ss of their
fellow citizens relaxed, to replace the insignia of the order, and
revive all its pretensions. What good can the officers propose, which
may weigh against these possible evils? The securing their descendants
against want? Why afraid to trust them to the same fertile soil, and
the same genial climate, which will secure from want the descendants
of their other fellow citizens? Are they afraid they will be reduced to
labor the earth for their sustenance? They will be rendered thereby both
more honest and happy. An industrious farmer occupies a more dignified
place in the scale of beings, whether moral or political, than a lazy
lounger, valuing himself on his family, too proud to work, and drawing
out a miserable existence, by eating on that surplus of other men's
labor, which is the sacred fund of the helpless poor. A pitiful annuity
will only prevent them from exerting that industry and those talents,
which would soon lead them to better fortune.

How are these evils to be prevented? 1. At their first general meeting,
let them distribute the funds on hand to the existing objects of their
destination, and discontinue all further contributions. 2. Let them
declare, at the same time, that their meetings, general and particular,
shall thenceforth cease. 3. Let them melt up their eagles, and add
the mass to the distributable fund, that their descendants may have no
temptation to hang them in their button-holes.

These reflections are not proposed as worthy the notice of M. de
Meusnier. He will be so good as to treat the subject in his own way, and
no body has a better. I will only pray him to avail us of his forcible
manner, to evince that there is evil to be apprehended, even from the
ashes of this institution, and to exhort the society in America to
make their reformation complete; bearing in mind, that we must keep the
passions of men on our side, even when we are persuading them to do what
they ought to do.

Page 268. '_Et en effet la population_,' &c. Page 270. '_Plus de
confiance_.'

To this, we answer, that no such census of the numbers was ever given
out by Congress, nor ever presented to them: and further, that
Congress never have, at any time, declared by their vote, the number of
inhabitants in their respective States. On the 22nd of June, 1775, they
first resolved to emit paper money. The sum resolved on was two millions
of dollars. They declared, then, that the twelve confederate colonies
(for Geo