The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 1.

While the convention were debating on the propriety of referring the constitution to a committee of the whole, Mr. Wilson made the following observation: "Shall we, Sir, while we contemplate a great and magnificent edifice, condescend like a fly, with its microscopic eye, to scrutinize the imperfections of a single brick."

Mr. Findley, retorting the metaphor, said, "shall we not, Sir, when we are about to erect a large and expensive fabric (for as far as it respects us, we are about to erect this mighty fabric of government in Pennsylvania) examine and compare the materials of which we mean to compose it, fitting and combining the parts with each other, and rejecting every thing that is useless and rotten."

That concluded, Dr. Rush, is not our situation. We are not at this time called upon to raise the structure. The house is already built for us; and we are only asked, whether we choose to occupy it? If we find its apartments commodious, and, upon the whole, that it is well calculated to shelter us from the inclemencies of the storm that threatens, we shall act prudently in entering it; if otherwise, all that is required of us is, to return the key to those who have built and offered it for our use."

It was observed in the convention, that the federal convention had exceeded the powers given to them by the several legislatures; but Mr. Wilson observed, that however foreign the question was to the present business he would place it in its proper light. The federal convention did not act at all upon the powers given to them by the states, but they proceeded upon original principles, and having framed a constitution, which they thought would promote the happiness of their country, they submitted it to their consideration, who may either adopt or reject it, as they please.

On Wednesday, Mr. M'Kean, closed a long speech on the legislative article of the new Constitution, with this striking observation, "Tho' a good system of government is certainly a blessing, yet it is on the administration of the best system, that the freedom, wealth and happiness of the people depend. Despotism, if wisely administered, is the best form of government invented by the ingenuity of man! And we find that the people under absolute and limited monarchies, under aristocracies and mixed governments, are as contented, and as prosperous as we are, owing, undoubtedly, to the wisdom and virtue of their rulers. In short, the best government may be so conducted as to produce misery and disgrace, and the worst, so administered, as to ensure dignity and happiness to a nation."