The Kentucke Gazette

DR. BRADFORD

On a clamour arising against the conduct of our late Convention,—Is it possible, said I, that men of good sense would wilfully bring an evil on the country which must fall on themselves and their families in common with others! I will not join the cry until I have more certain information; and immediately sent for your paper in which the resolves of the Convention are published. On reading of which, I am happy to find that instead of assuming a power not delegated to them they begin with declaring that all their powers are dissolved,—without giving an intimation that this was a consequence of artifice practised in Congress unworthy of that august body; but by publishing the proceedings of Congress relative to the independence of the District, have left their constituents to judge the cause for themselves. From thence it is impossible to entertain very sanguine hopes that a second application will be more successful; therefore, if the convention had only recommended this measure, they must have appeared to have been the dupes of artifice, and their recommendations would have merited little attention. Hence must have arisen the caution which is visible on the face of their resolve in the case: prudence dictated another application in a case not altogether hopeless; but a total reliance on mere possibilities would be equally imprudent. The Convention finding themselves and their constituents in the dilemma above, appears to me to have acquitted themselves like men of virtue, wisdom and fortitude: they advise the election of another Convention to take measures for obtaining the admission of the District as a separate independent member of the United States:—this clearly implies an application both to Virginia and Congress without whose concurrent assent it cannot be obtained: and as the prosperity of the District greatly depends on the navigation of the river Mississippi, an additional prayer on this subject can be no impropriety. Let any man who cannot conveniently remove from the District contemplate what will be his situation if success does not attend these applications. Is he resolved to sit down in silent despair, and does he wish or believe that all others will do the same? Or rather I would ask him, whether he is free that himself and all others will be absolutely resigned to this their evil fate? If it should happen otherwise, anarchy may ensue, for which no remedy can be provided so effectual as a convention of representatives, either to procure a removal of the cause, or deliverance from its baneful effects. For this melancholy and more than possible event, the last clause of the resolve advises us to make provision; and the objections to what is called such unlimited power are as idle as they are insincere. It must, in fair construction, be considered a power to do good and not evil; and if we refuse to invest the power in men of our own choice, we may find ourselves controlled by those who will be as deaf to the voice of justice then as we are to that of reason now. As to the power of forming a constitution of government, and organizing the same;—if our independence should be granted, surely the work will be necessary, and after all the outcry, is only providing for what must be done:—if we should again be denied, the Convention will only lose their labour; or rather they need not begin the work, until it shall be known to be necessary. But those who are endeavouring to interrupt the harmony of the District, assert that independence without the consent of Congress is intended. Perhaps this may be the wish of some individuals: but certain it is that the recommendation of the Convention cannot be made to mean any such thing; and from the best information I have been able to obtain, a great majority of the Convention declared to the contrary, and evinced their sincerity, by rejecting a motion or draughting a constitution of government to be submitted to the consideration of the people, lest it should be mistaken as a step towards a secession from the Union. This being the case, is it fair to charge the supposed sentiments of a few individuals on a public body that was so careful to avoid the imputation? And can those who are endeavouring to prevent the election of a Convention, by such groundless pretences, have any thing better in view than either to prevent a separation on any terms, or to destroy all confidence in those who have been formerly trusted, that they themselves may grow into men of consequence? Before inserting this in your Gazette, I wish to caution honest men against ingratitude to those who have wisely and faithfully advised what, on reflection, will be found essential to the attainment of that orderly trade and independence which will enable us to improve the very singular advantages of soil and climate we enjoy.

CANDIDUS.