The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-07

REvoLuToNARY "REMINISCENCES GENERAL HA-
MLroN.-We have been handed the following curl
Gus speech, delivered by General A. Hamilton, in
the first Congress, on the admission of Vermont
into the Union -
NEW YoRK, March 20, I7S7.
sketch of Col Hamllton's speech on the bill for
recommending TO Congress 10 admit into the Union
the assumed State OF Vermont
After intlmating that he had attempted to intro
duce this bill, as matter OF course, Wednesday
last, but In compliance with the opinion OF the
House, had given previous notice OF his Intention he
goes on
This Formally having been thought requisite,
presume II will be expected that | should, pre-
senting the bill, accompany it with my reasons for
| doing so. Perhaps the sentiments entertain of
the present situation Of national affairs, may in
duce me to view the object Ut this bill more Sc
rious light than many gentlemen equally solicilous
for the public welfare. confess am in the habit
of considering the state of this country repleie
| with difficulties and surrounded with danger. The
anxiety feel on this head, has been my inducement
| to bring forward the present measure. l view with
| apprehension the present situation of Vermont, over
| which this State claims jurisdiction, and whose
| pretensons TO independence have never yet been
| formally recognised by this State, or the United
States. Notwithstanding, believe there is not a
member of this house but considers the lndepen-
matter fixed and inevitable All our efforts to
different point have hith. proved fuitless, and it
Is long since we seem 10 have entirely given up the
controversy Vemontis, in fact, indepen dent but she
sno' confederaed, and am constrained to add, that
the means which they employ to secure that inde-
pendence objects of the utmost alarm 10 the
safety OF this State, and to the confederation at
| large. Are they not wisely inviting and encou-
raging settlers by an exemption of taxes, and avail
lug themselves of the dlscOntents OF a neghboring
State, by turning them TO the aggrandizement Of
their own power Is 1t not natural to suppose that
powerful people, both by numbers and situation,
| unconnected as they now stand and without any
relative Importance in the Union, lrritatrd by ne
glect, or stimulated by revenge say, is not pro-
hahln
| for their own safety by seeking connection else
where? And who that hears me, doubts but that
| these connections have already been formed with
the British in Canada! We have the strongest evil
dence that negotiations have been carried on be-
| tween that government and the leaders OF the
people in Vermont. Whatever may be the
present temper. of that people, it is easy to
| foresee what it will become under the in.
| fuence of their leaders. Contederated with TO-
reign nation, we can be at no loss to anticipate the
consequences Of such connection, nor the dangers
| OF this country rom having powerful a body OF
people, increasing rapidly in numbers and strength,
associated with foreign power, and ready upon any
rupture, to throw their weight into opposite scale.
In their present situation, they bear part Of our
public burdens; if they were part OF the coincide
racy they must OF course participate IN them They
| are useless 10 as now, and If they continue as they
are, they will be formidable to us hereafter. ! have
observed before that the people there enjoy an sx-
| emptlon of taxes In these States, the taxes must
be considerable to fulfil the public engagements, TO
support the government. What temptation will a
l
to the inhabitants Of those States border
ing on Vermont. 1t is the policy of the Yer
monters to make proseytes 10 their government,
| and the means which they employ for that purpose,
are well calculated accomplish their design Are
they not daily encroaching our State? In every
light, it is our interest, if possible, TO put
| end to their present situation: l am aware
there u.s. in the minds of some members, objection
founded on suppos ton that, If we accede 10 the
| independence OF Vermont, we are bound to make
| compensation to the citizens who have claims here
under the grant of this Sate-l shall not say what
justice might dictate respect to those citizens but
shall observe, that, far that obligation is bind
state of things than to that which is intended to be
produced by the bill 1t is the duty of the State,
matters stand ether to support the claims of its
citizens by exertion OF the public forces,
| make compensation TO those who are sufferers by
| the neglect. Passivey acquiescing IN the indepen-
dence OF Vermont Is not less violation OF that pro-
| lection and security which the public owes to ind-
| vlduals, than formally acceding to 1t. Indeed, by
accedng to it, we put our citizens in better sua-
ton than that In which they are. We ut least
give them chance for asserting their rights The
bill makes il a condition Of the intended acknow-
| should become part of the confederacy. The
claims OF individuals may then be submitted for
decision to a federal court, and far as our citi-
gems have equitable claims, it may be expected they
would prevail in such court.
| At any rate, we shall not be under stronger OBJ
| legation in this respect than now are, and we
may avoid many and extensive mischefs by acce-
ding to the measure proposed by the bill.
Many more considerations might be urged, but
think II unnecessary 10 enter into them at present
If any gentleman has arguments to oppose to those
have used, shall be glad to hear them, and atter
myself shall be able to obviate any difficulties that
| may arise.