PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS BY JOHN FENNO, No. 4 t, BROAD-STREET, NEAR THE EXCHANGE, NEW-YORK [No. 27, of Vol. 11. j FOR THE GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES. (Omitted in ottrlcjl for want of mom.) Extract of a letter from ALi[l'jchuJ' Iti, June 30. " "\7"OU will douhtlefs be informed, if yoi X do not fee the News Papers from thi quarter, that the demon of discord is exceeding ]y bufyat this time ; the proceedings of oar Na tional Legislature, being faulted by many impa tient persons, gives occasion to a few candidates for public noticc, to traduce the general govern ment in a way that indicates what fort of materi- als the fcriblers arc composed of.—My reliance is on the firmnefs, diiintereltednefs and patriot ifni of a majority of Congreli. When I was at New-York, similar remarks to those published in the papers, were often made l>y persons whom I found either unfriendly to the or destitute of a proper idea of a free constitution. —I remember particularly being one day in the gallery, a member rose at the close of a debate which had been continued through the whole forenoon, and made afpeech of about 10 minutes length—l thought very much to the purpose ; but a man who lat next ine, appeared to be» in a perfecft agony of impatience—and expreiled him -I'cH in such a manner as convinced ine that if he could have had his will, the member would have been precluded from offering his fentimeuts on the fabje<fl.—l just observed, " that ina free af lembly every member had arighttogive his opi nion ; and if controuled as to the time, or mode speaking, there was an end to all freedom of debate." i tell some of my unealy friends that • "\patience mufi have iis pujefl "work."—that how ever, there is oneway of lhortcning the ieflionsof Congress, and presenting long speeches, which the people can adopt, ana but one—and that is to change the government from a free republic to a dtfptufni—but would this be an alteration for the better ? The Legiflaturc of the Unired States is composed of cbaratilers, feletfted from the peo preTrrrb "as much coolness, and freedom from party influence, as any that will perhaps ever be chosen. According to all the oblervations that I have been able to make here, from the print ed accounts, or from being an eye-witness, there is an evident folicitudc to promote the general interest of the Union—but every man knows, who knows any thing, that it is in the power of one or two individuals in a free aflsmbly, to protract and embarral's their proceedings —it is also to be considered that Congress have as it were but a " choice ot difficulties"—and their -ficuation is different perhaps from that of any Legislature that ever existed before. A ftrflion in the politicaL liiltory of America, even of a .year, is but a point of time , and if the relult ol . Congreilioiial deliberations atthis important peri od, Ihould be a judicious fyilein of finance, what ever may be the present sentiment, posterity will beflow ajuft tribute of applause on their decilions. We regret very much that it is thought necef fury to bring forward the subject of residence again—and fouie people talk very strangely ; however, it to be considered that this and every other qucftion can be introduced at the pleai'ure of one or two members, and much more so at the iuftance of a whole State i and there tore to fay that such things lhall not be, is to fay, we will not fubmitto a free government. I wilh the business was once fairly fettled, that all fcon teft 011 the fubje<sl may be at ah end. I have of ten refiet r ted on the observation of a gentleman who had had long-experience of human nature, in public life—the new Constitution," said he, nppfcais to tie agreeable in theory—the people are greatly elated at the profpedl which presents JlfeU to their imagination—but a Constitution is «,nt thing, niitl the administration of it is another ; those who will be ele<fted into public office will a trying time—and it will be well if . the Constitution »s not made to share the blame with the administration, of all the real or imaginary cvjls that weakness, credulity or wickedness may conjure up»"—l observed in reply, that all that xould be done was to wait the event—acknow ledging at the fame time—" that it was yet to be JeUnnVned, whether any given number of the human race could be found, who poffejfed huifdom and ft If de nial adequate to supporting a government of their OWN INSTITUTING ANtCD O T t. JTbeine told Asticokus, in order to intimidate him as he marrhed To rtie field of battle, that the enemy wouM (hoot such arrows, as would intercept the light Oi the Sun.-- «' lam K lad ofii." replied lit, " lor it being very hot, we (hall • t hen in the fa&iU " WEDNESDAY, JULT 14, 1790. CONGAKSS. HOUSE OF REPRLSEN TA 1 IVES. TUESDAY, JULY 6. Sketch of the Debate, in Committee of the -whole, on the RESIDENCE DILL. MR. SHERMAN : A3 this bill refpe&s the permanent refideuce of the government, which is an important fubjecft—it ought to be a matterof enquiry, Whether the place proposed is the real centre of population and territory or not. He thought that it was too far southward. He moved therefore that the Potowmac {hould be (truck out, and a diftritft to include the town of Baltimore, beinferted. Mr. Burke seconded this motion Mr. Lee deftred the gei tleman to inforrri the committee where he mean; the temporary refi denee (hould be, provided liis motion fhonld ob tain. Mr. Sherman said, he ha 1 no obje<stion to mak- ] ing Philadelphia thetempofary refidenee, as fuon as it was convenient.—He jhen mentioned sever al particulars which would l eader it inconvenient to go there at present. Mr. Huntington said, thit the only reason for removing, which lie had e«er heard, is, that this place is not so central. If there is any force in the reasoning, he wilhed not to »o to a place less central. He adverted to&e mode of conveyance ro this placc, generally adopted by members to g*et to the feat of government. He supposed that ihe prefeut centre was so „.e where between Phi ladelphia and Baltimoie trut tlieplace contem plated is very much removed from the centre, more than miles Weft. With refpeft tocen- trality, he said that it is not an idea which pre dominates iu regard to any other country, of which lie knew any thing refpecfting the geogra phy —other and various important considerations operated in fixing the feat of government. Mr. White observed, that if this house was alone to be consulted, 011 the principle of accom modation, Baltimore might answer—but when it is considered that this bill originated in the other house, who have