Thcpower'orcontraaingiindproyldinsfor debts incurred by
ms t0 c3n > nc >dcnt to it—it would not be fafe to concedc
Ort WCr °f' ev y' n S war belsngs to Conerefs, and yet to as-
I I n ? P°^ cr of Providing tor it ivneccifary for their security
veiled in the States. If this, however is not a(r.rted, the
objection will be untenable—For if it is now necelftry to the
n ■?'" alw »ys he neceflary. AH future war debts will be
contratied by Congrcfs— Ui« obiefMon therefore supposes, either
at t eState debts will be extinguiftud, in which cafe there is
■II u "i mporl 'y security against a perpetual danger, or that they
■win be kept perpetually in being to secure the States against it.
ihe objection plainly leads to this conclusion— If it is impro
per and unfafe for Congress to exercise this power, then the con
ltitution is wrong, and it ought to have been veiled in the States.
he power of providing forwarn«ce(Tjrily draws after it the right
of declaring it, and the whole power of the fwurd, The people
"1 this country will know that this power vested in more than one
borty might soon be turned against themselves. There would be
neither conihtution nor union in that cafe. But we are to admin,
liter the government according to the frame of it. The real check
against the abuse and the security for the beingof both national and
State governments is the knowledge of the people. The assump
tion will not render the conftituuon obfeure, nor strengthen the
"gnt ot this government to raise armies which is already given,
nor will it make the State governments obnoxious, but rather the
reverse, as it will throw upon the United States the odium of le
vying taxes Besides, as soon as the accounts (hall be fettled, this
danger will occur. The objection applies equally against the li
quiaation of the accounts.
Let us however take the argument (imply as it is Hated, it proves
too much. For if so much power follows the allumpuon as the
objeiiior. implies, it is time to aIV is it fafe to forbear a Burning ?
lithe power is so dangerous, it will be so when exefcifed by the
otates. I F the afluming tends to consolidation, is the reverse, tend
ing to disunion, a lcCs weighty objection ? If lam answered
mat the noo-aUumption will not necelTarily tend to disunion, I
reply, neither does the alTumption neceffaiily tend to consolida
tion. An unrcafonable clalh ng of jurifdiftions cannot be friend
ly to the present irame of our republics.
nr Wethe acc °unts are in a train of being fettled.
We are advised to wait that event. But in the mean time what
■ s to become of the state creditors ; most of the dates claim balan
ces, will they provide for their creditors, while they expea to
receive those balances ? Will their citizens submit to taxes cheer
fully, while this expeaationlaftt? The value of the debt? would
be f,actuating. It this fettl.inent (hould belong delayed, their
value would fink to a mere trifle, suppose that by assuming we
bring the states, or some of them, into debt to the union, by not
attuming the union is certainly ia debt to the states. Is it more
wire or lull to be debtors than creditors ? But if the states are to
have credit for what they have done and paid, and to be charged !
with what they have received from the United States, most of the I
ltates will be creditors, and as the war was a common charge,and
ought to have been entirely supported by the union, the debts
of the states are debts which they ought never to have incurred,
*na therefore, the alfumption restores things to their just tounda-
•l* 'i- 1 c the ft ? te ' to P*y ,heir ? wn debts; are they to do
it by direst taxes ? It is well known that in ellimating the produfl
of taxation, as much depends on the mode of imposing and col
lecting as on the wealth of the persons taKed. Perhaps direst as.
fcflments are, of all taxes the moll unproductive and uncertain
They are besides arbitrary and burdensome : Will any Tingle fund
especially such at I havejuil mentioned be fufficient ? Or if it
lhould, Wquld it not banish the hufbandm.n from feme of the
' .s ' '"dependence is a common acquisition, and ought to be
enjoyed upon equal terms. But to some it will prove ruinous,
while others living in another state, and divided by an imaginary
line will ebjoy their lands almost tax frte.
Or (hall the ftatcs fund the debt on excifea ? Have the states a
right to excise imported articles ? Without deciding that qucftion,
It is not supposed that they have the power of regulating the im
portation of goods. The checks upon the dealers in dutied goods
of coofequfnee will be imperfe£t. Nether have they a right to
prevent the transit of goods through a (late. The extent of frontier
is another impediment to state txciks. Massachusetts has a fron
tier line (o watch of many hundred miles, and it wjll not be pos
sible to prevent the introduction of goods charged with left duties,
or not dutied at ast, from the neighboring States.—lf* State ex
cise law should militate against the law of the union, both cannot
operate—perhaps neither. The right of the States to collect ex
cites, if such right exists, is deduced from the silence of the con
"i tut ion- The light of Congress is exprelTcd in pofttive terms.-
if then the right of laying excises by the States either does not
extlr, or exists several limitations and difadvatuazes then
the provision which they cau make for their debt becomes pro
portionally inadequate and precarious. The burden if equally
borne, and under the wisest and most efficacious fvftem of reve
nue, is supposed to be heavy enough. How then lhall it be en
dured, if borne unequally and under iuch inconveniences ?
