Newspaper Page Text
N?. 32. Vol. V.]
From Iht Mew York Observer.
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT.
| Since the commencement of the present
I session of Congress several resolutions have
■ been introduced, proposing that the proper
I measures should be taken to obtain an alter
| ation of the Constitution of the United States,
I in the article relating to the mode of elect
ling the ■ President. Mr. Benton, a senator
■from Missouri, proposes, that the election
ffehall be made immediately by the people,
•fjKilhout the intervention of electors, and in
-■base of no choice by tbe people on the first
flbial, that the House of Representatives
iShall choose from the three having the
■greatest number of votes, in the manner
Kow precribed by the Constitution.—Mr.
Blayne, of South Carolina, in order to pre-
Bent the election from devolving in any
Hvent on the House of Representatives,
Mroposes that if no person is chosen by the
Hectors on the first trial, a proclamation
Hall forthwith be issued, calling upon all
IBe electors to convene in one place, and
|Hve in their ballots for a President till a
choice jg effected.
§|||That there are very serious defects in
<fjße present mode of choosing the President
’;jßthe United States seems to be generally
fHmitted, and from the interest which is
|Hty extensively felt on the subject, it is
Jtfigjhly probable that some alteration will
famspeedily made. Our readers are aware
JfHt, as tbe Constitution now stands, if the
IBiptors fail to choose on the first trial, the
■Hlfiice devolves on tbe House of Represen-
Smives, and that in this case the represen-
HflFves of each state are entitled to one
B. The present number of States in the
Hubn is 24. Thirteen are a majority. The
Hkulalion of the United States, in 1820,
nearly 10,000,000. Thirteen states
agaoibe selected, whose joint population is
B than 2.200.000. Os course, it is possi
ble that 1,100,000 persons, ora little more
min one-teuth part of the population of the
HBted States, may legally appoint the Pre-
Bfent in opposition to the will of the oth-
Sfijfnine-tentbs.
Pit is certainly singular, that after all that
Hips said during the revolutionary war about
flpp defects of the British government in
Hfegard to equality of representation, that an
|Bpicle of this kind should have found its
BPy into our constitution. This case, mnre
fweris not a solitary one. It is a fact, that
‘ptbe principle which we so strongly condemn
“|io the English rotton borough system, per
;ades every part of the constitution of the
JmJnited States, and threatens in the end, to
,®e as ruinous to the right? of the people
In this country as it has been in Great Brit
j&in.
This remark is not made without reflec
tion. Look at the manner in which the
lowers of the government are distributed
Minder tbe constitution of the United States.
SEvery power delegated by the people in
nthat instrument is included under someone
■of the following heads. 1. Executive
Ipower. 2. Judiciary power. 3. Legis
lative power. 4. The power of altering
jjrthe constitution. We will consider each of
r these in tbe order here mentioned.
1. The executive power is vested in the
| president of the United States; and we have
I already seen that in case the electors fail
j to chose him on the first trial, he may be
| appointed, by a small minority of tbe peo
| pie. The case here supposed, has already
} once occurred, and will probably often oc
cur again. When we consider the vast ex
. tent of tbe territory over which our popu
lrttlOH IS spreading, and the great variety of
3 interests which are springing up m every
>ipart of it; and when we coosider further,
jthat each body of electors assembles in its
fivn state, and has no convenient means of
ascertaining the minds of electors in other
lections of the country, it seems hardly pos
sible that the President should long cooliD-
Be to be chosen by the electors on the first
aial. It is worthy of serious consideration
•erefore, whether, if the constitution of tbe
.Suited States remains as it now is, the puw
m of appointing the executive branch of our
jfevernment will not hereafter be almost
Biforudy exercised by a small minority of
Be people.
*2. The judiciary power. Tbe power of
•pointing the judge* of the courts is vest-
M by tbe constitution in the President and
Bnajority of the Senate. We have seen
Bat a majority of tbe people in thirteen
Ball states can appoint the president, and
Bey can appoint a majority of the'Senate
180. It is possible, therefore, for one-
Ifenth part of the people, of tbe U. States
110 control, in an important sense, the ex
■raise of the judiciary power.
