Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-17
roR THE GAZETTE.

a writer IN the National fnteillgehCer Vi
Monday last, under the signature OF ci-
tizen," has given US pr0et for the better
government oil the District of Columbia
This is only one, of great variety OF pians'
with walcn conversation with the inha-
bitants, makes us acquainted, since Con-
gress has manifested some degree OF reiuc-
lance 10 engage itself in serious delloeratien
upon our Immediate concerns, ndshowh an
inclination 10 enquire ,ihto the cost OF 60
yerning this little territory.
hope shall not be supposed engaged IN
TIE performance of work entirely supereFo-
gatory, in making some reflections upon the
subject though confess without any very
sangune hope OF influencing those, whose
proyince i, is, to act upon the subject 10
which they relate :-Foii does not require
moments thought tolbe perfectly conVihc-
ed of the entire fallacy OF the hope which re-
lies upon the power of qualified slavery ana
infant weakness such as ours, to influence the
resolutions of persons not bound by the ties
which intimacy creates, and who are en-
tirely free from the restraint OF political re-
sponsibiity.
1t is admitted on all hands, that the ex-
pense Of government by SO large body as
Congress, is great, and must necessarily IN
crease with the multiplying necessities ana
population of the District
Ii is universally believed that the establish
ment of territorial government (on this side
o, the river at least would be attended by
expences infinitely too large TO be borne
with cheerfulness by the inhabitants OF so
small a country. And from our commercial
situation ana pursuits, would not be accom-
panied with such advantages as would rem
der those who are the most enanoured OF
freedom, willing to incur the unrs asonable
pecuniary burden.
A territorial government, If established,
would give us no representative IN Congress
or in any way letus into our proper nulnen-
cal influence upon the national determina-
tions. Ii ii permitted SO much freedom as
70 inspire us with love of liberty and the
glory arising from lit would only give
US the pleasures of Tantalus 1t would not
change the dull current OF our souls into
stream either constant or rapid, but at most
it would only impart the easy motion winch
prevents the examination OF the spirit and
sense of freedom. The projet of retroceding
a portion of Washington and the whole OF
Alexandra county 10 the states from which
Congress derived It's exclusive sovereignty,
is certainly liable to but one third Of the OBJ
jsctions which lie against the retention of
the whole in its present state. In that case,
Congress would be relieved from two-thirds
oil the labor it NOW bestons upon the con-
Germs of the District, ana they who would
be deprived otthe blessings and privileges
of self government, wouid be, in some de-
gree. compensated by the millions OF public
money expended among them, and the
splendor OF the public Institutions and build
ings, which serve at least as so many orna-
ments of their residence.
But what | conceive would in every way
most promote the welfare Of the nation at
large, and the people of this particular sec
ton, would be ;1e entire retrocession of the
exclusive sovereignty to those states from
which it was originally derived : and the
justice and ProprietY OF this measure wor'd
not, it seems TO me, be for moment cues
toned, tive could view this subject, apart
from the wisdom we attribute to, and the
generation with which we regard whatever
was originated by the illustrious trainers Of
our wise and happy constitution. II Con-
gress have the power to ALLEVIATE other pro-
perry OF the nation (and il will not be doubt.
ed) for the good Of the whole upon what
principle can they be prevented from dis
posing of this property fos the purpose of
producing national benefit
The permahency of tbs seat of the general
government does nct necessarily imply inn
mutability in the dominion il may exercise
over particular space or territory. But it
IS said, 1t Congress had the power to re-
troeede The District. (and | believe it will
be doubted by no one ;after examinations IT
would be exceedingly unwise, and highly
insxpedieDt because IL the seat Of the ma
Siional government was not subjected to the
exclusive Legislation CT Congress, that body