320 Danger of augmenting the PUBLIC DEBT. 
We are not fure we fhall be able to run deeper in debt, 
to provide for the exigencies of the Bate. As in private 
life there is too much reafon to believe men are generally over- 
taken in their vices, tho’ they intend to repent ; fo we may 
eafily commit a fatal error in calculation, if we indulge our- 
felves in the vice of procraBinating the confideration of the 
public welfare. It is hard to fay what fums we fhall be 
able to borrow ; but the queBion is, if it will not be greatly 
for the advantage of the proprietors of the public funds, to 
make known their defire to anticipate the general intentions 
of the legiflature for the fafety of the nation, and importune 
their representatives, for the liberty of paying their 
quota’s annually, (exclufive of the prefent taxes) fufhcient 
for the current fervice ? It is impoflible the people in gene- 
ral can be ignorant that it is their interest to fubmit to 
heavy taxes, rather than leave the nation unprovided with great 
fleets, and great armies. Nor can the proprietors of the funds, 
in particular, be infenfible of the danger of plunging their 
debtor fo deep, that it may be impoflible to emerge. Is 
it not more eligible to give fifteen or twenty millions extra- 
ordinary, if the Bate fhould, in the courfe of four or five years, 
require fo much, if by this means we can fecure seventy-five 
millions j than lend fifteen or twenty at the great hazard of 
lofing ninety or an hundred millions? Befides, the value of 
the feventy-five will be equal to the ninety-five : by prevent- 
ing the increafe of the debt, we prevent the increafe of taxes 
for payment of the intereB on fuch debt, whilB every thing we 
consume will be cheap, in proportion as the taxes in general 
are light. When 
