1809.] 
ting in a small quantity of hartshorn 
shavings; and among the lower class of 
cottee-drinkers, instead of using harts- 
horn shavings, a lump of sugar is substi- 
tuted, which being placed between the 
ends of a pair of fire-tongs, made red 
hot, the sugar is burnt and dropped, as it 
melts, into the coffee-pot. In many parts 
ef Germany and Holland, the coffee is 
adulterated, by mixing therewith chicory 
root, which being cut im pieces, and 
roasted, is ground and mixed with the 
coffee; this renders it of very high colour, 
and strong flavour; but perhaps to some 
palates, this may be very grateful, and 
thought to be a preparation superior to 
the English. Yet foreigners in England 
prefer the real coffee. 
Nov. 4, 1808. Your’s, &c. 
eT Cc. 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
7 OUR Magazine having a very ex- 
tensive sale, and being generally 
circulated through America, you will 
much oblige me by giving insertion to 
the enclosed extract, from a bock of 
Poems lately published by Mr. Vhomas 
Moore, the greater part of which consists 
of strictures on America. 
Vatract.—* I must decline, says 
Washington, in his inaugural address 
to congress, as inapplicable to myself 
any share in the personal emoluments 
which may be indispensably included in 
a permanent provision for the executive 
department. After such a declaration, 
it is by no means pleasant to know, that 
Washington not only received his salary, 
but was in the habit of anticipating the 
regular periods of payment, and had con- 
stantly, during a space of five years, 
several thousand dollars of the public 
money in his hands; he was accused of 
letting out those sums at interest, but 
this we may consider a5 a calumny of 
the party epposed to him; the fact how- 
ever of his overdrawing the salary, ap- 
pears by an extract from the books of the 
treasury, subjoined to a justification 
which the secretary found it necessary to 
publish at the time; and this exposure 
was one of the many humiliations which 
preceded the retirement of Washington 
from the presidency.” 
I am certain no man of common ho- 
nour er principle, much less Mr. Thomas 
Moore, would insert such a charge upon 
the memory and character of General 
Washington, unless he believed it true ; 
and as this belief must be founded upon 
some evidence, 1, in common with 
others, who have hitherto entertained a 
Charge against General Washington. 
¢ 
347 
high veneration for the character of Wash- 
ington, wish much to have this evidence 
canvassed ; for those who love and revere 
Washington, it is indeed “ by no means 
pleasant to know,” that there was the 
slightest grounds for supposing him a 
lar, a hypocrite, a swindler, an usurer, 
and an extortioner. It is therefore with 
peculiar anxiety that my friends and my- 
self wish to be informed of the name of the 
secretary, who found it necessary to 
publish his justification ; as to the books 
of the treasury, I suppose they are open 
to the inspection of the American pub- 
lic, some of whom will surely have the 
curiosity to investigate, and if possible to 
clear up, this matter. 
Though in the extract the circumstance 
of letting out the sums at interest, is 
treated as a calumny; yet in the poem 
to which it is annexed in the form of a 
note, this accusation is registered as fact; 
but this may be a poetic license. 
Even here already patriots learn to steal 
Their private perquisites from public weal ; 
And guardians of the country’s sacred fire, 
Like Afric’s priests they let the flame for hire. 
Your's, &c. lee 
—— TSR 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
THOUGHTS On the INFLUENCE Of TRADE 
upon the FUNDS, and the MODES of TAX- 
ATION. 
HE enquiry, to which I mean to de- 
vote the present observations, is of 
too complex and intricate a nature, to be 
treated to the fullest and most elaborate 
extent, within the limits which t propose ; 
nor, am | prepared to go into those de- 
tails, which are necessary to render such 
an enquiry complete. 
The idea is entirely suggested by the 
fact, that although the present period is 
assuredly one in which trade is very slack, 
the funds have in consequence experien- 
ced no decline. I know it will be said, 
that the operation of the sinking-fund is 
the leading cause: that it is an additional 
cause, cannot be doubted, but it appears 
to meto be very far from the sole or 
chief cause. 
Adam Smith lays it down as an axiom, 
which there is little reason to dispute, that 
as much will be given for money, ascanbe 
made of it: and we know that the funds 
rose, nearly to par, during the long peace, 
following 1783, when there was no sinke 
ing-fund. During that peace, it seems, 
that, government being in want of no 
loans, and the money of the couniy 
encreasing very much, and commerce he-~ 
ing carried to its utmost possible extent 
(as was evident, by the famous exchequer 
; loan, 
