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North-Carolina State Gazette; v i . 1 Ours are the plans of fair delightful peace, V"1 , Unwarp'd by party rage, tolive like brother. j - I 1 yjnT Monday, Novmbeb2, 184 ' 25 r XAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS of the Connecticut Legijlature. Trotn the National Intelligecar. WE have considered it a duty to lav before our readers the proceedings ti itftw : i Connecticut in a ,case of the most ex traordinary aspect! It will be recol lected that-for some time past an in teresting discussion has been conduct ed in that state on the question whe ther she has a constitution. Many able performances have been written c Uo HAimf or rteDresentativcs ui' on both sides, and the federal prints J huve been crouded with essays to prove that she has" a constitution. This is evidence that public opinion has be-.;n greatly divided on this sub ject. Among those who, it seems, have expressed an opinion that there is no constitution, are William Judd, J. H. Tomlinson, AgurJudson, He zeluah Goodrich, and Nathaniel Manning,, justices of the peace Jor the expression of these senti ments, these citizens have beer, sum moned to answer before the General Assembly? t0 snew cause tf any they have, why their commissions should not be revoked. Deeming this an aggression, of the most dangerous nature, on the es sential rights of the citizen, we invite the atttentjon of every man to it. Whether Connecticut has, or has not a constitution, is not here the question; but whether every free man of that 6tate? be he a justice of the peace, or a private citizen, has, at has not the right of entertaining the honest convictions of his own judgment, of expressing them, and 01 recommending measures calcula ted, in a quiet nd orderly way, to settle the controversy, either by the express establishment of a constitu tion, or by a decision not td alter the present state of things. To ef fect these honorable purposes, the denounced gentlemen have coropera-t-d with thousands of their fellow ci tizens ; and to effect similar purposes in relation to, the -whole . union the best men in America met, together in that illustrious body that framed the form of government under which we now live. Iri vain shall we boast of our liberty, if. an attempt to change the form of our governments shall be received and treated as cri minal. ' . liut this odious transaction does not stop here. It. is the nature of one excess to lead to another. A precipitate spirit marked the procee dings of the House of Representa tives on the above occasion. Some members thought the case merited some little delay and thought. mong these appears to be Samuel Hart, jun. lie expressed himself with the freedom that he thought 'and, that every man out of the vor tex of party will think, became a re presentative ot the peo'ple. The oc casion was seized with .eagerness, and not a moment lost t to reprobate his conduct by a solemn reprimand. Contrast the language of Mr. Hart with that used on the floor of Con gress by many of the representatives of that state, and say whether the former is not modest, delicate and unassuming, compared with that of the latter I Recollect the sacred du ties attached to the character of a re presentative, and say whether Mr. Hart had not an indisputabte right to "make the declarations ascribed to him? Were they not true, and were they not appropriate ? It is to be feared that it was because they were both true and apposite, that they were de nounced." Ve confess that we feei some alarm for the consequences of this intolerant spirit. The mea sure is so extraordinary arid unprece dented , in the annals of legislation Slncc the era of independence, that fear it can only emapa'te from a termination of the majority to sup press in their opponents that free ex pression of sentiment so hostile to cntinuance of their power. Be ,l;s as it may, we have deemed it ?w duly to exhibit these proceedings to the public, and to them, as the jWest tribunal su'airait the ultimate mrd. r OF CONNECTICUT. Wednesday, October 17. bill from the Governor and Council was read, stating that Wil liam Judd of Firminghamj Jabez H. Tomlinson, and " Agur Judson of Stadford, Hezekiah Goodrich of Chatham, and Nathaniel Manning bf Windham, Esqrs. justices of the peace, had declared and published as their proceedings, that there is no constitution of civil government in J the state of Connecticut ; and that it was improper for persons holding an opinion that the government of Con necticut was an usurpation, should hold commissions of the peace under that government ; and requiring them to appear before the General Assem bly on the 25th of this inst. October, and shew cause, if any they have why their commissions should not be re voked. Mr. Collins said he felt perfectly willing to subscribe to the idea, and he thought that the gentlemen na med in the bill