Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1803-01-22

which, totally coniicered, inlsot &c
locked upon as an iiland placed in TIC
fea. He could not think thar the con-
a;tution meant TO exclude officers OF de-
pendent colonial difsrit.s. It bad reyer
been contemplated that foch colonial
poG. iIiof.s lAould be iepreiented on tfss
floor. Why, therefore, apply tie excau-
fion 10 thems
One efeas resfon for this frovlt''on OF
The Csnlitution was 10 prevent CORFU
ton. Where could be tie danger OF
this from an otIlce without the leaf
enolnment ? The Inconvenience ct ex,
clulicn 10 ioch cafes too would ne glar-
Inc. lis neceasry eaea would be an
Inability to get thoie 70 acceps tons'-
Gons in The militia who wesc proper io'
the ifsfions.
There was another idea entitled to
weight. IF it be determined that the
militia officers OF this dittria thall be
excluded, the fame rule will apply &c
all militia officers al pointed by the Go
yerners Of the Territories Of the United
States. Do you not alto exclude the
militia officers of the States, who, though
appointed in the oates, are iubjeet e
the command cf he United States A
contribution of the Contribution produc-
tive of fuch effects, he confdeled un
found, and contrary 10 the intention or
It's trainers.
Had he fuppofed that the acceptance
of an efice in the militia would have H.
.crtered with his feat 10 that HOME, he
would never have accepted it. He had
never entertained doubr on this pcirt
until preached in the Houfe. Since then
he had heard various opinions. By VIVA,
he had heard his own opinion was NOT
changed as he believed that true con
fruetlon Of tie Contribution would exclude
ais cafe, Should, however, decifion &
gainil his holding his feat be made, he
houli retire without any other regret than
hat which he had expIefed. He had
not rilcn to argue the cafe as an advocate !;
but merely 10 align the grounds on which
he had acted.
Mr.. Bacon obl;rved that the committee
Of Elections had not thonght themielves
at libsrty to be influenced BY The proPrie-
ny OF impropriesy OF this part of the con-
Nitution, olherwiie they might have de.
iermired differently bot they ielt them
lylyes bound by the conit,tution itfelf.-
Ihoueh the Grf part OF the fiction OF the
contribution referred to ei.vii Offices yer
the latte, part uiea lie evprefion any .0fe<,
when was more comprehensive, and aP-
p.ared to them 10 have been intended to
have an univetial effect.
Mr.. Thomas. Mr.. Chairman, ever
fince this suefioa was fire sgitated lh've
f,l. no f1all degree OF lolicilude refpeetrng
IL; on the one hand | view the fear OF
member of this honle from the fate whicn
| have the honor to repreient, important;
not only as il rslpetts the interee of ttag
fate in the deliberations Of the national
Legislature, but as il rejects the feelings
of my friend and colleague and on the
other hand, view the contribution OF my
country, which ! corGs'er the palladium
of our Liberties the rock Of our national
falvation; bu,, fir, however important |
may copGder my colleagues holding his
feat on this floor, either as i, reipeets him
(elf or the fate of New York, II it comes
in competition with that contribution, it
is my duty to, and I fhall readily yield
to it. The clauies Of the contfitation, iaid
Mr.. T. which has been quoted by the
committee, and which is in point, declares
that " 70 pc'fon holding any otace under
,he United States, (hall be member OF
either houfe during his continuance in Of
fc.." Il appears, faid Mr.. 7. that my
colleague did fometlme in the receis Ct
Congress, accepr and exerciis the ofice OF
major in the militia of the diitrla OF
Columbia, under an act OF Congress,