him to treat for peace, Every thing was quiet in) and the formations of our new governments at that the new settlements, and upwards of 5,000 souls time, were nothing compared with the great business have been added to them since last September. now before us; there was then a certain degree of The people there are extremely uneasy lest the enthusiasm, which inspired and supported the mind; free navigation of the river Mississippi to the sea but to view, through, the calm sedate medium of reashould not be secured to them upon a treaty of son the influence which the establishments now pro. peace; if it is not, it will occasion another war in posed may have upon the happiness or misery of less than seven years; the inhabitants think they millions yet unborn, is an object of such magnitude, have a natural right to the free, though not the as absorbs, and in a manner suspends the operations exclusive navigation of that river; and in a few of the human understanding." years they will be strong enough to enforce that right."

Extract of a letter from colonel George Mason, of Virginia (while serving in the general convention), to a friend in that state.

"P. S. All communications of the proceedings are forbidden during the sitting of the convention; this I think was a necessary precaution to prevent misrepresentations or mistakes; there being a material difference between the appearance of a subject in its first crude and indigested shape, and after it shall have been properly matured and arranged." An extract from the last will and testament of col. George Mason, of Virginia.

PHILADELPHIA, June 1st, 1787. "The idea I formerly mentioned to you, before the convention met, of a great national council, consisting of two branches of the legislature, a judiciary and an executive, upon the principle of "I recommend it to my sons, from my own exfair representation in the legislature, with powers perience in life, to prefer the happiness of indeadopted to the great objects of the union, and con- pendence and a private station to the troubles and sequently a controul in these instances, on the state vexation of public business; but if either their own legislatures, is still the prevalent one. Virginia has inclinations or the necessity of the times should had the honor of presenting the out lines of the engage them in public affairs, I charge them, on plan, upon which the convention is proceeding; a father's blessing, never to let the motives of but so slowly, that it is impossible to judge when private interest or ambition induce them to betray, the business will be finished; most probably not nor the terrors of poverty and disgrace, or the fear before August-festina ̄ lente may very well be called of danger or of death, deter them from asserting our motto. When I first came here, judging from the liberty of their country, and endeavoring to casual conversations with gentlemen from the dif. transmit to their posterity those sacred rights to ferent states, I was very apprehensive that soured which themselves were born." and disgusted with the unexpected evils we had experienced from the democratic principles of our governments, we should be apt to run into the opposite extreme, and in endeavoring to steer too Mr. Buel-Permit me to solicit to treat your far from Scylla, we might be drawn into the vortex readers and patrons with the publication of the foiof Charybdis, of which I still think, there is some lowing address. The journal of the assembly of danger; though I have the pleasure to find in the the year 1781, at their second meeting, was never convention, many men of fine republican principles. printed: it appears that the state printer for that America has certainly, upon this occasion, drawn year could not procure the necessary paper for the forth her first characters; there are upon this con- purpose. Three hundred copies of this address vention many gentlemen of the most respectable abilities; and, so far as I can yet discover, of the purest intentions; the eyes of the United States are turned upon this assembly, and their expectations raised to a very anxious degree.

New York

FROM THE ALBANY ARGUS:

were printed in a pamphlet form for the whole state, and the same was ordered to be printed in the friendly news-papers. New-York city being then in the possession of the enemy, this latter means

of circulation must have been small. In the

May God grant, we may be able to gratify them, manuscript journal of 1781, above mentioned, is by establishing a wise and just government. For the original state address, from which I have made my own part, I never before felt myself in such a this exact copy. It appears from this journal, that situation; and declare, I would not, upon pecuniary previous to the publication of this interesting documotives, serve in this convention for a thousand ment, the great body of the people of this state, pounds per day. The revolt from Great Britain, although they loved their country and still wished

1

and prayed for liberty, yet found themselves must be obtained and taxes rendered more ber hen
fatigued, distressed, embarrassed, drained of prosome; to relieve the frontiers, great demands must
perty and deprived of the services of their use. be made upon the militia; to conduct military
ful, hardy husbandmen-surrounded and daily operations with success, vigor and energy must be
encroached upon by the ravaging enemy, and given to government, and temporary restraint be
pressed by a merciless savage foe. The record of imposed upon the liberty of the subject. Those
their complaints and entreaties for relief, trans- who candidly admit these truths, will judge of the
mitted to the legislature from every part of the embarrassments which perplex the legislature—
state, prove them to have been greatly disquieted, will make proper allowances for them, and by aiding
and anxious to put a speedy termination to taxes, and supporting government, enable their rulers to
impresses, assessments, and levies of militia. By distinguish between the manly representations of
the history of the succeeding year, this admirable freemen and real patriots, and the insidious murmurs
address seems to have had the desired effect. The of those grovelling souls, whom the flesh pots of
committee for drafting and preparing the same Egypt would lure back to the land of bondage.
were Mr. L'Hommedieu, Mr. Tayler, and Mr. Ben-
son, of the assembly, and Mr. Schuyler, Mr. Yates,
and Mr. Platt, of the senate. It was first reported
to the assembly by Mr. Benson.