K’ 3. The legislative power may lie divided
Bto the power of making treaties and the
bower of making laws to regulate our inter-
Hal concerns. The treaty making power
K vested by tbe constitution in the Presi-
Hnt and two thirds of the Senate. Two
Birds of tbe Senate represent two thirds of
He states; that is, at present, 16 out of 24.
Hxteen states can be selected whose joint
Copulation does not exceed 3,400,000. It
H possible, therefore, that treaties may bs
Hade in opposition to the wishes of two
Birds of the American people.
B|Tlie power of making laws to regulate
Hr internal concerns is vested in the Sen-
K and House of Representatives jointly.
Hj; true, therefore, that no law can be pas
THE MISSIONARY.
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1824.
sed unless the representatives of a majority
of the people are in favour of it. But as
no law can pass without the consent es a
majority of the Senate, it is also true that
the passage of a law may be prevented , al
though cine tenths of tbe people are in fa
vour of it.
4. The power altering the constitution.
This power is obviously more important
than all others united, because it can alter
or annihilate any of the rest at pleasure.
It can destroy the present form of govern
ment altogether, and establish on its ruins
an Aristocracy or a Monarchy. This pow
er is delegated to three-fourths of the states,
that is, at the present time, to 18 out of 24.
Eighteen states can be selected whose joint
population is only 4,400,000. Os course,
this important power can be exercised by a
minority of the people.
r I o recapitulate. From the view of the
subject which we have now presented, it
appears that one tenth part of the United
States may appoint the President and a ma
jority of the Senate, that they may com
pletely control the exercise of the execu
tive and judiciary powers of the govern
ment, and may prevent ihe passage of any
law, although nine-tenths of the people
shall be in favour of it. It also appears
that a minority of the people can control
the treaty making power, ami can even al
ter our form of government in opposition to
tbe will of the majority. Will it be said,
that this is all theory; that there is no dan
ger of these evils in practice? This is pre
cisely the argument which is used iu sup
port of tbe rotten borough system in Eng
land, and there is no one consideration which
can be urged in opposition to that system,
which does not apply in opposition to that
system with equal force to our own case.
From the Mew York Observer.
PITCAIRN’S ISLAND.
We have inserted below from the Lon
don Evangelical Magazine for November,
some late and interesting intelligence from
Pitcairn’s Island. It is well known to most
of our readers,that the settlement on this isl
and owes its origin to the mutineers of the
British armed vessel the Bounty. In the
year 1789, this vessel, while employed in
the Pacifick Ocean, was taken from her
commander, Lieuteuaut William Bligh, by
25 ot the crew, who put ihe Lieutenant and
18 ot his men into the launch, which, after
a passage ol 1200 ieaguea, providentially
arrived at a Dutch settlement, ou the island
ot Timor. The mutiueers proceeded with
the vessel to Otaheite, where 16 of the 25
desired to be landed, and most of them were
afterwards taken and sent to Great Britain
for trial. The remaining Dine after mak
ing a short stay at Otaheite, where they
took wives and six men servants, proceeded
to Pitcairn’s Island, which was at that time,
uninhabited, and ont of the common track
of European vessel*. Here they destroyed
the ship, and remained in entire obscurity
until the year 1808, when they were acci
dentally discovered by Capt. Folger of Bos
ton, who learnt that about six years after
they laoded, their servants attacked aQd
killed all the English, excepting one vener
able old man, (who called himself John Ad
ams, but whose .real name was Alexander
Smith;) and that the Otabeitan widows
arose the same night, and murdered all their
countrymen, leaving Adams alone with the
widows and children. Since Capt. FolgerV
visit several British commanders have
touched at the island, and they agree in
representing the state of the new colony as
remarkably happy and interesting. The
yonng mfen and women are beautifully form
ed, with open, benevolent countenances,
and all of them have the most marked Eog
lish features. Tbe principles of religion
and morality, have been carefully instilled
into their youthful minds by John Adams,
and thus far they have been preserved per
fectly chaste and free from all kinds of de
bauchery. The Sabbath is *tA My observ
ed and prayers are offered up #Very morn
ing and evening-in the most simple and un
affected manner. We are happy to find
these accounts confirmed by the following
article from tbe Evangelical Magazine.
