The Ordway new era., 1913-10-17

Of the commission: Dut conference
was not confined to their formal ses-
their determinations.
Wants General Conference.
1t was evident that two states were
not enough to decide the questions
submitted to them. Pennsylvania. at
least, must be consulted before the
full line of trade they sought could
be drawn from the head-waters of the
Ohio to the head-waters of the Poto-
mac; and II three states were to con.
suit upon questions OF trade which
concerned the whole continent. why
should not more be invited. and the
conference be made general.
Such was the train of suggestion.
certainly. that ran in Washington's
mind. and which the commissioners
carried home with them.
A Tour Of Inspection.
Every sign of the time served to
deepen its Significance for Washing
ton.
Just before quitting the army he
had ridden upon tour of inspection
into the valley OF the Mohawk, where
a natural way. like this OF the Poto-
mac, ran from the northern settle
ments into the west, He knew that
the question of joining the Potomac
with the Ohio was but one item OF =
policy which all the states must con-
slider and settle-nothing less than the
policy which must make them an EN-.
pre or doom them to remain weak
and petty confederacy. H
The commissioners did not put all
that they had heard at Mount Vernon
into their reports to their respective
assemblies.
Trade Movement Spreads.
They recommended only that. be
sides cooperating with each other
and with Pennsylvania in opening =
way to the western waters, Virginia
and Maryland should adopt uniform
system of duties and Of commercial
regulations, and should establish uni.
fnm rules regarding their currency.
But the Maryland assembly Itself
went further. 1t presently informed
tho Virginia legislature that 1t had
not only adopted the measures
recommended by the commissioners,
hut thought 1t wise to do something
more. Delaware ought to be consult.
ed. with view to carrying etraight
water course. by canal. from Chesa'
peakc bay to the Delaware river; and.
cince conference could do no harm
and bind nobody. 1t would be as well
to invite all the states to confer with
them, for the questions involved
seemed far.reaching enough to JUSTIFY
1t, II not to make 1t necessary. Gov.
ernor Bowdoin of Massachusetts had
that very year urged his legislature
to invite a general convention Of the
states in the interest of trade.
The whole country was in tan
gle Of disagreement about granting
to congress the power to lay I'M
posts; Gardoqui. 1t was rumored.
was insisting. for Spain. upon closing
the Mississippi: twas evident enough
conference was needed. Every thought-
full man might we'll pray that it would
bring peace and accommodation.
When Maryland's suggestion was
read in the Virginian assembly, there
was prompt acquiescence. Virginia
asked all the states of the Union (Jan.
uary, 1856 to send delegates to gen.
eral conference to be held at Annapo-
lis on the first Monday in September.
to consider and recommend such addi-
tions to the powers of congress as
might conduce to better regulation
of trade. ltg
Washlnston's Grave Charge.
There Is more wickedness than ig.
norance In the conduct Of the states.
orr in other words. in the conduct Of
those who have too much influence In
the government Of them" Washington
wrote hotly to Henry Lee. upon hear
ing to what lengths contempt Of the
authority of congress had been car
ried; land until the curtain is with
drawn. and the private views and self.
ish principles upon which these ren
act are exposed to public notice.
have little hope of amendment without
another convulsion."
Perhaps the conference at Annapo
lis would withdraw the curtain and
give the light leave to work puri-
fication; and he waited anxiously foz
the issue.
tTo BE coNT1NuED.)