By its publication in your state paper, you will deserve the thanks of the present generation, and preserve to posterity an important item of the his tory of the MEMORABLE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

I have the honor to be sir, your very humble serAARON CLARK. vant,

Albany, Nov. 3, 1819.

"AN ADDRESS

But to enter more minutely into particulars:
With respect to the weight and inequality of taxes,
let the sincere and zealous friend of his country,
for to such characters only we mean to address

ourselves, look back to the beginning of this con-
troversy, and test the justice of present complaints
by past promises. Greater evils than any we have
yet experienced, were apprehended when we enter
ed into the present contest. Cowards shuddered
and attempted to fly from them; you set them at
defiance; and animated with the spirit of freedom
in your public assemblies, at your private meet.
ings, by your solemn acts, and in your familiar con-

From the legislature of the state of New-York, to their versations, repeatedly pledged your lives and for-
tunes to prosecute the war with vigor.

Constituents.

That the taxes are burthensone, will readily be "FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS-While government is without corruption, the representatives of admitted, but on the other hand, we submit to your a free people cannot be inattentive to the opinions candor, whether they are not far short of what you consider of their constituents: They will hear their com-had reason to expect; especially when you plaints and examine into the causes of them; if they the real and not the nominal sum demanded; and proceed from errors in government, they will take into the account, that the war had been carried endeavor to correct such errors; if they originate on for several campaigns, at a considerable expense, in evils which arise from their peculiar situation, before any taxes were collected, and we are perthey will explain the necessity which gives them suaded your justice will not permit you to ascribe birth-well satisfied that such evils will be borne to the legislature, hardships arising from taxes with patience, by those virtuous citizens, who count which it was their duty to lay, in conformity to the temporary inconveniences as dust in the balance resolutions of that august body, whom the common when weighed against their own freedom, and the voice of America has rendered supreme in matters relative to the war. If congress, urged by their happiness of posterity. The weight of taxes, the rigorous measures that necessities, have unhappily called for more than have been used to restrain the disaffected, exer-you are in circumstances to grant-if they have not tions oppressive to individuals, by which supplies duly weighed the various events which have imhave been obtained, the wants of the army, the poverished and distressed this state, it becomes calls upon the militia, and the destruction of our us, without deranging the general system, faithfully frontiers, are the principal sources from which the to represent our situation, while we endeavor to present discontents are supposed to flow. At first comply with their requisitions. This we have done; view, it will appear that most of these complaints and have reason to hope for every relief which the militate against each other, and that to diminish present emergencies will permit them to afford. the cause of some evils, others must be increased: In this expectation we have also taken measures Thus, to procure supplies without furce, money to suspend the operation of the law for raising a

suin equal to one hundred and fifty thousand dolor to your representatives, in assembly, enable lars in specie. them to bring the offenders to justice.

As the vast debt due to individuals of this state The extraordinary powers given to commissionfrom the United States remains unpaid, and thereers for defeating conspiracies, may undoubtedly fore you are destitute of a circulating medium; and be justified by our peculiar situation, and by the also because the desolation on the frontiers in the practice of all nations under similar circumstances. last campaign, has compelled us to require you to On this occasion, we are again impelled to call on raise an extraordinary, but necessary number of your candor, and to ask, beset as we are by avowed men for their security, we have given further time enemies, and infested with concealed traitors, who for the payment of the tax, which will be due on with facility maintain criminal intercourse, scatter the first of April, and we propose in the mean time the seeds of disaffection, and take advantage of to digest some plan for a more just and equal the credulity of the honest but misinformed-whedistribution of that and the other burthens of the ther it is not absolutely necessary to be attentive war. To this, your representatives engage to turn to their motions-to compare intelligence received their earnest attention. They lament that the from different quarters-to counteract the various w.nts of the army, and the negligence of states machinations they are incessantly practising to who have built too much upon our efforts, have'so subjugate us to British tyranny-that the legislafrequently rendered it necessary to disturb the ture should delegate such powers as these comcommon course of trade; and in some measure to missioners are invested with. From a persuasion violate the rights of property: we trust, however, that you conceived their proceedings may, in some that this necessity will justify us in the opinion of instances, have been improper, we do you the justhose who sincerely believe the relief of the troops tice to believe, that hence your complaints have a national object, and their wants a national griev-originated; and we flatter ourselves that in a more serious consideration, you, as friends to your counWe have stated to congress the difficulties into try, will be impressed with the necessity of such which we are involved, and flatter ourselves that powers, and that they will be obnoxious to none but they will take measures to procure from every state the disaffected. The proceedings of these comits just quota, and thereby render exertions beyond missioners will, however, be submitted to the our proportion, unnecessary in future. And we inspection of a committee of both houses, in order presume so much on your attachment to the cause to discover whether they have abused their auof freedom, as not to doubt that you will cheerfully|hority.

