Jiereafter, look in vain for its adoption,
and at once make a surrender of all
our pretensions to privilege and equal
itv.
'This Che said was no new subject
it oossessed none of the charms of nov-
rot the charms ot nov- s or Mates, it l" ucnopcu, nowcv
aps many gentlemen cr that l,Pon. the Vn occasion, all
famiarized to it, that sectional, clings and prejudices would
i 'be permitted to subside, and the para-
elty ; and perha
were already so
uicyycic u.uuWiicrcu luVJlc
rr ilfc uw 'h.
it, nowever, uy discussing, (said he ;
any additional lights can possibly be
thrown upon it, convincivc ot its pro-
priety and expediency, it would afford
to its friends a matter of some conso-
lation.
' Ours is a troverment. said Mr. H.
which happily places all power and sove
- - r j f
reign' in the hands of the people.
Equal rights and equal privileges are
accorded to all our citizens ; and such
no doubt was the intention of the fra-
mers of our present State Constitution
They wisely provided that each dis
trict or county should be represented good required it ; and he could not con
in the General Assembly upon fair and ceive why North-Carolina should forever
equitable principles, and all alike have
nn enual number of reDresentatives
But it was not at that time foreseen
ff fc,,, f0
S, , , A . .
aii inc amenumcnis inai experience
. , , . .
iiiigiii prove tu uc uctwwm uius uic
immense emigration to the western
parts of North-Carolina, and subse-
quent increase of population, would
render some change or alteration ne-
cessary, in order to sustain that equal-
ity which at first was contemplated
Hence it was that sectional feelings
ami nreinrlire hnrl nrin : benre it
5u Z u . i e
, . , ,
eastern and western interest. It be-
came necessary, mereiore, to correct
the present unequal representation ot
the people. And for this purpose, it
is now proposed to submit to their con-
sideration the propriety of Voting at
our neixt election, for or against a Con-
vention
c: tvt tt ...n
v . c. j ,i
measure under consideration, has more
than once been questioned. If, how
ever, (said he,) the gentleman from
Halifax, (Mr. Alston,) who was last up,
or any other gentleman, could show to
the satisfaction of the committee, that
there existed no necessity for calling
a Convention, he was willing to sub
mit. But if the weightiest arguments
of gentlemen in the opposition, were
founded, as they seemed to be, in their
acknowledged prejudice and pre-pos-session,
he hesitated not to say that
they were liable to the charge of in
consistency, and were utterly regard
less of the best and dearest interests
of the State.
Government we are told, (said Mr.
H.) was instituted for the common
good for the protection, prosperity
and happiness of the people. There
fore, the people alone have an incon
testable and unalienable right to insti
tute government, and to reform, alter
or totally change the same whenever
their protection, prosperity or happi
ness may require it. And if (said
he) there was any thing improper or
inexpedient in recommending to the
people the propriety of amending our
present State Constitution, he, for one,
could not perceive it. The course, he
thought, was perfectly a Republican
one, as would readily be admitted by
every one who had any idea of repre
sentatve government, and if adopted,
would not be attended with those dan
gers and difficulties which some imag
ined, but would secure to the citizens
of North-Carolina that degree of in
fluence and power, proportioned to
their numbers, to which they were
fairly entitled by every principle of
honor and justice.
It has been said, Mr. Chairman, (obser
ved Mr. H.) by those who arc friendly to
a Convention, that they could not support
the measure, because they could not dis
cover no practical good which would re
sult from it.
If, sir, (said he,) gentlemen really be
lieve that our Constitution is not defec
tive, or that it is susceptible of no amend
ment, then they may well be justified in
opposing an alteration of it. But what
(he would ask) was the object of a Repub
lican government ? Was it not to secure
to the citizens of a country equal rights
and privileges ? And was this equality
secured to the citizens of North-Carolina ?
Most assuredly it was not. The practical
good effects, therefore, which would ne
cessarily be produced by an amendment
of our Constitution, are simply these :
Our representation would be regulated in
proportion to our population, and wealth,
if gentlemen pleased to have it so ; each
section of the State would possess its due
weight and influence in the Legislature,
and all parties would be placed precisely
upon an equal footing. Hut, perhaps,
even this arrangement would not be agree-
able to all; for it would be pr6posiog to
the members of the east, who at present
rule, to surrender up a portion of their
power, and such applications were well
known to be unwholesome, ana seldom at-
: (tended with success, whether to indivrdu
als or States. It was to be hoped, howcv
mount consideration of the public good
alonc prcvali.
