Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-07-01

nexation of Louisiana, the projected reduc
tion OF Canada, and seizure of West Flor
ida ?
Had we not millions upon millions of acre:
OF uncu'tivated wilderness, scarcely explor,
ed by civilized mans
Could these acquisitions be held as con.
quered provinces, without powerful standing
armies! and would they not, like other i'm.
FAINT colonies, serve as perpetual drains, OF
the blood and easure of these VI. States
Or is 1T seriously intended, to adopt the dan
gerous project of forming them into new
States, and admitting them into the Union
without the express consent OF every mem
Der of the original cunfederacy Would not
such measure have direct tendency to
destroy the obligations of that eompacs by
which alone our union is maintained!
Already have we Witnessed the formation
and admission of one State. beyond the ter
ritorial limits of the United States, and this
too. IN opposition to the wishes aud efforts,
as well as III violation of the rights and int
rests, OF some of the parties to that compact
and the determination To continuc that
practice, and thereby, to extend our Repub-
lie, to regions hitherto unexplored, or peo
pied by inhabitants, whose habits, language,
religion and laws are rcpugnant to the gent
us OF our government. isopenly avowed.
Against Il practice, so hostile to the rights,
the interests, the safety of this State, and so
destructive to her political power; so sub
'ersive OF the spirit of the Constitution, and
the very principles upon which it is founded !;
your Remonstrants, in the name aud behalf
ut the commonwealth Of Massachusetts, feel
II their duty to enter their most deliberate
and solemn protest.
i
to he maintained, aud we most fervently
pray that 1t may, it can only be, by free
communication OF the grievances felt, and
the evils unprecedented, by any of its mem
pers; and by prompt ard liberal remedy
The same spirit of concession which dictated
the formation and adoption ofthe CONSTITUTE,
IN, should be kept i'll permanent and perpe-
dual exercise.
The blessings of government, its vigilance,
lts protection, its rewards should be equally
and impartially distributed, and it's burdens
a. equally, and fairly imposed. No portion
OF the unien ought to be sacrificed, to the 10
caiinterest, passions, or ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
others. 1t Cannot, however, be denied. that
causes have occurred, To disturb The balance
which, when adjusted. was intended to form
ne principal security OF our present Con
ssress, and we .ook to their wisdom, for ils
e!iicaciaus and speedy application.
The chief motive which Influenced the
Eastern states To a5l.I>h the old Contedera-
non, and to surrender greater share Of
thcI, own SOY creign power, as appears by
the recent history OF those times, was the
expectation, that their Commerce would
be better projected, by the national govern
ment.
The hardy people Of the North stood in
no need ot the aid of the South, to protect
tnem, il their liberties. For this, they C uid
safely rely, as they always had done, on
their own vaior. But it was an important
object with them, that every aid, facility x
encouragement shouldbe given to that com
nerce, upon which their property almost
ex lu lively depended.
To ensure this great object, very uue-
quail proportion of political power was con-
coded, to the Southern States. The repre-
sentat.on OF Slaves, was the price paid, by
the no hern States for the stipulated pro-
lection and encouragement OF their trade,
and tor an agreement OF the southern mem
bers OF the uulon, that the public burdens
should be apportioned, according to repre-
sentadon. Experience, however, has prov
ed, that although the cont, act, on our part
has been faithfully flu e led, both these con-
SiuSidIlOUS nave
indications of a spirit hos.ie to our COM
merce were early visible, among some of
those who now control the destinies of our
Republic. But the Father of his country
then presided in our Councils, and this spl-
rit was vanquished. Under the influence Of
the wise, and liberal, and magnanimous sys-
TEN. adopted and pursued, by his admini-
straton, commerce was indeed cherished
extended and protected; and the stipulati
ora Of the constitution were fulfilled, in since
rity and good faith.
Since that period however, the same spi
rit has arisen, and hes exhibited an unrelent
ing severity, in the exercise of its sway--un
til, at length, by series of restrictions, ut
terly destructive of the calculations Of thC
merchant--by prohibitions and double duties
by embargoes and non interesurSe--ant
lastly BY War, the poor remains of tina
Commerce which once covered the oceaI
with its sails, have been nearly aunihiiated
Nor has the other part of the considerati
on been better tul6led-raXation has ne
yer, except IN single instance, and TO tina
one hundredth part Of the revenue raisct
under the constitution, been apportioned
according TO representation ; and with wha
reluctance il was then submitted to by the
Southern States, and with what tardiuess il
was even PARTIALLY collected, public re
cords will determine.
OF the two hundred and fifteen millions o
dollars derived by the United States, under
| the operation of the Federal Government
| Massachusetts has paid upwards OF 40 MILL
| ons--an amount beyond all proportion 20 he
political weight in the Union
II therefore, the retenues, derived iron
chic (scr,, ~, syelth and maid into the mar
ooal treasury, had been preserved, in he
own, she would have been fully competen
TO her own defence, and would not have beer