ance.

submit to every equitable mode which the legisla We have already taken measures for the defence ture may devise to draw forth the resources of this of the frontiers, which, if successful, will greatly state, and by that means prevent us from being relieve the militia; and we indulge ourselves in a exposed to the censure of those whom we charg ope that our endeavors will be warmly seconded with neglect. by those, at least, whose zeal has justly led them to consider the destruction of the frontiers as a national misfortune.

We see with pain, many of the inhabitants of the state remonstrating against that as a grievance, which, as a part of the original constitution, is so intimately interwoven therewith, as not to be rent from it without destroying the fabric, namely, the

We have already hinted, that we feel the inconvenience to which the non payment of the continental debts, as well as those contracted by the State, has subjected many of you. To this subject we have again earnestly entreated the attention of congress, and pointed out a mode of redress. We have now under consideration, a plan for calling to account such persons as have been entrusted share which the representatives of the southern part with public money, and thereby to restrain improper expenditures. We sincerely wish that the charge against public officers had been so par ticular as to direct us in our enquiries to the per sons aimed at, and still hope that where abuses have crept into any department, the same zeal which dictated the complaint, will, by regular information to the prosecutor for the public, to grand jury, composed of the body of each county,

of the state have in legislation. We find ourselves constrained to declare, that we cannot consider this as a proper subject of complaint. A convention was chosen for the whole state, and consisted of deputies from every county, with unlimited powers to institute and establish a government which should conclude the whole. Whilst this great business was in agitation, the southern counties became under a restraint from the enemy, andthe

convention made provision for affording to the pointed at the embarrassments which surround inhabitants of those counties as much of the bene- us, and the means we have pursued to remove fits of the constitution as their situation and cir- them; but while duty dictated this line of conduct cumstances would admit. We presume the con. on our part, it becomes us, the temporary representa. vention were convinced, that as legislation and tives of the majesty of the people, to prosecute this representation is the leading principle in our con-address in a style which freemen ought to use to stitution, it would, therefore, be highly unjust, if their equals; and we therefore cannot hesitate to because our brethren were unfortunate and could assert, that it is incumbent on you candidly to dis not enjoy the whole of their inheritance, we should tinguish between errors in the general system of deprive them of that in which they could partici. the laws themselves, and the persons employed in pate. To prevent this injustice, and influenced by the execution of them; between those which care motives of necessity and expediency, the conven- and attention in your legislature and magistrates tion passed the ordinance which we cannot, with-may remedy, and those which your situation and out violating the rights of the people, consider circumstances render unavoidable. Your repreotherwise than as part of the constitution, from sentations have been useful in pointing out defects, which we derive our powers, and therefore not to but in your fortitude, in a due obedience to the be altered or annulled by us. Independent of these laws, and in a determination to support the au conclusions, which we have drawn from the strict thority of government, can relief only be obtained principles of the constitution, we find our conduct against partial burthens, and although we cannot supported by the example of the great council of suspect that you will be remiss in these great duties the United States. Congress has allowed, and doth of the good citizen, yet it behoves us to advise you, still permit the delegates from Georgia and South that a criminal negligence has been lately too pre. Carolina to sit, debate, and vote, although the valent with some; that it is your duty to interfere, former is entirely in possession of the enemy, and especially whilst the British tyrant insults you the capital of the latter, with a great part of the with his unmeaning offers of peace and pardon, state, experience the same misfortune. Indeed, and whilst his infamous emissaries industriously should the delegates of those states, or the re- attempt to excite the honest, but credulous friend presentatives of those counties be deprived of their of his country, to unwarrantable commotions, and seats, the former might of right, and agreeable to induce him to mix with well founded grievances, the law of nations, separate from the federal union, those that do not exist. We mention this to sound enter into compacts with other nations, and even the alarm to you, whose zeal and firmness have unite with Great Britain-and the latter might on remained unshaken in every vicissitude of the prethe same principles hold a similar conduct with sent contest, that the weak and unwary may, by respect to us. We forbear to enter into a further your example, be led to the better policy of removdetail of reasoning on this subject, presuming that ing the difficulties and embarrassments which lay the least reflection will discover that, as in the one between us and the great objects we have in view, case, the jurisdiction of congress could not, of INDEPENDENCE, LIBERTY and PEACE, and not, by right, extend to Georgia and South Carolina, so is throwing fresh difficulties in the way, remove to a the other, our sovereignty would be restricted in more remote period the completion of your wish. point of territory, and our act could not rightfully Listen, friends fellow-citizens, and countrymen, bind the inhabitants of the counties in the power to the recommendations of that great and good of the enemy. Consequences so detrimental to man, whose virtues and patriotism, as the soldier both, we are persuaded, were not foreseen by those and the citizen, have drawn down the admira ion, amongst our constituents who wish well to the cause not of America only, but all Europe; whose weliof their country, otherwise we flatter ourselves earned fame will roll down the tide of time until that this matter would not have been suggested as it is absorbed in the abyss of eternity: Listen to a grievance. what he recommended to your army on a recent Thus, friends and fellow citizens, impelled by and an alarming occasion, and seriously apply it to the laudable principle that the public weal only yourselves and to us: "The general is deeply sensiought to influence the conduct of its servants, have "ble of the sufferings of the army; he leaves no we admitted the justice of some of your com- expedient unused to relieve them, and he is perplaints, promised our endeavors to lessen the cause "suaded that congress and the several states are of others, submitted to your candor our observa-" doing every thing in their power for the same tions on those which we cannot deem grievous," purpose. But while we look to the public for

