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liberties and ere& military de-.poufin on
t*ie riiins %
An ekbortr examination of tlie prin
ciples Htuincd for the baiis of tb(W't<t>
travsgant pretetrthm*, of the consequences
to wiiicb toey le%i, and oftlie infijr nimiafe
able objections to their admiUlm, would
transcend the limits of this Repbrt. A
few general observations, Vbkii an exhibi
tion of the character of these prettiffions,
and a recomm udatkm of a ftrenuow op
position to them, mall not iwwever be
omitted*
It will, not be contended that by the
teems tiled in the conlbtutional compadt,
the power of the national government to
call oat tlie militia i* ocher than a power
expressly limited to three cases. One of
th fe mull exit! as a condition precedent
to the exercise of that power. Unless the
laws (hall be oppnfed, or an infuiredVon
shall ex.lljOr an invafioo (hall be made,
G>ngrefc, andof eonfequu>ce.tbe President
ap their organ has no more power oyer the
militia than over the armies of a foreign
nation. , ■
But If the dedararton of tlie President
fliould be admitted to be an unerring ted
of the exigence of tliefe cases, this impor.
taut power would depend* not upon tlie,
truth of the fa£t, but upon executive
tnfdibiiity. And the Htnitafi m of the
power would consequently be nothing
more than meiely nominal, as it might al
ways he eluded. It follows therefore that
the dec in on of the President ip this parti- j
cular cannot be tonchilive. It is as much J
the duty of the ’.state autWitiej to watch
over the rights rt served t as of the U. States
to exercise the powers which are delega
ted.
The arrangement of tlie United States
ipro military distrusts, wifo a (mail portion ‘
of the regular force under an officer of
high rank of tlie Handing army, with pow.
*tr to call for the indicia, as circumstances
in his judgment may require ; and to as
sume tlie .command of them, is not war
ranted by the conflitutian or any lw of
United States. It is not denied that.
Oondrtifsmiay delegate to the Prefiderit
oF thy United State* the power to call j
forth the militia in the cases which are
within'their jurisdiction, But he has no 1
auchoriW to fubffiulte military prefects
throughout the union, to-us their own dis
cretion i h such inflances. To Ration an
officer of ths army in a military diftrift,
without trpopac Arrefpondmg to his ragik,
far the pwptffeinf taking command of th*
militia that may be called into service is a
maiuteft invaffon of that prowKwn of tlie
Constitution r: .ich exprerdy’ referwes of
the (1 ices the appointment of the officers of
the militia j and the object of detaching
foch officers cannot be well conceived to
v-beany other than that of filperceiing tlie
governor or other olßceriof tlie militia in
their eight to command. -V’ ,
The jfeWr of dividing the militia of ths*
Rates into el a (Tub and oblijfojg such classes ’
to furntfo bf.eatifrafrbr dkft, able bod.
fed mut, to ferv* for one or m 0 re,years for
militia for one year tor such general ob.
be Admissible, no limitation can be
aflTigoed to it, but the didretjoit of those
wlio male tlie kW. Thna-isith a"* power
in Congrefe to autborife focli a draft or
conscription, and in the fxpeutife to de
cide conclufnvly upon ths ’ ertßlspce and
.continuance outlie emergency, the whole \
militia may be converted'into a-Handing
army,difpofil)le.at the will of the preGdent:
of tiie U. Suites. U r ! ‘
The ppvffcr of compelling the’ militia and
other ( fitiat f hs of tlie United Stites by a
forcible draft or conscription to serve in ‘
the regular o aiies as pcopofed in a late
official letter of the Secretary of War, j*’
init tii Vented to Congtyfs by die couftitu
tion, and the exerrifebfit would be not
Its* dangerous to their liberties, than hos-’
ti|c to the fovcre'tgiity of the • The j
effort tcC deduce this power from the rigbK
of armies, it a flagrant attempt tb pervere]
tlie clause in the conlKtutidn Which con- j
furs that right, and is incompatible with
other provisions in that instrument. The !
of tbe United States’ have always !
■Been raised by cantrajfe, never by con- j
feriptjon, and nothing more can be want* *
ing so a govermijant poffi-fling tlie power I
; thus claimed to enable it to usurp the en- j
tire control of the militia, in derogation of
the authority of dw (late, and to convert
~4t by impteflinenf'ihto aJlUndiog army.
