posed by the Indian traders-the one has civiliza-States prosecuted it from considerations of gaintion for its purpose, the other, a continuance of indeed, the provisions in the laws regarding this the savage state. From the proceedings had on trade define its disinterestedness, by fixing the pro this matter, the question seems now nearly at is-fits desired from its prosecution, to as much only as sue, whether history shall give to our govern-shall sustain the capital employed. But one of the ment and us, the merit of an exertion to save, or the objects was, and yet is, to use this commercial of granting a license to destroy our aborigines. intercourse as a channel for the introduction of Humanity is deeply concerned in the decision more important matters. Hence the agents emand we trust, that the next congress will extend ployed at the several trading houses, as I learn from the means of the agents to do good, instead of the best authority, are duly instructed in the sever suffering the untutored objects of their present ral points which make up a view of civilized parcare to be devoured by interested and irresponsi-suits-and these are enforced upon the Indians by ble individuals. We feel disposed to say much as many means as can be got up for the purpose on this question, and shall probably recur to it Lessons of respect for the government of the Unit shortly. [EDITOR. ed States and for its citizens, are inculcated; and MR. NILES: these are sustained by a system of fair and honoraSIR, Whatever has relation to our Indians at able intercourse, conducted by agents who are period in their history like the present, when so bound under the two-fold obligation of an oath, and many circumstances are tending to introduce a bond in a penal sum of $10,000, for the slightest amongst them the principles of civilization and infringement on the round of duties which this oath christianity, must be interesting to the American prescribes; and the opportunities of detection in people generally-but especially to those benevo- any mal-administration of their trust are afforded in fent men, who braving the obloquy of the undertak- quarterly returns, which are made, as well to the ing, have gone into the very wilderness itself to en-secretary of the treasury, as to the superintendent lighten and improve the children of our forests, and of Indian trade, and which returns embrace an entire whose success, which has far exceeded even the and detailed transcript of every transaction,—the cost most sanguine expectations, is the best comment and sale of every article, with the prices allowed which can be made upon the undertaking, for all articles taken in barter with the Indians," It cannot be matter of surprise that a people, Through those factories are vended implements of constituted as are the Americans, should feel a deep husbandry. Examples are furnished the Indians in solicitude in this great work.-A work which em. their various uses. Advices are proffered them, braces nothing less for its object than a redemption and encouragement held out for them to abandon from barbarism, of several hundred thousand ́ hu, their vagrant propensities, and look to the soil for man souls, and not from barbarism only but from their support. Their corn and tallow are all reall that train of misery which follows after it. And ceived in barter, as well as furs and peltries. The here let it not be forgotten that the major part of importance of educating their children is enforced, the woes which afflict our Indians have been entail-and the schools organised, and now organizing in ed upon them by those, who, under the semblance several places, are pointed to as the nurseries of of civilization and bearing the benevolent name of christian, have gone amongst them, and are yet amongst them, scattering the plagues of the most hurtful examples, till the very savages themselves have been shocked at their vileness and avarice. And how could this be otherwise, seeing as they did the mounds of justice, and of humanity, of honor and of honesty broken down all round them, and the white man striding over their ruins in quest of gain. every valuable acquirement for their children. A spirit of attention to all this have been awakened, Above all, the sale of spirituous liquor to the Indians, or the bartering it with them in trade, is forbidden, In a word, every branch of policy that can be pur sued has been entered through the U. States factories, to lift the Indians into some higher respect for themselves, and to a view of the benevolence of that government which is thus engaged to do them good. You have seen sir, doubtless the famous "scroll" But has any success attended upon all this underfrom St. Louis, published in the National Intelli- taking?—The affirmative is asserted-but for its gence, at Washington, entitled-"Objects of public confirmation, reference is made to the agents of Interest with the people of Missouri, &c, &c."*. benevolent societies who have seen with their own and if you have, you must have been particularly eyes, and heard with their own ears.—And to these struck with several of its points, but especially with witnesses also, is reference made for the character the 4th division of the essay, entitled-"the pro- of that intercouse which has been, and is, to this tection of the Missouri fur traders." It is this di-day carried on with these unfortunate Indians, by Vision on which I wish to offer a few remarks. “fur traders”—I mean those who prosecute this business for their own emolument. It is hardly worth while to state that the leading feature in this fur trading scheme, is gain-and that, But wherefore make any such reference?-Does of course, no one consideration of humanity, of po- not the object of the undertaking develope its own Jicy, or of justice is included, so far as these have results?