If it is urged that the United States cannot piovide for the State
debts, I answer the States are dill less able.
But with debts you take funds—and even on pecuniary calcu
lation the public will gain.—Not afluming is paying twice over.
For the people of a State will be unequally burdeoed to pay their
debt, and (Hen as citizcns of the United States will be liable to be
taxed to make retribution.
Jiut how is this retribution to be made ? Taxes mull be uni
form—you cannot therefore make a requisition upon the debtor
States—-you cannot sue for the debt in the federal court—for the
money is[due to the creditor States, aud not to the United States •
will you wage war to enforce payment ? The balances must be
paid by the United States—if Virginia is found to be a creditor
tne union mud pay it by taxing the citizens of all the States. The
arguments urged against the allumption apply with equal force to
the non-aflumption.
The rame answer will be equally prooer to be given to those
who object—that it will operate unjustly again!! the States which
have advanced beyond their proportion, and now will have to
bear a part of the debt of the other States, some of whom are debt
ors.
The States are cither creditors or debtors—lf creditors, theaf
fcmption is a prompt piyment of that amount of their claims—
It debtors, thechargc of inequality is absurd even interms.—The
debt is to be paid or it is not— if not, the debate is imp.opcr ; it
it is to be pan!, tlien^ equally or unequally. If the latter, abandon
the plea of mllice—if the former, then apportion it ; if the debt
was afhia.,y divided among the States according to their quotas,
• JlV.k ? P T" wcu '^. be unexceptionable—because it is manif. lt
that the burden could be more conveniently borne by the people
under one fyftem~lf it is unequally divided, why should the
peop.e be crulhed by the inequality of the burden ?
Congress have already agreed to pay the balances which may be
found flue to the States. This is virtually an assumption—why
should we forbear to do that in the firft instance which we are ul
tim3tely bound to do ?
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17,
Reports from the Secretary at War, and the Secretary of the
Ireafury were read, on sundry petitions.
liie ratification of tlieStateof Pennsylvania of the q, 4 'r 6 i 8
Uc'conft^tutfo^was' JmCndmCnt3 Pr ° P ° fed b > <°
In Committee of the whole on the report of the fe!eft commit
tee, to whom was referred the memorialsof the people ca'lcd Oua
kTO.on tbefubjeft of the Slave T.ade. P y
The question of order was put, when it was determined that
Mr. fucker'sjaft amendment was not in order.
The report was then taken up by paragraphs. The firft propo
ntion being read Mr. White moved that it be itruck out. He did
th:s he laid, because he was entering into a confederation at
this time of the powers of Congress, he thought it would be time
enough tor this when the powers are called in question. He then
read thc next, which he laid was entirely unnpcellary as it con
tains nothing more than what is contained in express terms in the
constitution.
He pjfTed on to the 3d, which he said was equally unnecessary;
and so the 4th, which was provided for b/ the constitution. He
said that he ihould agree to the $th, and 6th, with certain modifi
cations. Agreeableto this idea he offered those two in a different
torn.. Hcd.fagreed to the 7th proposition, as unaeceffary and
>mpr»per. He concluded by obfcrving, that his wilh was to
promote the happiuefs of all mankind—and among the reft those
who are the objeas of prelcnt confrderation—but this he withed
to do in conformity to the principles of jutlice and with a due re
gard to the peace and happiness of others ; he would contribute all
in tns power to their comfort and well being while in a (late of
llavery ; but he was fully of opinion that Congress has no right to
interfere in the bufmefs, any further than he proposed by the two
proportions as modified. He did not however anticipate the dif
ficulties from a total prohibition which some gentlemen seem to
apprehend — and if Congress had it in their power tointerdift this
bulinds at the prcfent moment, he did not think the essential in
terests of the Southern States would fuffer. Twenty years ago, he
luppofcd the idea he now fuggefled, would have caused universal
alarm. Virginia however about twelve years since, prohibited the
importation of negroes from Africa, and the confcquences appre
hended never were realized ; on the contrary the agriculture ot
that State was never in a more flourifhing situation.
Mr. Hartley.—l have the honor to be one of the committee
on the memorials, and w.ll with the leave of this committee men.
tion some particulars which took place in the courfeof the investi
gation of the business ; he premised that he was sorry that the
question of right had been brought forward yesterday—and was
not a little surprised to hcarthecaufe of slavery advocated in that
Houfc, and language held towards the petitioners, which his ex
perience he said, had never (hown to be parliamentary he read
tome memorandums taken in committee, and had particular refe
rence to a law pa(Ted in Grenada which he applauded for its hu
manity, and truly benevolent spirit.
