Xfje C>asttte. ~ j l
- - 1 ' IB
PHILADELPHIA, M
MONDAt KVENISO, FEBRVJRT '9- &
_ • CS
THE DOGS.
[The Lepjlnture of CmneSicut, having late
ly faffed afalutary law for /r/ening the nun- ,
her »f dogs, the wits tf that state have em- r
braced ihe opportunity to let off a volley nf\
fmdllflat from their wit fortreffei. —As the J
fuhje!t *f dog taxing is now before our Le
gi/lafure, the following j*n d'efprit may not
I: mal-apropas. Col. Centinel. j.
Convention of DOGS, »'» Gonneßicut, on
Sunday "Jlk January, 1798. f
>VHBN the world wat wrapt in ftiHneft, f
and tha pioat and the good were beading in ,
devotion, tke dogs, at though drawn by i
on* aniverfal sympathy, assembled on a t
mountain near Simftury Minet. A fileaee )
reigned thrmigbout the whole allembly, i
whea Jowler at leogtk proposed to choose
Lion President of the meeting 5 Scnp wat <
Appointed secretary—-The Prefidtat thca ,
opeaed by the following Speech : 1
•« Brethren of lit Canine Rate, (
"We are drawn to thit aflembly at by (
the cordt of calamity, and universal diftreft. ,
"the legillature of a people, whofc doort ]
Wc have guarded thtoagh th* silent wate.i- t
ct of darkneft} wKofe fieldt we have pro- ,
tested from thievet and robbers, and whose
prrfons wc have defended agiinft assault» t
and infultt, enafted a law to extermi- 1
nat* onr whole fpeciet, aad to cut off our ,
rank and Handing in th* aaimal world. Be- |
iag now met, we have organised our aflem- ;
Vly for ihe purpose of folcmn debate, ana t
to adopt meafuret for our fafety. There- ]
for*, Brethren, obferr* order, aad *xpreft
your miudt freely." . • 1
The fubjeA thut opened, appeared infi- ,
nitely important. Every one of the aflem- |
bly from Jottler down to Whapet, made a
speech.
Whea th* othert had done, Sneerwell,
an old euaning cur, drew the afTctnbly s
attentioa by a long and intending fpcechi
fication, in which he observed, that " the
aft of the legislature was not left cruel than
impolitic ; not less unconstitutional than
unjnft. It is true that some dogs have been
attacked with a hydrophobia,which may
be communicated by a bite, by indenting
the fkinof the alTailed, and mixing the sali
va with its circulations. But it follows not i
from thence, that if the diseased animal be
the fubjeA of laws, that all the race
of Dogs (hall be exterminated.
" The human race are no less fubjeft to
madness than ours, and yet they wauld con
sider it highly unjnft to cut off the inno
cent with the guilty. What is it but mad
ness, that hat lately deluged the European
fields with blood I What is it but madness
that preventl that proud and profligate crea
ture man, from enjoying the blessings of li
berty, »nd his right (derived merely by
the use of hands) to universal dominion o
rer other animal* ? What is it but madness,
.which now involve* the United States in
controversy, where there is no room for
contest ?
«' The di (temper among them is commu
nicated by biting, in the fame manner, as
among ut.—Whet. Mr. ?•**•* had made
•n imm*nfe fortune by Tennessee lands, he
became mad enough to covet more; but he
fealitct that hit wealth ha 3 no enjoyment
appurtenant to it. The disorder spread.
Mr. B # *** # * and others grew mad for
' four million! in the east. The legislature
of Georgia beeam mad, and fold twelve
tnilliont of acres to Gunn andothert. Their
ffladneft increased, until they bunrt their
own recordt, disgraced their own govern
ment, and subverted all ideas of govern
mental faith and honor. Some of their gran
tees run mad, and bit lamentably MefTrs.
an< j . Meflrs.
p«t#» stu l Company; theferun
violently mad, and bit'a great number of
people in MafTtchnfetts —all these are now
mad, and trying to bite all who come with
in their reach. Gunn bit Greenleaf; he
bit a great number of the mod cautious
men in New-England. These are all mad.
But the noise thereof, Like our sympathetic
notices by night, has been echoed around.
Evety body it on the watch, and no body
will now (land still to be bit.