Itpvay lie here retnarked, as a-circutn
ftance illustrative of tlie determination of
the executive to eftablifli an abfulute con#
trol over all deii i iptions of citizens that
tlie right ofimpreffiog seamen into the na
val ffi vice is fxprefrjy ftffcrted by, the
Secretary of tlie Navy; in a law repcit.
Tbua. practice in a foreign govern-’
meirt ha* been regarded wjth great abhor
retice by the people, finds advocates adiotig
thqfe who have been the kmdfcftto con-’
demn it.
The law amborifing the enliftinent of .
minors and apprentices info the armies of
• tlie.Uuiwd States, witliotit thv conlent of
parents and guardians, is also repugnant to
spirit ot thte conffitution. * By a coa
ffrtiilion of the power to, rafe armies, *
applied by ouf pn sent nfets,not only per
fins capable of,comra<Sling are liable to
be imperiled intarihe army, bat tliofc wbo
are midi r lignf dtkbiiities to make .con-
are to k #vefted with *t bis capacity,
ro order to B*em to aimu! at pkis
ure coatrafts made iivtheir bshalf by legal
guardians. Sudi an interfqrtnae wid> the
immicuxil laws and rights of the fevers!
Hates,could iw*e#|awe been contemplated
by the foljimers of tlw conllitution. It im- ■
pairs tb* falutaryctmtroul and mfluepoe oi
the parent over his child—-tlie maffer o'ver
bis fi.Tvant~tU-guardian over his ward—
and thus destroys the nidi impirtmt wla
tionsill foci.ty, c. tlmt by the confcciptioa
ot thr father, and t!w fedudtian of the (on.
tlie power of tlie executive, over all che ef
fective male papulation of tlie U. States is
made complete.
Such are foir.e of the odious features of
the novel fyllem pwxiled by the rulers of
a free country, order the limited power*
derived fiom the cunftitution. What
portioii of them will be embraced in adl
finally to be parted, it l yet imuoifible to
determine, ft it however, fufficiently -
forming toperceive, that these projeds em
anate from the higlsfi authority, nor Ihould
it be forgotten} that by tin* plan af the feo
retary of war, the cfolfilication of the mi
litia embraced the principle of direct taxa
tion upon the white population only ; and
.hat, in the boule of re}-efentatiyes, *’
motion to a[iportion the militia am mg
the white population exclusively, which
Would have been in its operation a di
rest tax, was strenuously urged and sup
ported. ;>
• .In tins whole form of devices and mea
sures for raiGng men, this convention au
cern a total diilegard for the conffitution,
and a disposition to viofot/ its provflions,
demanding from the individual Rates a fiym
and decided opposition. An iron defpot’ifm
can impole no harder servitude Upon the
citizen, than to force, him from his house
and bis occupation, to wage drtfoufivfc wars,
undertaken to gratify thfe pride or passions
of his master. The example of France
has recently (liewn that a cabal ol indi
viduals a (Turning to aft in the ,iame of the
people, may transform the great body of
citizens into soldiers, and deliver them 6-
▼er into tlie hands of a single t y rant. No
war, not held in just abhorrence by th*
people, can rfquire the aid of such ft.ata.
gems to recruit an army. Jdad the troops
already railed; and }n great numbers fac
rificed upon the frontiers of Canada, been
employed for tbe defency of the country,
and bad tbe millions which have been ;
squandered with (hainelesspiofufioi), been I
appropriated to tlieir payment, to the pro
tection of tlie coast, and to the naval ser
vice, there would have fc .en no occalion
for iinoonftiuitional expedients. Even at
this late hour, let govenwsent leave to ‘
New-Engkmi the remnant Os her refour- j
ces, and (he is ready and able to defend !
