Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1805-02-08

part, IN the french language, u inc
manifest absurdity of the concluding
words of the ARTICLE, which would result
from an opposite Interpretation, should
fail to remove it. For. what necessity
could exist for provision securing to
the inhabitants Of Louisiana the tempo.
rary enjo, ment of certain minor privi-
leges, when their immediate admission
to all the rights Of American citizens was
one Of the conditions on which their
country was transferred to the United
States, by France Whether the words
as soon as possible, according to the
principles of the federal constitution"
be understood to refer to any change,
which, in conformity with its own prin-
ciples, might at some future period, be
made in that instrument; or, to that pros
vision Of the constitution which requires
the rule of naturalization to be uniform,
they are equally fatal to the claim, urged
by the memorialists, oftheir right to all
immediate participation Of those benefits,
which they cannot possess in their full
extent. until admitted to their enjoy
ment by the principles of the constitute
on, The imputation, therefore, ofwant
of good faith in the government of the
United States is not more unsupported
bv the language of the third article of
the treaty of Paris, than it is repugnant
to the uniform tenor of the American
character, from the commencement OF
the national existence.
But because the emorialists have ap-
preciated too highly the rights which
have been secured TO them by the treaty
of cession, the claims of the people Of
Louisiana, on the wisdom and Justice of
Congress, ought not in the opinion of
your committed to be, thereby, Preju-
diced. Relying on the good sense of
that people to point out to them, that the
United States cannot have incurred .
heavy debt ia order to obtain the terrific.
~ OF Louisiana merely with view 70
the exclusive, or especial benefit of its
inhabitants, your committee, at the same
time, earnestly recommend, that every
indulgence, not incompatible with the
interests Of the union, may be extended
to them. Only two modes present them
selves, whereby dependent province
may be held in obedience to its sovereign
state. Force and affection. The first
of these is not only repugnant to all cur
principles and institutioas ofgovernment,
but it could not be more odious to those
on whom it might operate, than itwould
be hostile to the best interests, a. we'll
as the dearest predictions, OF those by
whom in this instance, it would have to
be exercised. The United States are
not the property of an hereditary desPot,
or the rich prize of military adventurer,
whose favortes and followers may batten
on the spoil of plundered provinces, won
by the blood and treasure of their ex.
hausted subjects, but they form the pat
rimony of free and enlightened people,
who control, whilst they constitute, the
only fund, from which the men and the,
money, of which military power is COM
posed, can be drawn. 1t can never be
the interest, therefore, Of The people Of
the United States to subject themselves
to the burthens, and their liberties to
the dangers, of vast military force, for
the subjugation of others. The only al
tentative, then, which presents itself, is
believed to be not more congenial to the
feelings, than to the best interests OF the
union. So long as their authority per-
vades the territory Of Louisiana, so long
as their laws are respected and obeyed
therein, your committee are at a loss to
conceive how the United States are more
interested in the internal government Of
that territory than of any state in the con-
federacy.~ Bypermit,ing her inhabitants
to form their own regulations, the voice
Of discomfort would be hushed.-faction-
(if it EXIST disarmed. and the people
bound to US by the strong ties OF graei-
tude and interest. The spirit OF disaf-
fiction, shoaldit be excited at any fu-
u,rt nrriod, hv ambitious and unprinci.