Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-02-13
CongrsG Of the United States.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
W,nSr.0.y Tdnu0ry SO.
WEDNESDAY,, January so.

WIDkEsDAY, january So
Speech Of the Hon. Josiah quincy ." '"'
Influence Of Place and Patronage
The house being resolved into commit
tee of the whole on the state 81 tie un'on'
and MIR. Basset of Virginia bring IN the
chair. the following amendment to the
constitution of the u S. proposed by Mr..
Macon OF North Carolina, was under con-
siderstion.
Resolved, By the senate and house OF
representatives Of the United States OF A
r,.r;ca in congress assembled. two-thirds
of both houses coneurring. That the fol-
lowing section be submitted to the ieg'sla-
n-rrs of the several states, which when ra-
,;6ed by the legislatures of three fourths OF
,h- .ts,e.> shall be valid and binding as a
mar, of the constitution OF the United
States:
mo senator or representative shall be
.nnoint.d to any civil office, place or en-
nioynen., undsr the authority OF the y. ).
until The expiration Of the presidential term.
N WAtCN SNCn pCsS'u e""" ''eN~ $3.50 ~
senator or representative
Aic. QUINCY. of Massachusetts,. moved
the following proposition as an amend
ncut 70 be added 70 the preceding resolu-
non:
And no person., standing to any sena'
,or mr. representative in the relation OF = ta-
,hrr. brother or son, by blood or Marriage.
.hal be appointed to ANY civil Office uncer
,he United States, or shall receive any
o,,ee. agency, contract or emolument
from. or under any department. or officer
thereof
The question. being stated to the com.
u;.tee. Mr.. Quincy addressed the CHAIR
air. Chairman. The amendment to tbs
constitution proposed BY the gentleman
from North Carolina, is of the nature OF
remedy for an evil. The proposition which
I have the honor to submit. is similar 10
principle, but embraces wider sphere OF
ac,ion. and is offered a. a medieament Of
HIGHER power. His amendment has for its
object 70 purify the legislature Of that cor
runtion which springs from the hope OF OF,
Gee for ourselves. My proposition has for
IT'S. object to purify the legislature Of that
corruption which springs from the attain
nent of Office for our relations. And it
On. house viii take the trouble to anaize
a. respective natures of these two evils. it
v;ll fiad that the evil to which my PROPOSE
item refers, is higher in nature, and more
intense in degree, than that to which the a.
m.ndmeut Of tho gentleman from North
Carolina has reference. That IS to say,
,he present attainment Of Office for our re-
,ations, tor those near and dear to us, who
are nara of our blood, aud II our natures
be generous, parts of ourselves. is an a2pl-
cation 20 the principle of human action, as
much more strong aud allurins than the
distant hope OF Office for ourselves, as fru-
;,;ou is nearer approximation to bliss than
expectation or rs payment Ia hand Is bet.
ter than payment in promise.
I.h,ll offsra few considerations in sup.
mort of nv proposition, not only BY way OF
eIueidation to the house, but also for the
purpose Of attracting the attention of the
nublic 70 the subject. For l am we'll a.
w,re that let it be discussed when it will,
and under what administration it will, it
c.nnot fail IN this and the other branch of
the legislature to be bitter pill !; and un-
las. it have the aid Of external pressure, il
will sink in the passage.
I know the nature of the subject. and
an aware that it 10 very delicate and very
cr;,;cal. Why, SIR, it relates to nothing
lea. than our blood and our purses OBJ
i.ets Of al others the most squeamishly
sensitive, and the NEST jealous of other
peoples in.srferenee: 1t shall be my en-
a<.sous however to handle the topic with
:, much caution a. possible. And in order
70 avoid all appearance Of party or person
ality, shall speak concerning things past
and things future, without particular notes
efthiass present.