her territory, and to reiigii the glories and |
advantages of she border war, to those ,
who are determined to jperßft in its profe
i cut ion. . ‘ -1
That aft ol Congress iir Violation of the
constitution areabfoluiely void, is an un
deniable jJofitioft. It does not,'however,
condft with the fefpeft and forbeUfiiiice
m*e from a confederate ft ite toiyards the
general government, to fly to open
ance upon every infraftion of the conftitu
tloit. ‘’ The mode and tlw energy ot the
oppolition, fitoutd always Conform to the
liattn* of the violation, the intention of
its authors, the extent of the injury indift
di’ttr ‘ttoirnwtftCs
. m S-jwjgfffc .M-v
tehe conmwkWiT*!&ft
ing the fpvereigrrey of a (late, and lib
erties of xpe not only the
right, but die duty of so. h a state \o iiW
terpofe Its authority for tlieir proteftkm in
tbe ifianner heft calculated to focure that
end. When v.emergencies occur which
are either beybod the reach of the judicial
tribunals, or too pit fling to admit of the
’ delay incident to their forms, dates which
have no common umpire, mull be’ their
owti judges, and execute tlieir own decis
ions. It will Jhus be proper lor the fove
ral ftares.to await the.ultimate diipofsl of
the obnoxious meafure.s, recommended by
tlie ftcretarv a>f war, or pending before ‘I
Congress, and so to tile their power accor
ding to the chaiaftcr thefo measures dull <
finally afllimef as effijftuaUy topioteft their
owii foverei%”ty, aod the and liber
ties of their citivns. . \
Tlie next (bbjeft which has Occupied
the attention/ of tlie ednventiou, is tHe.
means of defence against the comnjou ett
emy. This naturally leads to tlie enqui
ries, whether *ny expectation can be sea
sonably entertained, that adequate provis
ion for the flrifsnee of :}ie Jf.ern flares ,
wdl be made by the national government ? i
\V tether feveral dates can, from tlieir 1
own refouvces, provide for felf-dyfcuee, j
and fulfil the requifnipns which ari- to bp
expefted for die national treatery? and, j
generally, what conduft ; ongbc
to be adojAd by those Hates, for gelation
to the great objeft iffidefence ?
; “Without mtufing at p-efent W efimptent
.upon the causes of ti;e war. if may be as
sumed as a trutli, officially announced, that j
to achieve tlie conquest of Cnnadun un i- l
tor)’, and to hold it as a pfedge of peace, ']
is the deliberate purpose •tadmiiiiftratton. :
rbis rnterprize, commenced at * period
when governuient poGefled the advansafo? |
of foleftlug the tune aqd occasion for malt
ing a hiddert defeent upon ,au* unprepred ■
CDemy, wow kilgniflics tS the third year :
of die war. It has been profociued with j.
various fortune and bccatiom*! brilliancy [
of exploit, btftwitbput any solid acquifi- {
tipn. IT* Britilb armies bavc been re-!
fruited by regiments. Yhar na- ;
yy commands Ontario, The American {
rank? are thinned bythefcafbalties of War.
Recruits areAifcouriged by the unpopu
lar clan-after of the cooteft, artcT by the
uncertainty,of receiving their pay* ‘:,
* In the prosecution of th tivurite wa'r- s
fare, admiivilration lave left tlvt expoied
and vulnerable parts of thg country des
titute of rneajw of defence :
The main body of the regular army has
been marched to the frontier, 11* navy
las been dripped of* great putt of its sailors
for the feryice of the Lakes* Sfleanwlnle
the enenfiy fcoOrs the sea-coast, blockades
out ports, afeends oar bays’ and rivers, !
iT *•; • y i ‘Ok i-
mskrs ilial (Jrfcents in various *i*S
tM’ plaLhnKt fomrb) force,and thrertt
en* ||| QUir alTaiiable, with fiit and j
I’hSk board of four of tbe Nc w-.
j^Qp ;ioc ’ follow* i curvatures,
-dnitiidextent of more than seven hua- ;
died mlrtgeuerally occupied by a com- j
past pnp lation, and accefiible by a naval •
force, e; pofiog k maf* of people and pro
perty t tlie devastation of the enemy
which bears xgreat proportion to the refi- 1
due rt tiic. maritime the United
States Tins rxtentive llnr? has been (
expofoi to frequent attack?, repeated cprt-
tributWri* and constant alarms—Tlie rega- ]
kr forUßdeMshed by tlie national gov
emmenffo'r its defence, are mere pretexts
for placing officers of high rank in com
maod. They are brfides confined to a
few places, Vod are too fofignificant in (
iwiwbor so be lirf-Jded in any computa
tion. t
These ftatesliave thus been left to adopt
measures for their own defence. Tlie mi
litia have been conflantly kept on the al- ;
ert,. and bar-rafted by garrison duties, and \
other hasdftiips, while the experifes, of!
