1. DEBATE OVER CONSTITUTION

In the present situation of our affairs, no real dependence can be
put on contracts that look forward to any distance of time:-Who that
values his interest would venture to make a contract for cash, to be
received one, two or three years hence, when it is in the power of a
party of men, destitute of honor or principle, to pay him in a depre-
ciated currency at the rate of one for six, as is now the case ina sister
state, where, under the sanction of a vile and unjust law, with the pref-
ace of a KNOW YE,' an honest industrious man is obliged to accept of
one-sixth part for the full value of ajust debt due on a solemn contract.
I think it unnecessary to particularize any more of the numerous
evils and inconveniencies attending a want of a proper government for
the United States; the good sense and judgment of the people will point
out to them many others we now feel; and the many and still greater
evils that are fast approaching with rapid strides, and must e're long
fall upon us, unless speedily prevented. Then, my dear fellow citizens,
let us haste to prevent that destruction and misery that now awaits us-
Let none be swayed by persons or party; but let each of us examine
and weigh well every article of the proposed constitution, and compare
that with our present situation: I am fully confident, after mature de-
liberation, they must see the many advantages that must accrue to us
as individuals and a nation, from adopting it,-as it appears to me to
be founded on the most solid principles of liberty, and with much wis-
dom so modeled as to be adapted to the real good and happiness of
every citizen of America, as nearly as their local situations would pos-
sibly admit.
The constitution of our state is generally admired by mankind, and
particularly by our fellow citizens; it is looked upon as one of the best
models for a free government that has yet appeared to the world. And
it is visible, through the whole of the new proposed government, that
the honorable and patriotic convention who framed it, had at all times
our excellent constitution in view: It has so near a resemblance to our
own internal government that I think our citizens will undoubtedly be
among the foremost to adopt it. That some few men in high offices of
honor and profit will oppose it, there is not a doubt, but their oppo-
sition cannot be supposed to proceed from patriotic principles, but
from fear of lessening their power, their influence, or their emolu-
ments: Their trifling and unsubstantial objections, and their interested
views in making them, will readily be perceived by every observing citi-
zen, and of course will have little weight.
After having thus long taken up the time of the public, I think it
necessary to inform them, that the author is not swayed by party or
interest: Through the whole course of the late war he served America
as a soldier, and, since the peace, has retired to private business: He is

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