« Doftor Letfom of London 4«a mad up
on an ideal deed of the Indians in the moon,
t« J. Carver. Three or four people of longe
tudinal greatness, run mad on the occasion,
and bit several hundreds of others.
n The people of our state (Connefticut)
run mad about their Sufquehannah claim,
and a great number have bten bitten, and
are now under a diftrefling hydrophobia,
from their wounds.
«« The general court opened a sale of th*
Connefticut Reserve. They fold more a
cret than th* Reserve contained. But the
purchtfert run mad, and bit others by fell
ing a million'which were nev«r created.
" The General assembly wanted a Court
House ; and being under a disease, which
rendered tke grant *f money odiout to thrm,
they Told the Core to build the house ;
when it wat finifhed, they were mad enough
to dedicate it ly solemn fervicet of religion,
the Chaplain well knew
how it wat built.
" Thit disorder is not confined to one or
twollatei only. The ancient dominion of Vir
ginia, has been mud enough to fell fevtn
millions of aerrs, within a circumference,
where nature with all her powrn could not
place one million. The purchalers are bit
ten and run mad.
" New-York it in a manner, claiming all
the world as the rrfidutry Legatee of the
king of England—lt« said they had a frelh
bite from his majesty in hit late illtieft.
" I fliall now proceed to illuflrate my po
rtions by other laAs, but flay ! I hear !
I hear !—" ' •
Sneerwell had forgotten that the Übbath
:i *rds at fyn fc.t, and had (ts *
's th.. faihinn with.one or two gentlemen in
the filiate of a neighboring state—some
members iff the Icgiflzture of hiiown state.
Mr. H. Mr. N. Mr. S. and others of Gon- I
grefs) fpeechified too long, until the people
came out at»d fired on the aflembly. The
President and many other tefprftable dogs,
were among the vi&ims of this brutality.
£ Taken frtm Minutes transmitted by Scrip,- j
for the entertainment of tbofc, who may have ]
survived the malady of biting. ] r
i
From the Baltimore Federal G axe tie. I
MefTrs. Printers, ]
I have seen in your paper of Thursday
last, an article copied from the Gaaette of ,
ihe United States, entitled,' Law Quere.' (
Suppofirig the writer to be some diftrefled j
(hip-owner, not able to pay the extravagant t
fees of lawyers, and thus reduced to ask ad- |
vice on charity—l, thtrefure, beg yon to ,
inftrt thisanfwer, that th« Editor of the U
nited States Gazette may, with the fame ,
kiad ntentioas as your own, copy from you t
ia return.
Th* declaration of Mr. Monroe, " Iffuch
conduit, See.', is plainly negative; such a j
mod* of speech being often nfed, and well
understood to imply the contrary of what is ,
supposed. That the French did so under- i
(land it, it plain from the arrete nf their <
committee of fafety, kc. of the 18th Nov. ]
1794. The querist, therefore, will please
to apply as there direfted, for payment, vie. ,
to the commifTary of marine. 1
To extend the favor which I mean to '
this poor clieat of the public, I will give •
him as cheap advice on the other fide. If,
as is the cafe with very many, h* has loft a
(hip by the Englifc, he will please to apply
as the only recourse fignified by Mr. Jay, to
the magnanimity and justice of his Britannic
Majesty. EQUAIfREASON.
N. B. It it supposed the applicant iu
this ease is not an Englishman, Scotchman,
or h mere American agent for thtm under
falfe colonrs.
Feb. ia.
Extract
It is not flrange, that those who have
confeffedly done us injuries, (honld add in
sults. One great cause for our havinjj fuffer
ed both, is the unfortunate opinion of the
Rulers of the French Rupublic, that our
1 government and people, are divided between
France and England. This Is as falfe as
it is dilhonorable to the American name,
but neverthelefr it is believed, and the be
; i lief of it has drawn upon us, the experience
of the French system of depredation. This
; will appear by a very ftiort French argu
" ment- " Half, the Americans including
1 " half their Congress, will juftify and ap
' " plaud what we do, and as to the other
* half, the tools of Britain, no matter if
" u they fuffer loss by th« French privateers
1 " the friends of France in America will re
® " joice to fee them reduced to proverty !1"
««- What ftamps4iriportanc* on this last ob
* fervatioff,"knd gives it every mark of authen
f ticity, is the published correspondence of
* Mr Monroe, our late minister to the Re
» public; He fays that he informed the French
1 Government, that if they found it for their
r intercft to set aftde the articles' of treaty
refpefting neutral veffelt, the Americans al
* though it would be very detrimental to
9 thcin, \yould .not only acquiesce but re
e joice ia their so doing. No wonder such a
e minister wat recalled by the President, but
e it proves the aflertitni, that our troubles have
1 chiefly arisen from the falfe opinion of our
'• being rather Frenchmen than Americans.