which the national government decline the
re’imburfetnenvthreaten to absorb all the
resources of the States. The Preside nt of
the United States has refufed to confidsr
She expense of the militia detached b> state
authority, for the indiffienfable defencf-of
“die ft ate,chargeable to the Union* on
the ground of a refufal hr the- executive
bf tlie state, to place them ‘under tlie com
mand of officers of tlie regular army.—D--
tachment* °f militia placed at the disposal
of the general government, have .been dis
milfed either without pay, or with depreci
ated paper. Tfiepfofpeft bf theenfuing
campaign is (lot enlivened’ by tlie prom
ise of any alleviation of thele grievances.
From authentic documents, extosted by
necessity from thole whole inclination
might lead them to conceal the embirrafe
ments of the government,- jt is apparent
that die treasury is bank, apt, and its cre
! dit- pttjftjWcg So deplorable is the state
of the finances, tha those who feel for the
baiteHta(f f*fety of the country, wouhfbe
willing fa conceal the melancholy ipefta
de, >f those whose inlatuation has produc
-1 ed this (late of fiscal concerns, had not
j found thcmfelves compelled to unveil it to”
! public view. -w
| If die war be contimrd, there appears
! bo room for reliance upon the nationalgo
vernment for. the (upply of those aieans of
j defchqe, wliich must become indispensable
j'tp secure these dates from defoktion and
ruin. Nor is it possible jhat the dates d*in
* difebarge-tins faqred duty from their own
resources, and continue to fuftafo the bur
den of tlie national taxes. The affinfois
tration, after a long perfeverauce in plans
to baffle ( eVery effort of commereial enter
prise, had fatally succeeded iq thei’. at.
tethpts it the e}ioch of the war. Oonj
meiae, |lie vital spring of New-Eilglaud’s
was annihilated. Embargoes,
. rapacity ’ ~bl’ revenue’
ofliceri, :hja cbfopte'tra its deftruftion—
fliq branches rff
biffinefs commerce have dis-
Sjipearedl The Series have fttared ks
. ‘fete; -Iqaritofaftures, whkji government
has.proftSfcd an intention to and to
clievifti, ai*,an ifidenwitv for the fatlnt.of
these branches of hiiftnefs. are doomed to
druggie in thfir infancy with taxes andob
ftniftions, wliich cannot fail moftferious
1y to afleft their growth. Tlie ffiecie is
withdrawn from circujation. ‘Phe landed J
: ; -( v 4ht#,reft. tlie kfftofoeftliefe burdens,.intH
‘ prepare to become their principal fupporc,
as all other fourceirof revtnue must ‘Be
exhausted. Under rtbefe circutiiflaacls,
i taxes, of a deftription and amount, unpre
cedented so this country, are in, a train of
• irwpofition, tl.e hunden of which must fall
* with the beavteft pressure opoii tire States
east of v the Potomac. The amount of
ffigfe taxes for the etiYuing year, canrot-b*
eftfoiated at less than five pillions. of dol
lars upon the New-England States, and
the expwifes of’tlie last year for defence,*
in “Ma(Std)uuferts alone, approaches to
one nnUioti cf dollars. . - .
Prom tliefe it is.alnioft fuperfltrous
f to state die ipefiftihle inferretice that these
i States have no capacity of defraying “the
| expense lequiffie for their.own protection,
: and at the Tame time, of .difchargfog the
1 demands of the nurional trealury.