"the fulfilment of its engagements, we should do it (which, by taxing industry, transmits poverty as an "with proper allowance for the embarrassments of inheritance from one generation to another; in vain "public affairs; we began a contest for liberty and has he strove with the ruthless barbarian, and with “independence, ill provided for with the means of the various difficulties incident on the emigration to 66 war, relying on our patriotism to supply deficien- countries untrodden by civilized man; if, by internal "cies: we expected to encounter many wants and discord, by a pusillanimous impatience under un"difficulties, and we should neither shrink from avoidable burthens, by an immoderate attachment "them when they happen, nor fly in the face of to perishable property, by an intemperate jealousy "law and government to procure redress. There of those servants whom each revolving year may "is no doubt the public will, in the event, do displace from your confidence, by forgetting those "ample justice to the men fighting and suffering fundamental principles which induced America to "in their defence; but it is our duty to bear present separate from Britain, we play into the hands of a “ evils with fortitude, looking forward to the period haughty nation, spurred on to perseverance in inju"when our country will have it more in its power ry, by a despairing yet unrelenting tyrant, and his "to reward our services. History is full of exam-rapacious minions. "ples of armies suffering, with patience, the ex "tremities of distress which exceed those we have "experienced, and those in the cause of ambition "and conquest, not in that of the rights of hu "manity, of their country, of their families, and "of themselves. Shall we, who aspire to the distinc “tion of a patriot army, who are contending for every "thing precious in society, against every thing hate"ful and degrading in slavery; shall we, who call "ourselves citizens, discover less constancy, and "military virtue, than the mercenary instruments "of ambition?"

These are the sentiments of a Washington, and although he had not us immediately in view, yet every sentence is replete with wholesome admonition to all orders of men in these states. The force and artifice of the enemy have hitherto proved equally abortive. Britain's proud boasts of con. quest are no more, and all Europe detests her cause. You are already within sight of the promised land, and, by the blessing of Heaven, and adequate efforts on your part, you may shortly hope, under your own vine and your own fig tree, to spend the remainder of your days in tranquility and ease; when the dangers you have passed, and the difficulties you sustain, will only seem to heighten your enjoyments; when you will look forward to the applauses of succeeding ages, and extend your happiness to the most remote period, by anticipating that which your exertions shall transmit to your posterity.

Your representatives feel themselves incapable of believing that any but the misguided, the weak and the unwary amongst our fellow-citizens, can be guilty of so foully staining the honor of the state, and wantonly becoming parricides of their own, Let us then all, for our interest is the same, with and the peace and happiness of their posterity.➡ one heart and one voice, mutually aid and support each other. Let us steadily, unanimously, and vigorously, prosecute the great business of establishing our independence. Thus shall we be free ourselves, and leave the blessings of freedom to millions yet unborn.

By order of the senate,

NORTH-CAROLINA,

Mecklenburg county, May 20, 1775. But, friends, fellow citizens and countrymen, In the spring of 1775, the leading characters of vain is your hope to experience these glorious re. Mecklenburg county, stimulated by the enthusiaswards, for all your toils, and quaff the cup of bliss;tic patriotism which elevates the mind above consiin vain has our hardy ancestor traversed the derations of individual aggrandisement, and scorntrackless ocean to seek in the wilds of the new ing to shelter themselves from the impending world a refuge from the oppressions of the old; in storm, by submission to lawless power, &c. &c. vain for our sakes has he fled from that tyranny held several detached meetings, in each of which