American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1827-01-30
From the Golumtian Register.
HARTFORD CO 3VENTION,

Convention; and conformobly TO our annual custom,
tins week make few remarks relative to that
never to be forgotten Assembly. We agree that
on some accounts this task is rather unpleasant :
but we conscentiously believe that proper regard
Tor those republican principles which we have always
cherished. requires the performance at our hands.
We are also ready to admit that many ot the MEM
bers and promoters Of the Hartford Convention pos
sessed talents and integrity and other qualities which
rendered them useful and respectable ctIzeps and
We are willing that their friends should dwell on
their virtues much and az often as they please,
tor we do not undertake TO arragn any thing
than their conduct as connected with this political
project But this we have done, and still do, be-
cause NC have always believed that the Hartford
Convention was . party measure, and INTENDED to
sustain the waning Cause OF federalism; because it
was calculated n its results to be rpinous TO the
peace, unity. and prosperity OF our county and
because the fair fame Of Connecticut, our native
State, was sued by being the spot selected Tor The
Convention to assemble in.
In order therefore that the present generation (f
there are any whose minds are not made up) anc
posterty may be enabled to form correct Judgment
on this subject, We sgaia enumerate some OF the
reasons which led us q, the time, and which have
continued from that day to this to coDst ain US TO
censure this 6old and dangerous scheme. 1t had
long been fore'od BY the emssaries oil Grea' Britain,
that, on the happening Of certain e-en's. Conyen-
tion. like that which assembled at Hartford, would
be held. Those events happened, and the predicted
Convention was hcId-These same cmissaries fore
told that in should be declared against
Engla' d, there would be great opposition to that
war in New England. and Massachusetts would take
he lead in that opposition War was declared and
great opposition arose in the New Eng land States =;
aud the legislature of Massachusetts gave the tone
The ncghboiing States. The members and friends
Of the Convention were the ssders OF the federal
party, who not only opposed the then administration
ut The general government, but they we're strongly
suspected Of being friendly to the British govern
mvni These men had previousl. declared that the
Constitution Of The United States had tailed TO
cure the objects for which formed iney l,ied
to rmbafrass the ed inistraon by ext ring them
selves to transfer the management oil ,he
u the general government 10 the Stale govern ments;
they would not rejoice al he defeats oi the enemy.
nor would they rejoice a. he victories gained by
own army and navy They held the Convention in
secret. and With closed doors and al the time when
the enemy were com ting depredstIons at Ha.re-
de-Grace n.saul'ing Baltimore, pilaging and burn
ing Washington. ard preparing their expedition
against New Oleans; in short, al the very time when
the whole Atlantic coast was threatened with fire
and sword, and the whole northern frontier wa, an
noyed by the ravaees of the enemy and heir In
dian allies. The Convention ton, was held during
war which had been unayoldably declared For tbs
protection OF the lives and liberty Of portion Of our
cixens and for the protection of invaluable rights,
and vast amount of property .whi' war has been
emphaiically styled the second war ol Independence.
And a. every war, however just, necessariIy brings
with it great and distress. this crisis -ezed
by the ederass to regain the standing places, and
influence, which they losing, and force the
government to make a dishonorahle peace. Such
must have been the views Of the friends Of he Con-
venton, for let never be forgotten that the objects
Tor which it was held were mt OBJ all ed. nor have
they since its dissolution made any mpts OBJ
tain the IN but their objec's given over, and
the prospects OF these aspirants vanished soon
the news OF honorable peace reached our shores.
The effects produced by the Convention we he
encouragement Of the enemy, and the sggrava'lon
Of the distresses OF our own citizens. In conciu-
sion, we do not deny that our attention has been
the steadily turned to this subject fof the last
twelve years, because We have always viewed it as
one Of those occur'en' es in the course OF events,
which has worderiul.y tended to put up republic ans
and to pui down federasts and at this time oil day,
who will not admit that this is it should be. for it
seems to have been Of those strong instances in
which much good has come out OF great evil,
but thanks to be given to the friends of the
Convention for that ard all we ask is, that in view
oil the foregoing remarks, every reader should can
didy form such an opinion as III: whole facts and
circumstances warrant
Literary Bargain.- When Fielding had finished
his novel OF Tom Jones, being much distressed he
sold il to an obscure bookseller lor 25l. ON condcn
Of being paid certain given dsy. In the mean
time, he showed the manuscript 10 Thomson, the
Poet, who was Immediately struck Wi its great
merit, and advised Fielding by all means to get ree
from the bargain. which he did without much diff
Guilty, as the bookseller was not capable OF estimat-
ing the value OF his pu chase Thomson recon-
mended the work to Andrew Miller and the parties
met at 4 tavern over beef steak and bottle. Mill
Ter began with saying, Mr.. Fis.dng. always de-
rmine affairs Of this sort at once, and ever
change nv offer, | viii not give one fat thing