9

ing "relations, between the states and general government," and especially so, to many of the present and rising generations, if we step back, for a few moments, and retrace a short sketch of FACTS, not "opinions and sentiments," which, as a people, and heretofore as separate state Sovereignties, we have borne, and that which we now bear to each other.

On looking over your most dangerous and extensively spread epistle, to the people of the United States, it was found that you had adhered almost wholly, and throughout seven columns of close newspaper print, to a mere detail of "sentiments and opinins" of your own and one other man, whom you have named, and thus doomed to share with yourself, the high responsibility of YOUR OWN assumptions! I am sorry to see that great man now named by you as an abetter of your present creed, beca ise, he is dead! His inaugural address, in the Presidency proves that, he never was an anti-federalist; at the head of whose banner you have now arrayed yourself.

Your plan of address, by way of opinion,” while it affords to you infinite scope, not requiring to be narrowed down by FACTS, determined me to an opposite course, both for brevity sake, and as far as possible to exclude "opinions," and leave the community to judge from the facts in the case.

Yours, &c.

BENJAMIN ROMAINE.

STATE SOVEREIGNTY,

AND A CERTAIN DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION.

No. 2.

SIR,

I now proceed to a short sketch of FACTS, in relation to our General and State Governments, as

mentioned in No. 1, with the view to a more citar understanding of this important subject, and specially so, to many of the present and rising generation, and thus to inspire a patriotic love of our present Union from certain historical facts, thus made familiar. These States were originally divided into thirteen distinct colonies, and subject to Great Briton. Each Colony was held to the Sovereign power by separate charters, alike in character, and which contained a regular form of Government, very like our present State Governments, to which they served as modals. The Colonies, now States, all bordering on each other, in one vast range of territory, were at no time a divided people, either in general sentiment or action, but on all occasions of insult, or imposition of the old step-mother, on one Colony, the whole rallied in a mutual defence; They were however prohibited all foreign commerce, and in some cases the internal commerce between the colonies was restrained. In a most special manner internal manufactures were forbidden, under certain pains and penalties,---Machinery of every kind, to such end, were hunted out by spies and informers, burnt and destroyed, even the household labours of clothing and the necessary implements of husbandry were limited, in their construction; and Pitt, the British Minister (whom we are in the habit of eulogising) had declared that the "Colonists ought not to be permitted to make a Hub Nail."

The Colonists snbmitted to these restrictions without any general risings; but on all attempts to raise a direct revenue by mere act of Parliament, and without our due representation there, or even the consent of our Colonial Legislatures, was instantly met by a combined opposition, on the ground that "representation and taxation were inseparable, by the British Constitution."

In 1764, certain Bales of stampt paper, were transmitted to the Colonies, by act of Parliament. The old Dutch Republicans of this city, who emigrated here from Holland, when it was a republic, and who had been exchanged, by Holland, to the English, for

surrinam in South America, seized on the stamp papers, and burnt them, together with Lieutenant Governor Colden's coach, taken from the west wing of the Fort, mounted with about forty pieces of cannon, and which then stood at the lower part of Broadway, below the present Bowling Green.

The obnoxious stamp act was repealed, and the Colonies returned to their allegiance, regardless of the declaration, which was suffered to remain on the English Statute Books; proclaiming their "right to tax the Colonies in all cases whatsoever."

The British Government then proceeded to erect new Forts, and strengthen the old ones, "to transport and quarter among us, large bodies of armed troops, without the consent of our Legislatures ;" and in 1775 the famous Tea-project was ordained, with determination to enforce a direct tax. Accordingly a ship load was sent to Boston, and the people, committed the whole cargo to one drawing in the salt waters of Massachusetts Bay. Boston harbour was blockaded and her Charter declared null and void. The Colonists rallied in defence, and afforded every aid to the invaded Colony.

The determination of England to enforce her long brooded intent, to raise a direct revenue, in addition to the vast advantages derived from the Colonies, as the consumers of her surplus manufactures, was no longer a matter of doubt.

