The Enquirer

DOMESTIC.

Frankfort, Dec. 11.

INTERESTING.

Extract of a letter from the hon. Geo. H. Bibb, a senator from the state of Kentucky in the senate of the U. States, addressed to the hon. Gabriel Slaughter, speaker, of the senate of Kentucky—Published at the request of the senate of Kentucky, for the information of the people.

"City of Washington, Nov. 30th 1811.

Knowing that there is great anxiety upon the subject of our foreign relations, I avail myself of the earliest opportunity to communicate the course they are likely to take. Accordingly, I enclose the report of the select committee to whom was referred in the house of representatives that part of the president's message which relates to our foreign affairs. The report was made on yesterday; and is made the order of the day for Monday next. The committee have not incurred the guilt of any want of delay. It will appear, to every reflecting mind, proper, that this committee should have taken time, to collect facts from the different departments, from the executive magistrate, to consult the opinions and feelings of other members, and to compare and digest the whole. This they have done as far as it was reasonably to be done. I think I am authorised to state, the measures so recommended, meet the approbation of the President—that the committee have an assurance, that he will employ those means (if entrusted to him) as efficiently as they are capable of, unless Great Britain shall in the course of the month of April or sooner, adjust to the satisfaction of the government of the United States the principal matters of difference between the two governments.
"This committee was composed of a member from each of the following states; -New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, N. Y. Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, S. Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee. In the committee there was but a single dissenting voice; the fourth resolution was unanimously adopted These circumstances considered, together with the correspondence between Mr. Monroe and Mr. Foster, prudence in calculation seems to require that we expect a war in the spring unless great change should take effect in the councils of the British government.
"I would not create a false alarm. But viewing these data as I do; I felt it my duty, imperiously commanded by the station I have the honor to hold, to give the Legislature the earliest advice, and to submit in the best way I could the ground work of my opinions. If my calculations should prove erroneous in the practical result, (which I should rejoice at, if the returning sense of justice in our enemies should make war unnecessary,) I shall nevertheless, not regret this communication. If we have to meet our enemies in battle, it is proper that the people should be prepared for the event. And I doubt not but the members of the Legislature, collectively and individually, will impress upon public sentiment the justice of our cause, and pledge to the general government their support, and the support of the people of the state, for maintaining the contest.
"There is another subject connected with this—in case of war, necessity may require a resort to some system of internal taxation. The people should be brought to think of this, and to prepare for such a retrenching of their expenditures, and for such domestic economy as that system of taxation and the usual incidents to war, would dictate with prudence. I do not know that internal taxes will be resorted to—the committee of ways and means have not yet reported."
In case of war, necessity may require a resort to some system of internal taxation. The people should be brought to think of this, and to prepare for such a retrenching of their expenditures, and for such domestic economy as that system of taxation and the usual incidents to war, would dictate with prudence. I do not know that internal taxes will be resorted to—the committee of ways and means have not yet reported.