wfiat acourfe’ of*con
’ dfoft ought lobe adrqited by the aggrieved
States, is in a high degree momentous.^— I
Whe*n ai brave people Grail fori
tbetyfelves defected, by their government,
.and reduced to the tetfeffity either of fute
; mission tq a foreign tfo|iy, or of appro
i priating <o thei# own u(eV thole me?hs of
‘ defence wliich are inciil'pviifabie to felf
; cannot corhent to wait
passive fpeclators approachingSiiin, which
; Itis Jji jheir to aVert, aod to refign’
the last reirmant of liieir ioduftridps earn
b fogs, tp lie ffilfijated in fupjiort ofjnea
: ftires deftfuiSfive of.tW btft ihterefts oifoei
j natioif. *’ \
| ; This convention will not trust themV
! feWes to exprefi tKeir cbnviftlon of the
! to which tech a state of things
I inevitaHy their high
* refponfibitity to God fold their country*
lolkkous sos the continuance of foe Un
ion, as weH as foe fbvereignty of thtftates,
unwilling to fumifti obftades so peace--
n solute newer to submit to a foreign ene
my, and confiding in ©vine care-and
proteftkm, until the lift hope
(hall be extinguifoed,, endeavor to avert
such cunfe quences.
With this view they suggest an arrange
ment, which may at once be confifte.it
with tiie honi* and fotereft of the national
government and the ftcurky of tliefe
state This.it will not be difficult to
conclude, if that govet ament (houid be so*
VilpoC and. By the
might be allowed to affuine their o#Wi|
fence by tlie militia or oilier troops. ‘
’ reasonable portion, also, of the taxes raised J
’ in each state, plight lie paid into it* trea
, endued to toe U. Suites, but
I to be appropriated to tlie defence of such
• state, to be wcount-d for with, the U. S.
No doubt is entertained that by such an
arrangement, this portion of the
could be defended with great effecj, and in I
a mode more- conliftent wifo economy, j
and tlie public convenience, than any I
whicli has been pradlifed.
Should an application for these purposes, t
made to_Uongrefs by the State Legiflaturesl
be attended with fucciss, and fliould peace I
upon just terms appear to be unattainable, !
the people would Hand together tor the I
common defence, until a Change of admfo- J
iftratiun, or of difpolitum, in the enemy, J
ftiouid facilitate tlie occurrence of that
aufpicious.event. It would be inexpedi
ent for this Convention to dirrtifli the hope
’ of a fuccesiful issue to such an applica
‘ tion, by recommending upon fnppofition
; of a contrary event, ulterior proceedings-
Nor is it indeed within their province in j
a state of things so fplemn and trying ‘as j
may then arise, the Legislatures of tlie
dates, or convention* of the whole people,
of delegates appointed by them for the
I exprels ptirpofe in another convention,
must aft as fiich urgent circumstances
may then require.
*, But tbe duty incumbent on this conven- j
tion will not have been performed without j
exhibiting forde general view of such mea- j
Tures as they deem essential to secure the I
nation against a reiapse into difficulties & J
dangers fliould they, by the bit-fling of I
Providence escape from their prefen* con- J
dirion*without ablolute ruin.’ To this!
end a concise retrofpe<H of the state of this i
nation under the advantages ot a wife ad-1
mfoiffration, contrasted with tlie miferabfe J
abyss into which it is plunged by the j
profligacy and folly of political theorists, 1
wilMead to feme practical eoticfofioiis. j
On this fubjeft, it will be recolfefttd, tliat
the immediate influence of th* federal
.constitution upon its firft adoption, and for
twelve fuccceeding years, bpon the pros
perity and happiness of tlie nation, feeth
t and to countenance a belief in the tranfeend
en6v o^its ( pet fe€fion over all other human |
inffitntions. In the catalogue of bleflsags j
which have tallyn tithe lot of the luoft !
tavoreJ hations, pone could be enumerated ]
frojn Which OUr country was excluded—
A free constitution, administered by great
and incorruptible statesmen, realized tlie
foudeft hopesof liberty*aH independence.
Tbe progress of agriculture was stimulated
by the certainty of value in the harveft-*-
aad cenimuct, after travfersing every sea,
leturned with the riches of every climv.
A revemife, secured by.a f life of honor,
collefted without opikeffion, and paid
without murmurs, melted away the
national debt; and the chief conct-m of
the” public creditor arose from Its too rapid
difoinusjun. Tlie wars and cornuiotion*
J*oiqMy , nia*afoy..i. yn^...(■>■ to 11 I* “
ruptions Al their commert ial intercom fts
•afforded to thole wjw had not promcTled,
but who alleviate, their
caiahiities, a * and golden opportunity,
themklves to lay a broad
foundation for nativnal wealth—Although
occasional vexatio.is to commerce, arose
fremi tlie fui ious collifipns of foe powers
at war, yet the great and good men of.
