Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1817-11-24

that the slave-hOldlrg STATES EOuiu WE"
their negroes to b. rep csented and they
in great measure succeeded. BIT Ii
is evident, that in this compromise be-
tween the small! and slave-ho!dius states,
Pennsylvania, New York, or hassacnu'
sets eairing nothing: in this Particular
they could hardly be said TO be parties to
the convention as they answered. to mel
Their of these description OF states. The
principle is certainly enormously Ii. equal
to almost every practical purpose !; 1t Pa'
ces $4,000 people on an equality wl,h a
million. 1t gives Louisiana, Mississippi
or Indiana. which a;e entitled to only
one representa- alive, the same voice ~ the
senate as New York. which has q, or
Pennsylvania, which sends %. The e'-
feet j., that it gives them veto on these
latter states, by balancing them; it mega
tives their proceedings in the lower house !;
They have the same Voice in all appoint
ments, and may therefore be considered
on nearly the same footing as it regards
power. We speak not of any essential
evils which have hitherto arisen from th s
part Of the constitution !; because it has
happened, that 10 serious conflict Of inter
est has yet arisen between the small and
sreatstates. Much less do we insinuate,
that they are not religiousIy bound, by
every consideration OF morality and po-
licy TO adhere 10 the terms of the con-
vention but we advert to the source of
alarm contained in this principle, should
the interests of TIE tea millions Of people
ever be controlled by the one tenth OF
that number, living at distance. Of dif-
ierent pursuits, manners and habits, and
situated on waters, that lead to other
climes. Perhaps, under the original or.
ganization of the government, there
would have been no ground OF apprehen.
sion but TIE inequality and evil effects
Of the principle increase in geOmetrical
proportion with the extention Of empire.
The states, nothwiphs landing the delegat-
ed power, to the general government, are
still free and Independent sovereignties.
New York, fer instance, which makes so
brilliant display on the map of the u
Mon extending from the great lakes to
the Misunderstanding on the st. Law
renee, and reposing on the bosom Of the
ocean, embracing an extent Of territory
equal to England, more fertile soil, a.
bounding in all the means Of agriculture,
commerce and manufactures this state
has all the attributes Of sovereignty a
legislature, judiciary and executive a
financial system, a numerous ard well
trained militia, arsenals--in short, she is
completely an imper:um in imperie,"
clothed with every species Of civil and
military authority.
She will shortly contain million and
a half Of people; and we have no hesita.
ton i.say;ng, that considering her local
situation, in and of herself, she is perfect
ly competent to repel the assault OF any
enemy that may attack her. Even 81.
Domingo deficd the colossal power of
Bonaparte when the sea was laid open to
him. New-York, during the last year,
paid into the United States treasury a.
bout ten millions Of dollars; ten dollars
TO a :oal--beSides supporting an eypen-
sive aud magnificent state government.
1t may be said, perhaps, that the peop'
do not pay the whole of this sum, but that
a considerable proportion Of It arises from
the inducemcnt and convenicnces which
the city ard hatbor afford as an enrepot.
But the same inducements would exist if
the states had ever remained SEPARATE
The merchant viii ever make his ship
ments to the port which is nest prohta-
bic or convenient. 1t is upon this prin-
ciple that Hamburgh, and naay other
cities in Europe, have arrived to such
wealth and splcndor. And it is inmate
rial to the people whether they paw q tax
to another government from mine with
in their dominion, or from the proLacts Of
labor; as it regards the two governments,
they are both private property. On The
other hand, it is evident that New-York
at this time enjoys no more advantages
from the trade OF New-0rleans than any
foreign power at peace with us. We have
been thus particular in the description,
that we may see, in stronger light, the
relative weight shich this state will bear
in the great council, Of the patton, now
about to convene, to one OF the newly
created states in the south west, with
population scarcely competent to send
one representative, and afiording but lit
tie revenue to government. Two impOr-
tant subjects may probably present them
selves to congress for its consideration
and decisiGn-the appropriation Of sum
Tor internal improvement, which Mr..
Madison, by his approval OF the Cumber.