Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-11-21

to some national tribunals In all cases, TO
which foreigners or inhabitants OF other states
may be parties. The admiralty jurisdic tons
10 fall entirely within the purview OF the ma
tional government.
The national supremacy in the executive
Departments is liable to some difficulty, unless
the officers administering them could be made
appointable by the supreme government. The
militia ought entirely TO be placed in some
form or other, under the authority which is
interested with The general protection and de-
fence
A government composed Of such extensive
powers should be well organized and balanced
The legislative department NIGH be diyld-
ed into two branches, one Of them chosen eve
ry-years by the people at large, or by the
legislatures; the other to consist Of fewer mem.
bers, to mold their places for longer term,
and 10 60 out in such rotation as always to
leave in Office large majority of old mem
bers.
Perhaps the negative on the laws might be
most conveniently exercised by this branch.
AS further check, council of revision,
including the great ministerial officers might
be superaddcd.
a national executive must also be provided
He has scarcely ventured as We: to form his
own opinion, either of the manner in which 1t
ought 10 be constituted ,or Of the authorities
with which it ought 10 be clothed.
An article should be inserted expressly
guar antying the tranquility Of the states a
gains. internal as well external dangers
In like manner, the right Of coercion should
be expressly declared. With the resources Of
commerce in hand, the national administration
might Away find means of exerting il either
by sea or land: bu, the difficulty and awkward
ness Of operating by force on The collective will
of a state render IL particularly desirable that
the necessity of i, might be precluded. Perhaps
the negative Of the laws might create such a
mutual dependence between the general and
particular authorities as 10 answer, or perhaps
some defined object Of taxation might be sub,
mitted along with commerce to the genersl au-
thority.
To give new system its proper validity
aud energy, ratification must be obtained from
the people, and not merely from The ordinary
authorities Of the legislatures. This will be the
more essential, as inroads on the existing con-
stlutionS Of he states will be unavoidable.
In connection with those opinions respecting
the prime piles of constitution, ii may not be
amiss to state some Of the chief features OF
HamIlton's plan Of government as presented
by him to the convention. He proposed
That the supreme legislative power OF the
United States Of America, should be vested IN
two distinct bodies Of men, the one 10 be called
the Assembly, the other the Senate.
That the Assembly should consist OF per-
sons elected by the people TO serve three
years.
That the Senate should consist Of persons
elected TO serve during good Behavior, their e.
lection 10 be made by electors chosen Tor that
purpose BY the people.
That the supreme executive authority Of the
United States should be vested in governor,
TO be elected 20 serve during good behavior;
his election to be made by eleotors, chosen by
the people in the election districts; and that he
should have a negative upon all laws about to
be passed, and the execution Of all laws passed.
That The senate should have the sole power
Of declaring war, anc the power Of advising
and approving all treaties.
That all laws Of particular states, contrary 10
the constitution or laws Of The United States,
should be utterly void; and the better to pre-
vent such laws being passed, the governor, as
president Of each state should be appointed by
government, and should have negative upon
the laws about to be passed in the state (which
he is governor or president.