Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-12-29


Governor Of Massachusetts, covering an
amendment proposed on the par, OF the
Legislature OF that State, TO The Cons;i-
tu''on at the United States, have, &C
cording to order. had that subjeSs under
their consideration, and have come TO
the following
i T. POH tt
THAT they have bestowed on the said
proposition, The respectful attention which
Is due both to It's importance and TO the
state making it, without being able to per-
c:lye any just grounds on which its adop.
ton can be recommended. The provi.
SION made by the constitution for such g.
mcndmenis, from time To time, as may
be found cSpedient, is considered by the
committee, as wisely adapted TO new
and complicated system, which in its pro-
gress might dcvelope impecfeGtio uu-
forese=n al its date, or which may have
tsen taen susceptible OF more convenient
organization. or more guarded definition
IN some ol It's parts than was remarked
either by those who framed or those who
ratified the Instrument; in pursuance of
thIs provIllon, and IN the spirit which dc
tailed It, The constitution has received al
ier1tions, which it is hoped will be found
10 render it the more capable Of fulfilling
the great eaa - which il aspires; add the
comrpittee are Gtr from presuming, that
like Improvements may not still be made,
undrr The Lessons Of experiences, without
iadui;iGp spir;, Of innovation or violating,
those essential principles ard those well
EnC"A conditions on which the consIitu.
ton i, founded, But with ell The dispo-
sIions they feel TO avoid impeding amei-
"ra'ions Ia the political Institutions Of the
UG!,cdc States, and To listen with favorable
attention 10 changes invited in that light
Ivy sister state, they cannot regard the
one now proposed by the legislature of
Massachusetts, as either wilhin the scope
that ought 10 be given TO Innovation, or as
justified by any considerations, which
are entitled to greater weight now, than
was originally allowed to them were the
compound ratio Of representation now
: proper subject of examination, il is
Jar from being admitted, that the sacrifice
thereby made To the spirit OF union, was
hot al the expense OF The states contain
ing MKT population but such Discus.
sion nigh; awaken LEGAL Distinctions {. SEN
SatiOns, iUr which the constitution en,!ea.
'orcd to provide remedy; the commj,tec
Gecm II Sufficient therefore TO ohssrve--
FIRST, Tia, the article in constitution
like that Of The United States, which fixes
ihe rcrreScuiatiOn, and has allowed 10 each
'i the pai1ics Thereto, whether in the one
GRIN Tie other branch Of the Legislature,
lcey Justly be deemed amongst the arti-
cles most fundamental, and CONSEQUENTLY
ouehtnot 10 be lightly or hastily invaded ;
'1ccondly, that the propcirty ofifis ratio is
evinCcd from the consideration tliat 50 ear.
~ rs the year seventeen hundred and fiGy-
three, the first time union Of the then
col3njcS was contemplated, in q convent
on at Albany, The delegates of no COLONY
south Of the poiowmak being present, did
IN tEeir plan Of confederation (Which EN-.
braced al The colouies) propose, that tax.
stiOn and representation should be reci.
procaI; additionally, it is TO be remarked
THAI the same principle was again brough;
under public and favorable consideration
j. ;he year seventeen hundred and eighty.
three, by proposition Of the then con.
gre.s to substitute il Tor the ratio esiah.
Used in the FIRST charter OF confcdera
ten.
That as ii relates to ard combines The
two cases ot representation and taxation
IN thc existing constitution, il was not les.
cop'ously discussed, thoroughly under
stood ard deliberately sanctioned, than any
article whatever; and that it Can as littlt
rs any sr!.c!e pretend to calculations o
G"y EN,tl, ,u5sequentt9 that period: Third
ly, That the constitution being, as deciar
ed By the convention itself the resul, o
q spirit OF aaljty, end OF that mutual RE
ference and sacrifice, which the peculia
1i'y cf oug political situation rsndsrcd in
dispersabe; and it being well understood
the article fixing the compound ratio o
representation was in particular, the re
suit of such compromise 1t follows tina
IL ought TO be amongst in. last, which
spirit of change, guided b. a faithful at
tacbment 10 the constitution ought 10 per
NIT itself So touch; and that besides III,
ten1:ncy of the experiment 20 cxc,t
local divisions by alarming local rights
it must also tend 10 impair the reliance o.
that good faith, which is the cement o
the union and guarantee Of .le po,i.ca
fabrick which rests uponit The commit
tee Wishing to say little with respe to tn
observations forming the preamble 10 IT,