J that time conformed to the fore* of cir
; curnfkuces wliich they could not controul,
aud prcferved.foeir country securely from,
foe tempeffs which overwhelmed foe old’
wprld, and threw the-wreck of their for- \
tunes on these Ihore*. Refpedt abroad,
prolperity at home, wise laws made, by
honored legiflajors, and prompt .obedience
yieled by a contented {wople, had file need
The enemies of republican ihftitutions.
The arts flour idled—the sciences were cul
tivated—foe comforts and convenience of
lilewere universally difFufed-i—and nofoihg
remained for focceeding adminiflratbns,
but to reap the advantages, and cherifli the
i t sources, flowing from the policy of their
V.;
But no sooner was anew admiuiftration
eftabhlhed irt tlie hands of tlie party op
posed to foe Wafliihgton policy, than k
fixed determination was perceived ami
avowed of changing a iyftem wlifoji had
already produced these lubitamial fruits.
Theconfequeuces ofvthis clwuje, tor a
few years after its couimaiceirem, were
not jiifficknt to counteract foe prodigious
impulse ipwar3s prolperity, whjch had
been given to the nation. But a steady
perseverance in the new plans of administra
tion, at length developed their weakness
and deformity, but not until a. majority of
the people had been deceived by flattery,
and inflamed by paiGon into blinduefe to
their defe&s. Under the Withering jn*
fluenee'* m this new system, the deeleniibn
of foe ftatiorrhas beeD uniform and rapid.-
Ttiericheßt advantar.g’ r for fecuripg the
gr*at objecis of the constttuffgn have been (
wantonlyyrejefled. While Jiirrope re*,
poses frooi the convulilons that had (hakert
down her ancient institutions, (he behold*
with amazement this remote country, once
so happy and an envied, involved m a
, & excluded from intercourse
lof the world. .
I'igate and. explain foe means
s fatal reverie has been effect
quire a voluminous dil’caffiou.
ire can be attempted in this -
a general aUufuui'to foe jwin- ‘
s ofthe prfky which lias Tpro
iciffitude. Among these may
Id* liberate anff Extentve fyg
ttm for.tfliciiitg a coinbklation atnongcer
tain Hares, by jytcitafglcical jealoubes and
ambitite,roaajtofefure topopuJaif lead
ers in fine ft-felon oirlieaniouftbe controul
. ©frpi.UVr affi- Y
TiJwhichvr nary hsr.
I ol the lyfirm tn#y k eecootifed.’
! , 3*W; V .—Tft* pclttkal imolrrajKe
a , o wcd. excluding from
titnee men q*t merit, for
want of lo foe executive creed.
Third .^y.—-Tire infraction of the judi
ciary authority and rights, by depriving
pudges of tlieir offices in violation of tlie
j abolition of exHfing
j taxes, requinfe the country for
I those changes to wnSq^^o ns are always*
J expdfed, wkb a view toi| Tl nifr r i nfl of
| popular favour. r . •*
j Fifthly.— The influence of patronn^t?
| in the distribution of offices, which, iu these
I dates, has been ahnoft invariably made a.
I monftmen foe lead Entitled to filth diftme.
j tion, and who have fold foemtelves as rea- *
j dy inftroments for dffirafting public opih-
J ion, and encouraging adnriniftnnion to
I hold in contemptothe wilhes and rdiou-
I drawees of a people thus apffirently dU
1 \ idrd.
