The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-06-04

when this is gone, we will .aketo the bow and
arrow
The Madison Papers-ltis with pleasure
that we enabled 10 announce TO our readers
the forthcoming publication of this invaluable
work. A complete and accurate record of the
Debate of the Convention which framed our
Constitution, WINS kept by Mr. Madison, who
was himself member ofthat Convention, and
whose desire 20 perpetuate its doings, induced
him to undertake the task for which he was so
eminen!ly fitted 'In pursuance of this task,
Mr. Madison says, Il chose n seat in front of he
chair, with the other members my right and
left hands. In this favorable position for hear
ing all that passed, ! noted in terms legbe, aud
in authorizations and marks Ineligible TO myself
what was read from the chair, or spoken by The
memb ers ana was enabled to write out my
daily notes during the session within a few
finishing days after its close, in the extent and
forms preserving in my own hand, on my own
files He also says 1T happened that ! was
not absent single day, nor more than u cas-
nal fraction of an hour in any day, so that
could not have lost single speech, except u
very short one. The accuracy Of the Reports;
therefore cannot be doubted, coming as they do
from such source Sgmade under such favorable
circumstances. The paucity and meagre char
ncter of the materials which possess bearing
on the history of the Constitution, will give ad-
ditonal value to the richness of these newly
discovered treasures. The imperfect Journal OF
the Convention, which by order of the body
was transferred to the keeping of its President,
General Washington, and filed among his
papers in the Department of State, was publish
ed nv order of Congress in 1919; and even in this
case we are indebted to the provdent industry
of Madison for the correctness and additions
which were necessary to make even this official
record of their proceedings Ineligible.
The feeling is every day deepened and strength
encd throughout the land, that TO the political
advantages secured 20 them by our glorious
Constitution, the people Of this country are mann
ly indebted for the unexanple;. prosperity Wnich
has been the portion of the u. States; ana that
with It's invioabie maintenance that onward
destiny is inscparabiy linked, gives v';ine' All
most sacred, to every authentic document cn.cu'
lated to throw light upon the history OF the Con-
sttution, aud OH the opinions and motives which
nctuated its trainers in pcrfcctIng what, with all
its faults, must be pronounced The most perfect
political code the world has ever seen. Hence
ihe importance that must attach to the publica
sion OF the work, which the public are now so
soon to ne favored with.
The work consists oftwo distinct parts. The
first contains the only records known to exist
of Debates in the Congress of the Confederation;
and as these debates are merely fragments of
those which occurred during the years 1882 and
1857. the interval has been filled mp with nuiner
Gus letters and extracts of letters descriptive of
passing events which were written by Mr. Mad
ison in official capacity to various distinguished
friends W hich will be considered as valuable
cessions Our materials or the history of the
period. The second contains the more impor-
tant and more perfect Report of the Debates
of the Conventon--.N y. Star.