The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-06-30

ted at great length by MIR. Bell, in a very able
and ingenious fpeech. On the queltion being
called, it was taken by yeas and nays, and were
tor the amendment 81, againttit rs. 1t pafied the
Senate to 5.
The Governor had neither approved the Bill,
nor returned it with his objections, on Saturday,
70 that its fate was not then decided.
There is now bill before the Legislature for
dividing the State into Diftrcts, for the purpofe
of chooiing Electors of PRECEDENT and Vice-Pre-
| iident, and Members of Congrefs, which takes
place in a few months. We think this will in
tome fhape or other, finally pats.
| In the Houie of Representatives, of the State of
Maiiachuietts, June 18th, Mr.. Ely, of Sprinyfeid
after making few preliminary remarks, laid the fol-
lowing motion the table which, after being read,
was aligned for confederation on the morrow:
Whereas by the Contribution OF the United States
provided, that the Representatives. hall be appor-
toned among the fevera States, according to their re-
ipective numbers, which hall be determined. bv adj
dngtothe whole number OF free per!ons including hoe
bound to iervce Tor term of years. and excluding In
diars taxed, three ffths of all other perons and
further, that for the choice Of the Preident and Vice
Predent of the Unted States each State iha appoint
a number of Electors, equal TO the whole number of
Senators and Representatives which the fate may
De entitled III the Congrefs.
g And whereas the faid provifons Were 70 nnaniief
| ly unequal at the time tie Contribution was formed,
that they could have reued only from the fpirt of
Cancellation and comPronli!e which influenced the Eai-
tern States; becaaie, in coneauence thereof repre-
entaton of the States is produced unuh and injurious
its operation, both it regards the number of free
inhabitants in the ievera tates and their property
AS lin fate where he aveTy of man is eitabiif-
| by law, the iaves have voice in the elections
but Planter pofefiing fifty aaves may be confidered
as having thirty votes, while farmer of Naachufetts
having equal or greater property, confined to fin
| gle vote.
Sand whereas the effect of thefe provifionshas been
rendered it'll more unequal and injurious, by the coure
OF events, Gnce the Contribution was effabhed BY an
augmentation OF the number of aves in the Southern
States aud ALTO Py an ineEsafe IF P9Efqnsl
| fprit of the inhabitants
| And whereas the faid provifons have been rem
dered more injurious by important political chances
introduced during the preient administration. in The
Purchaie of Louifiana, exenve country bich will
require great number OF aves for Its cultivation and
when admitted into the Union agreeaby 70 the ce{on
will contribute by the number of its Aaves TO derov
the real influence of the Eaern States in the National
Governments and ALTO in the alteration of the original
mode OF eecfng the Prefident of the United States
Whereby in the appointment of that important Magf-
trate, the weight of the fua States where there
few or no haves is greatly dirnniihed.
|
the only compensation Propoied by the contribution to
the States holding fave, for the aforeaid UNEQUAL
principle in approximation, is merely nominal as
the national revenues are, principally, derived from
commercial mpofts, the preent administration having
repealed the excite laws, which operated in fome nea
lure, by tax on luxures equaze among the feve-
raj ates the contributions TO the public burdens and
having alto recently afelied addtionalmiiIons ON conn.,
merce of which the Eaftern States mutt pay much
more than their due proportono that inifead of con-
tributng eis than their proportionate flare of public
expence, as contemplated by the contribution as
counterpart to unequal representation, they contribute
more.
And whereas union Of the fates, meafiire TO
important in It's consequences, cannot harmoniouly
exit for long period unlefs be founded on principles
which ihal iecure to all free citizens equal political
rights and privileges in the government 70 that nil
nority may not govern majority--an event, which,
on the principles of representation eabliihed has
already happened, and may always happen.
Therefore to preferve the union of the Rates up
on found and juf principles, and TO eifabf founda-
ton for general harmony and confidence among all the
citizens OF the United States by 1ecuring to them now
and at all future periods equal political rights and pry
leges:
MovED, That the Senators Of this Common
wealth, in the Congres Of the United States be in
itruded to take all proper and legal meaures to obtain
an amendment of the Contribution of the United States
verai ates according the number their free inha
btants respectively, and for this purpoe that they en-
deavor to obtain Revolution OF two thirds of both
houies Of Congrefs propofng fuch amendment to the
Legislatures Of the ieveral aes in the United States
and that committee be RATED to bring in refolve for
that purpofe."
JUSE l5.-The order Of the day, on the motion Of
Mr. Ely, for an amendment Of the Contribution was
taken up, when, after animated debate which con-
tinued beyond the uiual hour of adjournment il was
moved that the further confederation of the fubie be
PolPoned until the feRion Of the General Court
The queton to PofPone was put and negatived
Yeas 52--Nays Ill.
The queltion the refoluion, was then taken and
paiied, for it, lO4-againil it SO.
And MeiIrs. Bigeow, Ely, and Wade. were ap-
pointed to report Refoluton on the fubiee.
JUNE l6-Mr. Bigelow, as Chairman of the Conn
mi,tee, appointed to bring in Bill on the fubed Of
Mr.. ELY's motion, for amending the Contribution, re-
ported Revolution to that effect which being read by
the Speaker Mr.. Morton begged leave, before the
queition of pafing the Reolve was put TO offer the
following amendment, viz" Provided however thar
the ratio Of dred fhal not be inereaed 10 auy of
the States, not holding flaves, by fuch amendment
This motion, after few obervatiohs from tile mover
and Meiteurs. Bgelow and Ely, was taken and loft
when tie final Queison pat, and esrried.--Yeas
80. Mays 69.