Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-01-16

THE. mower of sending the militia Of the Unit.
ed States beyond their limits, results, we are
old. FROM the, sovereignty OF the nation rest
,np in the hands of tie general government.
And nv honorable friend from South Carolina
has indulped us with ade6nitionof sovereign
+. II is the right OF disposing Of the persons
and property Of the people" Sir, ldcny hat
under this definition of the tern sovereignty
if can with any correctness be applied TO the
General government. The frame and texture
ofthis government are different from those q
all other nations. The sovereignty rests, hers;
with the American people. If the doctrlhe
Of fhe popular political wrirers Of Great Bril-
tain be true, that even there, circumstances
NAV occur to an hcrise resumption OF sove-
Ireignty by the people, It IS stlll more clear
that in this happy country the people nave
never parted with it, but having mercy grant
| ed to their government certain restricted pow
| ers, the remaining portion stu rests with
themselves. The powers referred p are IL
mitted and restricted both with respect to their
ioperation upon the people and upoi the 60
! yernnents of the particular states AN the par
| ticularity OF the provisions OF the constitution
iimparting these powers as we'll as tie known
jealousy as to their extent, which existed at
the time of its adoption, clearly prove that the
convention never intended to bestog. by I'M
lplication upon the general government, pow
ers greater than those expressly given. In
reference to the enormous one suggested by
ithe gentleman from South Carolina, it is too
Imuch to suppose that that wise and patriotic
ibody intended covertly to give al Implied
power which, if openly done, would have ha-
zarded the adoption of their great work by the
several states of the union. Sir, can scarce
tlly think the federalists who exer,sd them
selves at that time of day IN; It's fayor,lwould
lhaye done so had they believed 1t to include
IN It's grant ofrowers' the dangerous one epn-
tended by the honorable member from SouAh-
Carolina. Do improperly term i danger
Gus power? Is il too strong term for pre-
rog tive supposed to be vested in the prc,-
dent, of sending the frcemen Of this country
!! (as it was correctly stated by my honorable
| friend from Connecticut on Saturday, not only
to the northern or southern limits of this con.
tinent-- but to any part oflhe immense regi-
ons Of Europe, Asia, or Africa.
from the nature of our government found
cd as it is in compact, AID restricted IN its ex-
rclse OF its power, both as regards the india
| pcndence and rights Of the state governments
and the liberties ofthe people, II be Gas con-
| tend it Isl ,ioiation of its principles to in
vest those who administer It's concerns with
powers not expressly granted or necessary to
Carry Into execution those that are. then it be-
comes us to examine the consultation itself 10
ascertain whether it contains any provision to
which q construction favorable to this doctrine
= n,>, II *, TX.
ualiy engaged the attention OF the convention,
IN wlicn they unquestionably deliberated and
cted, aid have given us the result of theil
celebrations, in terms clearly expressed in
he constitution itself, there is no room left for
Imposing an intention to grant implied pow
rs different in their nature and more,vast In
heir extent than those they have detailed. 1t
yould be preposterous and absurd, reflection
,oth ON their wisdom and patriotism to in
lulge such a supposition. do not, repeat,
now alutle to such powers 90 III conducting
the affairs of the government, may frequently
De required for executing those actually de-
tailed. the exercise Of which is expressly qu-
thorised by the clause in the constitution al
ready referred to.
The 9Th section Of the | 8, article OF the con-
StltutlOn COhtalnS lllc SiiuulSFdtcu powers OF
the general government. The following
clauses are those which relate to war and to
the employment of the several kinds Of force
placed IN its hands.
"Congress shall have power to declare war,
grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make
rules concerning captures OH land and water"
To raise and support armies but no ap.
preparation of money to that use shall be for
longer term than two years. ~
8. To provide and maintain navy
"To make rules for the government and re-
gulation OF the land and naval forces -
"To provide for calling forth me militia to
execute the laws ofthe anton, sah1tress insnr-
reetion and rehel inpasions :"
"ro provide for organizing, arming and
the militia, and for governing
l. CAl- L u .