He reprobated the illiberal treatment which the memorialists
had received, and asserted that they were friends to the constitu
tion, and that on the prelent occasion they came forward from the
roost laudable motives, from a wilh to promote the happiness of
mankind, that their conduit so lar from meriting cenfur., de
»» D would reteive the applause of the civilized world
Mr Wh rT ,n l COn S dmblc fpccch advo "tedthe motion of
Mr. W hue, he enlarged 011 the pernicious confequenccs that may
be exited to flow from the interference of Congress ; he pointed
out the cffc&s which had resulted from the intcrpofition of the
Quakers, by which the profpefts of the Southern States in slaves
had been rendered very precarious—and if Congress should adopt
, ,^ U "11 the confcquences will be pernicious in the
highest decree. Ihe negro property will be annihilated The
emancipation of slaves will be effefled ... T.me, it ought to be a
gradual bufincfj—but he hoped that Congress would not, to grati
fy people who never bad been fr.endly so the independent of
ern'su", PrCC,p " ate thc buflncfs t0 the S r «t injury of the South-
r„W* v, d,nto 3 V ,"y " ,CnfnT confidcration of the
fabjeft he gave an account of the humane treatment which the
nave, of the Southern States received, their habitations, fam.l.cs
children, prmlcge S ,&c. He then (hewed that their emancipation
wqol4 tend to make them wretched in the highest degree—he an
W 'L f , r " dom on the P ast and P r ®fent conduct of
L L C ""7 ed that lhe y wcre the friends of freedom
he fa,d that during the late war, they were for bringing this coun
l y .l!"r r 3 "jT y° ke > th£ y descended to the charafttrs of spies
r7 eV A PP L. enem V Wlth provif.ons, 'hey were guides and
conduaots to their armies—and whenever the American armv
came into toeir neighborhood they formed themselves in an en/
my s country. Mr. Burke was proceeding in this drain when he
WM interrupted by its boing said he was not in order ; a Zrm a'
terc«tion ensued, and fn the midftof it, a motion was made that
f"" 1 fife ; , thls mol ! on was negatived, and Mr
Burke added a few more observations oa the injustice of the mea
interference, as UrefpeOed the property of the Southern
■ Mr. Smith (S. C.) followed Mr. Burke in a speech or essay, in
ittut" dect o „ Of tW ° h ° U " length -' he CO ~
THURSDAY, MARCH xB.
Sundry memorials and petitions were read and referred—The
report cf the committee on the memorials rcfpc&injr the slave
trade b.ing the order of the day, 6
fubfeftfnl 0 , n r ftCrpr<:min " g - hat a ">' fur,her difcuflion of the
futyeft in the line it was now in, would be a useless expence of
time—moved that the committee of the whole (hnuld be difcharz
. . ?m any further attention to the report—and that the memo
rials be again referred to a feleft committee—he offered a variety
bv M °mJ whlcl ' he landed this nfotion. This was seconded
r who at the fame time entered into a lengthy dis
cussion of the fubjeft Mr. Baldwin was followed by many other
g<a»|einen which gave the bufinels a totally different
from .what appeared to be the objeS of the motion
The question being taken, Mr. Benton's motion was loft._the
" Wri " ' n -° 3 'i om T tt « of the wholr . 'on the report—
wer^a"
theVon"^;:^': 1 " rofc w,tt,out finifliin * ,he
FRIDAY, MARCH 19.
Hon. Hugh W.Jliamfon, member from the State of North
Carol,na appeared, was qualified, and took hi. feat this day
A mctfage: was received from the Senate, w.th two bills which
they havepaffed with amendments, viz. An ast to provide for
he re million or mitigation offines, forfeituresand penalties in
tain cafes-and an ,ft to establish a uniform rule ofnatu LTt.oT
-KSPSSJSS, I—'1—' dcp ~' - »"""
.if.™:! tt" ™
Mr. Sherman moved that a committee of five members be an
pointed, to enquire into the receipts and expenditures of t> M
monies during the adminittration of Robert Moths Efrf 1
fuperintendant of finance— and to report to the House a
the accounts refpcft.ng the fame.-This motion after
was agreed to_and Mr. Sherman, Mr. Madison Mr T,
Mr Sedgwick, and Mr. Smith (S. C.) appointed' Lawran «.
In committee of the whole, the rennrtnf >»,.
slave trade under consideration. The fourth Ol \
a , dut y of on slaves imported'fcC w^
ed that übe struck out, which motion «fter ™ch dSI, ™° V "
adopted. Several modifications of the sis.l, * uc i\ del "<e was
fered but the following in offer" ° f "
agreed to> vl7 . Congress have authority to restrain ,h • •
the United States who are concerned in th- Afr ? T" f
Applying Foreigners with slaves; and to providefoMhei h '
treatmc nt , wh,:e on their passages to the United Stlte,
•JncxT"""" lh " rofe ' and lhe H ° uf = turned till Mon-
390
The ADDRESS of tiie INTENDANT and Wat?
