The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-01-26

the ". States into this Union Here the alb.
solute power OF admitting states into the u
plon Is given to the Congress. IF this mower
Is given TO the people of the ". States in
Congress assembled, by what fiat are the
people oil the vast purchase of Louisiana tn
be deprived OF their freedom! BY what law
OF nature are they to be held in political bon
dage and by what article in the CONSTITUTE
on are these people disfranchised envy
the spirit winch dictated this sentiment
OF CALLING chains. Ii was dictated by spi
1t OF hatred to France and Frenchmen.
ahd not by that spirit of Independence
which should be cherished by us ALL
8ut they are Frenchmen that is their
crime. They arc American citizens,
and they deserve the name.-I will
venture to say that there are as many lovers
OF England and English monarchy, as there
are lovers OF France and French despotism
IN the United States, and as many lovers
81 England IN as many square miles in the
United States as lovers of France in This ter
ritory.
Sir. attend to the happy effects of this mea
Sure as 1t respects the United States we get
tid of the trouble and expence of the terrific.
rial government we shall no longer be en-
barrassed 10y territorial pettioas and terrific
r'at regulations; VIC shall no longer hear of
circumstances against territorial governors
and officers; neither the cries of the Injured
nor the ciamsars of envy will assail US these
things will be managed by the state govern
snent. The effects OF this ueas.re upon the
people Of the territory will be still more here
Nciai and salutary, at 4 crisis so interesting
20 the American people. Every man has a
desire for freedom. BY dint of experience
man VIII become enlightened. BY the light
Ot ais own errors he will become wise and
good. The people of this territory have no,
only relish for independence, but they have
the Capacity of enjoying it. They have not
only heard the sound but they have in part.
enjoyed the substance. They have been some
time Legislative people. Their emancipa
tion from territorial government will have
most happy influence upon the morals. the
CHARACTER. and the intelligence of the people
Merii VIII soon be the test of promotion and
noble emulation will check an inordinate
passion for gain. The spirit of liberty will
soon animate every bosom and the mind
will see its own enlargement. Ii will increase
the physical force otthe nation, and will arm
the people with additional weapons Of self
preservation.
Thus, sir,f have underworld to prove that
no serious objection can be urged to the pas
sage or this bill, and that by its passage YOU
eXend the blessings of independence to
large and respectable territory without a
bridging the right OF others.
Mr. Quiney-Mr. Speaker. ! address
you, sir, with an anxiety and distress of mind,
with me, wholly unprecedented The friends
OF this bill seem to consider it as the exer~
else OF a common power as an, ordinary aft
far a mere municipal regulation which
they expect to see pass without other Ques-
tons than those concerning details But, sir,
the priRciple IF this bill materially affects
the liberties and rights of the whole people
of the u. States. 10 me it appears that il
would Justify revolution, in this country :;
u M hat
produce it. When see the zeal and perse
verance, with which this bill has been ure-
ed along its parliamentary path. when /
know the local interests and associated pro-
Jects, which combine to promote it's success
all opposition to it seems manifestly una
Vailing. L am almost tempted toleave, with
Out struggle, my country to its fate. But
sir while there is lite, there is hope. So
long as the fatal shaft has not vet sped if
heaven so will the bow N ay be hraken and
the vigor OF the misunderstanding arm
%ithered. Ii there be a man in this House
or nation, who che fishes the constitution, un-
der which we are assembled, as the chief
stay of his hope, as the light, which is des
tined to gladden. his own days, and to soften
e!o the gloom OF the grave, by the prospect
At sheds over his children, fall not behind
HIM IN such sentiments. ! will Weld to no
man, IN attachment to this constitution, in
generation for the sages who laid its founda :
tons, IN devotion to those principles. which
form its cement and constitute ito proporti-
ons What then must be my feelings; what
ought to be the feelings OF = man, cherishing
such sentiments, when he sees IN act contem-
plated which lays ruin at the root of all
these hopes When he sees a principle of
action about to be us1rped, before the ope-
ration of which, the bands of this CONSTITUTE =
Oil are no more than fax before the FIRE, Or
atubble before the whirwnd When this
bill passes. such an act is done and such
principle u,urped.
Mr.. Speaker. There is q great rule of
human conduct, which he who honestly OBJ
serves, connot err widely from the path of
his sought duty. IL is, to be very scrupulous
concerning the principles you select as the
test OF your rights and obligations to be
very faithful, In noticing the result of their
application; and to be very fearless in trac :
ingland exposing their immediate effects and
distant consequences. Under the sanction of
this rule of Conduct, am compelled to de-
r'arc r as my deliberate opinion, that, ffthis
bill Fas86S, tie bonds Of this union. are. z,ir-
%Hal'y diSsOtUed thai me 8fates (Which COM
Tc8e Hare free from their moral o6fPafioua
and that, as IL 1oW be the right oTaH, 80 IL
90H be the duty IF some, 10 hrejtare def1t-
nUsiy for Seharan0n amica6Gy if then
can, vtoientiy if they must.
MIR. Quincy was here called TO order bV
Mr.. Poindexter, delegate from the Missis.
sippi Territory, for the words in italic. AL.
ter it was decided upon appeal to the house