Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-07-07
From the BosfoN DEmocRAT.
Mr.. ELY'S MOTION.

tives OF MIR. ELY, entirelI out of the ques-
ton, doubtless pure m ltives,) we shall
proceed To Offer few observations, ON the
origin, the spirit and the consequences OF
this truly alarming measure.
On Saturday, this motion, for an amend
ment of The constitution, was passed, Yeas.
89-Nays, So. Before the question Of
passing tie resolve was put, Mir. Motion,
begged leave to offer The following amend
ment, viz. Provided however, that the
ratio of direct taxes, shall not be increas-
ed IN any of the states, not holding Slaves,
by'suCh amendment--But this and every
wise, rational and patriotic attempt 10 stop.
or even suspend this melancholy business,
proved inetfec(ual-it was hurried with
precIptancy, before reflection could have
Its due influence, and the meek voice ofre-
publicanism and virtue, was lost IN the din
of high tones
Citizens OF Massachusetts, this is the
most JACOBiNlCAL event that has oc-
Cured since your glorious revolution -
1t holds 4 d,sorganising DeUH on every fea
ture-It is in dwcct violation Of the last
political testament of GENERAL WASH
INCToN, from whom thi, law originated
The terrible end which it contemplates,
is a DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION, on
which our glory, strength and happiness
is dependent, and the means it NAV intro
.duce 10 enforce that end, will be ANARCHY
IN the first instance, and CIVIL WAR in the
last t......
What in the name'of Heaven, could in
duce these Anglo Federalists, these enc
y
DC so rash and daring ?-They would not
allo.. your representatives., three days. ftl
low citiz2ns 10 ruminate upon PROPOSE
ton, that IS meant 10 unhinge the great
political coDiedcraCy oT the States Mot
three days, men of Massachusetts, would
they condsscSld % giant for the examna
zion Of deadly process that threatens to
paralize the whole union with horror!
In the Sd section OF the constitution Of
the United States, it expressly says, r.
representatives. and direct lakes shall be APP
portioned among the several states, which
NAV he included within this union. accord
ing TO their respective numbers, which
shall be determined By adding to the whole
number OF free persons, including those
bound to service for term of years, and
excluding Indians not taxed, three iinhs
Of all other persons" This, citizens, is
the letter of the constitution, and this ar
rangement Of local interests was p,oDos-
ed by your beloved WAsHINGToN Yet
the furious friends of tins measure, who
use the good and powerful name of Wash
dl5son, as a stalking horse for their pollt
cal villainies would profanity erase, "wiih
'unwashed hands" that very provision,
which his wisdom suggested. for the sup
port OF the whole body
In the debates in that convention, which
framed these wholesome laws, Mr.. Wild.
Gerry asked, "if boy of six years of
age, was to be considered as free per
son !" to which Mr.. RUFUS KING, reph-
cd Chat same Me-. KING who is, when it
suits the purposes ofthe Monarchists, the
political God of their idolatry) that all
persons born free were To- be considered
as freenen; and TO make the idea OF tar.
alton by numbers more inteillgible, saiG,
that FIVE negro children of South CaroIi-
ma, arc 10 pay as much tax, as the three
governors of New Hampshire, Massa
chusetts and Connect cut'-Mr. GoRAAM, |
IN pursuance, SAID, d" that he thought the
i)lOiIpoNAt oNNliplif III letEOl vi was
sachuselts; and it it operated against any
state, it was Pennsylvania, because they (
have more white persons bound, than any !
other"--JUDGE DANA spoke as follows !
f" in reply TO the remark of some gentle |
men, that the southern states were favor.
ed in this mode of appointment by hav.
Ing Eve Of their negroes set against three !
persons in the eastern can" asked he /
" that land flourish like this, which is cult |
waited by the hands of frecmen? and are /
not three of these independent freemen,
OF more real advantage to state, than
fUe of those poor slaves As a friend to |
equal taxation, he reioiced chat an oppor
tunity was presented in this constitution, !
to change this unjust mode Of apportion /
ment; [al'nding to the former mode o.
apportioning toxes,) indeed concluded he.
from a survey of every part Of the consti-
tut on, Iif'0k IL the best that The 7visaiom Of
DicH coutI suggest"
Mr.. DAWES, said, our own state laws
and constitution would lead us to consi-
der those blacks, as free meH, and 50 in
decd would our IDEAS Of natural Justice
(attend to ibis declaration or a true Chris.