-Do "fur traders" care any thing about ciany relation to the Indians, about the civilization vilizing the Indians?-Have they ever made this any and improvement of whom, the generous writer part of their business, in their intercourse with has not thought it proper to say one single word, them? Nay, is it not unreasonable to expect so much This single circumstance is sufficient to detect the liberality in the midst of so much selfishness? texture of his views-and in the exposition which Think you, sir, that an ingenious "fur trader" he has thus indirectly made of them, he has given who knew his business well, could take much pains the American people too broad a view of the quan-to induce an Indian to quit his trap, abandon his tumn of that avarice which prompted to the exhibiLion. As to the mere matter of trade with the Indians, nobody ever thought the government of the United *See the note at the end of this article. spear, and resort to his plough and his hoe?-No question but such an effort would disqualify him at once in the opinion of his employer, and render him unfit to he employed by a company even in the most menial departments of their trade. It is very certain, I think, that such a fellow, who might be thus kind to the Indians, should be denounced as on the eve of being won, by the power which whis. a traitor: he certainly would not be deemed honest. key supplies. This article tolls the poor Indians It is submitted to you sir, and I hope to receive wherever they are taught to believe it can be found, some thoughts on this subject, whether the great regardless of the fairer policy and greater justice business of such "fur traders" as the St. Louis wri-which they know awaits them at the government ter wishes our government to recognize, would not agencies. Whiskey, with an unimproved Indian, is be for making even the old Indians strong with the great absorber of all other considerations. drams of exciting whiskey, and turning out the From this state of things some have inferred the children at the most tender ages, not to go to school, the necessity of withdrawing the government agennot to cultivate the earth, not to study the excel-cies. But my conclusion is the reverse of that. I lencies of civilized life, but to trap the beaver, to am never for yielding the good to the bad-even mark the deer, to spear the otter, whilst the invi-though a scuffle is implied in favor of the good. gorated and mature Indians, alive to the liberal re- No! rather drive from the Indian country every wards which are make in whiskey would roam fear-individual whose policy tends to oppose the march Jessly thro' the forests, and fostered by such gene-of civilization, than give the Indians up, in a body, rous men, feel no reluctance in scalping, in fits of to be perpetuated in their savage propensities. And inebriation, the helpless and way-faring emigrant or in this course will the government be borne out by stranger. nineteen-twentieths of our entire population. The Think you sir, the government system, or a sys-proclamation, that civilization advances, and that tem worked by men whose business it would, of Christianity is spreading itself over the waste places of course, be to make all the money they could out of the deserts, will be more gratifying to the great body the Indians, looks most like to do the Indians good, of our population, than for it to be proclaimed that and to promote the peace which it is so important" fur traders in the Missouri are getting rich-ways to preserve as well amongst the Indians themselves are opening, at the expense of Indian improvement, to as between the Indians and our frontier inhabitants? connect the trade of the West with Canton," &c. Has it occurred to you, to enquire into the causes Such, however, is the march of private enterof our frequent wars with the Indians? If not, look prise, and such is its advantages over the plain and at the subject when you please, from the earliest [just policy of the government, as to make it desiraperiods in our history to the present day, and you ble, I believe I am warranted in saying it, for those will find that out of every six wars, Indian wars I who manage it for the United States to withdraw. mean, of all descriptions, five of them have origi-Hope has been kept alive in the minds of those who nated in the vexatious policy, and conflicting are so clamorous for the enjoyment of the fur trade, interests, of avaricious private traders. I know it by the annual prolongation of the government sys. is agreed that their interest leads them to keep In-tem for several years past, whilst the vigor of prodians at peace and so it does. But what of that,secuting it by the government agents must have when the means by which their trade is sustained, felt a corresponding depression. This is proven by -by fraud, by debauchery, in a word by the ever- the following extract of a letter from a gentleman Jasting use of whiskey, tend so directly to war. Ul-of talents, to his friend in this quarter, who, I under. terior views, or distant benefits, seldom occur to a stand, is high in the confidence of the government, "fur trader." If an Indian has a good pack of bea- as well on account of his virtues as his talents:ver, the trader will not fail to get it from him upon "But I hope for better things-and, although we the best terms he can, as to price,-and he always" are left for another year powerless and unprotect succeeds better in the accomplishment of that ob-«ed from the malice and galling insults of every ject when he can make the Indian drunk. As to«renagado trader; although the agents of the go. the effects this drunkenness may produce, or is like-"vernment are still subjected to the