VI. DEBATE OVER CONSTITUTION

make him more feared than despised by his enemies-more dreaded
than beloved by the minority, who denominate themselves federalists.
1. On 5 May the Massachusetts Centinel announced that "Plutarch is received."
2. See the Massachusetts Centinel, 28 April 1790 (above).
3. John Collins was governor from May 1786 until May 1790.
4. Philip Dormer Stanhope (1694-1773), the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, was a promi-
nent English politician and author whose fame as a writer was primarily derived from
letters that he wrote to his son. Published in 1774, the letters were intended to improve
the manners of his son and to inculcate in him the art of worldly success. St. Paul, by
contrast, urged his followers to pursue spiritual fulfillment.
New York Gazette of the United States, 8 May 17901
FROM CORRESPONDENTS.
The people of America endured various and dreadful evils during
the contest with Britain. They justly expected that they should be re-
warded by establishing a free government-the people of Rhode-Island
made great exertions in the war, yet at the end of it, what have they
obtained? Is property safe? Is it a government by law or by men? Is
liberty enjoyed there-and if enjoyed, by whom-by a part, or the
whole? When Boston a single town was oppressed in 1774, all America
asserted her cause. If right may be violated and liberty destroyed in a
part of the country with impunity and without redress, in the course
of time and events it may be destroyed every where.-The distresses of
Newport and Providence are truly deplorable.
Rhode-Island is divided by parties. Those who pay the duties are not
the favorites of the government which imposes them, neither is much
confidence placed in the wise and just disposal of the revenue; under
such real necessities, and with so many causes of provocation and com-
plaint, it is not in human nature to pay the duties cheerfully. A gov-
ernment so loosely and capriciously administered will not be able to
prevent frauds. With ruin before their eyes, the traders will be forced
upon the practice of smuggling-the State is favorably situated for il-
licit trade-instead of paying duties to the national treasury, the citi-
zens of the United States will in fact pay duties to the support of the
government of Rhode-Island, for the people of the adjoining States are
supplied with goods imported into that State. Frauds will multiply in
proportion to the encreased rate of duties imposed by Congress; be-
cause the profit of smuggling will incite to practise them. It is rather
shameful to remain tributary to that State. Their governor in his public
letter to the President last September, informed that they were taking
measures to pay their part of the debt.3 Is it not time to ask if they are
ready?

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