Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-12


ton OF any. other colony. Some disad-
vantages az to education in the higher
branches OF literature, have lately attend.
ed us, but the original settlement of the
province was marked by ci, cumstances
peculiarly favourable in this respect, it was
made at no distant date, at a period when
science had attained great .gree of per-
lection, and from country in which il flou-
rished; many individuals possessing a
property and rank, which suppose libe
raj education were among the fest settlers,
and perhaps there would be no vanity in
asserting that the first establishment of
Louisiana, might vie with thar of any other
IN America forthe responsibility and inlor
nation ofthose who composed il; their de-
scendants now respectfully call for the evi.
dence which proves that they have degene-
ratedso aslobecome totally incompe ent to
the task Of legislation for our love OF or
der and submission TO The laws we can
confidently appeal 10 the whole history OF
our settlement, and particularly to what
has lately passed. IN these dangerous
moments when it was uncertain al what
point OUR political vibrations would stop;
when national ptcjudicc, personal interest,
factious views and ambitious designs
might be supposed to- combine for the in
terruplon OF our repose whenin frequent
changes to which we have been subject
the authority Of one nation was weakened,
before the other had established its power.
In those moments of crisis and danger, nc
insurrection disturbed, no riot disgraced
us, tie voice ofseditioh was silent and be
fore magistrate was appointed, good mo
rails served intead of laws, and love Of
order. instead ofciviI power: tits then as
unjust to tax us with turbulence as it is de
grading toreproach US wiki ignorance and
vice.
But let us ADMIT tina, by some train Of
reasoning to which we are strangers by
some incomprehensible fatalitv we are Gu,
off from our national rights, and form AN
unfortunate exception 10 those general
principles on which your reyollnon and
government are founded that there is no
clause for US in the great character of ma
lure, and that we must isSk for our free
dom to another source; yet we are not
without a claim-one arising from solemn
stipulation, and according TO our ideas.
full. obligatory, and nnequivocaI.
The third article of the treaty, lately
concluded at Paris, declares that "the in.
habisants of the coded territory shall be
incorporated into the union ofthe. United
States, and admitted as soon rs possible,
according to the principles of The federal
constitution, TO the enjoyment of all the
rights, advantages and inmuniiics OF c.
tizens Of the United Stles. and in the
mean time thew shall be protected IN tie
enjoyment of their liberty, property, and
the exercise of the religion they profess.'
Your honorable body seems to have a
dop,ed construction of this article, which
would suspend its performance, until some
period fixed by The principles of the con-
stitution, and to have real The article thus ::
The inhabitants shall be incorporated into
the union, and admitted to the enjoyment
OF all the rights, etc. so eooH as the prin-
ciples Of the federal consti ltion will per.
NIT. We, on the contrary, contend, that
the words " according to the principles of
the federal constitutions" as they are pla
ced in the sentence, form no Limitation,
that they were intended as description
of the kind of rights we were to enjoy, or
at most relate TO the mode in which they
we're to be conferred, and that the article
contemplates no other delay to our recep-
ton, than will be required TO pass the ne
cessary laws, and ascertain the represen-
tation to which we are entitled.
The inhabitants of the coded territory,
are TO be Incorporated into the Union
of the U. States" These words can in
no sense be satisfied by the ael in questi-
on. a territory, governed in the name
the acl directs, may be province Of the
U. States, but can, by no construction, be
said to be- incorporated mo the Union.
To be Incorporated into the Union, must
mean to form part Of it; but to every
component part OF the Y. States, the con-
stituon has guaranteed republican form
OF government; and this as we have al
ready shewu, has no one principle nr re.
publicaDism in its composiiion.-It Is.
therefore, not compliance with the letter
of the treaty, and is totally Inconsistent
with its spirit, which certainly intends
some stpuations ia our favour. But IL
Congress may govern us a. they please,
what necessity was there for this clause :
or how are we benefited by its INTRODUCED.
on II any doubt however could possibly