derision, and ly to procluce upon the peace of the neighborhood, "the open opposition of the traders, without any the trader is generally found to be willing to hope "official power to compel those people to treat the for the best. But he will use the readiest means to institutions of government with becoming respect, get the beaver. "still I look forward confidently to the next con"gress for better regulations. Under that hope I "shall content myself, as well as I can, to serve out It seems to me that any system which shall throw the Indians into the hands of private enterprise, includes in it an obligation on the Indians to be the agents for its promotion. If so, and whilst they are so used, they cannot, in my opinion, bé civilized. The interests of the "fur traders" must be to keep them savages, another year; still using personal influence, in"stead of that which ought to belong (but does not) "to my official station, to support the character of "government, and cause its policy to be respected "among the Indians." In any arrangement that could be made, to pass From this may be gathered the languishing con. the destiny of our Indians from the care of the go-dition in which the government agencies are pervernment, into the hands of men who want them mitted to remain. Nor does this state of things only as catchers of game, I must think the welfare come of any thing but the oppressive and counter. of the Indians would be involved, and the progress vailing influence which the traders have carried in of their civilization and general improvement stop-amongst the Indians, by the poisonous and fatal ped. Already is the benevolent intercourse, con- agency of whiskey, and bad example. These things ceived and carried on by the government, ready to will not be remedied till this influence is put down; die, by the pressure which private enterprise is al-nor till such wholesome helps are afforded the conlowed to carry in upon it. So conflicting are the two genial agencies, and such power imparted to them, schemes of public and private intercourse, the one, as shall enable them to sustain, unresisted and efdoing all the good that it can, and the other all the fectually, that dignified and honorable intercourse evil, that, from the best authority, I find the result which shall impress them at once with respect and to resemble a little war. All the evil feelings which affection for the government that directs it. traders can inspire the Indians with against the go- In relation to the views of the secretary of war, vernment, by representing it as pedling with them, they certainly bespeak, in many parts of them, that and acting as spies over them, are called up-and intelligence which is accorded to him by the Amea great victory over the government policy appears rican people. All his designs towards the Indians are of the most benevolent character. He is inca- not be viewed but as a reproach to us. The letter pable of indulging towards them any other feelings which is now offered for publication, however, disthan those of the kindest sort. If any thing could closes, at least, one exception to the too general satisfy me that the organization of a fur company apathy which has prevailed upon this important would best promote the welfare of the Indians, it subject: we here have an instance of a poor, friendwould be the opinion of this gentleman, I have great less black man, yielding to the feelings of that berespect for it. But even his opinion has failed to nevolence and charity which wishes well to all convince me, I cannot see how it is possible for men, and simply following the impulses of appremen, whose object is exclusively gain, to promote hended duty, embarks, without patronage or any civilization, which implies any thing and every prospect of human aid, in the arduous labor of enthing, except the hunter state; to keep the Indians deavoring to turn these neglected children of the engaged in which, must, and of course would be forest "from darkness to light, and from the power their principal care. The business of a company Satan unto God:" and we here sce that the labors of would be to divert, even the Indians who have left this humble instrument, in the Divine hand, have the chase, from their agricultural pursuits, and to been eminently blessed. What important reflecengage them to join their less civilized brothers in tions is this view and these facts calculated to intheir hunting expeditions. What a war would such spire-and how shall we excuse ourselves, as Chris. a policy make upon the plan of civilization, which tians, for so long neglecting a field, in which so lit. implies agriculture, and the arts, and letters; as ne-tle labor appears to have yielded such abundant cessarily so, as do sunshine, and rain, and the regu- fruits? lar recurrence of the seasons, the perfection of the products of the earth. T. Extracts of a letter from the Indian agent at Piqua, more. If the Indians within our military posts, and these are very extensive, had a code of laws adjusted to their capacity, and made, as far as possible, to con- "I have just returned home after a long tour form to their modes of council, to be administered | amongst the Indians under my care. A great re by their old men, under the direction of humane formation has taken place amongst the Wyandotts, and intelligent governors, who should have power through the instrumentality of a colored preacher to put their veto on any thing and every thing they named Stewart, About 61 of these Indians now might not approve, great good would result to them make a public profession of Christianity-many And this will be a necessary resort before the scheme more of them appear seriously inclined, and they of civilization can be considered complete. This, all seem