Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-16

hazards, whatever tney may DC. universally,
we may say, speaking OF the sentiment OF the
masses on the subject, the memory Of the Hartford
Convention is sdious. Yet, in the light OF impair
tial history-in which, through the influence OF
honest prejudice, our readers have probably many
of them never looked at it-what really was the
character of THE HARTFORD CONVENTION?
The idea of the Hartford Convention originated
with the State of Massachusetts. The movement
toward its object was made in the beginning OF the
third wear of the war between Great Britain and the
United States It's object was not to procure or to
favor dissolution of the Union or to bring about
Northern Confederacy apart from the Union, or
any thing Of that sort. There was no talk among
its contrivers Of marching an army upon Washing
ton or of raising troops to defend themselves against
the Government of the United States. On the
contrary, Memorials from the People poured into
the Legislature of Massachusetts in the year 1914
in great numbers, suggesting the idea Of appointing
delegates to meet delegates from such other States
8 as might think proper to appoint them' Tor the
purpose Of devising proper measures to procure
the united efforts of the Commercial States TO pro-
: cure such AMENDMENTS and explanations OF THE
CONSTITUTION as will secure them from further
evils"
The suggestion of the memorialsts was resisted
by the Massachusetts Legislature in the first in
stance, lin February, lsl4,) they not deeming the
emergency to be SO alarming as to justify resort
10 s0formal mode of action. The Joint Com
mittee to which the subject was referred reported
that, though the committee was convinced OF the
right of acting in concert with other States, for
the purpose of accomplishing the objects of the
petitioners, yet they had considered that there
are reasons which render it inexpedent at the pre-
sent moment to exercise this power;" which re-
port was agreed to in both Houses by majorites of
three or four to one. AT the fall session of the
Legislature, however, the people becoming more
alarmed at the prospect before them, and more and
more urgent that something should be done, the
Legislature gave way, determining to act upon the
subjects and, on the 9Th Of October, the following
resolution passed by both Houses: I:
Resolved That twelve persons be appointed delegates
om this Commonwealth to meet and confer with delegates
from the other New England States any other, upon the
ssuec of their public grievances and and upon
he best of preserving and Of defence
against the enemy and to derise and suggest adoption
tby those respective States such they may deem
texpedent and also take measures, they shall think
spope procuring convention Of delegates
sUsITED STATES, order to revise the Constitution there
sof and more eectualy the support and attach
ment Of all the people, by placing all upon the basis of fair
representation"
On the day following the passage of this resou-
ton Letter was addressed to other New England
States by order Of the Legislatures and, it tells
the whole story of the object and design of the
proposed Convention, that our readers of the pre-
sent day may, for themselves, judge of the whole
ground occupied by the originators of it, we insert
here an entire copy Of that letter:
"Bosros, OCTOBER IL, 1914
ssSIR Your Excelency will herewith receive certain
Iutions the Legislature of Massachusetts, which you
respectfully requested take the earliest occasion TO lay be-
fore the Legislature of your State, together with this letter.
which is intended invitation to them to appoint dele
gates if they shall deem expedient such others
may be appointed by this and other States at the time and
place expressed in these resolutions.
The general objects Of the proposed conference first
to deliberate upon the dangers which the Eastern section Of
the Union is exposed by the of the war; and which
there much believe will hicken round them
in its progress and devise, practicable Of security
and defence which may be consistent with the preservation Of
their from total run and adapted their local stua
ton, mutual relations and habits, and
THEIR OBLIGATIONS AS MEMBERS OF THE UNION When
convened for this object which admits not Of delay it
also expedient submit their consideration the inquiry
whether the interests Of these States demand that peseveng
endeavo be used by each of them procure such Amend
ents to be effected in the National Constitution may
them equal advantage and whether, if in their judg
this should be deemed mpacticabe under the existing
provisions for amending that instrument experiment may
be made otho disadvantage to the nation for obtaining
Convention from all the States in the Unon such of them
as approve of the measure, A VIEW OBTAIN
AMENDMENT
cit cannot be necessary to anticipate objections to the
which may arise from jealousy fear This Legis
aure content for its justification, to repose the purity
of its motves and upon the known attachment Of its
constituents NATIONAL UsIoS and the rights and
independence of their country.
sWe have the honor to be, &c.
ssJOHN PHILLIPS,
"Presidsnt ofthe Senate Of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts,
"TTMOTHY BIGELOW,
Speaker Of the House Of Reps Of said Commonwealth"
This Letter having been transmitted to the Le-
gisatures of Connecticut and RHODE ISLAND, among
Others, resolution was adopted on the occasion by
the Legislature of the former State as follows:
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND PRovrDEScE PLANTATIONS.
In General assembly, October session, A. D. 1914.
Whereas this General Assembly, having long witnessed
with regret and anxiety the deenceess situation Of this State
did, at their last session. request his exceency the
to communicate with the Executives Of neighborng
States upon the subject our common defence by our mutual