r It it time that Europeans, so long misled by
e their own vanitr, and the mifreprefentatioat
e of our renegado countrymen, (liould b* per
r fuaded to think with more refpeft of oar
r nation "
;* A PRINT.
Print, reprrfenting ClMUli Wa«hi»io.
t*n and hit funily, all whole lengths in one
'• groupr, will be ready lor delivery by the 15th of
I. M arch next.
n A* unfinifhed impreflion it to be seen ai Mr. M'Kl
e weea's looking-glass store, No. ?#South Fouiih Street.
The fubfeription will elofe on the loth of Match
* next Sub r c.-ibera mav depend ou having ( he best
I- Prima at ene guinea and an kdf. To non-lubfctibera,
e the price will be tw^gutneu.
February 19
Notice.
c A ManufaQory of yellow and dilft ware,
I Such as nev< r wai in ihia Country belnre, has been
been lately ere Bcd at Tivoli, Red Hook Landing,
7 onthe East Bank of Hudlon'e River, ftaie ot Ne«.
York, where any article •( various forts and fhapta
may be execute*!, aa well at earthcrn lloves upon a
new conftiuflion, that favei three fourths of the fuel
'• commnnly ufrd in taft iron flovca or ape* chymniesi
(hey ate b. fides very wholcfome and ornaments], by
'• J. MODCHET.
\ Wanted a ikillful hand to attend la ihe baking and
' glazing part of th< f«td ware. Gencroua appoint.
'• menta will be given. Apply as ilaovr, or to
* DAVID BROOKS, Esq.
I, No. 71 South jth Stiect.
Feb. <9 « d 4^L_
e Twenty Dollars Reward,
l* -rpoß taking up 1 runaway fervaut Girl, named
le r Abigail Miller, latterly calliag herfelf Betfcy
1- Smith, and reading h«r «o North Front-ttreet, No.
45. ahc ia of a chunky make, and very dark
complexion, yith round feataret, and black bushy
L hair; prebably aiuch altered by paint and pow
:h den, aa Ihe it Cuppofedto Weftcreted in houfea of
n, ji| fame, though n» more than fifteen years ol age.
; February 19. colw
: h Selcd Balls.
"• -* jrR. FRAMCIS, at the particular request of
w jVj. the ftifcferibert, intenda to have four more
fnbfcription Ha lit.
or TEAMS
ir- Etch Suhfcriber to pay Five Dollars, which
tn entitle! himtoagentleman't ticket, and cards of
admifiion f*»r two ladiet at each ball.
' TJie firft bill to b« on Tuesday, the i< th of
ut Fehruiry, and to be continued every Tacfday
"" till the end of the fubfeription, at the end of
which Vr Francis propot:. giving an extra hall
ill to the fubferibera.
he Mr. Frat.eis refpeflfully informs those gen
s], tlemen who hive not already fubfenbed, that
the plan of the fubfeription is t» be seen at Mr
F.'thoufe, No. jo North highlit ftrret.
°- r> p t like wife informi lit« Scholar*, in:l the
public in genera',thit his filth peiflifiuf Ball,
will be on "1 hmfdij* the ltd .all* .
th Feb. 16.
CONGRESS. „
111 a
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
_ i
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16.
(Concluded from Saturday's Galeae. J
Mr. Livingfton said he wished to pro- t
pole a tefoiution for the adoption of the t
Houfc, wßich had in view the encourage- '
ment of a mannfafture which wai much '
increasing in the United Statis, and might '
become of configurable national import- |
It was to the following effeft : r I
" Resolved, That the committee of com- .
merce and manufafturta be inftrudled to en- I
quire whether any provision be expedient j
for encouraging the printing of white cot
ton troodii in the United|fcates, and report j
thiir opinion the house.—A- |
gfeed. i
Mr. Livingfton called up for confidtrati- i
on the resolution which he yeflerday laid on 1
the table upon the fybjeft of the clashing
jurifdiftion of dates, when it was determined
to be referred to a committee of feTen mem
bers.
