Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-06-22
From ths FSttslaas Journal !
frS Ss- - -izs5
Letters upon French Intluehee.
No VIZ.
lNlosVI.
r. sse Rs.ek q Tie United Saatts.

= Hts ~ eclSssss ~, rttAS SSt'''S%sE
AishooEh the writer of these letters has
.saeorne 20 the ronelusion, in his own sn'nd,
aAhas ne is'Sndsr no obligation to keep rom
weaaed, other the secret documents upon
which Congress have acted, or the secret
debates Ofthat body, yet various consider
..ssioas seen, 10 require previously to en-
/" tsring the development which must
resuIt FROM such a. determination, tha, certain
collections to thiScourse of conduct should
SSbe met and resisted.
Each membsr ofaCongrsss, as solemn
3ntrodusuon tosthe, solemn duties Of his
high station, Is obliged 70 take an cath TO
support the Cons.itutioG ofshe y. States,
IN addition, therefore. TO those powerful
nnegiyes 10 duty which are ever operative
upon. an. honorable mind, in every sceae.
sand situation of life, the man who is called
NV the people to perfSsm q parrot the great
s4ask oflegisIation, must commence his work
/ aby railing God TO witness, that he viii at
MI sireas snpPurs the constitution from
~ svsiwse hia Us IN EsSss sssi.
.sTit, and an fts' pHress X SiIt 6S saISs thar
salshough the letter of this constitution only
SaGthorises, Congress to Keep secret portion
.oftheir |" journals" yet the fair ct'nsrue-
: tion is that their documents and debates
should also remain undivulged. This must,
be mere mater of opinion One viii think
StEe spirit Of the constitution is one thing
! sanother that il is something else. To the
. swri.er it appears that the spirit Oft con-
q silIti0n is publicity. aud that the power to.
keep even tht journal secret, is an anomaly
IN the system. With him THE important
consideration derives neWsforce from the
reflection, that the secret proceedings TO
which he Is Inclined 70 direct hiS6rst atteu.
zion, respected the exercise Of powers peeu-.
iiarly belonging 10 the house of representa-
tives, as the guardians of the public trea,
sure. Could it ever have been rontemplat.
ed 6y the people, during the formation of
ths constitution, that LAWS should be pass.
ed with closed doors, laws, too, which
.yheSid impose heavy contributions on the
pubic purse! Laws (which should drain.
-She treasury for cbiesa which no mortal
;.couid have had in view, At iheiine of the.
pOrsanizasioa. ofethe governmen.! Laws
brslsuIatrd 10 abandon the high character Of
hhs nation, as al depend republic, and
80 eepyertths peoples aot only againas their.
viii, bat wits1out. thsir sknowledge. into
7hpmbss sapplisants Tor favor and nstey at
she fsss OF : foreign pOwrf3 :, ~. 4
Could sach.thingsbc,
~ And overcome US like summer eIoad,
Without cur special FondeEt
4 Il impossible that such can be the spi.
yisof our excellent frame of government
1sjS spirit Of rational Limitation, not aspi.
rie of;aas6pise exssnsiOn. Isis spirit Of
! Ttpebliea6 honor, not . spirit ofnasioaal,
dsgrsaation, 81
Again, i WI Be. said, ina. Although the
sieuer sc this part % the consi.usion nlsy'
;;assiEy she course which Is new pursued.
yss she letter of another part Of thar ins,ru4I
aaens i ssnslasivs % The contrary Eash