The Arkansas advocate., 1835-01-09

nuraefieal strength, can but add, that no country has ever been settled by more eri- terprisialg, intelligent and industrious cltl- zens, ftsan those who have come and are daily coming 10 our shores. Nith such a population. Michigan will assume her sta- ton as a member of the Union, with char aeter which must entitle her to importance and respect.
 VT ssai,e we rejoice ss st change in enr situation, 1t wilrest with your prudence and discretion to determine what further means shall be adopted, 10 assert the rights of our citizens under the ordinance of July 13, 1787. By the provisions of that instru- ment, it is secured to Us as right, that whenever any of the States to be formed in inc territory ceded by Vrginato the United States, northwest of the river Ohio, shall have sixty thousand free inhabitants, " such State SHALL be admitted by its delegates into the Congress Of the United States, on an equal footing with the original States in all respects whatever; and SHALL be at lib- erty to form a permanent Constitution and State Government. By the census which you now receive, Michigan presents the population requisite under the ordinance, to eniitle her 10 admission into the Union as State IL Is left to the Legislative Coun- cil, representing her for the purpose, 10 de- tertnine whether she will claim her right, or again petition Congress to grant her pfiyi- | leges which already belong to Der.
 should be one of the last 10 disregard the councils of the general goyernment.- To the deliberations ind decisions of that enlightened body, the Congress of fhe Uni ted States, great weight and respect are due, and should always be given. But while l would yIeldgto them all that supre- macy and importance to which they are con stitutonally and justly entitled, feel that the rights of the people of Michigan de- mand equal consideration. The course we should pursue is plain. We have a right secured 10 Us, and is assertion can be con strned into ID disrespec. 10 Congress nor any disregard of the general government. We can but eVince. by our anxiety 10 be- come a member of, the Union, as an inde- pendent State, our devotion 10 those ines timabe institutions, which are secured to us by union of these United States.
 h turtherance, IS believe, of the wish es of the people of Michigan. l do, with difidence, but with a deep sense of the inl- porfance and propiety of the measure. re- commend to your consideration the expedi- ency of passing law, authorizing the eIec- ton of Delegates, to meet in Convention, 10 form a Constiiutotlfofthe State of Miehi- gan. would respectfully suggest, that the passage of such law, can in no manner interfere with the legislation of Congress at their coming session, if they determine to take the subject into their consideration. Should Congress feel wiling to admit Us into the Union at is approaching session, Ii will become cause of congraiulaiion, but il will not obviate the necessity of the passage of the law 1 now recommend. - Michigan can exercise 10 political power untT her seonstHuuon Is formed. The pas sage of an act calling a convention. wil supereede the necessity of your meeting for that special purpose after ihe deterinin- ation of Congress is known, while t will give greater tine for tie people to deibe- rate and act. Should Congress refuse al present, to coE3ider our claifn ftvora5ly. we can tAoil, ;t their subsequent session, claim OUT admission as right, provided the constitution ard government formed by Michigan shall be republican, and in con formity to the principles contained in the federal constitution, aad in the ordinance of l7s7. The enly discretion left for Con- gress 10 exercise, is 10 determine, that our constitution Is " Republrcan." In either view of the case, whether admitted into the Union by Congress at their next session, or compelled to dsHiaiid it hereafter. consid CT the passage of a law, such as is sug- gested, equally important.