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