As to anv obicctions ('u Mr. II.N.
which may arise, relative to the censtitu-
tionahty of this question, there can be no
doubt. We do not propose, said he, to
violate the oaths which we have taken to
I suPPort the Constitution, by voting our-
selves for an amendment of that instru-
ment. Our object is to shew to the peo
ple its defects, and to suggest a remedy.
And where, he would ask, was the impro
priety of such a measure ? Where the
political profanation which was commmit
ted by such a transaction ? Other States,
said he, had never hesitated to change
their Constitutions whenever the public
remain behind, indifferent to her own in
terest and her own dignity.
Mr. H. said he felt great anxiety upon
this subject, because he believed no course
1 was better calculated to enhance the cred-
. , . ti,0nn.POi :n,Mtt ri,-
I it and promote the general interest ot the
cfat. Ti.lt he wolllfl nnw resume his
scaU in order to afford to others, better
qualified than himself, an opportunity of
expressinc: their sentiments upon it.
Mr. Hawks acknowledged the impor-
tance of the subject under consideration,
ana rejoiceu witn tne gentleman trom
Salisbury, (Mr. Fisher,) l hat the House
manifested a disposition to give to It
the consideration which that importance
demanded. I he Resolutions before the
committce contemplated nothing less than
to demolish, at once, the venerable insti-
tutions of our fathers, and to substitute in
their stead, that which might result from
the superior wisdom of their sons ; and
under such circumstances, it appeared to
him that the nrst inquiry ougnt to ue,
" arc there defects in our present Consti-
tution, and if so, what arc they ? The
trentleman who had supported the Reso
lutions before the Committee, had rcpre
scnted that instrument as u unjust and an-
ti republican in its operations but, Sir,
(said Mr. II.) after searching in vain for
that long catalogue of grievances, of which
we have heard so much, gentlemen seem,
by their silence on other points, tacitly to
admit that the inequality of representa
tion is the only obnoxious feature. Mr.
Ii. said, he had been taught to believe that
it was among the difficult points in the
science of government to fix upon a prin
ciple which should equalize representa
tion ; but he had also been taught that a
system founded upon a compound princi
pie (if he might so term it) of population j tution. Those articles, said Mr. II. were
and wealth, approached nearest to perfec-. formed by good and great men, but that
tion, and he now called upon those gentle- J which was built on theory It was found
men who were willing to adopt this basis, would not stand the test of practice The
to shew the inecpiality and injustice of the only conclusion, therefore, fairly deduci
present system of representation. He ' ble from this historical fact, is, that e.-rie-believcd,
that to shew it was impossible ; rience is better than theory, and this con
and if, as he had stated, the friends of the elusion is a weapon in our hands. The
Resolutions could find no other principle merit of our Constitution has been sanc
of the Constitution objectionable, it be-jtioned by nearly half a ccnturys e x-ieri-hoved
them to pause and inquire what'rnfr, and we are asked to destroy it, to
they were about to do. Sir, I will answer
the inciuiry. Wc arc about to touch
with unhallowed hands the ark of our po- -
litical safety, to set in motion the turbulent
waves of faction, and throw the country
into unparalelled confusicn, merely to;
gratify the caprice of gentlemen who fan-
cy they see evils which have no existence
in reality.
Mr. II. said he would leave it to other
gentlemen, who he knew would take part
in this Debate, to answer those observa
tions founded on official statements and
numerical calculations which had been
made in support of these Resolutions.'
Hut admitting, said Mr. H. that the com
plaint of our western brethren is just, that
the present representation is not altogeth-!
er equal ; another and not less important;
inquiry suggests itself, "Is it exfudient
at this time, to alter the Constitution? to j
say to the people, assemble in Conven
tion and frame for yourselves a new form
of government ?" He hoped he should be
excused for introducing to the considera
tion of the committee on the present oc
casion, as connected with this view of the
Resolutions, an extract from the noblest
state paper in the world, the Declaration
of Independence. "Prudence indeed will
dictate that governments long established
should not be changed for light and tran
sient causes, and accordingly, all expe
rience hath shewn, that mankind are more
disposed to suffer while evils are sufiera
ble, than to right themselves by abolishing
the forms to which they arc accustomed."
Forty-five years, said Mr II. have roll
ed over our heads since the establishment
of this Constitution.
And here let me pause, to ask who
were its framers ? They were those who
lived in the perilous times that tried
men's sous who fought and bled to se
cure the liberties of their country, end
who having once groaned under the op
pressions of tyranny, best knew, by con
trast, what liberty was.