Mr. S. Smith said, that a letter and re
port of the Secretary of the Treasury on
the fubjeft of regulating the colleftiou of
the duties arising from impost and tonnage,
had been lefcrred to the committee of com.
merce and manufactures ; but as it was ne
ceflary obtain local information from parts
of the Lffiion from whence none of the mem
bers of the committee came, they wished,
for this particularpurpofe to havefomc mem
bers added, so that they might have the be
nefit of a member from every (late in the
Union.
After a few obfer rations, it was agreed
that the committee of commerce and manu
factures (liquid be discharged from the far
ther consideration of this fubjeft, and that
it should be referred to a committee of six
teen members.
Mr. Otis btlieved something further was
neceflary to be done in refpeft to the unfor
tunate business which had already engaged
the attention of the house. From what had
happened in the view of the house, it ap
pears that th s parties are in the habit of
conflifti»g with each other, and except they
are restrained by some authority which (hall
be fufSciefttly impoling upon- them, farther
violence may be expefted. In order, there
fore, to secure this house from future viola
tions of its dignity and order, he proposed ,
the following resolution for adoption :
" Refolvedthat Roger Grifwoldand Mat
thew Lyon, members of this house, be ref
peftively required by the Speaker to pledge
their words to this house, that they will not
commit any aft of violence upon each other
during this feflion ; and that-if either refufe
to make such engagement, the party refu
ting (hall be committed to the custody of
the ferjeant at arms, nntil he fliall comply
with this obligation."
Mr. Sewall understood a motion had been
agreed to in relation to the affair of yester
day, which might produce an expulsion of
the mertiber3 in question* He thought it
woufd be better, therefore, to alter the
wording of the resolution, and instead of
" during this feflion," fay during the continu
ance ■»/ the examination *f the bv/inefs lefore
i the house.
Mr; Sitgreaves did not think any altera
i tions was neceflary. An expulfioji of the
members was a pofiible, but not a neceflary
'■ result. If an expulsion does not take place,
f the tefoiution will remain in operation for
• the remainder of the feflion, which would
r be proper, and if an expulsion took place,
• its operation would fall ef conrfe.
Mr. J. Williams thought it best to pafi
r the resolution as it stood. If a similar reso
lution had been entered into on a former
' occasion, it would probably have prevented
what had now taken place.
- Mr. R Williams called for the reading of
f the resolution which was pafled on a former
occasion [lt was read; it dated, " That
* any personal contest between the members
) before the house had come to a decision up
* on the business, would be considered as a
* high breach of privileges."] Mr. W. tho't
this resolution went as far as the house had
a right to go. The resolution proposed by
the gentleman from Maffachufctts, went
, farther, he thought, than they had power
, to go. It went to imprison one or both of
■ the parties if he or they refufed to comply
1 with at request of the house. He had his
I doubts whether that house had the conftitu
; tional power to imprison a man for a crime
' as the law only could do this. He thought
a resolution similar to that adopted on a
I former occasion would be fufScient at pre
sent; and if the mover did not think proper
so to alter it, he would himfelf move an
amendment for this purpose.
Mr. Otis flattered himfelf, jhat his objeft
' wduld have met with the concurrence of all
fides of the house, believing that all wiftied
to prevent future violations of order and
peace, With refpeft to the doubts of the
i gentleman from N. Carolina, his politics.fee
' med to be altogether a system of double. If
' this system was common, it would be ex
tremely difficult to progress with business
at all. He believed, on the present occasion
' these doubts were groundless, When an aft
of violence was doRC in the view of members
f of the house, they had certainly the power
E to obtain some security against a repetition
of such violence. If this was not done, the
i preemption was, the business of the feflion
f might be continually interrupted ; and had
they noc the right of securing the peaceful
exercife of their legislative funftions for the
remainder of the feflio.i ? He thought this
I could oot feriouflv be doubted. With ref
peft to the former resolution, if he had been
- in his place, he (hould have suggested its
• impropriety ; for, by it, it feeoned to be
implied that, after the question was deci
ded, though they could not no it before,
\ the members in question would be at liberty
' to commit any aft of violence they pleased
upon each •tbcr. They had fcen tbe con
sequence. He hoped, therefore, the houfc
would restrain these gentlemen in such a
manner as that it may not be is their power
again to interrupt their proceediags. ,
Mr. K. Williams defended hisopinv>n» *nd
infilled upon hu right to deliver it, nor (hould
he ask any gentleman to explain to him the
oath he hid taken to support the constitution ot
the United States. When gcntlcwi n violated
the lulesof the house, the houfc had a rig.lt
to punilh them ; bet he wai doubtful whether
they had the poa'er to imprifona member if he 1
tefufed to fav.r«, to a question whicn (hould be 1
put t>< him.
