/ ( - /V - * /l/ d fU% *. \ yl I' & f>/~?~/i/> \L AK( i § (s ** *$i f} ■ y 7-^ J y-*?-y t/ i/DL y\y Vi y ,-tVi-^^ ;s / s , , , f .*' // / i No. VIII- ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ■ ,cvfTCH of the POLITICAL STATE of ' AMERICA. NUMBER V. r) UT once more alarmed by a sense of common 15 danger, the citizens of America were led, in • te 0 r a fuppofecl competition of interelts, feri fly to reflect on thole causes, which had reduced to fuchan unfortunate lituation, and to leek a remedy for those evils, which were daily increasing upon her—the neceliity of a due commer cial fvftem throughout the United States, appeared to be the prevailing fentiinent, both as intimately connei f te d with railing a revenue for the support 0 f government, as to give a spring to Agriculture, Manufactures and Commerce : To effect this pur pose a special deputation from the several States, convened at Annapolis in Sept. 1786 ; but upon a mature investigation of their powers, they were found to be altogether inadequate, to either the wprefs or implied object of their million—and it was by them wifely judged, that a radical cure, ra ther than a partial remedy, was neceilary to the futurehappinefs and prosperity of their country, and in order to effect this laudable plan, they re commended a General Convention from the States, at some future period, who, while they were deep ly imprelled with causes of our national disease, ihould be inftruifted to provide an efficacious re medy. Their recommendations were readily com plied with, as proceeding from the beftof motives, and the reason of them was already anticipated by the conviction, in every persons mind, of their ne celiity— anda Convocation of the firft VV'orthies and Patriots of America, was held in May, 1 787, at Phi delpliia—directed to make luch additions to the system of Confederation, as were neceflary to re lieve America from those einbarrafsments, which had resulted from a weak and inefficient form of government; but upon a candid difcUfrion of the whole plan of their business, and what was expect ed from the result of their deliberations, it was thought to be dangerous to the future liberties of their country, to veil thole powers which ought to be vtfted mall governments, to answer the end of their institution, to one, conftitutedas the existing Confederation—Congrefs being but a diplomatic body, and not under those chccks and rcftraints, which might be madetoarife from apian different iy conftrwtecl ; and although a delicacy of fenti mant, arising si 0111 a fear of exceeding the limits of their commission, produced some objections to a radical alteration of the confederated system, yet as the salvation of their country was thought to depend upon it—they determined to recur to firft principles, and present, for the approbation, of their fellow-citizens, such apian of future govern ment as would answer the great objects of society ; and p spirit of mutual concefiion and compromise for the general good prevailing, they happily unitedin a fyftem,which does honor to their hearts as men,and their heads as politicians ; nor till grati tude has 101 l a place in the bosoms of Americans, can their exertions, to save a decaying land, be for gotten. In this Syfiem we find the energy of a good government united with the freedom of the People, and containing certain great charatteriftics peculiar toirfelf, and which presage much future "appmefs to the subjects of its controul—thofe re s, tr^ s » as a lf° sh e "important objects, which niut be involved in its administration, will form lu bjeot of my future numbers. AMERICAN US. (To be continued.) EXTRACT FROM "AMERICAN ESSAYS. ' rh: IM PORTANCE of the PROTESTANT RELI GION 1 politically considered. *empora inutantur, ct nos mutainur in illis. Region "which the citizens of America in v; rr f r "' P rofcfs > that, for the fake of which our t>lea<V S f °f e at h ers ''cfigned all the honors, the I'arics r'c 16 col } l^ orts > and almost all the necef biin lT° • , w hich many of them enjoyed in a and ii 1U 6 wol "ld ; and traversed the \ ast famiU^ 1 .° Us '^ : I'®tic, to trail .'plant themselves and fwa rVn 1U ? C J Leu rut ' c > uncultivated wilderness, men k? W -/ va g e beaits, and far more savage f oai l';' S lhe / e W that Religion which laid the tiie Rei", 0 ' 1 °r £ new auc l g reat Empire :'t is Indufl"-v O r 0n °^ lers the moll favourable to a &d conk ommerce > t,le Arts, Science, freedom, It i s t j, 4""it temporal Happiness of Mankind : and best F'° , rel 'gion of tlje greatest, wisest, "•e Relif,;,., en £ ? world has produced ; and it is the amhfr l V t lchwe acknowledge GOD to be ■ e ffulclalml f W! J- Purely be admitted as now- To this Rei; °. our P? lt^cu^ar reverence and refpeift: el -gton Britain is principally indebted From W E D N E S D A Y, M„ 6, to Saturday. M.rr-r^r for that happy and subsequent glori ous revolution, which were the harbingers of her present distinguished greatness : To this Religion, and its worthy profeflbrs, it muftbe acknowledged, much is due, in bringing about the late gloi ious American Revolution : lrifpired by this Religion, our tt uly patriotic Clergy,boldly and zealously Hep ped forth, and bravely flood our distinguished Sen tinels to watch, and warn us against approaching danger : 1 hey wifely saw that our Religious and c ! liberties were inseparably connected ; and therefore warmly excited and animated the people, resolutely to oppose and repel every hostile inva dei . I hefe are lame of the temporal bleftings flow ing from our Religion ; and yet many of those pious Christians, to whom, under God, we owe much of that fortitude, zeal, perseverance, and inspira tion, which carried the American Soldiery through difficulties and dangers, apparently infurmounta bie, may