“ A professional gentleman, who visited
the island in December last, communicated
to the Directors of the London Missionary
Society the following particulars
“At the above mentioned period, there
were residing on the islaod 54 persons, of
whom 49 were the offspring of tbe muti
neers of the Bounty. Seven of the young
men were married, and had in all 27 chil
dren, of whom 23 were under 10 years of
age. John Adams presides as a patriarch
over this interesting population. To the
utmost of his power, he has endeavoured to
train them up in tbe principles of piety aud
virtue, and they appear to approach nearer
to the state of primeval innooence and aim
ilicity than perhaps any other community.
Their condition presents a delightful pic
ture of social happiness. The Bible is
tbeir directory. Most of them, who are
above ten years of age, can read it. A
considerable part of their time is employed
in offering up praises to the Almighty.
Nearly the whole of-the Sabbath is spent
in prayer, singing, and sending the Holy
Scriptures. Every morning, at four o’-
clock, they assemble in their respective
habitation* for family worship, when an sp-
jt Go ye into all tbe world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. —Jews Christ.
and habits whioh lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.— Washington.
propriate psalm is sung. At eleven, all the
families meet together on a green, in tbe
front of their dwellings, when John Adams
reads prayers, and portions of the Scrip
tures, and one or two psalms are sung.
Before sunset, they thus assemble again.
Afterwards, they have family prayer, sing
the Evening Hymn, and retire to rest.
“This little island is extremely healthy,
and produces with very little labour, all the
necessaries of life, and some of its luxuries.
The scenery, where this interesting portion
of the human race have fixed their habita
tions, is described as peculiarly picturesque
and beautifnl.
“ From this remote, and in various res
pects, desirable spot, anxiety, however, is
not excluded. The number of ships which
touch at this island, both English and Amer
ican, is now much greater than formerly.
John Adams is apprehensive that this may
lead to an intercourse between strangers
and bis people, injurious to their morals and
happiness. Although possessing considera
ble physical strength, with the use of his
faculties entire, be is sensible of his advan
cing age, and feels desirous as do the adult
portioo of his large family, that an individu
al of weight and excellence of character,
to acquire over tbe people a personal influ
ence, at once just and beneficial, should set
tle in tbe igland during his life-time. Tbe
plans such an individual might form for pro
moting the education, religious improve
ment, and social welfare of the people,
John Adams would second with all the in
fluence which be himself derives from their
confirmed attachment and affectionate ven
eration.
“It is the desire of Mr. Adams, and his
people, that the person who may settle on
the island with those views, should be an
Englishman, a minister, and that he shonld
be sent out under the sanction of the Lon
don Missionary Society.
“ As, however, the interesting people
who thu9 require the intervention of the
Society, do not fall within the recognized
sphere of its operations, the directors can
not pledge themselves to contribute towards
the expenses either of equipment or main
tenance, on behalf of any person going out,
as proposed under the sanction of the Soci
ety ; but they engage to exert themselves
to procure for such person, and for his wife,
(if married,) a free passage to Pitcairn’s
Island.
MISSIONS OF THE AMERICAN BOARD.
The Prudential Committee of the A. B. C. F.
M. have published a Tract containing a general
view of their mission* Such abstract* are useful
as a paper of reference to those interested in mis
sions, and for the information of those who are ig
norant of missionary operations. The following
account of these missions was prepared by the
Committee in November 1823.
HOME DEPARTMEMT.
Hon. William Reed, Rev. Leonard Woods
D. D Jeremiah Everts, Esq. Hon. Samuel
Hubbard, and Rev. Warren Fay, Pruden
tial Committee.