should be treated with terms of delicacy and tender ness ; but he thought we ought to come to an explanation with therm It is no more than what the impor tance of the subject, and the public good requires. He believed it in consistent that men who think we have no constitution, and that our government is an usurpation, should" hold offices under that government. The proper steps to be taken, are pointed out in the hill : the gentler men are ciled to appear before this honorable Assembly, and shew the reasons of their conduct. He was in favor of the bill. Mr. E. Holmes moved a concur rence with the government and council. The conduct of the gen tlemen mentioned in the bilL, had been satisfactory to him and many other gentlemen. He wished them to be treated with all tenderness and "delicacy, but their conduct had been such as required that something should be done. He moved concur rence. Mr. Dagged wished the bill to be read again It was read accordingly. He. then said it was so consonant to all his ideas of justice, that every government skoukl protect itself, that he could see no reasonable ob jection to the bill. If the .gentlemen named have disavowed the govern ment, made declarations against its existence, or have declared, that it is an usurpation, it is certainly highly improper- that they. should hold omce under it. Mr. Stevens observed, that the re solution was something novel, that if no inconvenience would arise, he wished it would be postponed till to morrow morning. Persons may en tertain difle refit sentiments ; and we are all liable to change our opinions. He moved a postponement of the considerautm of it till tOrmorrOvv. Mr. Rositer .aid, if the persons named in the bill were now called up on to give the reasons for their con duct, there would be some propriety in the motion for a postponement. But this resolution is passed only for the purpose of giving them notice, ana causing them to" appear. He presumed all the members of the House had made up their minds upon the subject, and were as well prepa red to act upon it now as ever. He therefore was opposed to thepostpone ment. Mr. Stevens said he understood the persons named in the resolution were charged with certain offences, and that they were therein cited to appear and answer to the charge. He did not know but the gentlemen would be content with the object of the resolution, nor but they would appear and make .their defence. Some of them lived at a distance, and they ought not to be troubled to come on Thursday of next week, unless the House be fully convinced of the reality of the charges which are made against them. The busi ness will be new and important to them He wished the House not to be precipitate. He saw no inconve nience from a delay till the next morning. The members of the House may then entertain a diffe rent opinion from what they do now. Perhaps some may wish to discuss jj the subject who are not now prepa-i red to do it. , j The motion for postponement was negatived. . Mr. Samuel .Harl, jun. Two things are necessary to obtain an ob ject the ability and the disposition, both ofthese the House poesess I therefore 'deem'it unnecessary -una- d tt ... vailing," to say any thing ononis sub ject. : : .. '3f - v - Mr. S&s.npygd tjairtSas, and nays be taken on the resolution. Mr. Dagget said if he did not mis understand the gentleman from Ber lin, he had imputed improper mo tives to this House. I would ask by what authority he made these re marks. I understand him to say in substance that this House have the ability and the disposition to pass this bill, and therefore arguments are un availing, They have prejudged the question and arc determined there fore to act improperly. I think the gentleman has mistaken this house there may-have been such a collec tion of people here at some time, but I hope I trust in God that this house is not thus degraded, but will act with that consistency and integrity which the Legislature of Connecticut has ever manifested. I am the more surprised at these remarks coming from a new member. I think his modesty .should have prevented him. He should have learned the dignified cpurse which this house maintains. Mr. Hart said he was much mista ken if he had said any things which the gentleman from New-Haven had imputed to him. He did not say the house were disposed to do wrong ; if he thought so, he did not see how Mr. Daggett should know it, he had not told his thoughts. He always supposed that we might speak freely on the floor of this House ; but if it had got to that, that we may not speak , pur sentiments he hoped We might be indulged with thinking as w-e pleased. Mr. Miller did hot wish that any man should be hindered from speak ing his sentiments with freedom ; but he hoped in God that ho man would be indulged with the priviledge of speaking sentiments disgraceful to the HouSe. If the gentleman meant by his observations, that