When he called to remembrance these
facts, he confessed, that to him it was an
hallowed instrument. He had not said.
nor dicl he mean to say, it should be deem
ed unalterable, but he was unwilling to al
ter it until he could have a perfect assur
ance that he would thereby make h bet
ter. But it was said, this is a proper time
for undertaking the work oF revising our
Constitution ; that all is peace, that, no
party feeling exists in the country. lie
thought very differently, and when he
called to mind the dictatorial language of
the honorable member from Salisbury, he
was confirmed in his opinion. That gen
tleman had said, "let the members of
this committee say what they please, we
'rnusf nnrl will have a Convention." When
he heard such language as this, he was
convinced that this was no time for enter
ing upon the delicate business of forming
a new Constitution. He must say, such
language pained his car, aud he did not
expect to have heard it in this commitce.
Assemble a Convention, said Mr. H. and
you carry into it all the exasperated feel
ings of the community at large, and partic
ularly of those who for many years have
been clamorous for a Convention. I tell
you, Sir, those feelings it would be found
difficult to control. In the present em
barrassed state of the country, what se
curity have we, for instance, that meas
ures would not be adopted which would
violate the obligation of contracts :
mention this as but a solitary example,
which at this moment crosses my mind.
God only knows the mass of evil which
might result from a Constitution framed
by angry men, who, forgetful of what they
owed to themselves and posterity, sought
only to bring within their grasp political
power.
Gentlemen say, give us a Convention,
and we will give you a much better Con
stitution than we have at present.
It has been said, with as much beauty
as truth, that " History is Philosophy
teaching by example. Let us not, then,
shut our eyes upon the hand of Philoso
phy, when it points to the History of a
sister State. Connecticut has lately form
ed for itself a new Constitution. It was
his lot, Mr. II. said, to reside in that State
at the time its Constitution was formed,
and he had an opportunity of observing
the result of an experiment in political
chemistry : he had seen discordant and
heterogeneous particles thrown together,
which by no process could be made to
combine until all that was good was pre
cipitated to the bottom, and there floated
n the surface a worthless scum. Sir,
said Mr. II. I believe the better part of
the people lamented the adoption of that
Constitution, and still sigh in vain for the
restoration of that good which they have
lost.
The gentleman from Salisbury had re
ferred to the old articles of confederation,
which having been found defective, had
given place to the present Constitution of
the united States ; and this was urged as
a reason whv we should alter our Consti-
erect upon its ruins the speculations of
theorists.
But it is said to be aristocratic and an-
ti - republican This is an extraordinary
charge to be brought against the govern-
ment of North-Carolina. There are two
men now living in the Lnited States, who
may be termed the high-priests of Repub
licanism Thomas JelFerson and James
Madison. They live in the republican
commonwealth of Virginia, and have had
much to do in the formation of its govern
ment. And how, he asked, were dele
gates to the Virginia Legislature elected ?
No man is entitled to vote for them who
is not in possession of a freehold. No
murmuring voice has been heard to issue
from these eentlcmcn at this state of
things. I have only to say, in conclusion,
sir, wc may live to see our Constitution
revised, and if we do, we will ic to re-
pent it.
C Debate to be continued. J
CHARACTERISTIC SENTIMENT.
At a public dinner given to Commodore
Bainbridge at the Hoston Exchange Cof
fee House, the following excellent toast
was given by the brave and scientific Com
modore Porter, a son of Baltimore, whom
she is proud to claim, in connexion with
her country :
A Free Press and Education the fulcrum and
lever that can move the world.
This fine idea deserves every consider
ation, from its truth and justice. The
importance of preserving the purity and
just principles of the one, and extending
the benefits of the other, cannot be over
rated. Victory would have sooner perch
ed on the South American banner, had the
mass of her patriots been as well instruc
ted as they were pure in intention. The
progress of our sister Republic, however,
has kept pace with the light which has
been shed on her inhabitants ; and her lib
erty will be secure in proportion to the
estimation in which the spread of intelli
gence shall teach her sens to hold it.
Ba: . Pat.
INTELLIGENCE.
I le comes, the herald of a noisy world.
News from all nations lumb'rmg at Ins bacK.
From London papers received at the office of
the Savannah Georgian.
Some interesting accounts relative to the burial
place of the late Ex-Emperor Napoleon, ex
tracted from an interesting Narrative of a voy
age to I'ulo Penang, or Prince of Wales' Isl
and, by Captain Lockerby.
" Urged by a curiosity common to all
strangers, Captain Lockerby visited the
tomb of Bonaparte, and also the new house
which had been fitted up for his reception.