Sixthly.—The admifficm of new dates
into tl Union, formed at pleasure in tlie
western legion, has dettroyed the balance
of power which exided among’
states, and deeply affeSed tfe. ir mtereft,
eafy adraiffion of nat
uralized foreigmfes, to {daces of trust, hon
.or or profit, epKfeting as an inducement
to the malcontent fubje&s. of the old
i world to confe to these ttates, Tn quest of
| executive patronage, andto rtfpav it by aa
abjt-cf devotion to executive iwafures. -
Eighthly. —Hoftilitiesto Great Britain,
and partiality to thh late of
France, adopted as coincident with popu
lar prejudice, and fubservkJiS to the main
I objeeft, party power. Connected witli
} these must be ranked erroneous and diilort-
I ed eftifoates of tbe power and resources of
I those iiations, ofthe probable results of
I the controversies, and of our political re-
I lations to them refpeCYivelyi T
Lastly and principally. —A visionary ;
and fisperficial theory ;in *egard_ to com
merce, accompanied by a real but
a- feigned regard to its interests, and a tu
itions perievorance in efforts to render jit
an instrument of coercion and war. 1
Buc it is not conceivable that the obli
quity of any administration could, in so
short a petiod, have so nearly conliuied
the wefrk of national ruin,- unless fov<ur
ed by defers m the cotnficution.
•- To enumerate all the impiwvetyentis of
that; instrument it lulceptible, and
to propose Inch amendments as.might ten*
der it in alUjtdpeds perfect, would ie a
talk, which thitwiveUtion has not thought .
proper to affuthe. They’ have confined
.fueir attention to fueh as experience-ha* -
; demonlira ted to be cftl-inial, and even a* -
mobg tbefe, fome arfeonfidered entitled
to a more ienous attention than others—-
They are ftiggefted without any intention
ati difi-etpeft to other hates, ap.d are meant
to be fucb as alHhall find an interest inpro
■ ’.noting. Ttieir pjbjefit is to ftivagthen,
“fTpljfcif tr
j th states, by removing the grounds oiex
[ ini?.g jealousies, and providing fin- a fair
; aiKT equal nprelentation and a ; limitation
of powers, tthicb-have been mifnsed. - •
- jphe fit ft amendment relates
to thv apportionment ofreprefentatives a
l Oiong the (lave bolding dates. This can
r net be claimed as a right, . Those states
.1 are entitled to tlie llaue repiefentation, by
j a conftiiutional compact. It is therefore
j merely a iubjeif of agreement, which
be conducted upon principles yf mu
ttwl intc rest-and accommodation, and up
- on which no fenfibSlity on either fide ftiould*
bepermrtttJ to ujdft. It has proved un
just and unequal in its operation. Had
this efteftbeentqrei'een, the privnege would
probably not have been demanded; cer
tainly not conceded. Its tendency in fu-’
tore will be adverse to that harqjony aqii
mutual confidence, which ate more con
ducive to the i.appintTs and profperitv of
every confederate ft'ate, than a mete pre-’
ponderance of pojwer, the prolific louree of
jealousies and ccanroverfy, can.be to any
one of them, *lj he time may tlierelore ar
rive when a fenle of magnaiiksmtyar.d jn*-
fice will reconcile-those acqoiefe
in a revilion of this article, especially as a
fair equivalent Would result td them in the
apportionment oftaxes. ,
‘The,itext amindmetJf relates to the ad
miflion of new fetes into the union. ■>
amendment is deemed to be high
ly important, aril in faift
Jfl proposing it) 4 is hot intended to lecog- ‘
niae the riglit df congress to admit new
states without .tie original limits of the
United States, rjotlis any idea entertained
of difturbir.g the tKuujuiJity #> any Rate
already admitted into the union. The ob- *
is merely to teWq&ii* the constitutional
power of congress i* admitting new ft? Jes
At the adoption offche conftvyition,sreer
tain balance of powt-r original
parries, were cpntqjered to there
,r was at that timejjnd yet. U-among
parties a ftvong afflfiity between their grett
and. geueral^ntedftt.—3y “the adwnflion
of 11iefc fetes has been mate
rially affkted, zU faild's tberprattice oca
modified, must be destroyed.—-
The fetefcwill'l;;ft Avail them
selves of theirAetinfeclederates pj govern
the east, and inaHy the Western states mul
tiplied in nwhber, and augmt sited in pop
ulation, vik comronJ th* iueerefts of dw
Whole. Thus for the fprelcnt pow
erydie fuuthern states will be common
Wcrers With the east, in tlie.lofs of per
itnaneot advantages. of the old
states ca* find an interest in creating ptt^-.
matureiO an overwhelming weffern influ
ence, Which rmr bemftet dtfeern (as it
has beietofore) benefits to be derived to
-them by wars cndxommerciaMtllrictions.
, The next atnendmenu orppoftd by the