at this day be ranked among the most needy and dependent men in the community : This is an evil greatly to. be deplored ; and urgently demands every pofiible public and private exertion, tor the lake of those who have thus generously em braced a life of certain indigence, for the cause of 1 eligion and mankind—for the lake of their wi dows and offspring, who are often left in the most diftrefled circumstances, and for the honor andfe curity o! that Religion,to which we are largely in debted for this happy country. The generality of mankind, are more or less influenced and attracted by the power and splendor of riches ; and there are too many of all ranks in every community, who annex an idea of contempt to the appearance of poverty : This is too evident to be controverted : it therefore poverty is often treated with contempt, and always with neglect, what may we not tear for that Religion, of which, in this country, poverty is a distinguishing badge ! The mats of mankind are ever captivated by external appearances and fliew—barren minds receive no light from within, and therefore cannot so easily be informed and convinced, of the intrinsic worth of true Religion, as they may be caught and infnared by the tinsel and trappings of any other ; it is therefore worthy of consideration, what may be the probable effecfts of the introduction of otiier religions, and how far their effects, if in any view dangerous, may be counteracted, consistent with the juli: and generous principles of Toleration. The ignorant and illiterate, constitute a large majority in all communities—these are awed, their excefles controled, and their opinions biailed, more from the exertions of religion, and the visible ref peeft paid to it by those, whom they deem their su periors, than from its immediate, fenlible influence on their own minds : Ic is therefore welt worthy the attention of those who ailent to the importance of the PRO f ESTANT RELIGION politically consi dered, and who conceive that it has had any fharein producing the temporal blelfings we now enjoy, to honor it with every polfible diftinguifliing mark of pre-eminence andrefpe<ft,not lepugnant to the true tpiritof Toleration ; and liberally to aid our religi ous h atliers, in the glorious work of fupportingthis IMPORTANT BULWARK OF OUR CONSTITU TION ; and in the commemoration of those great events, conducive to the revolution and indepen dence of America ; maythe virtue,zeal, and patri otism of our Clergy, be ever particularly remem bered ; for it is a truth,as sacred as the idea is seri ous and alarming, that as our Protestant Clergy shall fink into contempt or negletft, however unde served, the learned will decline the profefllon ; and then adieuto Religion, Morality, and Liberty; and while in conformity to the benevolent precepts of true religion, as well as the liberal principles of our Constitution, Americans hold out religious li berty to all the various fecTrs, who may be disposed to become our fellow-citizens, let us not be want ing in that attention and refpedr, due to the Reli gion we profefs, left it should be fufpecfted, that our tolerant spirit, proceeded more from a total in difference to all religion, than from that liberality offentiment and god-like Charity, which true re ligion inculcatesandinfpires,and which it is hoped will never be dislodged from the generous and be nevolent breasts of AMERICANS. E. C. % « " Baltimore, Arril 21, 1789, Extratt of a letter from George-Town, to a gentleman in this town, da. ted April 17, 1789. " Ycflerday pafltd through this town, on his way to New-York, his Excellency General Washington, accompanied by the Hon. Charles Thompson, Esq. feciftary to Congress.—The former of these personages, goes to fill the feat of President of the United States of America—the last distinction, which a grateful people tan bestow, or a life spent with unexampled honor ..and appiaufe, can deserve. " To this ilhmrious appointment, he was unanimously called by the voice of his country. —The annals of history, furr.ifhing no thing so Angular in its nature, or so eminently glorious. Heroes and legislators may have enjoyed the confidence of a majority of their countrymen ; but none but Washington ever unanimou[l\ pleased as the former, or was unanimeujly chosen for the htter.— Vhilft this very Angular event displays to the world an empire of.diflimilar climes, products and intereils, liflenin" to the Innple and enlightened voice of reason ; it on the other hand exhibits to mankind, a character in its nature so very perfetl tha tor its improvement, nothing can be added. * Ftom Alexandria to George-Town, he was attended by a voluntary comf ;y of private gentlemen—neighbours, friends and children ot the man, whp had favtd their country and them — Impelled by gratitude alone, and not moving, servile, at the in junction of command, they chose this method to manifeft their af fection for him, without whom, freedom had been nothing but a name. An attendant corps, collected togetherby such motives, does more honor to a man, than all the triumphs which Rome ever beheld ; and the pcrfon so honored, is more lllutlrious, than anv monarch on the globe. ' " The gentlemen of George-Town, emulons to display the r patnotifm, and to evince their attachment for the firft charafler in America, refpeflfully received him at the banks of the Patow mack, and fct out to afcort him, until they should meet the gen tlemen from Baltimore. ° " May this virtuous and truly great man, thus in fafety be con ducted to the place of his deftindtion ; and may Heaven, auspici ous to his declining years, kindly fmoothe over the thorns of le gislation— avert from his administration the tumults of popular dif- C °j — cau^e l ' ie f ame Sun which hath diffufed around the me ridian