an equal voice with usin deter mining the quellion—and in which this place has been repeatedly rejected, it is evident, that if the clause is struck out, the bill will be loft. He then controverted the calculations of the gentleman lalt fpeakinjr, and stated the difference of travel between the Southern and Northern difhinces, which he made to be 4$ 10 1 ; but he said that so far as rcfpected himfelf, he fliould make no dif ficulty on that account ; but the accommodation of the Citizens who may have bufinefsat the feat of Government is a consideration of very great importance —with refpeit to the excentric situa tion of the feat of Government in other countries'; this arose from themere whims df the sovereigns ot tliofe Kingdoms ; but modern policy has obli ged the people of European countries, (I refer particularly to Great Britain) to fix the fear of Tovernment, near the centre of trade—it is the commercial importance of the city of London, which makes it the feat of government —and what is the consequence ? Loudon and Westminster, though they united fend only 6 members to parlia ment, have a greater influence on the measures of government, than the whole empire besides. This is a situation >11 which we do not wifli ever to fee this country placed. He concluded by observing, that if this amendment is agreed to, the bill will be loft, and we fliall be without ei ther a temporary or permanent reftdence. Mr. Lee, after a few introductory observations entered into a consideration of the relative in terells of the southern, middle and northern States. He interspersed a variety of reflections, tending to conciliate and blend those different inrereits and to dillcininaie the sentiments of union and concord. He alluded particularly to the great objetft of funding the debts of the Uni ted States —the feat ot government will concen trate the public paper—hence he inferred the neceflity of a situation from whence all parts of the Union, may be equally benefitted—From these confideratipns he deduced the neceflity of placing 521 the government in a central fitua'rion. He ob served that vvlnle the present poliiiou continued to be the feat or government, the agriculiure of the States to the eastward is invigorated and en couraged, while that tothe Southward is Linguifli ing and expiring. He then ihewed the f;ifal ten dency of this preponderating encouragement to tliofe parts of the country, already considered as the ftrongell parts of the Union—and from the natural operation of these principles, heinfen ed, that the interefl of the Southern States niuftbo ' eventually swallowed up. The deeifion of ihe Senate, said he, affords a most favorable oppor tunity to tnanifeft that niagnanifnity of foul* which lhall embrace, upon nn extenlive liberal system, the belt interefl of the great whole.— This cannot be done- while the present unequal situation of the feat of the government of the U - nited States, continues.—Nations have their pas sions as well as individuals. He drew aii alarm ing picture of the confeq renews to be apprehen did from difilnion, anlbition and rival (hi p.—lie then gave a pleasing Iketth of the happy effeifts to be derived from a national, generous, and e qual attention tothe southern a.id northern in terests. Will gentlemen said he blnft this prof peift by rejecting the bill ? I trust they will »or. He then entered into the merits of the ques tion.— The States of Delaware, Philadelphia, Maryland and Virginia, which contribute more than one half to the revenue, and which have the only rival claim to the permanent feat of gtj [ vernment are fatisfied with the arrangement in the bill : That Philadelphia faitlhe, is thenearefl centre of the present wealth and population of the United States, thegentlemen ofNew-York them selves will confefs ; the Potowniac will become the nearcft centre for a permanent refidencepro • bably by the period proposed—to oppose this therefore will be ailing from merely local mo- ,ives. The gentleman moves to insert Baltimore- Mr. Lee in lilted that Baltimore is as far Touth as the place proposed—besides being exposed by its frontier polition on the lea ; we are not con fined said he to a particular spot on the Potow inac ; we may fix 011 a place as far north as the gentleman from Connecticut wiflies ; 1 consider the motion therefore calculated to destroy the bill, and ought to be opposed by every one who is in favor of a Southern situation. This State has 110 pretentions to the perma nent residence—it is true the citizens of this place have put themselves to great expence to accommodate the government, and are entitled to much praise for their exertions—but he wilhed to take up the subject on national ground, and to have it decided on principles which apply to the best interests of the whole. He then refer red to a map of the Potowmac and the adjacent country which lay 011 the table, and Which had been sent from the executive of the State of Vir ginia—he referred also to other papers and do cuments. Mr. Burke said he wished that the whole buii- tiefs of the temporary and permanent residence might now be fettled.—He exculpated the mem bers, who are in favor of Baltimore from all de sign to defeat the present bill. He referred to some observations which had been made on the conduct; of the members of the States, south of Virginia, and said that they had consulted interest of the v/hole. One reason why he was in favor of the motion was because he preferred Baltimore to Conocogeque. He a popu lous city better than building a palace in the woods. Another reason was that there was 110 po litical neceflity existed for removing the Govern ment from New York to Philadelphia. He said thattlie measure would excite the most turbulent paflions in the minds of the citizens. It is unjust to the people of the city to remove from this place said he, till the expenccthey have incurred is repaid thein. It is a breach of honesty and of justice. It is injustice to the state ! Tothewhole nation. He entered into a consideration of their facrifices and services. He thought it a very ex traordinary measure indeed. It is calculated said he to arrest the funding fyilem—and to throw every thing into confufioit. If the bill is passed in its present torm, Congress will never leave Philadelphia ; for the coinmillioners to be appointed will incur no penalty for a neglect of doing their duty—this is a most efiential defect, said he, 111 the bill, and there are other defects in it. He spoke in handsome terms of the Star j of Pennfvlvania—he said lie ha*l as high an xt "... [Whoie No. 131.3
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