The spot where the tomb stands is oniy
accessible by ticket. The grave had been
dug under a large willow-tree,- which
(probably from undermining at the roots)
was in a complete state of decay. The
tomb was covered with slab stones (appa
rently from England) which had been ta
ken up from the kitchen floor of the new
house. It was railed round with green
paling, and a centinel walked round it
night and day, to prevent approach with
in the railing. There was no inscription
upon the tomb. I he ground surround
ing it, it was understood, was to be laid
out as gardens, for the accommodation of
those who came to visit the grave of the
departed Emperor.
While Captain Lockerby was rumina
ting on the narrow spot, that contained all
that remained of him that had awed the
world, he observed some ladies, who, on
their way from India to England in the
Moira, had landed, and were urged by a
similar curiosity, to visit the tomb.
They had brought refreshments w ith them
and sat on the grass. One of them ap
proached the well (which it is well known
was a favorite with Bonaparte) and drew
some water, which thev drank. Whether
the water tasted uncommonly sweet after j
that to which they had been so long ac-J
customed on shipboard, or that they con
ceived the Emperor had, in his rocky pti-
son, relinquished the garb and " nign
imaeinines" of the monarch, and assum-
cd the manners and frugality of the an-
chorite, Capl. L. is unable to decide ; but
on drinking such a draught, one of these
ladies seriously observed, " How hnppy
Bonaparte must have been to have such
delicious water to drink !" Captain L.
could not help smiling at the philosophy
of the female, who could find in a glass of
pure water an antidote lor the loss ot
health, and liberty, and power, and domes
tic affection. The ladies filled their emn-
ty bottles at the well, observing, that they
could carry some of the chrystal bever
age to England. Capt. L. followed their
example, and brought a bottle of it to
Liverpool.
Most of the principal inhabitants of St.
Helena had procured a little of the hair
of Bonaparte, and Capt. L. got from a re
spectable merchant there (Mr. O'Connor)
a few of these relics. The emperor had
but little hair on his head at the time of
his death, so that this was regarded, even
in the island, as a very valuable present.
Mr. O'Connor reported to Capt. L. a con
versation he had had with Madame Ber
trand. That lady stated, that, soon before
the death of Bonaparte, she asked him,
in the course of an interview, " under
whose protection he wished to leave his
son r" " I will leave my son under the
protection of the French Army" was the
reply. Capt. L. visited St. Helena twice
during the imprisonment of Bonaparte ;
1st in the 1 nton, of Liverpool, with de
spatches for the Governor ; and, 2dly, in
the Christopher, of this port, also, and
likewise with despatches. On the first
occasion he was permitted to sec Bona
parte walking in his garden ; on the sec
ond, he declined seeing strangers. The
whole of the servants attached to the
household had left the island. Captain
L. remarks, that previous to the restric
tions on shipping in consequence of the
imprisonment of Bonaparte, the native
inhabitants subsisted chiefly by the rais
ing of stock and vegetables, for the sup
ply of the ships on their way to India
They were rendered very destitute for
some time after the restriction, but even
tually supplied the troops and the house
hold ot Bonaparte. In this wav thev
again became comfortable; and at Bona
parte's death, a deep rerrret vas visible
among those people."
o u ccccc
LATE AND INTERESTING FROM MEXICO
Hy late papers from Mexico, which have been
recdved in this city, it appears that die whole
ot that kingdom is independent, and tranquillv
procceding to organize its government. The
ruul8 Iias.aSe. lrom a proclamation of th
5!5f:"?.? MeXl.CO' announcing the form c
e
uuuees tne beliet that the Regency do
"he S :P trCaty f 1SUaU " bhl
nZnaVZT'Vnnt:i haS "kined the instal
S int Jn nal concss which will unite 11
he intel .gence necessary to establish a consti
tution suited tnth r .
:yl'.e:,c l p.r is cofiied ST
.1 . , llu,' 111 oruer tnat it mav be
jus lv sa,d that the resolutions of the Confess
and the constitution they establish, is the fee-itf
liemember that the objectV assembling This
Congress 1S that it should proceed to perfect
and consolidate a constitution, suited tothe In
dependence of the nation, which will discuss
measure calculated to give stability to the emt
pire, to bceure its happiness, and to promote its
glory. This is the plan of tliis great work."
The manner of electing deputies does not very
essentially differ from that prescribed by the con
stitution of Spain. It is made imperative on
gome of the provinces to choose one deputy
from among the secular clergy, one from the ar
my, and one either a magistrate, a lawyer, or a
literary man. Mexico is moreover obliged to
send a miner and a nobleman ; Guadalaxara, a
merchant; Vera Cruz, a merchant ; Puebla, a
mechanic ; Nueva Biscavza, a farmer ; and sij
forth.