of his ljfe so much splendour, finally to go down on his lat ter end in peace." Hie Prelident of the United States arrived in this place on his way to Congress, on Friday afternoon, the 17th inft. with Charles rhompfon, Esq. and Col. Humphryes. This great man was met n>me miles from town, by a large body of refpeftable citizens on horfehack, and conducted, under a discharge of cannon, to Mr. Grant's tavern, through crowds of admiring fpeftators. At fi;c o'clock, a committee chosen in consequence of a late notification, to adjust the preliminaries for his reception, waited upon him with • an address, which, with his answer, we are happy to be able to give to the public. A great number of the citizens were present ed to him, and very graciously received. Having arrived too late for a public dinner, he'acccpted an invitation to supper, from which he retired a little after ton o'clock, The next morning he was in his carriage at half pad five o'efock, when ne left town,"un der a discharge of cannon, and attended as on his entrance, by a body of the citizens on horseback. These gentlemen accompani ed him seven miles, when alighting from his carriage, he would not permit them to proceed any further; but took leave of them, after thanking them in an affectionate and obliging manner for their politeness. We (hall only add on this occasion, that those who had often seen him before, and those who never had, were equally anxious to fee him. Such is tilt rare lmpreflion excited by his uncommon character and virtues. ADDRESS to the PRESIDENT of the United States of Ame-> rica. S I R, WE feel the honor you have this day conferred on the town o£ Baltimore, by favouring it with your presence, infinitely heighten ed and enhanced by the desirable event which has produced it. Happy to behold vour elevation, permit us to re-aiTurc you of our purest love and afre&ion. In considering the occasion that has once more drawn you from, the Icenes of domeflic ease and pirivate tranquility, our'thoughts naturally turn on the situation of our country, previous to the ex pedient of the late general convention. When you became a mem ber of that body which framed our new and excellent constitution you diffipatcd the fears of good men, who dreaded the difuuioj ol the Hates, and the loss of our liberties in the death of our en feebled and expiring confederation : And now, fir, by accepting the high authorities of Preside -t of the United States of America? you teach us to expect every blessing that can result from the wileft recommendations to Congress, and the moll prudent and judicious, exercise of those- authorities ; thus relieving us in the one inllance from the most gloomy apprehensions, as when, in a different ca padty, you re-crofted the Delaware; and in the other, opening to our view the most animating profpefts, as when you captured Comwalii.v But it is from the tenor of your own life, and youruniform and upright political principles and ccndufl, that we derive the fullcft assurance that our .hopes will be realized. Believing that a faith ful performance of public engagements is eflcntial to the prosperi ty of a people, and their implicit reliance on the promises of go vernment. to its liability, we pleasure your well known fcntiments on this fubjeft, and have no doubt but the other branches of Congress will concur with you in placing public credit on the most solid foundation. We havealfo every reason to conclude, that under the administration of a Walhimnon, the use tul and ingenious arts of peace, the agriculture, commerce, and manufactures of the United States, will be duly favoured and im proved, as being far more certain sources of national wealth than the richelt mines, and surer means to promote the felicity of a people, than the most fuccefsful wars. Thus, fir, we behold a new era ipringing out ofour independence, and a field displayed where your talents for governing will not be obfeured by the splendor of the greatest military exploits. We behold too, an extraordinary thing in the annals of mankind; a free and enlightened people' choosing, by a free election, without one difTentino- voice, the latt cominanderin chief of their armies, to watch over°and guard their civil rights and privileges. We sincerely prav that you may long enjoy your present health, and the citizens ol the United States have frequent opportunities to leltify their veneration of your virtues, by continuing you through many fucceflive elections in the firft flat ion of human honored dig nity In these expressions of our affections and attachment, we are Icnfible wc do not speak the wishes of a town only, out the united feelings of a whole people. In behalf of the citizens of Baltimore, we have the honor to be, &c. &c. * James M'Henry, Robert Smith, Nicholas Rogers, O. H. Williams, Joshua Barney, Thorowgood Smith, Paul Bentalau, William Climm, John Bankson, John Swan. Isaac Griest, r&AsswEs by the President of Me United States of Ame- RICA. Gentlemen, THE tokens of regard and affeaion which I have often received from the citizens of this town, were always acceptable, because I believed them always fincerc.—Be pleased to receive my best ac knowledgment for the renewal of them on the present occasion. If the affectionate partiality of my fellow citizens has prompted them to afenbe greater effeas to my condua and chafer, than were justly due, I trust the indulgent fentimeut on their part, will not produce any presumption on mine. I cannot now, gentlemen, refill my feelings so much as to with hold the communication of my ideas refpeaing the aaual situation of our national affairs. It appears to me that little more than common sense sad common honesty in the tranfaaions of the com- PRICE SIX PENCE.
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