attentive. I have encouraged Stewart to coupled with a judicious, a wise, and benevolent com- open a school as soon as possible; but we have no mercial intercourse, dignified in all its operations, means to forward it.He has been three years and unshackled-and with schools of instruction amongst the Wyandotts; is of the methodist pro#cattered over the country; the introduction of the fession, and from the account which I received from press, and other branches of the arts, the great ob- himself, appears to have been led to embark in this ject would be realized in less time than it will take, labor, by a Providential intimation. He was marwithout such aids, to exterminate the race, Twentyried about nine months ago to a woman of his own years would not be required to civilize these our color-they are plain people, very poor, and in need brothers, under such an order of things-and who, of almost every thing. I think them deserving, and as an individual, having liberal feelings, would not the Indians have become much attached to them." cheerfully forego his love of gain, and fondness for the character even of a fur trader," to see such a body of Indians made happy under the mild influences of our happy government? Let us to work then, and lose time in accomplishing this great object. With great respect, I am, sir, your FELLOW-CITIZEN. NOTE BY THE EDITOR OF THE REGISTER. Some of these objects may well be called "pro-digi-ous." They are as follows: 1. A change from the territorial to the state form of governmentgood, if the change is rightfully made. 9. An adjustment of the land titles derived from the late Spanish government, in Upper Louisiana-the sounP. S. This scheme of improvement is intended er it is done the better. 3. The protection of the to apply only to the Indians within our military posts Missouri frontier-very proper, and accomplishing aa as to the rest, however well I wish them, I appre-rapidly as any one should desire. 4. The protection hend the time has not yet arrived for the introduc. of the Missouri fur traders-as given at leng below. tion of such a policy among them, But it will come 5. Working the salt springs-right enough, under by and bye, for their relief also, as it has already for the relief of those who are within our [what aught to be] civilized limits." TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEEKLY REGISTER. rightful regulations. 6. The working of the lead mines-like the former, to be encouraged. 7. A national road to Washington City! How many years have we been engaged in making a national road only to the head waters of the Ohio? When will it be finished? Is Respected friend--I take the liberty to enclose to it established that congress can make national roads? thee, for publication, some extracts from a letter "We" are inclined to say "nye”—but president Madiwhich I have received from the Indian agent in son rejected the bill for internal improvements, and preOhio, who has under his care the Wyandotts, Dela-gideni Monroe, in his inaugural speech, nearly pledged wares, Senecas and Shawanoes, residing in the west-himself to do so, if such a bill were presented to him, ern parts of that state, and to whose meritorious 8. A post road to New Orleans-as soon as possible. and benevolent exertions, these long-neglected and 9. Post routes throughout the territory—which will injured people owe much of the security and comforts which they possess. The very limited exertions which have been made by the people of the United States to introduce the comforts of civilization, and the blessings of the Christian religion, amongst the aborigines of the untry in which we now enjoy so many favors, can be established as fast as they are needed. 10. A post route between St. Louis and Louisville by the way of Vincennes-very probably right and necessary, and if so it will be established. 11. A port of entry at St. Louis-time enough yet, and until some way is devised to prevent smuggling up the river-Is it im medietely spected that sea-vessels will arrive at Bi Louis? 12. A canal between lake Michigan and the | The following is the 4th proposition- taking furs from our continent to carry to China, to St. Petersburg, and to Moscow The American government alone has been blind to the value of the fur trade, to the necessity of incorporating a company, and protecting their opera tions: but the report of Mr. Secretary Calhoun announces a new order of things, and begins to proclaim that the time is coming to an end when American traders are to be killed and robbed with impunity, when the national government shall enter the lists as a pedlar to deprive the old inhabitants of their accustomed commerce, and when Russians and Englishmen should annually carry off near two mil. lions of dollars which belong to Americans." -- This speaks for itself, and is partially replied to in the essay to which this note is added. The The citizens of St. Louis petitioned congress for views are large, but it is not necessary to treat of these objects in the winter 1815-16. Their petition them now; and we shall only say of the idea of incorhas remained three years unattended to. Mr. Cal-porating a company to carry on the fur trade, that boun reported in favor of the same objects last win- if congress shall ever so far lose sight of what it ter; the session of congress was too short to act owes to the constitution, as to pass an act for the upon his report; and to counteract it, Mr. Thomas purpose we shall be almost ready to wish that may L. M' Kenney, superintendant of the Factory sys-be the last congress held under our present constitem, with a salary of $2000 a year, stationed at tution!