Mr. Sewall presumed that the house had the
fame right which every court poffefled of pre
fervir.g its order by imprifonnimt <)f offenders I
and it was incident to this authority to restrain
persons likely to-commit these offences. It was.
neceflary for the future security ot the h«ufr,
for these gentlemen to fay, " they will nat a
gain afT.iult each other." This a m.-ans of
prev. nting and not of pnnifhing . ffciice». He
had no ohjetfios to the resolution, therefore, on
the ground of power, but lie had some doub" as
to the pr priety of the exprcflj'Sn. Fir, said
he, Jiippofe these gentlemen are expelled, ant!.
Mr. C». afterwards aflaitW Mr. L. the former
might confi'ler himfelt boirml by his promise to
the forbear to defend himfel . To 4
rorrefl this impropriety of exprelfion, he mov
ed to strikeout the words " durin« this feflion,"
and infer. " suhilfl members of this hpufr."
Mr. Otis confentril t" this amenJmcut.
Mr. Sitg;reaves wished the mover to alfent to
another phraf.-ology <?f his motion. Aifts inigh:
perhaps b; corp:nitted which wou'.d not be cal
led ttjt of violence, though vet y offcnfive lie
wifbed the fame word used as formerly, viz.
personal eo iteU -with ettch other.
Mr. Nichoiai had no oVjeflion to the general
ohjes of this i-efalution ; but the amendment
of the gentleman from Mafiachufetts went to
govern members during the recess of Congrrfs.
He supposed this was soing farther than gentle
men themf'elves intended He thought a rel'o
lnti'-n like the former, which fijould ex!»nd dur
ing the prefer.t feflion, would answer every pur
pose. He did not fee any nceeflity to infliiit pe
nalties before a breach of order was committed.
( Mr. Venahle said, the idea i f the gentleman
from Malfachufetts ( Mr. Sewall) was not e'er
refl, when he suppose 1 an obligatioß entered
into at this time, would be binding when a per
son ceased to be a member of that house. All
obligations wh'ch members owe to the house,
are difTolved when they cease to be members ;
nor wai it in the power of the house to extend
the force of the refolutioon beyond the prtfent
. fcfiion. He (hould not object to its having that
extent. He thought it only reasonable, in order
to obtain a pmfpeJl of future peace in their de
liberations, that these gentlemen (hould declare
that they will not enter into any further person
al conte# during the feflion. He moved, there
fore, again to *lt«r the rtfolution to read dur
ing the fefjion.
i Mr Otis" hoped the amendment would be
made, he had too readily consented to the for
. mer alteration.
The question was then taken on the refolu
tion, and carried *y a large majority, there be
•nt> 7.1 votes in favour of it.
The Speaker aflied whether it was the plea
sure of the house that the sergeant at arms (hould
: be sent for Mr. Lyon.
Mr. Sitgreaves said it might n»t be eonveni
r ent for Mr. Eyon to attend the house ; he a(k
---r ed whether the resolution might not be sent to
him, and his answer be received in writing !
Mr. Nicholas supposed, that if both gentle
man prepared a declaration in writing, and pre
" fented it to-n,orrow, it would answer the pur
■ pose.
t Mr. Harper replied the tnifchief intended be
; be guarded against might in the mean time be |
f do*e.
Mr. Gallatin said, he had jufl been called out
by a member of tfie houfc who had alked him
e whether he thought it would be proper for Mr.
Lyon to attend the hotife. He supposed, there
. for*, jf the ferjeant at arms was sent for him, he
e would immediataly attend.