It became necessary to prepare for the conflict, or yield, ingloriously, to a degrading submission. The Colonists chose the combat! They were destitute of the munitions of war, and without consentration to direct any unitted force. Their chief cities were occupied by trained regiments, in military array, and their harbours guarded by hostile ships. The uniting Sovereign power, was not only withdrawn, but had declared the Colonies to be in a state of rebellion to it.

Such, Sir, was the train of relations which the Colonies (now states) then bore to each other; and if ever a time existed, calculated to "try mens souls,” thi~ . point of it, capt the climax of human firm~~

Our political ship was thus launched on the wide ocean of revolt and made subject to the caprice and dictation of thirteen adventitious Sovereignties, and independent commanders-in-chief; and all of them unacquainted, or crudely informed, to act in their newly acquired capacity, to wield or direct a united Sovereign power.

In all communities of men it has been found indispensible to create a MAJESTY, a Sovereign controling power, an Arbiter which can have no equal, and much less a superior, or it could not be Sovereign, nor act efficiently to a general interest.

Thus Governments of every kind must possess the power of self-preservation.--They must be able to enforce the civil laws, command the national purse, bring into action the physical force, put down insurrection and rebellion, punish treason, repel invasion, defend the nation against foreign power and internal defection, and thus provide for the general welfare. No Government can permit, or shew a weakness, or failure, in any of these indispensible requisites, with security to itself, and let it be forever remembered "that fears in the public councils betray like treason.” We ought never to doubt for a moment, of the efficiency of our government, to sustain its united integrity. Washington's farewell address.

To proceed. The Colonists began their research of a new Sovereign, at the true fountain head of all legitimate authority. THE WHOLE PEOPLE; and have finally constituted and "consolidated" themselves, as the only true, and never to be divided Sovereignty ;— thus for ever excluding all personal rivalships, and family successions, from the supreme power. These have been the causes of the most cruel and vindictive wars of any other source of contention among mankind. The distressed people of Portugal are now suffering in their blood and treasure, in a mere family rivalship.

On closing this number, I am constrained here to say, in advance of my subject, and with great reluctance, that, in my full belief, no man, of all the parties

whoever spoke or wrote in relation to our union, has ever presented to the world our united Sovereignty in so unfavourable a condition, as you have done. For the present, the following extract, from your production will afford a short specimen.

You have declared to the world, "that the South de"mands free trade, light taxes, economical and equal “disbursments, unshackled industry leaving them to "pursue their own interists. (This demand is im"possible while the present Constitution exists.) That "from the Potomack to the Mississippi, if dependent "on their own volitions, every shackle on commerce "would be removed, which now represses, and en"croaches on their enjoyments. That no two na"tions EVER entertained, more opposite views of "POLICY, than these two sections!" (I take these "sentiments," to be a direct excitement to rebellion,. and a gross calumny on the patriotism of the intire South of our union.) "That we have arrived to a "point which a great change CANNOT be much longer "delayed, and the more promptly it be met, the less ex-"citement there will be, and the greater leisure, and "calmness in making the TRANCISION; (what tranci"sion?)and which becomes those the more IMMDEIATE"LY interested to consider! [who are they.] That to "delay longer must finally increase the SHOCK, and "disastrious consequences which may follow!!!" If these "sentiments and opinions," do not lead direct to a dissolution of our union, I know of no words, more expressive of such effeet; and the Potomack is assumed as the line of separation. Thus according to your "sentiments,” all further attempto to modify the tarifTMTM duties as a peace offering, must prove to be worse than useless! at any rate, the extent of your patriotism, of which you repeatedly boast, differs widely from that of the father of his united Country, whose prophetic mind foresaw all you have now written, and therefore placed his opposing "sentiments" on the eternal record!--Viz:-"The unity of government which con"stitutes you one people, is also ever dear to you, much "pains will be taken to weaken in your minds this