Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-08

1t at length became law, and before this
petition can be presented viii lake effect
IN our country.
Disavowing any language but that OF
respectful remonstrance distlaiuing any
other but that which be6is manly asser-
ton of our rights, we pray leave TO exa-
mine the law " ere6lng Louisiana into two
territories, and providing for the tempo
rary government thereof" to compare
It's provisions with our rights, and its
whole scope with the letter and spirit of
the treaty which binds US to the United
States.
The first section ereGts the country
south of the SD degree, into territory
OF the United States, by the name of the
Territory Of Orleans.
The second gives US Governor ap.
pointed for three years by the President of
the United States, the fourth vests in him
and In council also chosen by the Presi
dent, all Legislative power subject to the
revision OF Congress--Specially guarding
against any Interference with public pro-
perry either by taxation or sale. And The
fifth establishes judiciary to consist of a
Supreme Court having exclusive criminal
and original jurisdiction Soihol4t 4theal, for
all causes above the value of 100 dollars;
and such inferior courts as the Legislature
OF the territory may eetabli sh the Judg-
es of the superior court are appointed by
the President to continue in office fur
years. This is the summary Of our Con-
sutution. This is the accomplishment Of
treaty engagement TO " incorporate us
into the Union, and admit US 10 all the
lights, advantages and immunities of A
merican citizens" And thus is the pro.
mise performed which was made by our
hrst magistrate in your name, that you
would "receive US as brothers, and hasten
10 extend to us a participation in those
Invaluable rights, which had formed the
basis OF YOUR unexampled prosperity"
Ignorant as we have been represented Of
our natural uehfs shall We be called on TO
shew that this government is inconsistent
with every pruciple Of civil liberty.
! UnIniormed as we are supposed 10 be Of
our acquired rtsht8, is It necessary FIR us
| to demonstrate that this ACT does not g. in-
| corJ'ordfe us ir fhe union," that il vests us
with none the" rights" gives US no I" adj
UdrfaScs," and deprives us of all the g iD,-
m'th'fieS," of American citizens.
| 1t this should be required we think neis
! Their task viii be difficult.
| On the FIRST point we need only appeal 10
4! your declaration of independence, To- your
constitution, to your different state GO
vernments, TO the writings of your revo.
! lGtlonary patriots, and statesmen, TO your
own professions, and public acts, and fl
naIiy Legislators, 10 your own hearts, on
which the love of civil liberty and its prin-
/ cIples are we trust too deeply engraved to
be ever totally efaced.
A Governor is To- be placed over us,
whom we have not chosen, whom we do
not even know, who may be ignorant OF
our language, uniformed of our institu-
tons, and who may have no connections
with our country, nor interest in its wei
fare.
This governor is vested with all execu-
tive AID almost unlimited Legislative pow
or, tor the law declares that g by and with
the aGO'ee and cotSenfof the Legislative 10
dy, he may change, modify, and repeal the
laws" sc. but this advice and consent viii
no doubt III all cases be easily procured
IRON the majority OF council, selected By
the President or Governor, and dependent
4 on him for their appointment and continu-
ance IN Office or If they should prove re-
tractory, the power Of Propagation frees
him from any troublesome interference,
until a more prudent selection at the end
9 OF the year, shall give him a council better
suited TO his views; the true legislative
power then is vested IN the governor
lone, the council operates as a cloak to
conceal the extent OF his authority, 10
screen him from the odium of all unpopu-
( lar acts-to avoid all responsibility, and
give US the faint resemblance of a repre-
sentative assembly, with so few OF its dis
tingulshing features, that unless the name
were inscribed on TIE picture, it would be
| difficult to discover the oble6 Tor which i,
/ was intended.
Taxation without representation, an OBJ.
legation to obey laws, without any voice in
their formation, the undue influence of the
executive upon legislative procs edirgs,and
a dependent judiciary, formed, we believe,
very prominent articles in thu list OF grew
ances complained Of by the United STATES
at the commencement of their glorious
contest for freedom th. of,poeitiop tn