this House had a predisposition to judge the question, they -were highly improper. Mr. Hart observed, that aiver what had fallen from the ' gentleman, he thought it his duty to give an expla nation of the remarks he had made. He had no intention of charging the House with an intention to do wrong; he only alluded to the two political parties which existed 'in the house, and which he considered as distinctly marked as the lines and boundaries of a county. If the two Darties in- dulged different sentiments he bo'fed it would not be considered as a crime to express them. Shall the minority because they hapben to dittr from the rhajority on many political ques tions, be taxed with insult and inde cency ? He hoped that the minority had some rights left them.' ; Mr. E. Holmes, uiulerstood the gentleman from Berlin, to say that uns nouse were uisposeci to uo wrong, to be actuated by improper motives. He knew not the I -: gentleman, he could only jlook at him and see what he was. He has been guilty of great indecency,-! he has trespassed on mo desty, and he does not feel disposed to take back the expressions he has used; Mr. N. Terry, thought it iiripor tantthat the freedom of speech should be 1 preserved. Piit the gentle man- from Berlin has niade use of language injurious to the honor and dignity of this House ; and he trus ted that the freedom of speech would never justify such remarks. He hoped there was no example in this House, where the sacredness of private opinion had been trespassed upo,n. .But when a gentleman comes here," and.makes use of language that is improper and indecent, he is an swerable for it; The gentleman from Berlin rose, expressed his opinion, and diat down ; his remarks contained insinuations, very impertinent, when called upon to explain, his reasons were insult ing ; were even worse than his first remarks. He said that the parties in .this house were as distinctly marked as the division lhics of a town or county.' What did he mean ? Tflat this House was actuated by party motives, and that no reasons offered to it would be availing. I am but an individual in this House, a young member, and not much acquainted with the rules, but I have some little sense of what is proper, I have some feelings for its honor and dignity. v Mr. L. Hull wished the gentleman who made the motion for the yeas and nays to b taken, would withdraw it, with some other, remarks which could not be heard. Mr.. E. Holmes was willing that the yeas and nays' should be taken. Though the bill was a new one, the subject was not new. He believed there was no man who had heard of the proceedings of the convention or meeting in this town, in August last but was prepared to give his vote. Mr. Stevens said, that he wished the yeas and nays to be taken, and he did not feel disposed to make a motion for reconsideration. Any o ther member who was in the House could do it. The yeas and nays were then ta ken and are, Yeas 2 Nays 43. E. Holmes. Mr. Speaker. I rise to make a .motion For the honor and dignity of Ibis, house, and for the good of the? gentleman (looking at Mr. Hart of Berlin,) that the Spea ker be requested to reprimand the gentleman from Berlin, unless he come forward, and take back the expressions he made use of towards this House. Speaker. Please to reduce your motion to writing. Mr. Daggett TTrew the following resolve which was read. Resolved, That the Speaker of the House be requested to publicfy repri mand Mr. Samuel Hart, jun. for the indignity offered to this House in his remarks this afternoon., Mr. Rossiter,mOved an amendment by adding the words, at the opening of the House to morrow morning. The amendment was adopted. Mr. Huntington moved that the House postpone acting on this resolve till to morrow morning. Mr. Daggett said he would have no objection to the postponement till to morrow morning or evemfive days if he desired it j but the request ought to come from him. Mr. Hart had rose to explain, but instead of justi. fying himself he persisted. He ex pressed an opinionthan which none is more dangerous, viz. that the House was divided into parties distinctly marked as the lines or boundaries of towns and counties. I trust this House will be actuated by otter than party views. I wish to pursue no man improperly, but I think it be comes this House to punish this in sult offered to it immediately. .Mr' Huntington said he felt as iriuch for the honor and dignity of the House as any member. He did not know what expressions had fal len from the gentlemen from Berlin, which were so oppressive he was not in thellouse when he made them. But he thought the House would shew some dignity in not proceeding with precipitancy. If the gentleman from Berlin has transgressed the rules, her trusted, that on reflection, he would make a satisfactory a pology. Mr. SteVens thought the House I would deem it more proper to reclaim than to punish. The