Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-05-05
For TIE ENOyTJRs ,p

FOR TIE INQUIRER.
MEssRs. EDIroRs--Your criticisms upon the
sentiments of the " Baltimore Federal Gazette -
published in the Enquirer OF the 25,h inst, so ex-
ac'ly correspond with the good old Wing doctrine.
OF the days that gone that cannot refrain
requesting you TO publish the following extracts of
a letter from Samuel Adams, to Richard Henry
Lee.
Boston, .Apr122 1850.
.nY Dear Sir" The powers vested in govern
meat by the people, the only just source of such
power, ought to be critically defined. and well
understood leas, by niisconstruc,ion of anligu-
Gus expressions, and by interested judges too more
power might be assumed by tie government, than
the people intended they should nossess.
Fe'c men are contented with less power than then
hare right to exercise: the ambition of the hu-
man heart grasps at more: this IS erinced BIZ the
erpeTience Of all ogeS.-Adieu, my dear sir,
SAMUEL ADAMS.
DosToH, .iGg,,t 2iih 1889
From Samuel Adams, Richard Her,y Lee
lou Halter NE very much when you tell me-
mat any sentiment OF mine can please YOU have
always oeen apprehensve, that through the weak
ness OF the human mind, often discovered in In.
toiSeSt and best of men, or The r,r,eyse,,ess f ,l
interested and designing, in as well as o,t of
government, demonstrations would be given TO
the federal constitution, which would ,iisopDoiat
the views and expectations of the honest among
those who acceded to it, and hazard the liberty
independence and happiness of the people. was
particularly afraid, that unless great c0re shouId
oe taken to prevent II, the constitution in tie adj
ninls'raiIon OF 1t, would graduaiiy, but swiftly.
and imperceptiblys run into consolidated On,
vernmeni, pervdding and Iegisiafing Hyoug5 All
he states, not for federal purposes ONLY. as Il D,o
teSSes, but in all cases whatsoever such on
vernment tcoufd soon aIlnihilafe the sorereignty
OF Inc several states, so necessary 10 the support
oil The coniederated commonwealth, and sink both
In deSPotism -Shoulda strong federaLst. as some
call themselves, what has now tron, from, ,,v
pen, he would say that ! am an an.i-fed. an
dh'e''"nent-monger: those are truly vulgar terms,
invented and used by some, for the mean purpose
OF deceirinS and entrapping Others, whom thev
Call vulgar; mean, my friend, TO let YOU know
how deeply am impressed with sense of The
importance OF amendments, tina, the good peonIe
ma" clearly see the distinction for there il n dis
uncton between the federal powers rested in
congress, and the sovereign authority belong;uo
TO the several states, which is the palladium of the
private and personal rights of the citizens will
at present, only express my as enlistment at the
strange and absurd opinion of our former re3uJH-
can Connecticut friend -tempora mutantur, ct hic
mutaiur In Ills. Your friend,
SAMUEL ADAMS.
amuse myself with sometimes looking back a,
'.'1 "eh ana principles OF the good cd revolu-
'ionary day: amuse myself dbl say? do indeed
sometimes look at those trying times, but these
reviews, In some points, bring the most unpleasant
reflections when see doctrines noio current,
and in practice. GRAYSON.
Unfortunate Cumberland Road! where will Won
stopf-" one precedent in favor of power. is
stronger than an hundred against it's So saws
Jeferson-C' estque lie premier pas qu coute ~
so tells US the consistent, honest stateman, Jack
Randolph.