollars—for which (in expenses occasioned by that war) each has to pay an annual interest of upwards of fifty dollars. Whoever after this statement is so stupid as not to see the blessings of having a wise and good king, and a heaven born minister, must be considered as one of Mr. Burke's incorrigible Jacobins.

Finance, or the Blessings of Peace.

The population of the United States is something more than five millions—the purchase of Louisiana, of New Orleans, and consequently, of the great river Mississippi is fifteen millions of dollars and a fraction—let the surplus of five millions pay the surplus quarter of a million in the purchase, and we find that for three dollars each, we have acquired a right to a territory of great extent, and a most luxuriant soil and climate, and have added half a million of people to our population—People who will soon feel the thousand advantages they possess under a republican government, when compared with their situation as colonies under a despotic government. The expenses incurred by John Adams, to support his odious measures in opposition to the will of the people, far exceeded the purchase of a country, where from the favourableness of the climate, two annual crops of Indian corn as well as rice may be produced. The frivolous expense of John Adams to enslave five millions of freemen, was far greater than the sum which is to be paid to make citizens of half a million of lives.—Let the wise and sober minded among the federalists reflect upon these things—let the mad men who were for plunging the country into a war gnash their teeth in the vexation of their hearts, and let the democratic republicans rejoice, and proudly exult in the blessings which are enjoyed, and those which are to be expected under the administration which is composed of the men whom the people love.

Poverty—the Consequence of War!

In a debate in the house of commons on the conduct of Mr. Pitt and the late administration of England, Mr. Nichols thus expressed himself. "By an injurious extension of paper money; an exorbitant rise in the price of all the necessaries of life: by reducing the tradesman to poverty and wretchedness, and by filling the poor-houses with thousands of miserable inhabitants, who for the last two years were doomed to perish, to the amount, he would not say, of hundreds but of thousands" (Strong and general murmurs in the house.) Mr. Nichols continued, "I repeat sir, that thousands have perished in the poor houses within the last two years. I learn from good information and from my own knowledge. If any gentleman doubts the accuracy of this statement, let him move for a committee of enquiry, and I pledge myself to produce such damning proof, as shall make his hair stand on end" Such is the prosperity, such the happiness of the People of Great Britain! such the fruits, of that stupendous fabric of human wisdom, the British Constitution.

Plenty—the Consequence of Peace.

Citizens of America! when you are thus from unquestionable authority assured, that poverty, wretchedness and death, in its most terrifying forms have been the lot of the people of England (said to be the most free and happy country in Europe) how must your heart swell with pride and gratitude, on a comparison between your situation and theirs. When the friends of British influence confound you with their opinions in praise of British liberty and British happiness, remember the "damning proofs" to the contrary, which we have this day laid before you. Plenty and peace, liberty and happiness have been, may they ever be, the blessed, the enviable lot of the citizens of the United States.