gentleman from Berliii is a young member he may have spoken hastily : if so, he did not doubt but he would give a proper explanation, if he had a little time to consider on it. He hoped the House wouid e;ive no member reason to complain, dh account of the precipi tancy of its measures. Mr. M'Clellan said he thought, it was time for this House to shew that they have-some dignity : to discoun tenance such abusive and contefup tuous language as .the gentleman from Berlin has iise.d; Three. times has he risen arid iif&ulted tnisrlQiise with the, most indecent expressions. For himself he could hardly subscribe to the passing so tame a resolve. Mr. Terry though the dignity of the House had been grossly insulted. He agreed with the gentleniah from Stamford, that it was better to re claim than tb;pnish and he should be satkfiedl&thfeerentleman would come.forwatttCid.ive a proper ei-f planation of Jiis ' remarks, or if he should himself request a postpone ment, he for himself should hot ob ject. But he does not make this re quest ; nor shew any signs of repen tance. He should therefore be op posed to the postponement. Mr. Colliris, said that if the gen tleman from Berlin had not trans gressed the rules of the House in his remarks, he certainly had in ano ther instance, and these very .rules which he had heard read at the open ing of the Session-that When any bill1 is before the house ih which be could jiot act, he ,should leave the House He should, have though Vthat modesty would have taught him to have left his seat, durihg this de bate. . , Mr. Daggett thought it becoming the dignity of the House to put this business at rest. The motion forpostpbnement wa$ negatived. The question was then taken on the resolution and passed. State of North-Car dlina. Cabatrus County, October Session, 1804 John Hamilton ) , . vs. C Original Attachment. David D. Fair, y Ordered, That publication be made three Weeks successively in the Raleigti Register, that unless the Defendant come into Couit at our Court-house in Concord, .on the third Monday in January next, and replevy or enter his plea in writing, to the aforesaid Suit, that final Judgment will be entered against him. 4 JOHJf SIMIANER, C. C. rpHE. Subscriber forewarns aU Per- sons from trading for a Note of Hand given 1 himself and John Garret seii. im. toHenrv P. Poole., of Montsromerv count.; Ij dated the 18th pf September for 35 Dollar ana some cents. Jieing on my trarel; wni forced to, trial without a single paper, iii then to give the above Note of Hand ios ' Pollars andsome Cents , although I have Receipt in full for the samei Luner.bur County, in Virgil , " 7 , TKROWEH REEMAI . A large and jswjxment o Suitable WHICH, together Wfeile articles recent ly arrived, renders tfijstore compieW fitted to supply, their frias, and which thcy are determined to dOM the' moat i'eu souable terms. . , . - Johk'son & FLEMjbeg jeye to rei turn their grateful aclftdwledgernems n their friends for the ncbwragemht the have received since their commencement iu business, and hope by a studd atfentio to support an assortment calcjjjated id suitjthe market, and by disposing ottrnem brrthemasr moderate terms, to merit a continuation of the public favour. A deduction of ten per cent, will be al lowed for Cash, on sums not less than 2 j dollars, groceries excepted. ' y . Wurreiton, Oct. 20r. . Mutual Insurance Society AGAINST FIRE r On Buildings, Gtxls and Pvirnitur in the State df North-Carolinal ' General Meeting of the; Mutual InsuranceSociety will be Held; 'agree ably to adjournment, at the SuJte-House m ltaleigh, on Monday the 3d of December next, t 3 o'clock in the evening; at winch time and place all the Subscribers are re quested to attend, in person; or By proxr it is probable a constitution w'ul then W u dopced, and the Ban be carried into' effecu .i. wuuj m tne mean time, wih become subscribers, to , die plan, will pleased to make knowi thew intentions to ".svx tne pociety in Morgan,, SahsburyHihsborough, Fayfettevilie, Wii mington, NCwberni Edenton, Halif o; Raleigh. Nov. 3, 1804. NEW BOOKS. J. GALES respectfully informs the PiVy he, that he has at present a very comt.c Assortment of Books in aU the vaf.ou rancnes oi iearmni vii. Religion ; aim -w, iyeutcme. History;, n Arts ,aiid Sciences, PhUosophy, Ma'f, ,' History Biography, Pchtics, Voyages " Travels. Agriculture and -Gardeninc L-r mapc ana noetic anclMiscelianeous Won Novels and Romances, School Book-s vU. fw the- instruction and enrt-.rra';h...:. t"out,&c .. - , Catalogues to bfchad gratis a his Store. Subscribers to 4hV Life or Washiukto' Curran's speeches, " a-W the Domestic hfjiic jdpilia, may have their Books on app, BLANKS OF. ALL KINfci. yOK.S'ALE AT V Stores' - :: - 7- y? - . AX'
The Weekly Raleigh Register (Raleigh, N.C.)
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Nov. 12, 1804, edition 1
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