Carolina" ** * CHARLEST °N, S
To GEORGE WASHINGTON, Pr ; f,d e „t 0 f th .
United States.
T HOUGH among the latest, yet not among the
X eat zealous of the citizens of America, we
take the liberty to intrude for a moment 011 your
tune, which is so precious to the people over
whom you preside, to offer our congratulations on
your unanimous appointment to the molt Honora
ble station amongit men, the firft magii'uacy of
the freell people on the earth.
United with our Eastern and Northern brethern
in our ardent attachment to the principles of a
free government, equally remote from tyranny
and anarchy, we rejoice with them, that you
have been prevailed upon by the voice of your
country to relinquilh your private walks of do
mellic life, for the toils of an untried government
where your wisdom, moderation, and firmnefs
would be requisite to the discharge ofits various
and intricate duties. With grateful hearts, vv e
add this to the catalogue of eminent facrifices and
i ervices, by which you have so compleatly endear
eu yourfelf to the people of America.
As magistrates of a commercial city deeply i n .
terefted in the measures of the fuederal govern
ment, we /eel peculiar pleasure in finding it in
troduced into action under theaufpices ofan ad
ministration every way qualified to corred those
errors,or supply those defetfts, which are alledeed
by its enemies,or apprehended by its friends: And
as in its firft operations, it will receive from you
a tone correspondent to the spirit in which it was
framed, we felicitate ourselves in the happy 0 -
mens of a firm government adting by wholfome
laws through tliemedium ofamild and equal ad
miniil ration.
Poifelling the fulleft confidence that our distance
from the feat of government will not deprive us of
any of its eflential benefits, we beg leave to tender
you ouraflurancesofachearful fubmiflionto and
adhve support of the constitution, and the laws
which may be framed ill conformity thereto by
the wisdom of Congress.
We cherish the confidence from whence spring
these afl'urances, because we remember that we
were not neglected or deserted during the late
glorious struggle for independency, but werefub
itantially aided by the policy of your counsels, the
wisdom of your appointments, and the vigor of
the exertions of our northern friends who fhar
eel and leflened our feverefl coils.
It is our earnest prayer to the Almighty ruler
ot the umverfe, that he will take you into his ho
ly keeping, and fufFer no incident to arise which
may disturb the felicity of your private life ; and
that he will make your public administration ho
norable to yourfelf, and happy to the people who
have so unanimously confided themselves to your
c r are V „ THOMAS JONES,
Intindaut of the city oj Charleflon, by desire of, and
r. r- 'i * n f or the whole.
City-Council, Charttpn. (.S.C.) 18M Feb. 1790.
To the Intendant and W ardent oftbTCity of Charles,
ton, South-Carolina.
Gentlemen,
T RECEIVE your congratulations, on my unan
imous appointment to the firft magistracy of
a free people, with that grateful sensibility which
is due to the occasion, and which your flattering
expressions of regard could not fail to awaken
ertuaded that the candor of my countrymen will
<.0 juflice to the rectitude of my intentions, lam
iappy under the afllirance, that their adlivefup
poii of the constitution, and disposition to main
tain the dignity of our free and equal govern
ment will ensure facility and fuccels to the ad
ministration of its laws, and, if the result of my
anxious endeavors, in some measure, to juftify
the two partial fentinients of my fellow-citizens,
mould, 111 any degree, approach to the wiih which
ent^ rtail V f or l^e ' r ' la ppinefs, I /hall not regret
the domestic enjoyment and personal repose,
which may have been yielded to this superior
consideration.
As magiftratesof a commercial city, deeply in
terelted in the measures of the federal govern
ment, yon mull have beheld,with fatisfa<flion, the
equal and salutary influence of its regulationson
the trade of America. As citizens of a State,
whose fufferings and fervicespoflels a diftinguilh-
C n- 3n • *- n histor y our revolution, you
mult rejoice in the completion of our toils, and
the reward which awaits them—and as members
of the great family of the union, connected by
the closest ties of interell and endearment, the
confidence which you jultly cherifli of fharingin
all tlie benefits of the national compact, muftbe
ltrengthened by the experience already received
of thejuftice, wlfdom, and prudence of its mea
sures, candid review of which will eftablifli a
convitlion of liberal policy, and juftify the most
favorable anticipation of future advantage. I de
sire to allure you, gentlemen, of my gratitude
for the tender interest you are pleased to take in
my personal felicity, and I intreat the Almighty
ruler of the universe, to crown your wishes with
deserved prosperity.
G. WASHINGTON.
J3" The Addrefe of the State of Georgia in our nixt.