Jeremiah Evarts, Esq. Corresponding
Secretary.
Mr. Rufus Anderson, Assistant Secretary.
Henry Hill, Esq. Treasurer.
Chester Adegn*, Esq. Auditor.
The Executive business of tbe Board is
transacted at the Missionary Rooms, No. 69,
Market Street, Boston, Mass., which are
daily open during the regular hours of busi
ness.
FOREIGM ESTABLISHMENTS.
The Board has established missions, in
the order of time in which they now will
be named, at Bombay—in Ceylon,—among
tbe Cherokees, Choctaws, and Cherokees
of (he Arkansaw—at the Sandwich Islands
—and in Western Asia. It hw, also, taken
measures to ascertain the religious and mor
al state of the southern and western coun
tries of South America, with a view to mis
sionary labours in that interesting part of
tbe world.
I. Mission at Bombay.
Commenced in 1813. The mission has
three stations, —Bombay, Mahim, and Tan
nab.
Bombay, —A large city on an island of the
same name. It is the capital of all the Brit
ish possessions on tbe western side of tbe
peninsula, and is tbe primary seat of the
mission.
Rev. Gordo* Hall, Missionary ; Mr.
James Garrett, Printer.
Mahim —Six miles from Bombay, on tbe
north part of the island.
Rev. Allen Graves, Missionary.
Tannah. —The principal town on tbe isl
and of Salsette, 25 miles from Bombay.
Rev. John Nichols, Missionary.
The first Missionaries to Bombay embark
ed nearly 12 years ago. Sometime elaps
ed before they were fairly settled at Bom
bay, and some farther time, before they
acquired the language : so that up to the
date of their last communications, we have
accounts of little mors than eight years of
effective service. But, during this time,
-they have translated most of the New
Testament into tbe Mahratta language,
spoken by at least 12,000,000 of people,
and have printed a considerable part of it;
have translated portions of tbe Old Testa
ment, and printed the book of Genesis; and
they will be able to print the whole Bible
soon, if foils are obtained. They have
printed more than 30,000 books and tracts,
most of which have been circulated among
the natives, and have been read, probably,
by several hundred thousands. They
have under their care 18 schools, contain
ing about 900 pupils; and, not long since,
they had 25 schools, containing 1,200 pu
pils, but were obliged to discontinue sever
al, for the want of pecuniary means to sup
port them. In various ways, they are dai
ly extendiogthe circle of their acquaintance
and influence among the natives.
For a long time, a Mission Chapel has
been needed. More than a year ago, the
foundations of one were laid, and, during
the last snmmer, the building, which is 60
feet by 35, was probably completed.
Should it please God to give success to
the plans of the missionaries, a Mission
College , will soon be very desirable.
On the 27th es September last, tbe Rev.
Edmund Frost, Missionary , with his wife,
and Mrs. Graves, the wife of the missionary
at Mahim, embarked for Calcutta, whence,
by leave of Providence, they will proceed
immediately to Bombay.
11. Mission in Ceylon.
This mission was established in the dis
trict of Jaffna, which is in tbe northern ex
tremity of the island of Ceylon, in October
1816. It has five stations, —Tillipally,
Batticotta, Oodooville, Panditeripo, and
Mauepy.
Tillipally. —Nine miles north from Jaff
napatam.
Rev. Daniel Poor, Missionary ; Nicholas
Permander, Motive Preacher.
Batticotta. —Six miles north-west of
Jaffnapetam.
Rev. Benjamin C. Meigs, and Rev. Henry
Woodward, Missionaries. Gabriel Tissera,
Motive Preacher.
Oodooville. —Five miles north of Jaff
napatam.
Rev. Miron Winslow, Missionary , Francis
Malleappa, Motive Preacher.
Panditeripo. —Nine miles north-west of
Jaffnapatam.
Rev. John Scudder, M. D. Missionary.
George Kocb, Motive Medical Assistant.
Manepy. —Four miles and a half north
west of Jaffoapatam.
Rev. Levi Spaulding, Missionary.
