Litchfield enquirer., 1829-12-17

1 commercial relations with Peru upon bet ter footing than that upon which they have l hitherto rested; and if met by proper dispO- 1 sitiOn on the part Of that Government. impor. tant benefits may be secured tO both cOun- 1 tries.
 Deeply interested as we are in the prosper ! ity 0f our sister republics, aud more particu. [ iarly in that of our immediate neighbours, it would be most gratifying to me. were per mitted to say that the treatment which we have received at their hands has been as uni versaIly friendly as the early and constant so- lictnde manifested by the United States for her success, gave us a right to expect. But it becomes my duty to inform you that pre- ludices, long indulged by a portion of the n- habtants of Mexico asaInst the Envoy Ex- 1 traOrdinary and Minister PlenipOteniiary of ! the United States, have had an unfortunate ] influence upon the affairs of the two countries, and have diminished that usefulness to his own which was justly tO he expected from his talents and zeal. To this cause in a great degree, is tO be imputed the failure of several measures equally interesting to both parties but particularly that of the Mexican Govern ment to ratify d Treaty negOciated and con l cluded in its own capital and under its own eye. Under these circumstances, it appear ed expedient t0 give to Mir. Poinsett the op- ton either to return or not, as, in his judg ment, the interest of his country might re- quire, and instructions to that end were pre- pared but, before they could be despatched, communication was received from the Gov crnment of Mexico, through its charge G'Af- fairs here, requesting the recall of our Minis. ter. This was promptly complied with; and Representative Ofa rank corresponding with that of the Mexican diplomatic Agent near the Government was appointed. Our con duct towards that Republic has been uniform ly of the most friendly character; and hay ing thus removed the only alIedged obstacle tO harmonious intercourse, cannot but hope that an advantageous change will occur in our affairs.
 In justice to Mr. Poinsett, it is proper to say, that my immediate compliance with the application for his recall, and the appointment Ofa successor, are not to be ascribed to any evidence that the imputation of an improper ! interference by him, in the local politics of l Mexico, was well founded; nor to want of confidence in his talents or integrity; ana to add, that the truth of that charge has never l been affirmed by the Federal Government of Mexico, in it's communications with this. IcOnsider it one of the most urgent of my duties to bring to your attention the proprie- | ty of amending that part of our constitution which relates to the election of President and Vice President. Our system of government and aS tGey * ee%AI s1RsE%sa
 mode ofremedying it's defects.
 To the people belongs the right of electing their Chief Magistrate it was never design 1 ed that their choice should. in any case, be defeated, either by the intervention Ot electO- ral colleges, or by the agency confided, under certain contingencies, tO the House of Rep resentatiyes. Experience proves, that. In pro- portion as agents to execute the will of the People are multiplied. there is danger oftheir wishes being frustrated. Some may be uu- faithful-all are liable to err. SD far, there fore, as the people can. with convenience, speak, it is saler for them to express their own will.
 The number of aspirants to the residen cy, and the diversity of the interests which may influence their claims, leave little reason tU expect choice in the first instance; and, in that event, the election must devOlve on the House of Representatives, where, it is 0b- viOus, the will of the people may not be ai- ways ascertained, or, if ascertained, may not be regarded. From the mode of voting by
 States, the choice is to be made by twenty
 four votes. and it may often occur that one Oi these may be controlled by an individual rep
 resentative. HonOrs and offices are at the
 disposal Ofthe successful candidate. Repeat
 ed balotings may make it apparent that
 single individual holds the cast in his hand
 May he not be tempted to name his reward
 But even without corruption. suppOsing the pr0bity of the Representative to be proof d. gainst the powerful motives by which he may y be assaiIed, the will of the people is still con stantly liable to be misrepresented, One may err from ignorance of the wishes of his con stituents; another from conviction that it is his duty to be governed by his own judgment 1 of the fitness of the candidates: Finally, al though all were inAexibIy hon.st-aIi accu- l rately informed of the wishes of their con slitueDts-yet, under the presnt mode of elec- ton, minority may often elect the Presi- dent; and when this happens, it may req sOnabIy be expected that efforts will be made an the part of the majority to rectify this in- furious operation of their institutions. But although nc evil of this character should re- suit from such pervcrsion of the first priDci- pie of our system-that Lhe majority # tO gOU- ern-it must be very certain that President electrd by minority cannot enjoy the conf- dence necessary to the successful discharge of his duties.
 In this, as in all other matters of public concern. policy requires that as few iinpedi- ments as possible should exist to the free Ope- rations of the public will. Let us then en- deav0r so to anIend our system, that the of. | flee of chief magistrate may not be conferred upon any citizen but in pursuance 0f Tar