Mr. Harper hoped the ferjeant at Arms would
' be sent.
> The Speaker said, as soon as tbe clerk had made
r a copy of the resolution, the ferjeant at arms
i wou'd wait upon Mr. Lyon with it.
, I Mr Elmendorf prcfentud a petition from ——
' Van Rei felaer, and others, for sup plies ftirniftied
doii' g the war.
' Mr Dawfon prpfented two petitions; one from
i- John Whitlock, iare afoldier in the war, and H«n
---r ry Heely. a continental waggoner, for compenfa
j tion for services—These three petitions were re
| fcrrcd to the committee of claims
I Mr; Wadfworth prffented a petition from the
* , Portland Marine Society, praying for certain buoys
r to be placed in that harbor.
' Mr. N. Freaman prefcnted a memorial from the
5 merchants and fcip owners of New- Bedford, pray
i- mg for theercflion of two light hoafes, and some
jl buoys; and also that that port may be made a
port of entry ior the Cape of Good Hope and he
' yond.—This and the lafl petition were referred to
3 tbe committee of commerce and manufa&ttres.
y The bill appropriating money for holding a
t treaty with the Indians in the (late of Tenaelfec,
r wai received from the senate with amendments,
r which were read and referred to a felcdl commit
tee.
f Mr Lyon having entered,
s Thi Speaker said, ifce member from Vermont
. and Connecticut being now in their places, he
e Ihoaid proceed to read the resolution which had
been entered into by the houfc. [Ha thea read the
resolution]
1 As soon as it was (iailhed r-ading,
- Mr. Grifwold rofc, and said he (hould not hefi
r tat* to en'.er into the proposed engagement.
n Mr. l.yon also rose, and said he was ready, as
it was the wiSi of the house, to agree to the pro
portion.
I The Speaker said, then you do accordingly a
|| gree to this proportion ?
, Both anfwercd, " 1 do agree."
Mr. Rutledge said his colleague (Mr. Pinckney)
i who was indilpofed, wished a change of air, and
C desired leave of absence for fix days. Granted.
The bill for the relief of Wil iani Alexander was
f read the third time and palfsd.
Mr. D. Fofler, from the commirtee of claims,
made aa unfavorable report on the petition of the
* reprcfentativel of Oeargc Laycroft, which was
1 concurred in.
Mt. Harner called up his proposed amendment
8 to the standing rules of the house, refpeSing mo
tions for adjournment, which was referred ro the
r comn-.ittee winch has been appointed an the subject
" of the rules.
- Mr. J Williams Moved that the go into a
n committee of the whole on the bill for difcipliaiag
I a nd organizing the militia of the United States ;
, but the tenfc of the house being taken, there ap
peared only 14 member* fdf it.
e Mr. Williams then said, as there appeared no
5 bnfinef* before the houle, he we.ild move an ad
journment, in order that the committee of privile
n grs might attend to the bufiuefs referred to them*
—Agreed. Adjourned.
FOR SALE,
' A quantity of CALF SKI NB, in the rough,
' and some horse leather. Apply to
y ROBERT SMITH Gf Co.
d No. ;Bi'Sauth Trent (Ire,t.
1- Feb. I}. daw
From the Philadelphia C.incite.
To the F*ft.men as the city and county of
Philadelphia, and the county of Delaware.
rELLOW CITIZENS,
A person, who, in the Philadelphia Ga
zette of the 14th inilant, ha« thought pro
per t« aflurae the title of A Friend to Jus
tice, has endeavoured to alarm your fears,
on the fubjeft of your right of fuffrage.
He Items to believe, and he end#lvour»
to make you believe, that the report of the
committee of the Senate, against the valid
ity of Mr. Israel's ele&ion, was founded ex
clufi/ely upon the omifilon to require a cer
tificate of allegiance.
Defi.rous of ascertaining the truth of the
charge, I have applied to a member of that
committee, who very readily furnifhed me
with a copy of the report which was proposed
to be made, and which contains, a full state
ment of the principles, on which they form
ed their decision. Tamauthorifedtofay, that
the only,reafon why'it wasnot made at length,
was, that a majority of the committee,
thought it most confident with parliamenta
ry forms, to Report their fleci'fion without
assigning their reaforis, but'as their conititu
ents have an interest in knovfrihg the grounds
upon which the deciGon they*
have no obje&i'en to its being made public.
