Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-06-30


our really great men, and Of the fret order OF great
ness The history of the preamble TO the latter is
as follows: L was then at Philadelphis with Con-
gress, and knowing that the Convention of Virgil
MIA was engaged in forming plan of government,
turned my mind 10 the same subject and drew a
sketch or outline Of Constitution, with pream-
ble which sent to Mr.. Pendleton, President of
the convention, on the mere possibility that i,
might suggest something worth incor toration into
that before the Convention lie informed me az
ards, by letter, that he received it on the day
on which the Committee OF the Whole had report
ed 10 the House The plan they had agreed to; that
'cat had been so loug in hand, so disputed inch by
inch, and the subject of so much alteration and
debate, that they worried with the entions
1t had produced, and could not, from mere lassi
tude, have been in juced 10 open the instrument
again; but that being pleased with the preamble
70 mine, they adopted it in the house by way of
amendment 10 the report of the Committee; and
thus my preamble became tackled 10 the work of
george Mason. The Constitution, with the pre-
ambie, was passed on the 29lh OF June, and the
Committee OF Congress had only the day before
that reported to that body the draft of the decara-
hon OF independence. The fact is, that that pre-
amole Is PRIOR In composition TO the declar alton,
and both having the same object of juslifying our
separs with Great Britain they used necessa
riiy the same materials OF ustiicalion; and hence
their similiiude.'
In addition to these documents which remove all
doubt from this interesting subject, il may be pro-
per TO state another fact. There now remains
with one OF the descendants OF George Mason, his
original DRAFT OF the declaration rights in his
own hand writing, and at the bottom there Is the
following memorandum, also in his own hand
writing:
" ms declaration of rights was the first in A.
me'tcd; itreceived few alterations or additions in
The Virginia Convention (some Of them no, for the
oe'terl and teas afterwards closely initiated 6y
the other United States -
In justice TO 'he memory of this great and ven
erated man, IL affords Inc the most heartfelt plea
sure TO furnish these documents for publication -
lie was truly a statesman of the genuine republi-
can cast. Every sentiment he uttered whilst in
the onvention, which formed the federal constitu-
Hon, as well as In that OF the State which ratified
1t, demonstrates the truth of this remark "He
was most decided enemy to all constructive and
implied p0lcers." The sentiments he has left IN
MS sons In his last will, ought TO be engraved in
marble and placed within the walls OF every Can't
toll IN the United States, in order that thew piebt
be ever present to the mind OF every man 10 whom
the people have confded their public concerns
- recommend ii TO my from my own ex.
perience In lille, 10 prefer the happiness of indie
peadence and private station, 10 the troubles
and Yexatlon OF public business; but if either their
own incllnations, or the necessity of the times,
should engage them in public affairs, 1 charge
men, on Fathers blessing, never 10 let the
mouVes OF pirate interest, or ambition, induce
them TO betray, nor the terrors of poverty and dis
grace, or the fear of danger, or of death. deter
'hem from asserting the liberty of their country,
ana endeavouring TO transmit 10 their posterty those
sacred rights TO which themselves were born.
tiis declaration OF rights considering the time
ana circumstances IN which IL was written. will
justly place him high in the temple of fame, by
Tho Ifla Ne he
sue OF the immortal author OF the dneIar~,oi vi
Independence, where millions yet unborn will con-
template them with hearts OVERLOOKING with grail
iude, and tongues expressing the warmest benedic-
lions upon their names + n
1t has been our misfortune to differ on one oc-
casion with the Editor of the Charlottesville Ga
zette: On most other questions we have cordial
~ agreed with him. The following remarks are
from the Gazette OF the 24lh inst There Is no
Delphc Oracle in the spirit of these structures; no
equivocal language all is open, and unvaruished,
AMI blunt" fair and above board.'' There is
oisunctness and difectness in these remarks,
winch demand our unqualified approbation:
government Ike that OF the United States which ..
anus egilimae powers from the people who framed #
aud whose happiness and welfare was dtsgued to
soi greater Importance than the selection of persons
!" us 3BAs government be termed free or
POPULAR OF any Thing else, the written charter of lie
Iopout we must look to The principles its ags nt, TO Their
conduct their private motives If form cor
eel e'lInae of lis utility five seek in history for the can
se oil national prosperity RUM they may in almost
every instance, to the influence some one man who eh.
by the msSnanimiiy of patriot the ambition of vTant b,
'9aied the detine OF his country with impress Of hi
haAe'e Few men have everappeafeI ON the theatre of
the world, who had al both the energy Of mini and The
purity OF morals TO forget while they tbouybt onI
oil tht country The first great object of American Govern
mtn has been, TO creumserbe power oftho,e ebo1
hands thei administration oonded to subdue The eornn
passions OF rulers that the rights ofthe multitude ;gbt he T
cure ihtfe Is land always must be) every government in
eessant Struggle between the liberty Of the ,pie and the
PreIogative OF Object is impossible TO anr ii, ;,h
lifuif
the Two The growth OF power ~ sudden and suid
go l"e s1fo !. humility and meekness-iis progress l.
oe concealed until we feel the iron grasp of the fu grown
munster. We ought therefore, regard the deelra, of
wht we know that self least the Idol of every
man who processes TO his Country while he en. him
owe are induce TO make these ressc,;op, r. M ,h T.,
when our government beginning exhibit ofits own 1er
h andthe utter nnwohiness ofi agents. we have
n on more occasions than one, that Mr., Adams was J,nee
i"u man we have indulge the hope however that he would
De by the circumstance under which he came in
that discretion would prevail oune might fn
Ihese exnsie, accidental sources ltenper and wisdom which
never thought him calculated TO inspire The event mss
hi our hope was vain, and apprehension. hui Too
wen grounded We longer auEuf Of the trec nv ~
we must Judge by the fruit which IT has horne
IL = The pecuil attribute Of our goyrrnme, ht H. now
ets are defined and limited chatter OF its creation In
H, HsuPeriorto all other governments But il not here
- asi'n' encrolchment. lis spirit may be violated.
I powers abased by nsIdIou at6ce snd broad construction
whe their sancthy protects them against omen a,taL Th
sn' u ht people may be more efecualy diminished and
me Poser.o the government increased the subtev OF
Dy poin OF the sword. II
whether the policy Of government is nv The enn;n
oPI"maey 81 Wosey or the holder usupa;ion Crom
cIty ialeyraad o. Napoleon The patronage whirl,h-
goyernme" has secured 10 itself home aud the con-
oul over fseisn negotiations which derives from the con.
uou are engines dangerous TO the liberties Of the citizen
when controlled by asiue designing and eorrupf men
t impulse OF nature, to resist when resisan is essential ia
sen preservation aud housands nave yielded eductious
OF The purse, who would have bled under the bayonei
" II this secret, invisible influence which sustain, e7sure,
at must oherwie the author with ignomny Iis hi.
dominion Of the pocket which ame many proud spirits. and
sub CT sefvie majority 10 the arbitrary nod Of Their palfo
u this which nils all the between the people and
the government with crowds Of aleet hireing depenants
Hch sinl the very atmosphere which surround, our capital