Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-02

by order OF the Legislature, and extensively cir
culated in the Newspapers of this and other
States. Seven Delegates were appoih'eu 10 re-
present this State in the Convention
AS soon as it was organized, MIR. otis dele
cate from Massachusetts, proposed, after SOME
PREDATORY remarks. that 1t should be recommend
ed to our several Legislatures, topresent petl-
ton to the Congress of the United States, pray
inc that thew would consent that the New Eng
| land States. or so many of them as should agree
together for that purpose, might unite in defend
| ing themselves against the public enemy;-that
so much of the National revenue as should be
collected in these States should be appropriated
to the expenses of that defence; that the amount
so appropriated should be credited to the United
States-and that the United States should agree
to pay whatever should be expended beyond that
amount. This proposal was approved by the
Convention. The same views had been stated
here before the meeting of the Delegates. BY the
Constitution of the United States, no such com
pact for mutual defence could be formed, without
the consent of Congress. BY thus augmenting
our immediate resources, and obtaining the ma
tiOnal guaranty that the expenses OF the war, to
be increased by the States thus uniting, should
he ultimately paid out Of the National Treasury,
it wassepposed that our creditas well as our pre-
sent petunary resources, would be enhanced.-
A debate was had in the convention as to certain
amendments TO the Constitution of the United
States, to be proposed for adoption by the State
Lesis latures. One was, that Congress should not
have power to declare without the concur
renee of two thirds of both Houses. cannot,
from recou ection detail the proposed amendments,
but they appear on the printed report OF the Con.
vention, of which have a copy at my Office,
which the prisoner may use on the trial, ii he
pleases. A Committee Of whom was one, was
appointed by the Convention to draw up that re-
port, to present to their respective Legislatures.
The proposal of Mr.. Otis as adopted with little
variation This report was Immediately printed
by order of the Convention, and was circulated
throughout the country.
Among other things, as may be seen by that
report it was recommended to the Legislatures
represented in the Convention, to adopt meas
ures to protect their citizens from such cOnscrip-
tons or impressments as were not authorised by
the Constitution of the United States. This reso-
luton originated from pro jeCt OF the then Sec
rotary of War, which believe was not adopted
by congress. The Secretary of the Convention
understand. was deposited by MIR. Cabot, the
President, in the office of the Secretary of the
State of Massachusetts, and copy transmitted
to Washington and lodged in the office OF the
Secretary of State OF the United States. was
afterwards published in certain newspapers. |
saw it in the American Mercury, newspaper
published at Hartford, by Mr.. BabCOck. The LIE.
gslaturcs of Massachusetts and Connecticut,
pursuant to the recommendation of the Conven-
ton, sent a delegation to Washington to present
their respective petitions to the Congress of the
United States The gentlemen sent from CoD-
necticut were MIR. Terry. Mr.. Goddard, and
think, Mr.. Dwight. On their arrival, the
Treaty of Peace, concluded at Client, reached the
National Government, and further measures be-
came unnecessary.
This is an outline Of the origin and proceedings
of the Hartford Convention. There was not, &C
cording to my best recollection, single motion,
resolution OF subject of debate, but what appears
In the printed journal or report. If any further
particulars are requested, will state them.
Question by the Prisoner.-Was it not an
object Of the Convention to embarrass and para
I'VE the Government of the United States in the
prosecution of the war with Great Britain?
.4nsWer.-It was not. Nothing Of the kind
was done or intended by the Convention, or, so
far as | know or believe, by those by whom it
was originated. On the contrary, its principal
object was more efectua cooperation in that
war, as to the defence Of the New Engla
States.
Question by the Prisoner.-Has not that Con-
venton been generally reputed in the United
States to be reasonable?
.5nsuer.-Much has been said and published
to that effect but without the least foundation.
l believe know their proceedings perfectly; and
that every measure done or proposed, has been
published to the world. No one act has ever
been pointed out, to my knowledge. as inconsis-
tent with their obligations to the United States,
nor was any such act ever contemplated by them.
| -szse9e4as
| From the NeW- York Mercantile .4rertiser.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT.
So great has become the extent of our city, and
so accustomed are we TO look upon the changes
which occur by opening streets, and the erection
of new and spacious edfces on the sites of old and
inferior buildings. that many OF our citizens are
perhaps unaware of the numerous alterations which
every season produces in the appearance and con-
veniences Of portions of our city. We have beea
led to these remarks by having recently observed
an Improvement which is now in progress in what