The original missionaries from this coun
try to Ceylon, were four in number, —the
Rev. Messrs. Warren, Richards, Meigs and
Poor. The two first named have rested
from their labours. At the date of the last
intelligence, Messrs. Meigs and Poor bad
been labouring, with a competent knowl
edge of tbe language, but little more than
fire years; and the others above named,
less than three years. Yet they have pro
cured, to be boarded and educated in their
families, and under their entire control,
118 heathen youths, who are supported,
and to whom names have been given, by
individuals and societies in this country.
They have also established 32 free-schools,
containing more than 1500 scholars; have
admitted into their church 17 converted
natives; and, by means of their schools,
and tracts, and conversations, and preach
ing, are constantly exerting a powerful in
fluence on a considerable population, most
of which is composed of the higher casts.
Nine young men, members of the church,
■are very useful assistants, three of whom
are licensed to preach tbe Gospe). One of
these licentiates possesses very snperiour
talents. Others of tbe scholars, not beloog
ing to the*church, are hopefully pious;
others are seriously disposed; and very
many, not particularly serious, are of good
promise.
; It is quite indespensable to tbe ultimate
i success of the mission, that a Native Col
i lege be soon established,
i 111. Mission among the Cherokees.
On the 13th of January 1817, Mr. Kings
bury arrived at Cbickamaugab, since called
Brainerd, and commenced preparations for
an establishment there. The mission among
the Cherokees has, at the present time, six
stations, —Brainerd, Creek-Path, Carmel,
i Hightower, Wilistown, and Hawies.
Brainerd. —The oldest statian of the
Board among tbe Indians. It is situated
within the chartered limits of Tennessee,
on the Chickamaugah creek, 250 miles N.
W. of Augusta; 150S. E. Nashville * and
110 S. Vs. of Knoxville.
Rev. Ard Hoyt, Missionary; Dr. Elizsr
Butler, Physician; Mr. Sylvester Ellis,
Schoolmaster; Messrs. John Vail, Henry
Parker, and Frederick Elsworth, Farmers ;
Messrs. Erastus Dean, and Ainsworth E.
Blunt, Mechanich.
Carmel. —Formerly called Talony. Six
two miles S. E. from Brainerd, on what is
called the Federal Road. A school was
established herein May 1820: Mr. Hall
resided here six months before tbe open
ing of tbe school.
Rev. Daniel S. Butrick, Missionary, and
Mr. Moody Hall, Schoolmaster.
Creek-Path. —One hundred miles W. S.
W. of Braioerd. A school was established
here in April 1820.
Rev. William Potter, Missionary.
Hightower. —Ona river namedE-tow-ee,
but corrupted into Hightower; 80 miles S.
S. E. of Braioerd, and 35 miles west of
south from Carmel. A school commenced
in April of the present year.
Mr. Isaac Proctor, Schoolmaster.
W*Fr*WN.—Abo*t §f mules §. W. es
[Price %3 50 per cam.
Brainerd. A school was established at this
station, in May last.
Rev. William Chamberlain, Missionary.
Haweis. —About 60 miles S. of Brainerd.
Preparations are making for a school.
Mr. John C. Elsworth, Sthoolmaster.
IV. Mission among the Choctaws.
The Mission among the Cherokees being
in successful operation, Mr. Kiogsbury ana
Mr. Williams left Brainerd, about tbe first
of June 1818, for the Choctaw nation.
They selected a site for their station, and
about the 15th of August, felled the first
tree. “ The place waa entirely new, and
covered with lofty trees; but the ancient
mounds, which here and there appeared,
shewed, that it had been once the habita
tion of men.” The station was named El
iot, in honour of the “ Apostle of tbe Amer
ican Indians.” This mission has six sta
tions—Elliot, Mayhew, Bethel, Emmaus,
and two which have not received names.
Elliot.— Within the chartered limits of
the state of Mississippi; on the Yalo Busba
creek; about 40 miles above its junction
with the Yazoo; 400 miles W. S. W. of
Brainerd; and 145 from tbe Walnut Hills,
an the Mississippi.
