Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1801-08-12


its intricacies are uniclded-when preju-
dices are fubdued, and when the paGions
are claimed.
I" Circumstances 70 favourable for hZ-
ing the deitiny of nation, can occur but
leldom in the iapfe of many ages if we
neglect this opportunity, another may ne
yer be found.
Sc To the fundamental cauies, which
render local contribution neceEary TOR
ST. Domingo, be6des the intereas OF the
inhabitants, (Which are intimately con
ne0ed with ,hoie ct The mother country
are added other motives equally powerful.
q The ju:i claim OF the departments Of
the colonies to enjoy the advantages OF
the tribunals OF juitice.
The nccc!ii1y Of introducing new
planters, IN order to extend and improve
agriculture, OF reviving commerce and
re-e!tabl;iling manufactures. -
The utility Of cementing the union
of the ci-devant Spanifh inhabitants with
the antient French inEa bitants.
yhc ;mpoilibility of the mother
coun,ry's {uccouring or providing for this
immerie colony during the war with the
maritime powers.
The necelIity Of ei1abl;Gaing i'm
pie and uniform fyeeu for the adlninifra-
rion Of the finances of ths colony, and
for correcting exiting abu;r>.
F" The Obligation Of la;istyiug abient
propr;e,oss as to the tafety OF their pro
perty.
I" In word, the importance OF main
tanning and consolidating internal peace,
of ausmen,ing that PROPERTY, which this
colony begins to enjoy alter the forms by
which il has been torn and dilgaaed of
teaching to each inoiyidSal Ills rights md
his duties, and OF ex,ipsuifhing all dit
trras and iu:picions by pretending code
of laws which will infpire confidence, and
harmonic contendiDg in,ereas.
" Such have been the motives which
have determined the general in Chief to
ccnvoke legillaliye aIembly, charged
with propo!ing to tie French government,
a conHi,ution the beA calculated for The
colony of St. Domingo. This work will
add another benefit 10 ,hole We have al
ready received from him.
" The few members, of whom this a.
le,nbly is competed, have declared that
while they wiihed to free their dilcu6.ons
from all tumulrs and pa!lion, tGey dehred
to be acquainted with the ideas and OPT
Mons of ali intelligent men, 70 that ,nis
important work might be the relult of the
united laoours of the whole colony.
e" If the central ailelnbIy has not CON-
pletely fulfilled the expectations of its
contribution, If j, has no, attained the end
defened by the general in chief, it has &,
leai} done all that circumstances allowed
at the fame time that it has propoGed all
the changes which are defgable. 1t will
require much time for the colony to ar
rive at its greatets PROPERTY, thar can
only be reached by gradual progrefs.
Wealth to be durable, can increaie but
Aowly in this refpeet we mutt initiate
nature, who never acts with precipitation,
but who gradually, though iurey, ma
lures its benetcent productions.
&C The aaembly will rejoice if its hrf
attemp, iha!I, in any degree, aneliora,e
the fate Of its fellow citizens, and if it
lhall have gained their eiteem and indul-
gence, as we'll as the appreciation of
France, although it may nor have attained
any great perfection.
:" Every article Of the contribution was
difcuned and determined without patton,
without prejudice, without partially !;
and tina, mode of government has been
adopted, which they thought was bet cal
cu,ated TO preierve our tranquility, and to
raife US to our ancient ip!endor. In the
two fueceeaing years the central Aaem-
blies will make thoie alterations which
time and experience fhall ihew TO De he
ce,Iary.
The central anembly has not the