The pertifal of this paper .will surely re
fute the acrimonious chargeS'o'f the writer
I have alluded to. Your privileges have not
been violated, your rights have not been
outraged, your voice* bave not been set at
nought, unless it is an injury done to citi
zens to confine to themselves th'fe'exercife of
tlieir best and dearell privilegrs'te prevent
an unauthorized and illegal usurpation ef
theii rights and to prcferve by all imaginable
care that purity of election on which the
fafetyof a republic depends.
It is the vital principle of a republic to
repel from its e-ledioiis all foreign interfer
ence. Those only,* who being citizens,
have a manifeft and permanent interest in its
welfare, pofiefs the right of fuffrage, and
can be legally called to the exercise of it.
If upon examination a single vote appears
to have been rtceived from a ft ranger and an
alien ( and all -who are not citizens are aliens J
it is necessary to rejedl it, for such a vote
passed over to day, is a precedent for thou
sands on the next occasion.
The committee of the senate would there
fore, have betrayed the solemn trust confid
ed to them, would have defetved the censure
the indignation of their country, had they,
upon any considerations whatcyer, allowed
the votes of those, who are not citizens, ac
cording to our laws, to be numbered with
the votts of those who are.
In every such inftanee the value and effett
of your own fuffrages is impaired. It is f>
l*ntly leflening your interA in''the commit
nity ; it.is creating officers fgr the people,
who are not chosen by the people—(for the
people of. a state means the citizens of a
state) it j» ( compelling to submit
to. laws you have i\ot paflfd, and to o
bey magistrates whom you haiVe not chosen.
' Yet you are warmly urged'by some who
mean ■Well, 'and by Others whoknnw better,
to coniider this just aid legal determination
of the do'rhmittee, as an injury done to you,
to the citizens, the conftitwt'iitoal eleflors of'
this diftrid.
In all countries where popular eleftioos
are te be found at all, they will be found to
be confined to the citizens, H>r>(in monarchi
al societies) the fubjeds of thiofe countrie*.
In Franee, and all the'countries which
Francs has fraternized, the vote of a per
son not an active citizen, as -there termed
would be treated with c'ontetnpt. In En
gland, Scotland and Ireland, the right of
eleding is much and variously limited ; but
in all most jealously guarded. Shall our free
and happy American commonwealths be
contaminated, our sober and rational consti
tutions, happily combining the enjoyments
of liberty with the obligations of law, be
undermined by flie spirit as a party, which
veiling its attachment to a paiticular cha
racter under the pretence of zeal for the
public good, endeavonrs to excite your re
sentment at the preservation of your own
rights, and ipflame you against the decision
of a legal tribanal, because it did not take
less care of the privileges of citizens tban
would have been taken in other countries ?
My fellow-citizens, whether by birth or
naturalization, rcjed these insidious artifices
—be steady in theprefervation of your rights
—fufped the man who endeavors to dimia
ifh their value, eled the Senator who can
best perform the duties of his trust, and
preserve inviolate the iaterefts and indepen
dence of your country.
A Citizen of Pennsylvania.
Feb. 14, 1798.
The COMMITTEE feleSedagreeably to law,
to try the matter of the petition complaining of
the undue election of Israel Israel, returned as
a senator for the difiriS comprfcd of the City
and county of Philadelphia, and the county of
Delaware, and sworn or affirmed to give a
true judgment therton Recording to the evidence,
report, that agreeably to the duty thus solemn'
ly imposed on them, they proceeded to tali tie
said petition into conjideration, and required
»f the person appearing in behalf of the pe
titioners, to spec fy in writing Jhis objt&ione
against the f.iideleOion, who, thereupon f re
sin ted the following:
" 1 ft, The eledion in Southwark was not
; held at a place appointed agreeably to the
laws and constitution of this state.
2nd, The legal proof of citizenfliip was
not required of those who voted in Sovth
wark and the Northern Liberties,
i 3d, A fufficient number of votes to set
aside the eledion of Mr. Israel, were re
ceived from persons who were not qualified
to vote far members of the senate."
' That it appears, that by a law palled the
till day of March, 1797, entitled. "An
ad for the eredion of certain eledion dif
trids, and for other pvtrpofes therein men-