Mr. Cyrus Byington, Licensed Preacher ,
and Missionary ; Dr. William Pride, Physi
cian; Mr. Joel Wood, Schoolmaster ; and
Messrs. John Smith, and Zachariah Howes,
Farmers.
Mayhew. —On the Gok-tib he-ba creek,
12 miles above its junction with the Tom
bigbee, and 100 miles E. of Elliot. Com
menced in the spring of 1820.
Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, Missionary and
Superintendent of the Choctaw Mission ; Mr.
William Hooper, Schoolmaster ; Mr. Calvin
Cushman, Farmer ; and Messrs. Philo P.
Stewart and Samuel Wisner, Mechanich.
Bethel.— On the Natcbes road, south
west of Mayhew. A school was establish
ed here in November 1821.
Mr. Loring S. Williams, Schoolmaster.
Mr. Stephen B. Macomber, Schoolmaster,
resides here for the present.
Emmads.— About 140 miles south-easterly
from Mayhew. Commenced near the lat
ter part of 1822.
Mr. Moses Jewell, Schoolmaster , and Mr,
Anson Gleason, Mechanick.
Mr. Elijah Bardwell, Farmer , and Mr,
Anson Dyer, Schoolmaster , commenced pre
parations for a school near the centre of
tbe Six Towns, during the summer past.
Rev. Alfred Wright, Missionary , reside*
in this district.
Mr. Adin C Gibbs, Scholneaster , has, also,
commenced a school, recently, in the neigh
bourhood of Mingo Mos-sha la-tub-bee, ln
the S. E. Dislrict of the nation.
Mr. Samuel Mo*ely, Licensed Preacher
and Missionary ; Messrs. David Wright and
David Gage, Schoolmasters; Messrs. Wil
liam Holland and Josiah Hemming way,
Farmers,; and Mr. Ebenezer Bliss, AfecAan
ick, are on their way t Braioerd. win re
they will receive such an ultimate destina
tion, as shall appear to be best when tbe
Corresponding Secretary shall arrive there,
on his contemplated visit to the stations sit
uated on this side the Mississippi.
V. Mission among the Cherokee* of the
Arkansaw,
Commenced in the year 1820. There is
only the Station of
Dwight. —On the west side of liliooi*
creek; four miles north of the Arkansaw
river; andsoo miles from tbe junction of
the Arkansaw with the Mississippi, follow
ing the course of the river.
Rev. Alfred Finney and Rev. Cephas
Washburn, Missionaries ; and Messrs. Ja
cob Hitchcock, and James Orr, Farmers.
Mr. Asa Hitchcock, Mechanick, is on hi*
way to joia this mission.
Remarks on the Indian Missions.
Among tbe Indians, the Board has 13 sta
tions ; at 7 of these,churches have been or
ganized About 60 Indians and blacks have
been received into theee churches; and sev
eral at almost etery station, are seriously
disposed. With the Moravian church, in
tbe Cherokee nation, about 30 Indians are
connected. From tbe missionaries of tbe
Board, more than 500 Indian children and
youth have received the rudiments of a
Christian education, and thousands of adulfe
have heard tbe Gospel.
The lodians live principally in villages,
great numbers of which are scattered
through tbe wilderness; and at most, if not
all, of these villages, they would receive
Christian preachers with kindness, and
would attend respectfully u the publick
worship of God. They have made great
er progress, within a few years, in civilisa
tion, and in preparation for receiving the
means of grace, than is generally supposed.
The Cherokees, especially, have courts,
court-houses,judges,and a police; and mm
ny of them possess comfortable houses, cat
tle, and cultivated fields.
The object of the Board is, to place
schoolmasters and evangelists in every dis
trict, who shall perform the same labours,
and exert the same kind of influence, as the
village schoolmaster and parish minister in
New England. And the time may net be
far distant, when, from almost every bill in
tbe Indian country, shall be seen the spires
of churches, overtopping the wilderness,
and imparting a religious and yUyjpg &.