-What! shall a certain set of unknown, irWashington city, writes in the National Intelligen- responsible individuals, build forts, and make war cer, and pretends that the Indians will be cheated if and peace, as the British corporations do, and withthe factories are abolished. At the same time the in the territory of the United States? Annihilation factory system itself is pregnant with facilities for is always in the march of such companies - look at cheating both the Indians and the government, the East Indies, and behold the proceedings of the without the possibility of detection on the part of North West and Hudson's bay companies! Can conthe superintendant. Independent of that, the fac-gress grant exclusive privileges to any set of men? tory system is, in its nature, degrading to the gov-The case of the bank seems to prove it- but it is werment, and in its operation unjust to the inhabi-hardly likely that another violation of the constitutants of the Missouri territory. Degrading, because tion will speedily take place. The people are justly it exlaibits the American, government to the Indians alaned at the idea of a power vested in congress under the charter of a pedlar; and unjust, because to grant acts of incorporation, except within the "ten it takes from the people of the country a branch of miles square," and will not permit its exercise. commerce which nature had given to them, which they had followed with great profit, and the monopoly of which by foreign hands is not the less odious, because the American government is the monopolizer. National Interests. Address of the Philadelphia society for the promotion of domestic industry, to the citizens of the United States. No. XIII. Philadelphia, July 5, 1819. FELLOW CITIZENS-Various causes concur to pro our belief, however, that the main root, whence branch all the evils we suffer, is the neglect of furnishing full employment to the productive labor of the country. National wealth does not consist in land, people, or the precious metals, but in the possession of products or values, created by labor. The establishment of the military posts, and the abolition of the factories, will go far towards giving protection to the fur traders; but the incorporation of a company, with an exclusive privilege for a limi-duce the present unhappy state of affairs. It is ted time, is the only thing which can place the traders on the safe and commanding ground which the magnitude of the object requires. The courses of the Missouri, the recesses of the rocky mountains, and the region of the Columbia river, are too remote, their access environed by too many perils to be explored successfully by the genius of individual enterprize. The united capital and energies of a A country with an extended territory, and a regular company are alone competent to such un-scattered population, must be poor and feeble. dertakings. Protected and united by a law of incor- Such is Spain at this moment, and such was this poration, the Missouri traders would immediately country when in the state of colonies. push their operations to the Pacific ocean-send the furs of the rocky mountains to Canton-bring back the rich and light productions of the East Indies, and convert the Columbia and Missouri into a channel for that rich commerce which has given to "If the same Omnipotent Power, which made every power that has possessed it her day of pre-" the world, should at this time raise out of the eminence among the nations of the earth. The ocean and join to Great Britain, an equal extent British and Russian governments have incorporated" of land, with equal buildings, corn, cattle, and companies of fur traders in North America. The other conveniences and necessaries of life, but no N. W, and Hudson bay companies have numerous" men, women, nor children, I should hardly beforts and garrisons, filled with troops and artillery, "lieve this would add either to the riches of the and command the interior of our continent. The people, or revenue of the prince." And againRussians have a fort mounting a hundred guns upon "That paradox, therefore, in old Hesiod, the North West Coast of America, commanded by a σε πλεον ημισυ πανός, or half is more than the whole, civil and military governor; from which the power-" is very applicable to the present case; since no ful protection of the Emperor is extended to some" thing is more true in political arithmetic, than thousands of his subjects, who are employed in that the same people with half a country, is more There is a paper in the Spectator, No. 200, that contains some excellent reflections on this subject, which, as they cannot be better expressed, we shall extract in full. " ❝ valuable, than with the whole. I begin to think "there was nothing absurd in sir W. Petty, when "he fancied if all the highlands of Scotland and "the whole kingdom of Ireland, were sunk in the ocean, so that the people were all saved and «brought into the low lands of Great Britain; nay, though they were to be reimbursed the value of "their estates by the body of the people, yet both "the sovereign and the subjects in general, would "be enriched by the very loss." those products greater refinement, and consequen value: that is, to give to food a higher relish" and more diversity; and to apparel, furniture, &c. more of ornament and beauty. These operations are the chief constituents of manufacturing industry, and absorb a considerable part of the labor, which would otherwise be idle. The cultivation of letters, of the fine arts, of the physical and abstract scien. ces, the officers of state, and its protection in the army or navy, in civilized society, give occupation to the remainder. The same sentiment is contained, and placed in a striking point of view with relation to this coun- When that portion, which is employed in creat try, in a petition to parliament, in the year 1767. ing material