Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-02-06

pendent province may be held ia ubedi-
encc to its sovereign stale. Force and NJ
lfeclion. The FIRST Of these is not ouiy re-
pugnant to oil our principles and institu-
tons of government, but it could no; be
more odious to those On whom 1t n'gh'
operate, than it would be hostile TO ihs
best interests, as we'll IS the usarcs, pse-
|: ltlileeliops, of these by whom, ~ th's IA
stance. Il would have to be exercised
The United States ate not the properly OF
an hereditary tlespot, or the rich PRIZE OF
a military adventurer, whose fayoriteS and
followers may bstlen on the spoil OF plum
! dercd provinces, won by the blood and
! treasure of their exhausted subjects, but
thsy form the psirimony of free and en-.
I ightened people, who control, whilst they
constitute. the only fund, from which the
power is composed. can be drawn. 1t
can never be the interest, therefore, Of the
people of the United States 10 subje9
themselves to the burthens, and their H.
berries to the dangers OF vast military
force, FOR the subiugation of Others. The
only alternative, then, which presents it.
self, is believed to be not more conseniai
to the feelings, than to The best Interests
of the union. So long as their authority
Pervades the territory of Louisiana, SO
| long rs their laws are rrxps Sted aud obey
ed therein, your committee are al a loss 10
conceive how the United Sat are murc
Interested in the internal governments Of
that territory than Of any state in the con-
iederacy. By permitting her .habitaa's
to form their own regulations, the voice
OF discomfort would be hushed--la etion
litit exist d sarrned, and the people bound
to us by the strong ties Of gratitude and
; interest. The spirit Of disafIection, should
It be excited at any future period, by am
bilious and unprincipied men, would be il,
direel hostility to the Obvious interest oi
the people of Louisiana, whilst tho ability
OF the union to repress it would remain
unimpaircd.
In considering this subiee, The com
nii,tce have not been inatteniiye 10 those
forms of provincial government, VIII CHI
have, heretofore, obtained in the remote
territories of,he United States. But they
have Found nothing in them WORTHY of
imitation. The second grade, as il is
termed, is, of the two, less liable to obec
ton, but there are many Of its features
which they are unable 10 recommen1.--
Their p3Ject is to give to l.ouiaiana so.
vernment of its own choice, administered
by officers of its own sppoin,ment. III
recommending the extension of this pri-
vilege TO the people OF that country, il is
not the intention of the comm tiee tina, il
should be unaccompanied by wise sna sa
lu;ary restrictions. Among them H,ay he
numbered prohihi.ion Of the importation
ottnreign s.;.-cs ia measure equally dc
tated by humanity and policy, restrictions.
agsinss the establishment of any form of
government, otbss than Representative
republic against violations OF the liberty
OF conscience. the freedom Of the press,
and the trial by jory against the taxation
cfthe lands ofthc United Slatea to VIII ch
may be added foe further securityl tina,
such OF the laws. as may be disapproved
by congress-, within limited time, after
rhcir passage, shall be of no force and eff
feet. These. however, are objects which
may be embraced in any bill which the
w'sdem OF the legislature may see fit 10
pass upon tic subject. They viii be pro-
! per subjects of consideration, after tie de
termination Of the principal question, the
extension OF sell government 90 The peo-
PIE oil Louisiana. Your committee thcre.
fore submit the following resolution.
Resolved, That provision oogM 20 he
made. by law, fore x ending to the irha
btanis OF Louisiana the right oil self GO
yernfnent.