Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-12-06

,hc.i.y As nugatory. fiji did rot give f's Pfesi
dent ard Senate the right 70 accept eessio y q
territory. 1t is certainly not the rght OF iht
PRECEDENT and Senate 70 make such ceSslon con
clus,vely binding when il shall embrace powers
within the pale ofthose dcegared TO this t1ouse,
it will require our sanction.
Have we not also vested in us every power re
ccssary for carrying such treaty nio effect, IL
the words of the constitution, which gave Con.
press the AUTHORITY to IS make ali laws which shall
be necessary and proper forfcanying m1o execu
ton the foregoing power and all other powers vest
ed by this constitution in the government OF the
United States or in any Department. or ottleer
thereof" II, therefore, appears, very clearly TO
NY mind, that according TO the constitution, the
United States have ar;ght to acquire terrifory.--
If they possess this right according to the consti-
tuition, this measure anDot be saId 70 be uncon
sr,tutionaI, aud if now unconstitutional, as the
gentleman who have spoken against If, DID, not
insist upon the point of nexpediency, some Of
them because they believed that ground was NOT
open, and others because 1T was not tenable, VIII
ultimately give it their support.
Bot another constitutional objection is stated.
Though the United States may acquire valid
title 10 the territory, the hills and the groves the
rivers and the lakes, it is aedged that they have
no righrto bring the persons inbabitlng It into
state in which they shall enjoythe blessings OF tree
government. My friend from MARYLAND mr.
Niehoson has observed that the article OF the trea-
ry relating 10 this obetf is most cau;icuslysword-
ed. If ever there was precision of language cal
4 ~ &c NJ
the constitution il the language Of this article
Its words are
g The Inhabitants Of the ceded territory shall
be incorporated in the Union by the y. States,
and admitted as soon as possible, according to the
principles of the federal constitution, to the en-
ioyment of all the rights, advantages and lmmu-
mites of citizens of the United States; and in re
mean time they shall be maintained and protect
ed in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property,
and the religion wiichthey profess"
How are these people to be admitted? Accor-
ding to the principles Of the federal constitution.
Is it an open violation of any part-of the constl
tuition No, an express reservation IS made by
those who formed the treaty, that they must be
admitted under the constitution. Now if admit
ted agreeably the constitution, II cannot be
said 10 be in violation of it, the fears OF gentle
men are groundlcss.
But as Observed before, does not the eonsti-
tuition refer to territory Do not the United
States possess territories now ? Is the possession
Of territory confined by the constitution to those
they now held? believe nor, for in the const
tuion it is stated that g Congress shall have pow
er to dispose Of, AM make all needful rules and
regulations, respecting the territory other pro
pefty belonging 10 the United STATES" Here
is a clear recognition OF territory belonging to
the United States, AID not merely of territory
then held, but OF territory which might futurely
be acquired by treaty or purchase. And if this
territory be cededt TO the United States, Cong,ess
have power as soon as ceded, to make rules and
regulations respettngit.
ar. Roduey's Spercb to be eantiaaed1