products or values, finds full occupa General Phineas Lyman, it appears, contemplated tion, and is predominant, then national wealth is on the establishment of a settlement, on the Ohio, in the increase; circulation is kept full brisk and stea the present state of Illinois; and for this purpose, dy; contentment and ease, comfort and happiness, applied to parliament for a tract of land. He en-are in the power of each individual to obtain; the forced the propriety of the measure, by the argu-government is invigorated, and its finances in a ment, that there could be little danger of the colo- flourishing state. This is the situation of a pros nies becoming independent, if confined to agricul- perous people, and to attain and preserve it, should tural pursuits, and the inhabitants were diffused be the constant aim of an enlightened government, over the country. The position is perfectly cor- The reverse of this state of productive industry, rect, and is a very suitable and forcible reply to brings on a lamentable change in the affairs of a those, who are incessantly advising the same policy nation. In proportion as the employment of this to these free and independent states, instead of class diminishes, national production or wealth de promoting manufacturing industry on the seabord, clines; circulation becomes dull, languid, and stagand the already thickly settled parts of the coun-nant; embarrassments and difficulties surround tratry. This is purely an English doctrine, and one ders; poverty and misery assail laborers; being idle which the English government, unquestionably, they become viscious; and oppressed by pauperism, wmly approves. they become criminal. The materials for riots and civil commotions; the ready instruments of designing demagogues, are formed and accumulated, to the hazard of all good citizens, and the safety of civil government. "A period," the petition we allude to observes, will doubtless come, when North America will no longer acknowledge a dépendence on any part of "Europe. But that period seems to be so remote, as not to be at present an object of rational policy or human prevention, [and] it will be made "still more remote, by opening new scenes of agriculture, and widening the space, which the "colonists must first completely occupy.' While it is thus demonstrated, that territory thinly peopled, confers neither riches nor power, we have examples in Egypt, modern Greece, and other provinces of the Turkish empire, and in Persia, that people deficient in industry, contribute as little to national wealth or strength: while Spain and Portugal are familiar instances, that they are not necessarily concomitant with the possession of the precious metals. When we reflect on the distribution of labor in It is not improbable, that it was this state of things, which was one of the principal causes of the violences of the French revolution. The derangement of the finances; the immense and unequal exactions of the government, which fell chiefly op the industrious poor; the vacillation of its measures, which overthrew all confidence; and the operation of the impolitic treaty of commerce with England of 1786, all tended to ruin the productive industry of France. Large fragments of its population, were thus disjointed from their usual situation and floated loose and unemployed, endangering the existence of organized society, with the first agita» tions that should arise. The commencement of the revolution seems & society, which is necessary to give value to pro-demonstration of the fact. A starving multitude duction, we shall be more sensible of the truth and surrounded the Hotel de Ville, vociferating for operation of the principles laid down, bread; and, whenever the king appeared in pubIt has been jadged from experience, and admit-lic, his ears were stunned with the same incessanat ted by the best authorities, that the labor of twen- clamor from the crowd that thronged around his ty-five persons, will procure all the common neces- coach. saries of life, as food, drink, apparel, housing, furThe same principle explains, satisfactorily, the niture, &c. for one hundred persons. This suppo- cause of the extraordinary military energy of sition takes the above articles as coarse, though France, at that period. Her commerce ruined; plentiful and good. One-third, it is supposed, from her manufactures languid; her trades sinking from being too old or too young, sick or infirm, will diminished consumption; her agriculture oppressed duce nothing. There will, then, remain about thir- and declining; and the total destruction of her fi ty-one individuals of every hundred, capable of nances, threw an immense mass of physical and Working, who are necessarily idle or non-produc- labor-power out of employment, The army offer tive. Now, on the quantity and quality of the ed the only mode of occupation, by which it could employment, with which these thirty-one individu-be absorbed. Hence, more than a moiety of the als are occupied, depends the wealth, power, in-non-necessary producers, whose labor had been telligence, and degree of civilization. pro The objects which can alone occupy this class, which, for the sake of distinction, we shall call nonnecessary producers, as there is sufficient of sustenance and raiment, &c. for necessary wants produced without them, must be, in part, to give to • Macpherson's Annals of Commerce, 1767. appropriated on a thousand different objects, was suddenly devoted to arms. In the armies of the republic were found every rank and grade of society, and every variety of trade and profession. Europe, which had confederated against that de. voted country, and anticipated an easy conquest, was surprised, alarmed and confounded, at the spectacle presented by this nation, which had |