The deputies were to meet in Mexico, cn the
13th of February, 1S22 ; to deliver their certfi
cates to the Regency on the 15th, and the Conf
gress was to be assembled on the 24th of that
month.
As soon as the deputies meet, they are to ba
divided into two bodies of equal numbers, ami
with the same powers, so that the laws u luclt
; originate in one chamber may be revised in the-
other.
By the 12th article of the treaty of Iguala, all
the inhabitants of New Spain, without any dis
tinction, Europeans, Africans, and Indian, are
declared to be citizens, and may hold any office
accoruimr to their merit. J"at. LitelUgencer.
SALEM, MASS. FEB. 23.
An examination of an extraordinary na
ture took place at the Court House, in
this town, on Tuesday last, before Justice
! Tucker. Five persons of the Quaker de
nomination, belonging to Lynn, were ar
raigned before the Justice, charged with
riotous and disorderly conduct, on the
preceding Sabbath, at the Quaker House
of Worship, in Lynn. It appeared that
some of the persons thus charged, had,
in consequence of circumstances connec
ted with a schism, which we regret to
learn has for some time prevailed among
the Friends, (with the nature of which we
are not fully acquainted) been read out,
or dismissed from the society ; that not
withstanding this, they continued to at
tend the meetings, and to take the seats
appropriated for the elders and speakers,
contrary to the regulations of the Society.
On the last Sabbath, three or four of them
entered the high seats, were ordered to
leave them, and on their refusing, were
actually taken by force and carried out of
the House. It also appeared that one of
the persons charged, an elderly, sedate
i "ncl respectable looking uaKer, actuauy
j entered the House of Worship ivith a sword
; gi7ig at his side. He also was put out
of the House, but did not attempt to
j make use of his deadly weapon. These
j are sorne of the principal facts of the
! case and il would be improper to say
! ore till their trial takes place, next
month, before the Court of Common
, A lca: UL 1lJ3"lulJ lul men ucamin,c at
j which, they were ordered to enter into
recognizance. The defendants declin
ing to give bonds, have all been commit
ted to the Gaol in this town, to await their
trial sscjc Register.
Awful. Vie stop the press, after the greater
part oi our paper is worked oii, says the Wash
ington (Pennsylvania,) Examiner of Feb. 25, to
record the most calamitous event with which
our town has been visited, and one which has
overwhelmed its inhabitants with lasting mourn
ing. Reserving further particulars till our next,
we at present state the following : On Satur
day night last, a fire broke out in the office of
Thos. M. T. M'Kennan, Esq. in Maiden Street,
which destroyed the house in which it originated
and the one adjoining, occupied by Wm. G.
Stone and Amos Denormandy. After the fire,
a crowd of people had assembled together near
the place, when a stack of chimneys that had been
left standing gave way, and crushed to instant
death four persons, severely wounding several
more.
And with what horror and dismay does it fill
every heart, to hear that all this sad "catastrophe
originated perhaps from design, for there had
been no fire made in the office atter two o'clock
in the afternoon. Our sensibilities are at pres
ent too much awakened to say more. Who is
there among us that can calmly "contemplate such
an event ? There are none every house is the
place of mourning, and the eves of the aged and
the young are alike filled with tears !
FROM: THE XATIONAt IXTEILICEXCEH.
The following- important Message was yester
day transmitted by the President of the United
States to the House of representatives :
To the House of Representatives of the United
States.
In transmitting to the House of Repre
sentatives the documents, called for by the
resolution of that House of the 30th of
January, I consider it mv dutv to invite
the attention of Congress to a very impor
tant subject, and to communicate the senti
mentsof the Executive on it, that there may
be such co-operation between the two De
partments of the Government, as their re
spective rights and duties may require.
The Revolutionary movement in the
Spanish Provinces in this hemisphere, at
tracted the attention'and' excited the sym
pathy of our fellow-citizens, from its
commencement. This feeling was na
tural and honorable to them, from causes
which need not be communicated to you.
It has beep gratifying to all to see the gen
eral acquiescence which has been mani
fested, in the policy whioh the constituted
authorities have deemed it proper to pur-.
ue, in regard to the contest. As soon as
the movement assumed such a steady and
consistent form as to make the success of
the-Provinces probable, the rights to which
they were entitled by the law of nations,
as equal parties to a civil war, were ex
tended to them. Each party was permit
ted to enter our ports with its public and
private ships, and to take from them eve
ry article which was the subject of com
merce with o4her nations. Our citizens
also have carried on commerce with both
parties, ant! the government his protEct'